Infrastructure Manager Rob Lochhead, they were able
to fi nd the funds needed to fi ll in the swimming pool, fi x
the fences, renovate the building and
turn it into the facility they needed.
Ten years on, the tree is
thriving, and so is Geckos.
Up to 1200 people come through its
doors each month to use the facility in
some way... whether it’s to meet for a
coff ee in a no-pressure environment
on the base, to participate in one of the
centre’s many programs, or to take the
load off while the kids make use of the
playground, it’s all grist to the mill.
Assistant co-ordinator WO1 Nicky
Rothwell said the centre was
always “humming” with people.
She and the Geckos team plan a bright
and colourful celebration in October
of the fi rst decade of operation.
The Geckos Craft Group aka the Geckos
Sewing Group, or, sometimes, the
Mums’n’Bubs Group has worked hard to
design a collaboratively-manufactured
ell
quilt to mark the anniversary.
(The series of alternate names indicates the progression of the
group, one of the fastest growing and most popular at Geckos).
The quilt project is being led by Defence spouse Renee Perkins.
It’s appropriate that the other leader in establishing,
and running, the sewing group is LTGEN
Caligari’s wife, Narelle and she is also involved
in the planning and production of the quilt.
Renee, however, will be the one to present the quilt on
behalf of the group to COMD 3Bde BRIG Chris Field.
Of course, there will be a cake, WO1 Nicky Rothwell
will wear a funny costume (any bets on a gecko
outfi t?), and there will be lots of activities for children
including rides, PMV rides, and facepainting.
Nicky said she hoped to convince agencies who used
Geckos regularly during the past decade to set up stalls and
off er simple games like balloon darts, quoits and skittles.
She said she would ask the 1RAR quartet to provide
music for the event which would be a lunchtime
event on a weekend - from 11am to 2pm.
She and co-ordinator CAPT Trevor Lyall hope to have
displays of photographs covering the life of the centre
and she hoped many of the co-ordinators and staff who
had worked at Geckos in that time would attend.
She said she hoped MAJ Barry Vandenhurk and
his wife Lucy would also be able to attend.
MAJ Vandenhurk was RSM 3Bde
when Geckos was established.
MOBILE HOME LOAN SPECIALIST
Let me find the best rate for you
20 years lending experience
in the Townsville market
FREE CONSULTATION
I WORK FOR YOU
AND NOT THE BANKS
W: Deb Box Mortgages
E: [email protected]
M: 0418 870 636
AUGUST 2017 | 35