Happy memories from hard times

FIFTY-four years ago, the all corps Possum Unit, 161 Independent Recce Flight, first served in South Vietnam.

Last week, Ballarat saw the Possums reunite, with 118 association members from across Australia attending a ‘meet and greet’ evening at the Mercure, before a formal dinner and memorial service across the next two days.

Organised by a working group headed by Victorian Branch President and Ballarat local, Tom Jobling, the reunion benefited from a council Community Impact Grant, and some guests hadn’t seen each other for over 50 years.

In Vietnam, Phillip Consalvo and two friends, Tony Gill and Bob van Aken sourced guitars, drums and air base amplifiers from the infantry battalion.

With a microphone taken from a tape recorder and attached to a broomstick, they created their band, Wang’s Bang.

Playing around the units of Nui Dat in 1969, music was a joyful outlet for them in a context where their lives depended on one other.

Mr Consalvo travelled all the way from Lismore in New South Wales to the bi-annual Possum reunion last week. It’s important to him to relive these “happy times” with those he has an unbreakable bond with.

“It’s really good to catch up with people that you went through some hard times with, but that’s not what we reminisce about,” he said.

“We reminisce about the times when we had to work hard and fix the aircraft in the middle of the night because they had to be ready by the next morning… Then we’d get our release.

“The songs we sang were of that era and the guys really appreciated it, because although they had their Akai tape recorders, reel to reel, they just loved the atmosphere in our boozer, having a few beers and listening to the old songs.”

It was a privilege for Tom Jobling, having the opportunity to organise the weekend of memories and friendship.

“We’re grateful that people have taken the trouble at their age to travel so far. Some of the guys I’ve seen here tonight, I have not seen since 1969,” he said.

City of Ballarat’s Cr Samantha McIntosh said it’s important the local community continues to host gatherings like the Possum 54 Reunion.

“Military reunions are a great opportunity to reforge bonds and rekindle past friendships. For so many, life after service is where the real battle lies,” she said.

“It can be a challenge to become separated from those who have shared your experiences and understand the trauma and situations you’ve faced.

“Events such as this can have a healing and even therapeutic affect for so many veterans, and that’s why the City of Ballarat is absolutely proud to support the event.”