From: Rob
[admin@ocsportsea.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 22 October 2003 10:44
AM
To:
Subject: REQUEST FOR
RECOGNITION OF OFFICER CADET SCHOOL MEMBERS WITHIN LEASE OF PORTSEA
DEVELOPMENT
Ref: Our phone conversation this
morning.
Thank you.
It is requested that consideration be given
within the Lease Document concerning the transfer of Land in the Portsea
environs to the following:
1. The sanctity of the
Officer Cadet School, Portsea for its period of residence from 1951 to
1985.
2. The 3,500+ Graduates of
the Officer cadet School, plus the numbers not graduating, as well as Staff
members - who regard the OCS grounds as their Alma Mata.
3. This includes the
Graduates who have given their lives in the Service of their countries,
regardles of the fact that the Memorial Wall has recently been relocated from
the grounds of Portsea to Duntroon, ACT.
4. The efforts by Staff
and students during the OCS's tenancy in preserving the flora, and ensuring the
threat of erosion in vital areas be addressed - per many Saturday morning "work
parties" over the years.
Our requests
include:
5. Prominent and
significant recognition (perhaps in structural form) within the location of
the OCS Portsea and its members.
6. Preservation of the
rights of OCS members to visit the location for Pilgrimage sake and have access
to the OCS buildings and environs - particularly during the June and December
periods - relevant to the graduation dates of the Classes within the 1951 to
1985 period. Such preservation to be closely monitored by suitable Federal
agencies invloved.
Perceived
Benefits
7. As above for OCS
members, and the ability to retain elements within the grounds as symbolic of
their Alma Mata.
8. A recognised rallying
point for OCS members for their gatherings.
9. Virtually asssured
custom for the Lessees for any planned accommodation facilities within the area
- but, we would like to request priority of booking for OCS members,
specifically for the early December and early June periods each
year.
Added
Possibility
10. Currently our
"History" and memorabilia are located within the RMC Museum, Duntroon. Perhaps
the Lessees may like to act as custodian of these items, maintaining them and
prominently displaying them. This could act as a tourist drawcard for them, as
well as enable returning OCS members to identify with their "history" in place.
This proposal has not been discussed with Duntroon Society personnel, or the
vast majority of OCS members - and, if accepted by the Lessees, would be decided
upon by the OCS membership first. A discussion topic of this nature will be seen
on the ocsportsea website Forum.
In Summary
11. I believe the process
of the transfer of the land and facility to be too far advanced for any major
change in responsibilities and requirements, so cannot hope to arrest the
progress of the transfer based on "local community" concerns
or "environmental and historical concerns", although, for the record, the
greatest benefits that would be gained from utilisation of the land would be by
the Public with Public access and National Parks and Wildlife
maintenance.
12. Therefore this request
on behalf of all those who graduated from or were members of, or staff of the
Officer Cadet School, Portsea.
13. And, it is requested
that any inclusions to the Lease pertinent to the above requests be promulgated
to OCS members (through their website) for their comment, prior to the
finalisation of the Leasing Process.
14. Comments concerning
this request will be collated and forwarded to the above addressee for
progressive information.
Very Sincerely,
Rob
Robert A de Haas
Lieutenant Colonel
Class of Dec '67
Ph: +61 3 9884
5844
Fax: +61 3 9884
5855
Mob: +61 0413 063
361