December 2009
Dear friends and relatives,
This year appears to have accelerated somewhat. Again the Festive Season is upon us.
In early January, I celebrated my birthday lunch with 2 girlfriends in Paddington. Then, it was off to Coffs Harbour on January 5 for a few days. I caught up with Ken, our school Language Head teacher, Phillip and their friends at an entertaining dinner at his mother’s holiday house. It was an “international night”; one guest was from Spain but lived in Belgium, another was a long haul Qantas air hostess; another was a retired Qantas cabin steward, who travels the world in retirement.
On Friday, January 16 I flew to Perth for 6 days to see my Aunt and Uncle. I stayed with Ann , my girlfriend. Ann and I had a great few days; lunch at Hilliarys with my Aunt and Uncle and cousin Roseanne, lunch in a Cottesloe pub, a great day at Rottnest Island, a visit to see Marg and Rob; saw a couple of movies and checked progress on Ann’s new house.
On Friday night, January 23 Christine and I attended Burns Night in the City.This was to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Robert Burn’s birthday in Ayrshire, Scotland.
January 27 school started again. I was not definite about retiring at the end of 2009- that decision was in limbo.
Harold and I decided to sell our villa in Coffs Harbour and buy a smaller property. I flew to Coffs from January 31 onwards for most Saturdays in February- a tiring exercise. Fortunately, we sold the villa on February 16, after it had been on the market just over one week. We purchased a smaller villa in the next street; I found the property by sheer chance. The move in date was April 16.
I attended the Noel Seiffert presentation on February 11 at the Ramsgate Senior Citizens. I donated this award many years ago in memory of the late Councillor, Noel Seiffert. On February 20, I attended the 70th Anniversary Luncheon of Sydney BPW Club at Parliament House.
I organised the School Mock Trial team for Year 11 Legal Studies students in early February. Mr Ritchard Kitching, a local solicitor, has been the school coach since the early 1990’s, and he agreed to come on board again for the last time. I had 3 years off when my Dad was getting sicker. Mr Kitching was formally farewelled as school coach on July 21 and was given glasses with the school crest on it from the school, a gift voucher from the girls and a book on the history of golf and famous world golf courses from me. He was thanked for his 16 years loyal service to the school.
Work continued on editing of Kogarah’s Volunteers Heroes; a social history of significant people, who have volunteered in the past or present within Kogarah Council area. Beverley Earnshaw, a local historian, Mark Norman , Kogarah Library Manager and myself were working long hours to proof /edit the publication.
I had huge dramas with Big Pond in early April. I had a gentleman’s agreement with an officer at Council re my internet and its transfer to my name. An account was not paid some months ago, and I was cut off on March 30 2009 without any warning. It was a nightmare to resolve this issue. Needless to say, Big Pond are not my favourite people.
On April 4, I attended my last St Georgians Luncheon as Patron. I took on the role in 1999 in my Local Government capacity as a Councillor. Now that I am no longer on Council, I have decided to step down.
Ken and Phillip were in Paris during April and on April 8 caught up with my friend Charlotte. Ken took a video of their meeting in a Paris café; I saw this on his return. The wonders of technology!
On April 7, well over a year’s hard work was finished with the launch of my project, Kogarah’s Volunteer Heroes. Over 100 people attended the book launch in the Kogarah Library Foyer at 3.30pm on April 7. It was a lovely launch and the Committee, which I chaired, was commended for its efforts. Mark Norman,the Library Manager, and myself were guest speakers at Kogarah Rotary Club on Monday night, November 23 to talk about this project.
April 14 saw a number of female staff attend a lovely afternoon tea at the Sir Stamford Plaza, Circular Quay. Afternoon teas vary in quality and cost so it is good to check them out.
April 16-20 I carried out the big move in Coffs, along with Harold’s son. Then, trades people had to be organized to do a number of jobs. That was very much hard work; Harold got the better deal –minding my dogs in Sydney.
School returned on April 28 for a busy Term 2. On May 14 I organized for a number of my staff for a night at the Ballet- The Nutcracker. Most of these ladies had not been to the Ballet before, and enjoyed it immensely.
On May 19 I attended Ray Martin’s talk for the National Trust at the Maritime Museum. It was an interesting talk, which reflected his broad career in journalism. I noticed Tom Uren, the former Whitlam Government Minister, in the audience.
Tiling started in my hallway in late May and was finished some weeks later. I had had a huge flea problem with my dogs- I decided the old carpet had to come up. The flea problem was solved many months later, after a great deal of stress.
On May 25 I was invited to James Cook Boys High School to speak to Year 7 History about Moorefield Racecourse, Kogarah. (1881-1951) The boys were lovely, and gave me a small arrangement of flowers to say thanks.
June 21 – Christine and I went whale watching about 3 kms outside Sydney Heads. It was an amazing day. There was a huge swell. We were in a yacht so we were close to the action – we saw some whales; one did a backflip to show off. (No, I didn’t get sea sick – this whale watching trip was not for the faint hearted.)
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I organized a number of visiting speakers to school this year. In February, Mr Ted Bramble came to speak to Year 12 on Criminal Law. During Law Week in May I organized for 2 local female solicitors to speak to Year 11 Legal Studies. Mrs Patricia Rovik, a local resident, came to school in late June to speak to Year 10 History on her interesting life. Mr Mark Field (no relative) addressed Year 12 in early July on Family Law and 2 speakers from Choice magazine addressed Year 12 on Consumer Law in September. Councillor Lesa de Leau addressed my Year 10 Commerce class on Green Day, November 18.
On July 13-15 I was in Adelaide to visit a relative, Genevieve Paul Smith as well as friends.On July 24 –26 Christine and I visited Shoal Bay, near Newcastle and stayed at a lovely resort. We had a great few days and travelled back to Sydney via Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley.
On July 29 Harold had his right hip operated on in Sutherland Hospital and this time it was successful. I took long service leave August 7-21 whilst Year 12 was on the Trial HSC, so this made rehabilitation visits much easier. He returned to Coffs in late September.
On September 13, Christine and I attended the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog competition in Western Sydney. I collected one of my dogs at this event in September 2001- the little dear will be 9 next year.
The Ron Rathbone Local History competition closed in late August. I submitted an entry on the history of a former property I had owned in Bexley. Whilst it was an old university assignment, I decided that it met the criteria of the competition, so I decided to enter it. The winning entries were acknowledged on October 17 at a function at Rockdale City Council .
In late September I submitted 2 letters to the Letters to a Nation competition, which was organized by Australia Post to celebrate its 200 years. One was a postcard, dated 1924, from my grandfather to his brother, James in Melbourne; the other was a letter written possibly by a 12 year old girl to my mother in the early 1940’s. Read some of the letters which were submitted on the Australia Post site; they are excellent social history.
Race dates this year have been interesting. On January 10 I attended Rosehill with a former resident, whom I met on election day on September 13 2008. Margaret and I enjoyed my birthday lunch in the Galaxy Room at Randwick on January 24. Christine and I attempted to get to Randwick Races on September 5, but the car I was driving (not mine ) almost caught fire. This is a great after dinner story…
We were successful however in making Rosehill on September 12 and caught up with Ken,Phillip and Nan , Ken’s mother . On October 17, Caulfield Cup Day Christine and I attended the Galaxy Room at Randwick. The next race date outing is planned for December 12 at Rosehill with Ken, his mother and Margaret.
On October 10 Christine and I went with Peter to watch the Socceroos play the Netherlands. It was a great atmosphere.
Sydney celebrated October as Food Month and restaurants had special deals . Margaret and I had lunch in October at Lucios, a well known Italian restaurant in Paddington. This restaurant has association for me, as a close friend who lived in Paddington, dined here regularly over many years.
Christine and I travelled to Canberra on October 14 and 15. We caught up with 2 ex- students , visited the Museum of Parliamentary Democracy in Old Parliament House, National Portrait Gallery and called into Goulburn on the way home.
On October 16 Eileen and I attended the Vintage Fair at Canterbury Racecourse. It was an interesting collection of clothes, jewellery and hats for sale.
I have returned to Rotary over the past few months. I have not been able to attend many meetings over the past few years, so it is good to again be involved. I have been a Rotarian since 1989, joining Rockdale Club as its first female member.
On October 24 Christine and I attended a National Trust function at Kirribilli House. The Prime Minister had given permission for the National Trust to use the gardens. A couple of rooms inside were open for viewing and there were family photos on display for us stickey beaks!
The matinee of the Mikado at the Opera House was excellent on October 31 2009. On November 1 Liz , Gill Whan, Secretary of Kogarah Historical Society and myself attended Jack Mundey’s 80th birthday at Leichhardt Town Hall. It was an excellent afternoon of social history- great speeches, great photos and a humble Jack Mundey.
I went walkabout on November 22 with an ex- Moorefield Racecourse jockey around the back streets of Kogarah. We spent 2.5 hours walking along the streets and lanes etc. close to the Racecourse. In 2010, I will move ahead on my Moorefield book as there are now no distractions. As I hear of another Moorefield jockey, Ted Swinton’s recent passing away, I recognise the urgency of completing it. Then, it will be onto writing something else – the Field family history may be next.
A return visit to the Australian Ballet on December 9 was a must to see Sleeping Beauty. It was a sellout season in Sydney.
School finishes on December 18 for another year, a long and often demanding year at an end. I expect to be in Wagga Wagga in January to catch up with a family friend, who is now in a Nursing Home and to visit the South Coast.
I wish you a Happy Christmas, a prosperous New Year and good health in 2010.
Best Wishes,
Anne
