Our Patron
Commander 3rd Brigade, Brigadier David McCammon DSM and Bar
Homebase for the Veteran Community in Townsville
1 Staging Camp Ave, Oonoonba. Drop-in M-F 0900-1500, after hours upon booking
All closed on W/E and public holidays, unless booked.
[for GPS apps you may have better luck with 20 Darter Street, Oonoonba until actual is recognised on all platforms]
Hut Names and Sponsors
The huts utilised for connection activities and events at Homebase are modelled on the concept of the P1 Huts used by the US 5th Airforce around its many airfields in and around Townsville. In typical Australian manner, they were colloquially called PeeWee Huts.
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We intend to name all the huts after our homegrown heroes of World War II. We will do this progressively to ensure that each naming ceremony receives respect and celebration for the service person's family.
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Each PeeWee Hut also has a sponsor who is an outstanding supporter of the Veteran Community in Townsville. We are proud to recommend them to our clients seeking services from them, and we are proud that the 1000 participants a month who take advantage of the greater than 100 activities and events at Homebase see that we are proud to affiliate with them.
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This page will grow as we find the right name and sponsor for the huts. Watch this space!
Hut 3
Charles Alley
sponsored by
Plaque on the front of Hut 3
QBE is the insurer for Defence Service Homes Insurance.
Charles Alley recorded as Service numbers 50270 and Q186382, served in the Middle East during Word War I (WWI) and Australia in World War II (WWII).
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Born in Charters Towers, where he enlisted in the Australian Army, Mr Charles Alley volunteered for the 1st Australian Imperial Force (AIF) where he became a member of the 11th Light Horse Regiment.
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Charles Alley received the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service in WWI. Whilst serving in WWII as a Private in the 1st Garrison Battalion, he received a War Medal and Australian Service Medal.
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The Allie/Alley family have served in the Australian Defence Force for more than three generations, with 13 family members enlisting in the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Royal Australian Navy. Several of Mr Alley’s family also served in WWII.
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A P1 (Peewee) Hut is named in honour of Charles Alley for his service to his country during World War I and World War II and was unveiled by his family on 24 May 2023.
Hut 4
Lil Somers
sponsored by
Plaque on the front of Hut 4
Lilian (‘Lil’) Somers, known as QF265125 Gunner Gerahty, served in the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) in Townsville during World War II.
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Born in Charters Towers and later moving to Julia Creek and then to Townsville at age 13, Lil is a born and bred North Queenslander. Wanting to serve her country during World War II, Lil enlisted as soon as she was old enough. After being accepted into the AWAS in July 1942, she completed her initial six weeks of training in Brisbane before returning to Townsville to an operational position.
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During her service in World War II, Lil was stationed at the Townsville Grammar School which the military had taken over. She worked in the ‘Ack Ack’ (Anti-Aircraft) Operations Room alongside the Air Force to identify all aircraft in Townsville’s airspace and plot their movements.
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Lil married her childhood sweetheart Jack Somers in Julia Creek before family and friends in June 1944 before leaving the AWAS in 1945.
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When speaking of her service in Townsville during World War II, Lil comments, “I fought in the Battle of Townsville,” with a huge smile on her face.
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Hut 4 is named in honour of Lil Somers (nee Gerahty) for her service to her country during World War II and was unveiled by her on 9 August 2022.
Plaque on the front of Hut 5
Hut 5
Stan Short
sponsored by
Stanley Spencer Kentish Short also known as Spencer Short or Stan Short, dedicated his life to serving his country and community. He bravely joined the Australian Army and served in New Guinea and with a lot of luck he survived working as a Signalman from July 30th, 1942 to November 29th, 1943. His commitment to the military extended for five years.
Stan’s roots in Townsville run deep as his family history in the area dates back to 1870, when his ancestors moved to Townsville and established a General Store in Eyre Street, North Ward. After the war Stan worked with his parents in the family business until he built his own business on Gregory Street, North Ward known as Stan Shorts. He worked up until he was 91 years of age. Furthermore, members of Stan's family were in the Kennedy Regiment.
Stan continued his dedication to serving others in Townsville by becoming the Treasurer of the Magneticana Committee. Through this role, he funded various projects that had a lasting impact on the community. Some of these projects include the construction of the Rockpool, organising the Magnetic Island Swim, the building of the waterfall on the Strand, organising street parades with decorated floats and funding the purchase of a special bed for children with burn injuries at Townsville General Hospital. Additionally, he funded the building of a new clubhouse for the Alligator Creek Pony Club. This is only naming a few of his achievements.
Throughout his life, Stan demonstrated an unwavering dedication to serving others, both through his military service and philanthropic contributions to his community. His legacy lives on through the impact of the projects he supported and contributed towards for future generations to enjoy. A P1 (Peewee) Hut is named in honour of Stan Short for his service to his country during World War II and was unveiled by his family on 29 August 2024.
