Tobruk Dinner

Battles like Tobruk, like all campaigns in major wars, were fought by armies. But armies are made up of individuals, each fighting their own war, facing their own fears and uncertain futures, creating their own memories and stories. And as different as those stories may be, everyone is important.

This is the story of one individual … Ralph Keith Linthorne Cresdee Whittle … Sgt 2/8th Field Ambulance … who despite the constant attacks by the Germans on his and his mates’ lives, managed to find the words to describe the horror, the heroism and even the humour in what we know as the Siege of Tobruk.

These will be his words, told his way, from his later recollections, but mostly from recently discovered documents and a remarkable day by day diary of his war in Tobruk. Despite all those many names …. Ralph Keith Linthorne Cresdee Whittle … he somehow gained the nickname Taffy.

This presentation is dedicated to my dad, Taffy The Rat.

GUEST SPEAKER: Brenton Whittle

Brenton Whittle

For almost 60 years, Brenton has effectively combined a career as a consultant creative writer and director in the Advertising Industry with his other writing, acting, and performing interests.

His acting career has included many successful live theatre performances, feature movies and Television mini-series including "The Lighthorseman", "Shine", "Napoleon", "Dusty" and the internationally acclaimed 8-hour Mini Series "Sara Dane", a performance which won Brenton the prestigious Silver Logie Award for Australia's Best Actor.

Brenton has hosted some of the country's biggest live events in the Corporate, Tourism, Fashion, Entertainment, Sporting and Community Service sectors, and for 18 years compered the live national telecast of the "Adelaide Christmas Pageant".

For 10 years he was co-presenter of the critically acclaimed and internationally awarded pre-school television programme "The Book Place", which was telecast nationally every morning right across Australia on the Seven Network.

Brenton is an accomplished and published poet, children's writer, professional playwright, holds honorary life membership of the Crippled Children's Association (now known as Novita Children's Services) and the Adelaide Advertising and Design Club, is a member of Actors Equity and the Australian Writer’s Guild and is Patron of, and narrator for, the Australian Classical Youth Ballet.

Time: 1900 for 1930

Price: $115 members; $135.00 non members (Includes a three course meal and 3 hour drinks package)

Dress: Black Tie with Miniatures/Mess Dress

RSVP: By 5pm, Wednesday 22nd March 2023

CANCELLATION POLICY: Bookings cancelled after the RSVP will incur a 50% charge of the ticket price.