Royal Australian Navy Writers Association

It is with sadness I advise you of the passing of a WWII Veteran, WRANWTR Melba June CHARLES (nee Quickensted), WR/2505 on the 16th December 2025.

Melba worked at FRUMEL during WWII.

FRUMEL (Fleet Radio Unit, Melbourne), was a United States–Australian–British signals intelligence unit, founded in Melbourne, Australia, during World War II as an out-station of Bletchley Park. It was situated in Monterey House, Queens Rd, Melbourne, which is still there today having been converted into a highly sought-after apartment building. Those who worked at FRUMEL were involved in saving thousands of Australian and Allied lives. They were true heroes.

Melba was 101. Photo is Melba at her 100th birthday on 5th June 2024.

Volunteer Webpage Manager Wanted: Royal Australian Navy Writers Association

Are you eager to learn about website management and passionate about supporting naval heritage? The Royal Australian Navy Writers Association, a volunteer-run organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and stories of the Royal Australian Navy Scribes, is seeking a Volunteer Webpage Manager to join our team!

No need to be a web "wiz" – we're looking for someone enthusiastic and keen to learn. We'll provide the training you need to get up to speed. Additionally, to make things easier, we'll even provide you with a Mac laptop for the role. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain new skills for a meaningful cause and contribute to the rich legacy of the RAN Writers Association.
Excitingly, we are redeveloping a new and improved webpage from scratch with a professional webpage designer! It will be a clean slate with endless possibilities for your creativity.

Key Responsibilities:
• Website Maintenance: Regularly update website content, including news, events, articles, and member information.
• Content Management: Work with the RAN Writers Association committee to upload and organise new written works, images, and multimedia.
• User Experience: Help ensure the website is user-friendly, visually appealing, and easy to navigate.
• Troubleshooting: Address any technical issues or broken links promptly (with support from the committee).
• Collaboration: Work closely with the committee to implement new features or design changes as needed.
We're Looking for Someone Who Is:
• Eager to learn about website content management systems (we'll provide training!).
• Detail-oriented with a keen eye for accuracy and consistency.
• Reliable, proactive, and able to work independently.
• A strong communicator, capable of collaborating effectively with a remote team.
• Passionate about Australian naval history and heritage (or keen to learn!).
• Able to dedicate a few hours per week to maintain the website.

Why Volunteer?
• Make a Difference: Contribute to preserving and sharing the valuable stories of the RAN Writers Association members and the emerging Maritime Personnel sailor and officer categories.
• Gain New Skills: Receive training in website management.
• Tools Provided: You'll be loaned a Mac laptop to use for this role if required. If you already have a computer you’re comfortable with you are welcome to use your own!
• Flexible Hours: Manage your volunteering around your existing commitments.
• Give back: Give back to our Association.

If you're ready to learn and lend your time to a worthy cause, we'd love to hear from you!

To Apply:
Please express your interest by sending a brief email outlining why you'd like to volunteer with the RAN Writers Association to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

Great catchup @ Raymond Island, Vic. Liz and I both met at HMAS ALBATROSS 1989 and friendship still going strong

Left - Elizabeth Miller (nee Saunders)
Right - Karyn Wood (nee Dennis)n

For those in the VIC area - this may be of interest

Many thanks to Geroge Kitchener who reached let us know that ex Warrant Officer Writer Denis Benfield passed away earlier this week. Denis is survived by his wife, Denise. Funeral details to follow.

On behalf of the President and RAN Writers Association we extend our condolences to Denise and family.

RIP Denis.

The following message has been received from Glen MacAndrews

I would like to advise you that my good friend of over 60 years, former POWTR Ralph Burge, passed away peacefully in his sleep on 7 March 2025, after a long illness.

Ralph joined the RAN in February 1962 as an NAMAE and transferred to the Writer Branch shortly after.

When he was a POWTR he transferred to the AI Branch and after 4 years at Curtain Uni in Perth he was promoted Lieutenant. He paid of in February 1982 as a LCDR Education Branch.

Amongst many things about Ralph he played both Interservice Cricket for the RAN and also made the Combined Services Team.

Ralph is survived by his wife, former LWRWTR Lorraine Beattie, 3 children, 7 Grandchildren and 4 Great Grand Children.

His funeral detail are:

2pm Monday 17th March
LakeView Chapel
Albany Creek Memorial Park
400 Albany Creek Road
Bridgeman Downs QLD.

Glen MacAndrews

On behalf of the President and members of the RAN Writers Association we extend our condolences to Lorraine and family.

Fellow Scribes, the Association would like to advise we are having problems with the ranwriters.com website. This currently being investigated and we will let you know when resolved. We thank you for your patience.

Further comms to follow in due course.

Hi there Scribes,

Robert Freitag has reached out. He’s looking for a Scribe he joined up with by the name John Gagetti. If you know of John and are able to share his details pls reach out and send a private message

Good afternoon Scribes,

Don’t forget the AGM tonight…

Commencing at 1915 hrs AESDT

Virtual: Via Google Meet – Video call link – to access the
meeting click this link: https://meet.google.com/vtn-ddsa-pde

meet.google.com

George Kitchener shared the following advice on the Writers Facebook.

Received advice this morning that Ex WOWTR John Michael (Paddy) O'brien R57409 passed away aged 86 at Young Hospital NSW. A lovely bloke, sadly missed.

RIP Paddy and smooth seas mate. Sincere sympathies to his wife Margaret and families.

For those who cannot make it, but would like to watch, the video link is here.
https://www.norwoodpark.com.au/service-streaming/client/?nid=29ef0e99-9cbb-4674-b789-019b93d2a4aa

On behalf of the President, Committee and members of the RAN Writers Association we extend our condolences to Margaret and families.

RIP Paddy

Shared from a HMAS Cerberus group

Today we farewell WO Wes Intihar from the full time Navy after over 40 years of dedicated service. He was sent off by members of TTF and other close friends from around the base. His family as usual was there to support him and we wish them all well in their future endeavours.