Fellow members and friends of the Spitfire Association,

2025 saw the Spitfire Association working hard to "Keep The Spirit Alive" of our founders and those men and women who flew, maintained, armed and built the Spitfire. Lysle Roberts, our last pilot to have been President, was very clear that his beloved association should do all it could to remain relevant, involved and continuing to help keep Australia safe and resilient. It was a task they took very seriously, including forming the Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship in 1998.

The purpose of all our Australian Spitfire crews was to defend a country and way of living, that they knew to represented something special. Many made the ultimate sacrifice and those who did survive the Second World War commemorated their colleagues by continuing to make a difference through the Spitfire Association, until 2015, when Lysle asked me to stand as President and so handing stewardship to me.

I am enormously proud to be Australian, albeit one who grew up in Singapore until my mid-teenage years. How does that relate to my Christmas message? Coming back to Australia in 1972 gave me a perspective of our culture and national values that was not one from birth, but nevertheless, an appreciation that the first unspoken question most people seemed to ask when we met was "is this person I've just met a good one, a good bloke?". That was reinforced by attending my last three years at a school where students were brought together from all walks of life, nationalities and beliefs. As time has gone on and at almost 70 years of age, I've realised our version of democracy is one of the finest Westphalian societies in modern times. I've included a footnote, but in essence a Westphalian society captures the essence that, 'because one disagrees with someone else, it does not make them your enemy'. Mateship, more complex than a simple expression, in its broadest context could be seen this way.

We must hold on to the cultural, societal and political importance of Australia as a democratic society, defined by Westphalian principles.

The past year saw your Committee working hard on several initiatives and I am again proud to represent our members and continue the legacy established by our founders. Some highlights include:

• Selection of another outstanding Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellow - Dr. Abe Chandra. Congratulations Abe and welcome to a distinguished group of Fellows.
• A tremendous ANZAC Day where it was our privilege to host our last remaining Spitfire pilot and member, Jock Cassels and his family. Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz, AM, CSC, DSM the current ACAUST was our guest and gave a superb address to a large luncheon audience that squeezed into the venue.
• Good progress on our PV-12 initiative, albeit with the usual challenges of any ambitious project.
• A well received Lysle Roberts Memorial Luncheon in Sydney

This year saw a busy Committee and I thank you all. In particular, Leon Waxman (Vice-President), David Conroy (Treasurer), Mick Selas (Secretary), Phil Nickols (CISO), Karen Paterson (Comms/PR and SMDF coordination)

Welcome to the new Committee, which remains largely unchanged except that David Conroy stepped down as Treasurer after many years in the role and Brian Pireira steps into the role. David Conroy has been an outstanding Treasurer and my personal thanks for your support over the time. Brian, welcome to the Spitfire Association.

I also want to thank the Spitfire Association Advisory Council for their advice, council and experience as we continue to develop our initiatives and manage current ones.

Members who joined the Squadron in the Sky

Shortly after ANZAC Day we lost SQNLDR Cunningham Norman McIntyre "Jock" Cassels. We were honoured that he chose to attend the March and luncheon with us on each AZAC Day. To Marion and all the family, our heartfelt condolences. For those wanting to read Jock's remarkable story please follow this link to his book 'Two Air Forces'

We also lost Peter Radtke OAM. Peter had an association with us going back to the very early years and is also the Founder of the Darwin Spitfire Museum. We will miss you Peter and our condolences to Jennie and all your family.

Onward and Upward

The coming year has much in store and planning is already underway for ANZAC Day. I look forward to seeing everyone at our events or one of the airshows this year. More on that early in 2026.

It remains for me to thank all our members, friends and followers for your support during 2025. From me and the Spitfire Association Committee, our best wishes for a Merry Christmas and festive season. Stay safe and celebrate as you do each year.

A brief summary of the Westphalian System

The Westphalian system, rooted in the 1648 Peace of Westphalia, established the modern international order of independent, sovereign states, each with exclusive authority over its territory, free from external interference (like the Pope or Emperor). Key principles include sovereignty (ruling oneself), non-intervention (other states shouldn't meddle in internal affairs), and the formal equality of all states, forming a system of mutually recognised, distinct territorial entities.

Warm regards,