By CASEY NEILL
RON Kennedy joined the Dandenong Naval Association of Australia branch at a community meeting in a Hemmings Street hall on 8 May 1964.
Today he’s the last remaining original financial member and on 14 May led the branch’s 50th birthday celebrations.
“We had a lunch at the Noble Park RSL. There was a beautiful sponge cake,” he said.
Mr Kennedy, who lives in Doveton, said 75 people turned up to the first meeting and there were about 45 members today.
“I enjoy the camaraderie of the members,” he said.
“We go on trips every now and then. We go down to Point Cook to the museum. We go down to Phillip Island, down to the Vietnam Veterans’ museum.
“We also go to HMAS Cerberus for the passing out parade down at Port Flinders.”
Mr Kennedy served during the Korean War in 1951-’52 and 1953-’54. He was 19 when he left Australia’s shores for battle.
“I was a naval seaman gunnery,” he said.
“We were bombarding the east and west coast of North Korea.
“It was minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
“It was frosty alright, snow everywhere on the decks.
“We had duffel coats. We didn’t have any protective clothing in those days. We just rugged up to keep warm.”
Mr Kennedy said he’d always wanted to join the Navy.
“I stayed in for six years and I did Naval Reserve for five years after that,” he said.
