Sewing Circle report 1985
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Available at selected Newsagents & Stores
Details see page 6 30¢
o coeensauten Tasnana—
60,000 copies in Southern Tasmania
568R, Hobart 7001. Telex: 58282 \Nfadnesy, December 11, 1985
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS KEEPS IN UCH
THE sewing circle is not
what it seems. For one
thing, there isn’t a nee-
dle or reel of thread in
sight.
But there are Morse keys,
valves and aerials aplenty.
The sewing circle is the
longstanding nickname for a
group of about 50, mostly
retired men, dedicated
amateur radio enthusiasts
who get together each even-
ing for a chat over the air
waves.
Their call signs come from
all over Tasmania and their
conversation between 5 and
6 pm covers almost every
subject imaginable.
It all began in 1962 when
the late Jack Batchler (call
sign VK7JB) and his friend
Snowy Harris (VK7CH) on
his boat, Marina, had daily
conversations on the
80-metre band:
They were soon joined by © Bill Donald h ihe Moe key in-his radio shack at Forcett, broadcasting to the world.
Owen from Bellerive on
VK70M and other “ham’ group’s annual award to that good, they should have amateur radio operator must
radio enthusiasts around the one of its members, for his a barbecue at Bill’s place to be able to send and receive
State. or her contributions during sample the lamb. Morse code at the rate of 10
2/
They earned their the year. Bill said why not. That was words-a minute and pass a
nickname one evening Current holder is Owen three years ago and the more difficult theory
when the session delayed Langham (VK70L) of barbecue has quickly examination.
the Batchlers’ meal. Jack's Devonport, who was established itself as a sew- Bill's interest in amateur
wife, Joy, said the men presented with the plaque ing circle tradition. radio prompted him to host
@M%
reminded her of a sewing last week at the sewing cir- Bill Donald has been a the recent Jamboree of the
circle at school, a select cle’'s annual barbecue. it member of the group for 212 Air at Rosy Vanyan when
group of students who were was handed over by last years, since getting his 200 scouts, parents and
allowed to talk as they year’s winner, Allen Sherriff novice licence. A couple of troop leaders pitched their
sewed. (VK7NWS) of Midway Point, days ago, he sat for a full tents in his front garden and
wwonw
Jack protested, saying who chose Owen as his licence. spent a weekend contacting
jokingly that it was a strange SUCCESSOr. A novice has passed a other scouts throughout the
comparison for a bank The barbecue was held at test on the regulations for world.
manager, a marine engineer the home of Rosemary and amateur radio operators, an He and his fellow “hams”’
and an Army officer. Bill Donald, who live at Rosy examination on the theory of enjoy the companionship
wowsw
But despite his protests, Vanyan, Forcett. radio transmissions and has the sewing circle provides.
the name stuck and became It was another result of the proved he or she can send For many, it is an interest in
very important to the group nightly “‘rag chew’’, after Bill and receive Morse code at retirement and no matter
as it grew during the next boasted about some the rate of five words a how remote the home base,
20-odd years. delicious lamb he had just minute. a friendly chat is only a flick
In fact, a photograph of a eaten and another member To get a full licence the of a switch away.
sewing machine adorns the of the group said if TT it was e eS e
|.
1heir Cail Sighns Come imoim
all over Tasmania and their
conversation between 5 and
6 pm covers almost every
subject imaginable.
It all began in 1962 when
al the late Jack Batchler (call
sign VK7JB) and his friend
Snowy Harris (VK7CH) on
his boat, Marina, had daily
¥ | conversations on the
&
80-metre band™
They were soon joined by © Bill Donald on the Morse key inhis radio shack at Forcett, broadcasting to the world.
r- Owen from Bellerive on
VK70M and other “ham’ group’s annual award to that good, they should have amateur radio operator must
radio enthusiasts around the one of its members, for his a barbecue at Bill's place to be able to send and receive
State. ' or her contributions during sample the famb. Morse code at the rate of 10
They earned their the year. Bill said why not. That was words-a minute and pass a
t- nickname one evening Current holder is Owen three years ago and the more difficult theory
”
when the session delayed Langham (VK70L) of barbecue has quickly examination. ~
the Batchlers’ meal. Jack's Devonport, who was established itself as a sew- Bill's interest in amateur
wife, Joy, said the men presented with the plaque ing circle tradition. radio prompted him to host
o
reminded her of a sewing last week at the sewing cir- Bill Donald has been a the recent Jamboree of the
circle at school, a select cle’'s annual barbecue. it member of the group for 22 Air at Rosy Vanyan when
group of students who were was handed over by last years, since getting his 200 scouts, parents and
allowed to talk as they year’s winner, Allen Sherriff novice licence. A couple of troop leaders pitched their
sewed. (VK7NWS) of Midway Point, days ago, he sat for a full tents in his front garden and
Jack protested, saying who chose Owen as his licence. spent a weekend contacting
www
jokingly that it was a strange SUCCEesSOr. A novice has passed a other scouts throughout the
comparison for a bank The barbecue was held at test on the regulations for world.
manager, a marine engineer the home of Rosemary and amateur radio operators, an He and his fellow ““hams”’
and an Army officer. Bill Donald, who live at Rosy examination on the theory of enjoy the companionship
wows W
But despite his protests, Vanyan, Forcett. radio transmissions and has the sewing circle provides.
the name stuck and became It was another result of the proved he or she can send For many, it is an interest in
very important to the group nightly “‘rag chew”’, after Bill and receive Morse code at retirement and no matter
as it grew during the next boasted about some the rate of five words a how remote the home base,
20-0dd years. delicious lamb he had just minute. a friendly chat is only a flick
In fact, a photograph of a eaten and another member To get a full licence the of a switch away.
sewing machine adorns the of the group said if it was
1
® Bill Donald and his picturesque property where radjo
amateurs of all ages gather.