Australian Maritime Memories

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[The development of the “Maritime Memories” website was launched by a luncheon group  in December 2012 known affectionately as  “Curry Lunchers”!! They meet on the last Thursday of every 2nd month at “Le Taj” at 70-74 Rosslyn Street – West Melbourne. Time 12:00 until you want to leave, Attendees usually bring a bottle of red wine. No need to book, just turn up and enjoy old friends and adversaries, tell new stories  or embellish old ones. Click Le Tajﾠfor directions

These Curry lovers are mainly (but not exclusively) drawn from a career background in the Shipping  Industry, and it’s many associated industries.

During a lunch in August 2012 it was decided to record the many memories that are inevitably related during these gatherings.  This gave rise to the construction of a website which was officially launched in December 2012.

Mike Pratt was an original participant in forming the group and recalls how it all commenced.

“It more or less started in about 1994, when I joined a marine and cargo surveying company as a surveyor and partner. The two other surveyors were Michael Ruddleston and Peter Southwell and one non-operative surveyor Charles Griffith who was also President of the Port of Melbourne Pilot Service. We had a house/office in Spencer Street – West Melbourne and occasionally dined at the establishment in King Street called the “Rajah of India” which at a later date was renamed “Le Taj”.

Later on it was decided to sell the business and the house was sold and proceeds shared amongst the partners. Mike Ruddleston and I decided to keep going and our search for office space led us to Laurie Ogilvie who offered us a spare room in Bridgeford’s office in King Street. This was across from the curry house which we increasingly utilised. It was also at this time that Tony Wesson and I became friendly and we often got together socially with Charles Griffith, Laurie Ogilvie and Martin Friendship.  This formed the nucleus of what became the regular luncheon club.

At the same period there was another group from Conway/Worcester background who met at Jimmy Watson’s in Carlton. With common links, they joined us at The Rajah of India and the group was further strengthened when joined by Phillip Walsh and his colleagues from Strang Stevedores.

It then spread by word of mouth which is the position today.”