Dear XLI Club member,
I trust you have been enjoying the beautiful Autumn weather that we have been experiencing. The month of April saw the end of daylight savings, Easter, school holidays, and ANZAC Day…..phew.
I am pleased to say the XLI Club paid our respects to all veterans, past and present, at our annual ANZAC luncheon held on 16 April 2026. The day began with a commemorative service at the Shrine of Remembrance, followed by a parade back outside 550 Little Lonsdale St and concluded with good food and camaraderie at the William Angliss Restaurant. We were delighted to have Deputy Commissioner, Bob Hill, attend on behalf of the Chief Commissioner of Police, and he took the salute for the parade. It was great to see so many past and present members of the Australian Defence Force and Victoria Police take part in the parade.
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Michael Pianta was our guest speaker. Michael was a Captain in the Australian Army. He served for twelve years with deployments to both East Timor and Afghanistan. He is a solicitor and currently President of the Coburg RSL. Michael generously shared his experience and historical knowledge of military conflicts from the 1900’s to current day.
I am always pleased to welcome new members, and, on the day, it was my pleasure to induct and welcome new member Robert Hindle to the club.
All in all, a great day was shared by more than 100 guests and members,
Signature events such as these take a lot of work and I’d like to thank all those who helped in making the day such a success, with special thanks to Mick Wilmott for organising the activities.
| Our next lunch is on Thursday 21 May 2026 at the Police Association building in East Melbourne. I am pleased to advise Dr Judy Campbell will be our guest speaker. Judy is the author of The evacuation of Singapore to the prison camps of Sumatra, and subtitled Eyewitness account of tragedy and suffering during WWII. Judy will touch on this and her involvement with the Muntok Red Cross on Bangka Island. The Muntok Red Cross building stands on the site of what was the very rudimentary prison camp hospital in World War 2. |  |
I look forward to seeing many of you for lunch on 21 May. In the meantime take care.
Barbara Poland
President
Upcoming Lunches:
21st May $100 TPA – Dr Judy Campbell, Nurses killed in WW11
18th June $100 WA – TBA
16th July $100 TPA –Tony Charlton & Police Legacy Awards
20th August $100 TPA – John Forbes Memorial Lunch
17th September $100 WA – Police Memorial and Community Service Awards
15th October $100 TPA – Ladies Day and Race Day
19th November $100 TPA – AGM & Service Awards
11th December $100 TPA – Christmas & End of Year Celebration BBQ
WA = William Angliss, 550 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne
TPA = The Police Association, 70 Jolimont St, East Melbourne
Subscription Reminder:
The 2025-26 annual subscriptions are due and there are a few members yet to pay their 2024-25 subscription.
Subscriptions for 2026/27 are due by 1 July 2026. Please note the subscription fee has increased to $50.
New members who joined after the Anzac lunch are not required to pay the 2025-26 renewal fee.
Subscription fees may be paid online or at the door at a Club Luncheon.
Welfare of members:
Please report any members you know ill or injured to:-
Gareth Hanlon – Mob: 0416 050 702 Ray Thompson – Mob: 0411 883 367
Next Lunch
If you are wanting to attend the May Lunch, to be held on Thursday, 21 May, at The Victorian Police Association, please advise Barbara Poland, ASAP to allow sufficient time to finalise numbers with the venue. Barbara may be contacted via;
Email: [email protected] , or
Phone: 0413 580 489
Payments may be made via online transfer, or on entry with cash or Tap & Go.
BSB: 704230
Account No: 100440796
Account Name: XLI Club Inc.
Please ensure you provide your name in the reference field and the reason for the payment
(e.g.) Lunch, Subs, Raffle, Auction ….etc..
More Photos…….
