Death Star Radio

Thylacine squad has been keeping an eye on Princess Leah’s progress in and out of hospital, with some if not most members part of her fan page on facebook to keep in touch with the Esquenazi family. Baby Leah has been taken out of hospital for an ammount of time, she still suffers from her mysterious ilness but she is curently stable enough to be out in the real world. Her parents, Frani and Zev, have graced many of us with pictures of Leah in her pram. The family want for a walk around town, showing Leah what the real world looks like; That the world is not white walls and flourescent lights. No parent, in my opinion, would want their child thinking that is all to this world.

The Thylacine Squad is teaming up with the voice actor of multiple characters in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars tv series, Stephen Stanton (most commonly known for his role as General Tarkin) to help out Leah. I mentioned a time ago that Thylacine Squad has been making helmets to send over to Stephen at Fan Days Dallas to raise awareness of Leah’s and the Esquenazi’s plight and to also (hopefully) raise money.

Stephen has recieved these donations from our squad and a helmet from our squad leader, Nick Bishop. He was estatic upon opening the box containing an Animated Clone helmet, Republic Commando helmet and two plushie Thylacines, but these are not ordinary toys; members of the Thylacine Squad have created armour for these plushies to make them truly fit into the Star Wars community as our own mascot.

After the primary school troop, we headed into town, had lunch then proceeded to the Glenorchy Football Club. This time, our change room was quite smaller but nothing we couldn’t handle. We all got into costume and waited in an alley for kids to look and wonder what we were up to. When we were all finished, we walked out into the open, where we got stares from some of the croud, laughs from the others.

We walked around the stadium, and onto the field. Some of us kicked a footy around with the kids, whilst some of us “borrowed” pom poms from the cheerleaders and danced around with them.

Towards the end of the night the hype went down and we just hung out with some locals, talking, kicking a footy. We recieved free energy drinks to keep up with everyone.

The Thylacine Squad was requested to make an appearance at Golburn Primary School, in Hobart, Tas. We came to entertain the kids and show them what it is to be a true Imperial.

Both kids and teachers were more than excited when we arrived and started getting into costume. We were postitioned in a large room close by the playground, so we weren’t totally stealthy. But that did not ruin the fun they had.

We had Lord Vader on loookout while waiting for the classes during the breaks.

All in all we had a great time, and so did the staff and students of the primary school!!

Ona  pleasent day in Launceston. The Thylacine Squad was invited to our Squad Leader’s place to work on armour and hang out. The few cadets were there and busily worked on their kits while Troopers stood back, offered tips and help and guided the cadets through, so they would make less mistakes than usual.

A couple of 501st members showed up from the mainland, from the Redback Garrison (QLD) and they overlooked what we as Tasmanians can do. They were impressed by the rig we had going and by the eagerness that the cadets showed.

Through the day, our Squad Leader’s wife provided a lovely set up of morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

The two days of the weekend were enjoyed by all: Cadets got their kits together, the Redback Garrison members got to see what we could do as a new squad, and the Troopers from all around the state could get together and have a good time!

Heading from Launceston to Hobart in a white van with 501st Legion magnets stuck to the side is an interesting experience, especially when people who drive past you stare. It took 2 hours to drive, but it was a fun experience.

Once we got to Glenorchy, we unpacked out gear and found a top room that overlooked the field. After getting changed into our kits we wandered onto the field. As soon as we were in the public eye there were stares and the usual hesitance to approach. But once we got to the center of the field, the teams started warming up and that gave the audience to come over and see what we were all about.

We had the usual kids try to act tough and try to be a menance but our wrangler kept them off our backs, litteratly. A lot of parents came up with more civilised children and we had our photos taken with many younglings and older Star Wars fans.

after a little of wandering after the game we met the Cheerleader’s Squad Captain. A charming young woman who stayed back after all the others left to hang out with us.

As the night went on, some members of the audience seemed to get more intoxicated, but they stayed in the designater drinking area and we stayed far from it.

In our breaks we were treated with free softdrinks and a good view of the game.

At the end of the night, the ownder of the football club gave us each a beer. After cooling down and packing up the crates we headed back to launceston. All of us tired to an extent, but still enough energy to keep a fluid conversation going.

It was a great night, full of laughter, cheers and stormtroopers dancing!

So in Launceston City Park. Heartkids and The 501st Legion decided to stand side by side to raise awareness and funds for Heart Kids Tasmania, an not for profit organisation who helps raise money for children suffering from Cardiac Disease.

After suiting up in a spare office in town, we walked to city park. we recieved honks and hoots from pedestrians and drivers. Once we were in the park, people stared but we were eventually mobbed by children and adults alike. Some of us got together for group photos with Star Wars fans while some of us took off our buckets to get our faces painted for charity.

After a while we started wandering around the park. Getting on play equipment, meeting new people. Dancing with a kongregation of more seasoned indeviduals at a Red Cross gathering

All in all, a good day.

Got a call mid week to see if we were available this Saturday for the big first game of the Glenorchy Football Club.

After a ring round and checking with everyone Saturday morning four of us packed up the 4WD and headed down to Hobart for the game.

A brief stop for a photo op and refreshments before arriving at the grounds and suiting up.

We were joined by one of the cadets as well.  It was a different crowd to what we’re used to but it was a reasonable night in the end. Photos and newspaper clips below

 

After such a bust week getting ready for Weird Al and having completed that we moved straight into another troop.  The Perth Primary School Twilight Fair.

Our band of misfits arrived and got ready before heading out into the drizzle and having a bit of fun with the kids.

As usual it took the kids a while before they were willing to come anywhere near us but once a few did we were mobbed

Even had the fun of taking part in a tug of war….. We tried with the helmets on but couldn’t see a thing.  And we were NOT going to loose to someone in a chicken suit

After a short break we went back tot he fair and continued to have some fun.  Vader got to play with a snake

and a few of us even jumped on one of the rides.

 

The rest of the photos are below.  Enjoy!

 

I spoke with Weird Al’s Management, Imaginary Entertainment, back before Christmas about being involved with the concert Al was doing down in Hobart at the end of March.  He was keen to have members of the 501st join him on stage during The Saga Begins.

On the 25th the troopers packed up and headed south to Hobart.  Once we completed the Troop at Springfield Primary School we went straight to Wrest Point where the concert was taking place.  We were shown to our changing/rehearsal room which was palatial.  I don’t think we’ve ever been given such space to get ready in.  I’ve been in convention halls that were smaller.

We got straight into getting armour polished and cleaned.  R2 was given his before show maintenance which I really need to do more often at home rather than just before he’s needed.

Once we had all the armour ready and everyone arrived we ran through the routine we needed to learn.  Some of the troopers and wranglers went up to the show to see the first part while the rest of us loitered in the room.

We all got together and suited up with time to run through the routine twice more before going on stage.

Once our part was over we returned to the room and started sorting things.

Al stopped by to visit and sign bits and pieces before being shuttled away to the lobby for the fans.

As troops go it’s by far one of the best I’ve ever done.

 

Photos and video below

 

We were asked to make a visit to a school while we were in Hobart for the Weird Al Troop.

Once suited up we went outside during the kids lunchtime.  Photos were taken, soccer was played, playground equipment was used.  Photos below . . .