By
Graham Davis
 |
|
Joseph
Shaw
|
Gold
Coast cleaner and veteran of service in HMA Ships Australia and
Queenborough, 69- year-old Joseph Shaw, was looking forward to
joining his old
shipmates at next month’s National Naval Reunion in Sydney.
He received the invitation to attend 12 months ago and kept the
invitation in his pocket.
In recent months, however Joseph and his wife Val have been “doing
the sums” as to how much it would cost to attend the August 1
to 8 reunion.
Apart from fares, accommodation, meals and registration costs,
Joseph realised he would have to employ someone to do his job
as a cleaner at the Ashmore Plaza shopping centre.
The all-up cost would be around $2,000. Then there was the problem
of the couple’s two cats, who would feed and care for them?
Joseph and Val put the planned trip in the “too hard basket”.
They were very disappointed. Mrs Tracy Moore, of Ashmore Furniture,
one of the 58 specialty shops in the plaza, heard of Joseph’s
and Val’s wish to go and their disappointment at not being able
to.
Mrs Moore went out and did something about it. She took the hat
around the plaza and received an outstanding result.
As this story was written she had raised close to the amount needed.
As for the cats? “The pet shop in the plaza is going to look after
them.
“We’ve made arrangements for someone else to clean the plaza while
Joseph is away,” she said.
“My husband Tony has even offered to take leave to do it.
“Joseph is a very popular person around the plaza.
“He works seven days per week. He has just three days off each
year.
“It would have been a real shame if he and Val had missed out
on attending the re-union.” She said Joseph was a seaman who served
in HMA Ships Australia and Queenborough from 1950 to 1957.
As this edition of Navy News was going to press, Joseph had not
been informed of the generous contribution by the shopkeepers.
“The shopkeepers plan to gather on Saturday, July 10, and give
him the good news then,” she said.
The National Naval Reunion is planned for venues in and around
Sydney from August 1 to 8.
Thousands of veterans from many nations are expected to attend.
Funds raised will go to the Sir David Martin Foundation.
Further information about the reunion can be obtained from 1800
065 105.
