There’s A Lot Of Good Times Coming

Flak, Volume 1, Issue 3, 15 April 1943, Page 2

There’s A Lot Of Good Times Coming

Everyone these days feels more, or less unsettled. That is understandable. With the current reorganisation of manpower nothing is really certain; many of us have lost mates who are being returned to industry and to their studies.

But this will pass. Many of us can expect to remain in the regiment; under the cadre; system, and once we settle down again under rather different conditions, we are going to find ready to hand for us an unlimited variety of entertainments, hobbies and pursuits.

. ' So far, the activities of the Army ' Education Welfare Service in this unit have been confined, through necessity, ; to the provision of study courses for men whose education has been interrupted, or who wish to improve their knowledge in spheres likely to be of use to them on their return to civil life. Our army, is a civilian army and a temporary army. Every man knows it is temporary, and realises that one day he will once.more have to make his own way and earn his own living. Hence the urgency of giving men the opportunity to prepare themselves for their return. Owing to the nature of our regiment under its present form, it has been a difficult and arduous job even to inform men of the facilities available to them. In spite of this difficulty, the work has now been accomplished, and a host of z

survey forms from the men of the regiment is to hand. Already, enrolment forms have been issued to many for study.courses which are ; now ready, and as others come from . the press enrolment forms for them will be issued. AEWS is like a great department store. It will stock as many , helpful commodities as possible, and at all times will study its customers’ needs. Every genuine : demand wil be satisfied as far as is humanly possible; Gunpost Hobbles But there are other sides to AEWS. Already some units less scattered than we are at present have fostered hobbies and lucrative spare-time pursuits.. Within our own brigade we have evidence of these activities. - For those who may be somewhat sceptical of what can be done on a gunpost in the way of hobbies and

handicrafts there is the example of the 15th Heavy Regiment, which, since the - introduction of the Army Education Welfare Service, has instituted an amazing variety of pursuits. Men on gunposts have drawn up plans for pig and poultry runs. The offer of a donation of livestock and materials has been re- z ceived to help them start. Many other . gunners have decided to take up fretwork and car- ; pentry, and, through a generous grant, are able to buy the necessary tools. One of the N.C.O.’s, working from photographs he saw in a magazine, has drawn up plans for . the construction of small wooden toys such as jeeps and ack-ack guns, and with the money raised ■ from the sale of these popular playthings, they will :be able to ' buy 'more materials and more tools. Here they have a hobby which will stand >them in good stead in the winter months.

. Others have taken up model aeroplane construction, building , some very- good scale models from balsa. Waacs also have figured in this pursuit with marked sucess. ' . .Waacs’ Pastimes - ' ; Waacs have a variety of interests of their own. With the help of several commercial, establishments in the city they have taken up dressmaking and hairdressing as a winter evening pastime. Instructors - from ; the city visit them several nights a week with equipment for instruction. These two courses have proved the most popular yet. ' Others are making toys and' articles of papier. mache, from ;instructions 4 supplied by the occupational therapy hospital. All these facilities, were acquired through their AEWS officer. Shortly we. too should be able to push ahead with similar, ah though not necessarily identical, handicrafts. In one respect we lead all Auckland units, and that is with our : magazine “FLAK.” It has aroused much comment, and already ; copies have been sent by the authorities to Wellington and also to .z other units as an example of what can be done by a regiment with a little initiative. Here is one way in which you have the opportunity to help now. Write for “FLAK,” and try to keep it at as uniformly a high standard as possible. ? Entertainments But AEWS has two sides. The first, Education, we have dealt with. The second, Welfare, is already' functioning. Entertainment is constantly available to a degree not realised by the average gunner. For instance, how many of you have asked for gramaphone record recitals? Do you know that the whole library of the National Broadcasting - Service is available to you? You have. 14,000 records to choose from. All you have to do is ask. •a , '' -

: Forms have already been issued and others are available on request for securing one of these recitals. Use them. Ask your officer for one. AEWS will send, out a man with gear and records to -provide you with an evening’s . entertainment. You may ask for particular records, or a type

of programmer Remember, however, that with the whole record library open to you, it is possible to get records not usually heard, and so it might be better to pass over light numbers which are heard on the radio every day. The men who are available to take these record selections round to you are experienced qualified men, and if you so desire it, they will tell you a little about the numbers they play—the stories behind the music. You don’t have to have a large group before requesting a. recital. They will visit your post if there are only half-a-dozen, providing there is a keen audience. . Library Requests ~ You all know by now of the library service which is functioning as part of AEWS. Once a week the truck calls at your post. But don’t forget that a request service is available. The - books carried. are a fairly representative selection of ordinary reading. But . there are many books on special subjects available. - In fact,' whole libraries are open to you if you request it. Just name the book to the librarian will do the rest. These are only a few of the many benefits of AEWS open to

you individually. If you want to make your own music, the service will assist you. If you want to start your own small play-reading circle, expert help is offered, and from time to time really first-class concert parties and groups of really first-class concert parties and groups of recitalists will be touring the unit.

Auckland’s profesional talent .is mustered in one. great array for your benefit and enjoyment. • Yes, provided we are ready to make some, personal effort, there’s a lot of good times coming.