2018 - SAMVOA National Formal Mess Dinner

Glen Waverley RSL

13th October 2018

Guest Of Honour - Colonel Kenneth Northwood

ADF - Resolution 435

SAMVOA Formal Mess Dinner

13th October, 2018

Glen Waverley RSL,

Guest of Honour; Colonel Kenneth Northwood - ADF.

On Saturday 13th October, 2018, the National Executive of SAMVOA proudly hosted its thirteenth annual formal mess dinner at the Glen Waverley RSL. There was a lot of interest in the Guest of Honour as Ken Northwood had a close connection to the implementation of Resolution 435.

Ken first worked at Murphy and Moloney, Solicitors in Sydney from 1961 to 1963. He started as an Articled Law Clerk and admitted as a Solicitor of Supreme Court of New South Wales and High Court of Australia in 1964. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory 1977, became an Associate and then Partner before working in litigation and becoming a litigation specialist and partner.

In 1965 he was on the Reserve of Officers List and Active CMF and attached to the Australian Army Legal Corps to June 1975. He then joined the Australian Regular Army on the 1st July 1975 and he was posted to Directorate of Army Legal Services with the rank of Major, promoting to Lieutenant Colonel in 1978 and posted as Chief Legal Officer, Third Military District, Victoria.

He transferred to Active Reserve in July 1980 and returned to private practice with R.F Giles Payne & Co. Solicitors 1980 – 1987 as Litigation partner.

In 1987 he was invited to return to ARA and posted as Staff Officer Grade 1 at Victoria Barracks, Sydney in support to Land Command. In January 1989 he was posted as Legal Officer HQ CE UNTAG where he served with the United Nations in South West Africa and by September 1989, he was the military legal adviser to Major General Prem Chand the UN Force Commander and Australian Force Commander.

He was appointed Defence Force Magistrate and Judge Advocate in 1990 and became a Rules of Engagement Specialist and served as legal officer supporting the SAS in counter terrorism while at Land Command. He was posted as Command Legal Officer Training Command late 1991 and promoted to Colonel in 1992,

The Formal Mess evening began for the 75 guests with Drinks at 1930H at the downstairs reception. Mike Black, the Mess President presented the South African Sherry before the call to dinner was made by the Mess Vice President, CJ Luke. The Guest of Honour and guests were piped into the mess area by our piper, Karl Brown.

Grace was said and the Host, Veteran Tony Macquet welcomed everyone.

The menu was the following, with alternate servings.

• The Entrée was:

o Isobho Ithanga Coconut Pumpkin Soup, served with sour cream and chives.

o Isobho Kuxutshwe Minestrone Soup, served with tasty parmesan cheese.

• The Mains were:

o Karoo Lamb Shank, braised in rich tomato, rosemary and red wine sauce, served on a bed of creamy potato mash.

o Nkuku Tender Chicken Breast, marinated in preserved lemon, coriander, parsley and selected spices, served with Mediterranean style couscous, topped with tomato and chick-pea sauce and a side of hummus cream.

• Desserts were;

o Muhle Sticky Date Pudding, drizzled with butterscotch sauce and a dollop of double cream.

o Mnyama Chocolate mousse blended with Kahlua liqueur, served with whipped cream and a strawberry garnish.

• Coffee, tea and beverages from the bar.

During the proceedings, our Mess President, Mike Weber welcomed Ken and provided a bit of his background as an ADF Legal Officer. Ken spoke mainly of his time in Namibia, whilst serving as a Legal Officer to General Officer Commanding, Major General Prem Chand. He recounted how they, understandably, stood aside when the South African Forces returned to expel the SWAPO who had, against the agreement, started occupying parts of Namibia. It was a most enjoyable and very interesting presentation.

The Toasts were made:

1. South Africa, the Mother Country, wishing her peace

2. Australia, our new home, may we be worth citizens.

3. Fallen Serviceman and women, “Lest we Forget”.

Veteran Karl Brown played a very well-received medley on his pipes, which included some favourite South African tunes.

Veteran Andre van der Berg, as Mess Vice President, controlled the evening well and all went as planned