If I may be permitted to enter the discussion by inserting some antipodean thoughts as it seems the RAF and RAAF experiences over time are somewhat similar.
As an ATC Cadet Under Officer in the 60's Amberley was great and then to return as a newly minted ATC (the real sort) in 1973 the memories came back with a vengeance.
Butterworth for the social activities for expats having fun but getting shot at during night flying took some of the shine off the experience.
East Sale as a student was one thing but later on as.an instructor I came to appreciate the finer points of that style of mess environment and interaction with honorary members.
Tindal in the early days when pay night shouts were a bottle of Hill of Grace with the boss.
These days the ex students are too ashamed of the state of the mess life to even invite the old instructor on to the base. Shame really as mess life was a valuable part of the overall RAAF officer training and development - well to my mind at least.
Gne