Dear friends and relatives,
My newsletter is not detailed this year. It has been a tough year made so by the unexpected sudden death of Harold on September 30 . I am deeply saddened to lose him after having been close friends for well over 35 years.
Travel has taken me to Townsville in January; Newcastle in January and April ; to Darwin in July ; and to Melbourne in November . There have been trips to Coffs Harbour. My Dad joined the Army in Newcastle and ended up in Darwin during World War 2 – a journey in his memory this year.
My Melbourne trip was to attend a book launch in Malmsbury, near Castlemaine, where an ancestor, William Hollyman was on Council in the late 1880’s for a few years. I stayed with Glenn and Nancy for the weekend on the Mornington Peninsula –a beautiful part of the world. Glenn is a descendant of William Hollyman.
Race attendance has been limited this year ; Rosehill on March 19 , 150th AJC Derby at Randwick on April 9 and Rosehill on December 10th ; Rosehill on Boxing Day.
There have been visits to the Guild Theatre with Ralph and Marilyn ; other cultural activities had to be sidelined this year due to Harold’s health.
Harold became seriously ill in July 2011. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in late July although he possibly had it for some time. He had given up smoking in 2008 but returned to it ; this ultimately was what killed him .
July , August and September were all consumed with hospital visits. Harold’s health failed rapidly and he died at 11.15am on September 30. He was privately cremated. A Memorial Service was held at Shellharbour Surf Club , Wollongong in late October and his ashes were scattered at sea.
On the bus returning to Sydney, Harold’s sister in law from Yorkshire, had a heart attack . I called the paramedics. She was admitted to St George Hospital and on October 31 was diagnosed with leukemia. The chemo has not worked and she is still in St George Hospital . ( Fortunately Australia and England have a reciprocal health agreement ). It is such a tragedy. Harold’s brother , Frank is understandably beside himself with the worry.
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I attended the 1980 and 1986 girls reunions in October – it was lovely to see these former students again . Some ex -students have called in to school to say goodbye – I have appreciated this very much.
Life after school – I will now have time to work on my Moorefield Racecourse (1888-1951) book . This is a long overdue publication, which must be finished. Then I will move on to other projects.
Next year it is 100 years since my Scottish Grannie emigrated from Glasgow to Sydney, Australia. She married in Sydney and settled in Newcastle. I plan to cover part of her journey to commemorate this important event as a tribute to her. I have her original ticket and her log of her journey, so I know where she was each day.
This year I will have a quiet Xmas –to me it will be a sad occasion on which I reflect the tragic events of my year. It is also 9 years since my mother’s passing on December 19 2002.
May you and your family have an enjoyable festive season .Good health for 2012.
Best wishes
Anne
