Ken Bilsborough, instigator of the annual Nashos’ reunion, was not well enough to attend the recent reunion, so the Nashos went to Ken.
After the lunch which followed the traditional parade, the Pipe band and a large number of National Servicemen’s Association members made their way to the corner of Keera and Bombelli streets, and marched to the front of Ken and Lucy Bilsborough’s home, where Ken and Lucy were sitting on their front verandah. Lucy had attended the lunch, but returned to receive the visitors with her husband.
After formally greeting Ken, and presenting Ken and Lucy with a photograph of the couple taken last year when they were awarded Life Membership of the Association, Master of Ceremonies, John Carruthers invited the Nashos to individually greet Ken.
In what proved quite a moving gesture, those who had taken part in the march past filed through the garden to the front steps. They included old friends, and other who had not met Ken before, but appreciated what he had done in instigating the annual get together.
The 14th Annual Reunion attracted an increased attendance of members who took part in the march. Local Members of Parliament, Richard Torbay MP and Tony Windsor MP carried the flags and led the march.Bingara Central School students, some teachers, and Principal, Mark Vale also took part in the march.
As the parade passed the Council building, Rev Brian Darbyshire, Austin Mack, Mayor Bob Tremain and Colonel Chris Donoven took the salute.
Some attending the reunion have been coming to Bingara since Ken organised the first one in 1995. This year, 250 people attended the lunch.
The now traditional National Servicemen’s church service was held at St. Johns Anglican Church on Sunday morning, before a farewell barbecue at the RSL Club. On the Monday night, the Nashos held a thank you barbecue at the Caravan park.
