Jack Howard Brown

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1. Jack was born in Toronto, Canada. He and his family migrated to Australia when he was a baby, Jack learnt to walk on the ship.

   Jack enlisted initially in the Royal Australian Airforce in December 1940 aged 20 years and 11 months. His occupation was listed as ‘printer’. He discharged from the RAAF and reenlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in December 1942. He served as a Private with 42 Landing Craft Company in Port Moresby and Bougainville in New Guinea. He recalled the bombing by the Japanese of a nearby airbase. Jack and his company, often under fire, evacuated the wounded on landing barges.

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2. Jack discovered a talent for painting when he joined an art class on a cruise ship. He exhibited his paintings in local art competitions and each year hand painted Christmas cards for the family.

   In 2000, when the George’s River Art Group held its annual art and craft exhibition at the Revesby Workers Club, Jack was the competition’s overall winner. The sale of items from the show raised $3,000 which it donated to the Children’s Medical Research Unit to purchase a shaking incubator for its Muscle Development Unit.

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3. Jack received the following letter from The Hon Margaret Beasley AC KC, Governor of NSW, on the occasion of his 105th birthday

   Dear Mr Brown,

   I am delighted to learn of your 105th birthday on 29 December 2024. With my own mother living a long life to age 94 and my father to 86, I know how treasured you are. Please accept my warmest congratulations on this wonderful occasion.

   Thank you for being a wonderful citizen of New South Wales, your contribution to our community is an inspiration to all of us.

   I wish you every happiness in your celebrations.

   Yours sincerely

   Margaret Beazley.

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4. Jack received the following letter from the Hon Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans Affairs, on the occasion of his 105th birthday.

   Dear Mr Brown,

   I am writing to extend my personal congratulations for the exceptional milestone of your 105th birthday. I hope this occasion was filled with celebrations and good times with your family and friends.

   You have lived a remarkable life and are now amongst a very unique group of individuals who have served our country during the Second World War and marked a 105th birthday.

   It is hard to imagine what you would have seen in over more than a century, from numerous wars and conflicts to monumental moments in our nation’s history. I wish you and your family every happiness and hope that as you reflect, you are proud of your many achievements and the significant contribution you made to your community.

   I would like to particularly acknowledge your years of service as a Private in the Australian Army during WWII. Our nation is proud of those men and women who have served our nation in uniform, and we are grateful for the support provided to them by family and friends, before, during and after service. It is vital that we never forget the service and sacrifice of those who serve our country.

   I trust that you had a very happy 105th birthday!

   With sincere best wishes

   Matt Keogh.

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5. Jack received the following letter from The Hon Greg Piper MP, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly on the occasion of his 105th birthday

   Dear Jack

   I understand you will be celebrating your 105th birthday and I would like to offer you my sincere congratulations. In these modern times to reach such an age is a noteworthy achievement.

   As you celebrate your birthday, I encourage you to take this opportunity to look back on the many lives you have touched – family, friends and the people throughout your community. Without you and your lifelong contributions, New South Wales would not be as diverse, rich or interesting a place.

   Congratulations and kind regards, I hope you continue to enjoy good health and happiness in the years to come.

   Yours sincerely,

   Greg Piper.

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