Good and bad gifts

LACW Hayley Geale, of RAAF Williams, thanks Santa for delivering the present she wanted most this year – a posting to Amberley. Her worst present was “the Anne of Green Gables book set because, at 16, I was not interested in Anne of Green Gables!” Photo by SGT David Grant

Air Force News asked a selection of personnel what is the worst Christmas present they have received and what they would like for Christmas this year. Here are their responses

ACW Nat Giles, Orderly Clerk, Headquarters Air Combat Group
Worst present: Half-hearted/obligated gifts from the $2 Shop.
What I’d like: A puppy.

LAC Corey McGuinness, Registry Clerk, Headquarters Surveillance and Control Group
Worst: Toiletries.
What I’d like: Four-burner barbecue.

LACW Shellie Peterkin, Orderly Clerk, HQ Air Combat Group
Worst: A pair of sandals that were too small, so mum took them back but didn't get me another pair.
What I’d like: A portable spa bath.

SQNLDR Paul Coghlan, SENGO 321 Combat Support Squadron
Worst: Never had a bad present, but being given a fully quilted motorcycle jacket as an early Christmas present before being posted to Tindal was pretty out there!
What I’d like: (Serious) I would love to see Darwin’s wet season diverted to the drought-stricken farmers.
(Dream on) A week of nothing but fishing, swimming and lazing on a tropical beach (without the kids).
(Realistic) Friends and family, good food, cold wine and beer and only a little hangover.

WOFF Rod Smith, RAAF Base Richmond
Worst: 25 lashes with a razor strap from my dad (I don't think I should go into the details as to why except to say that I got home at about 4am and that my friend’s dad was also very upset!)
What I’d like: How about a 1954 FJ Holden sedan, turquoise-coloured with three blondes in the back and a brunette in the front.

LACW Helena Kessels, REG CLK 322 Combat Support Squadron
Worst: Would have to be an Ike and Tina Turner CD.
What I’d like: A big Christmas dinner feast with loved ones.

FLTLT Clayton Wilson, Base Legal Officer, RAAF Base Pearce
Worst: The mumps – I looked like Bert Newton on steroids.
What I’d like: Peace on earth and goodwill. For medicine – a cure for AIDS/HIV. For the environment – a solution to the greenhouse effect. For me – a Holden Monaro in the garage.

AIRCDRE Stewart Cameron, Commander Combat Support Group
Worst: I honestly cannot think of a bad Christmas present – the intent of those giving the gifts has always been the issue for me.
What I’d like: That we all learn to appreciate the really important things in life.

SGT Margaret Roach, 28SQN RAAF Fairbairn
Worst: Bedside clock radio and alarm. I had thought it would be great waking up to music. Reality check! The radio sits on MY side of the room, alarm wakes me (I’m not a shift worker but still have to be woken up at 3am so I can turn the radio off and thump the giver of the gift!)
What I’d like: A swimming pool with accessories, men to put in the pool, men to landscape the pool area, a regular man to do pool maintenance and a personal swimming instructor.

Reservists from No.24 (City of Adelaide) Squadron
Worst: Pair of purple pleated culotte pants with six-inch elastic waist-band and buttons down the front, three inches too short in the leg with Vinnie's price tag still attached. – ACW Dee Cherry.
What I’d like: Jetski. – LACW Kelley Linger.
CD player and engine computer re-configuration management chip. – WOFF Harold Willson.

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