2006 President's Dinner
"Back to the Forties.."

The Kalamunda Youth Swing Band was brilliant.	Squadron leader David Simonson cutting a fine figure, with his lovely wife Pam, and Ross Jones quietly in the background.	Lance Synnerdahl getting camera lessons from the Old Master Harry Heuchan.

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The annaul R-ROC President's Dinner was held at the Perth Town Hall on saturday 24th June 2006. This was a glittering affair, with members enthusiastically taking in the Theme of the evening, with a bevy of old uniforms, beautifully crafted and worn '40s dresses (Glenice Matthews wore a real 40s dress, and Lisa Buckleton made a wore one, having used original patterns and materials . . so very special!). Hair styles were coiffed and styled to the theme (Susie Newman-Browne wore a "Victory roll" hairstyle!) . . and then there were the spivs and wide boys, wearing jaunty trilbys and trench coats, and demob suits and two-tone shoes, willing to sell you a watch or two, or a "pair of nylons for your special girl.."

The "horses doovers" in the foyer were delightful and varied, and the drinks flowed freely. In the main hall, the tables had been beautifully decorated and laid out, and at the end of the hall, on either side of the stage, on huge screens, Harry Heuchan's projected pictures rolled continuously through images of the Club members and their proper motor cars. An eight-foot wingspan model Spitfire aircraft swooped over the corner of the stage (thanks to David Simonson - where does he keep these toys?) and the stage was lit up for the Band.

The Kalamunda Youth Band provided spectacular swing music for the entire evening, beginning with a very moving introduction to the dark days at the beginning of World War 2.

The lights dimmed, searchlights played and flickered, and the air-raid warning sirens moaned out over the speakers . . and then came the crackling, tremulous voice of Neville Chamberlain, formally warning the potential enemy, that there was a dealine of 11 am to annouce a withdrawal from Poland. This was followed by the chilling announcement that "We are at war with Germany." There were further voice overs from Menzies and Churchill, all adding to the atmosphere. The searchlights played, the sirens sounded again and the rumble of bombing and destruction began . . and then the lights came up, and the band swung straight into a faultless rendition of Glenn Miller's In the Mood . . breathtaking!

Their female vocalist was brilliant, singing all the songs with clver subtle 1940s mannerisms and smiles, wagging fingers and knowing sidelong glances. The male singer gave us clever renditions of Sinatra and Jimm Dorsey songs.

The highlight of the band set piece was to produce three girls singing Andrews Sisters favourites, again with classical production techniques and touches, which brought the evening alive. The meal was very good, the drinks continued to flow freely, and the evening was danced away by all and sundry. What a great evening!