December 2008
Dear Relatives and Friends,
The year has flown by at its customary speed, and we are about to approach the Festive Season. My customary newsletter….
My email address has changed as I am no longer on Kogarah Council. I retired at the September 13 2008 Council elections after 17 years. I can now enjoy my Monday nights, and do not have copious papers to read ! My last Council meeting was August 25 2008; my farewell presentation was made on November 10 2008 at a Council meeting.
My retirement from Council was announced in the local newspaper on January 15 2008 It caught a lot of people by surprise, and I wanted it that way. My two North Ward Colleagues were told, as was the General Manager, close enough to the time when the article went to print.
This year was welcomed in by attending the Gala Concert in the Opera House – the Sydney Symphony Orchestra joined forces with the Australian Ballet Orchestra for a wonderful feast of music. I had last been at the Gala Concert in possibly 1991, so it was great to do it again.
The Pacific Dawn sailed at 4pm on Friday January 18 2008 for a week long cruise to Noumea and it was great to be going out of Sydney Harbour on such a huge ship. I could only think of my Scottish Grannie sailing, on a much smaller ship, into Sydney Harbour in 1912! I had never been on a cruise ship before, so it was with some high expectations that I went on the Pacific Dawn. It was enjoyable –there were so many things to do; however I know that I could only handle short cruises.
Harold was to come with me on the cruise, but suddenly developed multiple blood clots on his lungs on January 7 2008. He ended up instead in Coffs Harbour Hospital, and was lucky to be alive.
Ann, my girlfriend from Perth, and I attended Billy Elliott, the musical, on January 25 2008. Ann returned to Perth on January 26 2008, and I flew to Adelaide to stay with Helen. January 27 2008 was the first anniversary of my Dad’s death. Helen and I attended a private function at friends of Helen’s home which had great views over Adelaide. It was a wonderful evening, and I met some interesting people.
I took 2 weeks leave from school in late January /early February. I flew first to Coffs Harbour and on February 7 2008, I flew to Townsville to visit a friend of my late mothers. I also caught up with Geoff Wilson, who is in the Air Force in Townsville. I met Geoff at Monkey Mia, Western Australia in January 1994 and have corresponded, via Xmas mail, since then.
I had a great time in Townsville and it was great to see Betty again – we also last saw each other in September 1994. Betty and I visited the Cardwell / Port Hinchinbrook development; and took the hire car on the ferry to Magnetic Island for the day.
On February 5 2008 I was the guest of Sydney BPW Club to celebrate my 30 years membership of Business and Professional Womens Association Inc. And on February 13 2008, I presented the Noel Seiffert Memorial Award, for the last time as a sitting Councillor.
Harold had to come to Sydney to be under medical supervision, as he was awaiting a hip operation to remove the dreadful pain in his left hip. I flew to Coffs on March 2 2008 and we returned to Sydney by XPT train . He was not allowed to fly as a result of the blood clots, so it was either a return journey by road or rail.
Race dates have been few and far between this year. I attended the wonderful Carbine Luncheon at Randwick Racecourse on April 18 2008 with Val .We sat on the same table as the connections of the horse that went on to win the Golden Slipper. On April 26 2008, Harold and I returned to Randwick to a luncheon for Derby and Doncaster Day. On July 19 2008, I attended Rosehill for Might and Power Race Day. One of the Language teachers at school loves the races, so a group of us attended and had a great time.
On April 3 2008 the Local Government Womens Conference was held at Rockdale City Council – an interesting Conference.
Harold briefly returned to Coffs Harbour for 2 weeks on May 2 2008 and has been back in Sydney since then. His operation was scheduled for mid -June 2008.This was to be the beginning of a nightmare journey with the NSW Health system.He was discharged from Hospital too soon and had to be re-admitted . This was to sort out the infection issues. Then there were the on –going issues of rehabilitation.
On May 11 2008 my Aunt and Uncle from Perth were due to arrive on the Indian Pacific train in Sydney. Joan collapsed at Perth Railway Station and was rushed to Hospital . I paid a short visit to Perth in mid -August to see her, and also caught up with Ann.
On June 6 2008 I flew to Adelaide for the long weekend. Whilst there I did a tour of the Barossa Valley, caught up with my school friend, Mada, and did some shopping.
On June 28 2008, I attended the Scottish Ball in Paddington Town Hall, a great night, but not as well supported as the previous year. Perhaps already a sign of the economic climate.
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On July 4 2008 my beloved tri- coloured King Charles Cavalier died suddenly of heart failure. Angus McTavish had been on increased medication since January 2008. His teeth were cleaned under sedation on May 22 2008 ; maybe this weakened the heart further. Rhonda, my breeder, had looked after my dogs whilst Harold was in hospital . I saw a beautiful rainbow as I was driving to the South Coast and this, I believe, was Angus looking down upon me. It brought a smile to my face.
Angus McTavish was buried at 4pm that afternoon in the Animal Cemetery, near Windsor. He was such a graceful, proud and loving animal – he really was King Charles the Second. He was my late father’s favourite dog, and that link is now gone forever. I treasure the wonderful memories.
August 4-19 2008 I took leave from school whilst Year 12 was on the Trial HSC. I helped Councillor Liz Barlow from Rockdale Council, and did a substantial amount of letterboxing for her.
I decided to run again as a number 2 on an Independent ticket with someone I had first met many years ago, and who was now a local Kogarah solicitor. I resigned from the Residents Association in early August 2008, after representing them for 9 years.
There were a number of other issues etc that did not assist my No 1, Chris to be elected on September 13 2008. He was disappointed, as I was, after many weeks of hard work . Chris would have made an excellent Councillor. Such is politics !
On August 23 2008 Ismo, my Finnish penfriend (since 1974) arrived in Sydney on business. We had not seen each other for possibly 20 years so it was great to catch up with all his family news from Finland, and have dinner. Ismo had sent me an email from Singapore to say that “he looked the same – just greyer .”We recognized each other immediately at Sydney Airport.
On September 27 2008 Helena, a staff member at school and Ned married in Bowral. Our staff travelled to Bowral, Southern Highlands for this lovely occasion. I had to be back from Bowral to pack for my mid- afternoon Hong Kong departure on September 29 2008.
I was able to catch up with a former St George Girls student, who left school in 1980, in Hong Kong ; her sister now works in Shanghai, China. (ex -1984) The week I was in Hong Kong, Connie’s sister was also to be in town. It was great to catch up with both Connie and Elizabeth again, and to meet their respective families. I attended the Rotary Club of Hong Kong meeting; did lots of shopping; and went on a half day trip around Hong Kong.
Connie, Elizabeth, Elizabeth’s husband, respective children plus nannies and myself, went to Ocean Park to see the pandas and dolphins. I have never seen so many people; what an experience it was! Connie organized dinner that night for 7 of us at The China Club, the former Bank of China Building, a stunning heritage property.
Elizabeth has invited me to Shanghai , so I will return to Hong Kong, via Shanghai. I loved Hong Kong, and it appears that so many other people do as well. I have never seen so many shops…Hong Kong is definitely the New York of the East , always on the go. It is a very exciting place to visit.
I spent part of November and early December having breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea with a few residents, which has been lovely. I have met so many residents over the years, and enjoy the friendship of some of these residents.
I made a quick visit to Coffs Harbour on October 7-8 ; there have been other trips as well throughout the year. The weekend of November 22-24 2008 visit with Harold and a friend to Coffs Harbour, was a pleasant escape from Sydney.
Afternoon teas have been celebrated this year- August 9 2008 in the Queen Victoria Building with Joanne and her husband. And a group of 3 friends are meeting in December to check out the Sofitel Wentworth’s afternoon tea.
On February 24 2008 I was fortunate enough to attend, with a friend, the finals of the A League Soccer between Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners. It was a great atmosphere and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And it was back to the A League to watch Sydney Football Club and Queensland Roar on Friday night November 28 2008.
In late October 2008, I attended a 20 year Reunion of the girls I had taught in 1988. It was lovely to see 80 of them again, and to hear of what they had achieved after school. I recognized so many of them, which was good for my memory!
I continue to be involved with my Unsung Heroes Project, at Kogarah Council . It is recording the backgrounds of significant people in Kogarah’s History over the past 40-60 years. I will then get organized with my Moorefield Racecourse Research in 2009 and move it along rapidly – 2 chapters have been written to date with 8 more to go. Then I will publish it…..
The economic situation has forced a change in plans for me of a trip to the United Kingdom and Europe in 2009 – this will now have to wait a little longer.
Best wishes for the Festive Season and 2009. Let us hope that the economic situation improves sooner rather than later, and that we have better direction and governance, world-wide, in 2009.
