STEWART MERRILEES - Australia's Secret Weapon

Well, it's Official.....Bulletin from Down Under.
Our long-lost classmate from Newlands Infants Class of 1954/55, Stewart Merrilees, (aka stewmeggs) has been offered one of the best deals ever. Stew has accepted a one-year contract aboard one of Australia's high-tech Navy Frigates, HMAS MELBOURNE. I'm sure he would tell us the details if most of them weren't Classified Information. He'll act as Secretary and right-hand man to the Commander of the ship.

Our Stew moved with his parents to Australia in the late 1950's and by age 16 decided to join the Australian Navy. This photo shows him at age 16, in 1966 on his first trip to sea. Stew's choice of career evidently suited him as he went on to serve in the Oz Navy for forty (40) years.

Those are "Australian Years" of course: Relentless sunshine - palm and date trees in every port - endless supplies of rum - and no traffic jams to worry about. His biggest expense was likely the purchase of Sunscreen. After his retirement from full active duty, he continued with the Navy as a Reservist, Reporting for Duty in Brisbane HQ several days each month. From time to time he has been seconded from the Navy to help the Army get their act together too.

Whilst toiling away in his Brisbane Office, Stew has been responsible for co-ordinating and overseeing special projects such as planning and organizing large-scale training excercises. This may include such events as transporting batallions of foreign military personnel (U.S. troops & others) to Down Under for training in desert warfare.

At the end of his workday when he shuts down his office computer, Stew heads back home to his beloved NANANGO - a small town & rural area about 140 miles inland from Brisbane. At home with his lovely wife Dani, Stew takes care of his six acres of paradise while studying the local wildlife, who often share his garden with him. The Wallabies and Hares are particularly partial to grapevines. Despite wildlife raids on his crops, he manages to enjoy some delicious wines and then he probably kicks back on his front porch and relaxes by belting out a few catchy tunes on his clarinet.

With a six-acre backyard I don't suppose he'll ever have to worry about complaints (or compliments) from the neighbours about his music being too loud.

Stew, We wish you smooth sailing and good ship-mates!
And we are hoping to receive news from you while you're out at sea on the Melbourne defending our planet.