Controversially labelled "The Old Timers"... Former Hanoi Prez, Daryl Taber; current Vets Ken Earney and Stan Middleton; and another former Hanoi Prez, Dave Kainey, 3rd left) & David Kainey.

After the Swannies’ golf game on Thursday – the Annual Ryan Jeffery Golf Classic, we headed off for the Rainbow Hotel in Fitzroy. Nineteen of us showed up.

Turning up were former Hanoi Presidents Mark “Willy” Williams, Dave Kainey and Daryl Taber. We also had Vietnam Veterans Kenny Earney and Stan Middleton with his wife, Sinh. Current National President, Phil Johns. Former Hanoi Swannies Ryan Jeffery, Chris Canty, Dan Hogarth, Clint Bryant and Nick Russo. Former Vietnam Swannie John Cranfield. Current Swannies’ sponsor, Mark Greenshields (Aussie Home Loans). Friends of the Swannies, Mick Granham, Astuko, Maria and Nathan.

That part was all good – and then we had the complete random blow in from the Lao Elephants / Malaysian Warriors, Snakes. He just happened to be drinking in the same pub with his friends.

We hung up our Indochina Cup banner and had a slide show ticking over in the background. Ryan Jeffery then pulled out a heap of photos of the Hanoi Hawks from back in 2003 and even had video footage of the then Hanoi Swans enjoying some Friday night football at Pepperonis Pizza Bar from back in 2002/3.

Awesome evening. Wait until next year when we host our second Swannies’ Celebration Soiree!

Photos to follow (Editor’s tip: Australia’s access to internet sux. Bring on Vietnam’s WIFI).