annefield.net.au
annefieldauthor.com
Dear relatives and friends,
Another year has passed on by. I hope that you have had a good year. My year could have been better; however much has still been achieved.
MOOREFIELD MATTERS
My two websites, during 2018, have continued to be well read around the world. One website was set up in mid-2013 and the other in early 2014 – views are now up to 128 countries. The power of technology and the written word!
The 4 well most read articles from the Moorefield category in annefield.net.au are Ray Selkrig’s speech at my book launch in July 2016; Clarence the Clocker ; History of Racing Colours and Australian Jockeys Riding in India, Ceylon and Malaysia. There have been a number of reads from overseas countries.
My dogs category and the story on my old Toyota car, Annabella have also had many reads. The Facebook site, Moorefield Racecourse Kogarah, which was set up in September 2016, is travelling well. It is up to 111 likes now thanks to Leesha’s great work.
I did only one guest talk on Moorefield Racecourse this year. On October 16, 2018 I spoke to Sydney Water Retired Employees at Parramatta. Next year I would like to do more talks.
When in Coffs Harbour in mid-June 2018, I visited a clairvoyant . He said to me that” my published book would soon assume a new form-a video or movie.” This has come to pass.
Bob, a Beverley Park resident and I, have worked diligently from late August until early December 2018, to produce a 2 hour video on my Moorefield Racecourse book. Filming has been an interesting and challenging experience.
The outdoors provided some hazards: birds , cars, trains, dogs, planes, and bumping into a former student from 1980 Year 12 … and another from possibly 2010 Year 12. (Lovely to see my former students, and to have a quick social chat, as I am known to do!) I became used to the command “action,” wearing makeup, and many changes of clothes.
A soft preview launch of this video will take place in late January 2019 at a local retirement village. Bob and I, are both delighted that we have committed Moorefield to a visual history. The first part of the video is devoted to external areas associated to Moorefield. This is followed with some fascinating interviews. My oldest subject was 92, and he had an amazing memory!
My Moorefield book was entered into the Bill Whittaker Award for new horse racing books in Australia and New Zealand over the last two years . Bill was the senior turf writer at the Sydney Morning Herald; this award is in his memory and is presented every two years. Thirty two books were entered into this award; I was honoured that my book was included.
I met with a former Moorefield jockey on October 18, 2018 at the Queen Victoria Building, Sydney. Ted Mills rode in the last race meeting at Moorefield Racecourse. Ray Selkrig and Ted Mills, I believe, are the only two jockeys alive today, who rode at this meeting on July 14, 1951.
Georges River Council awarded me a small community heritage grant in November 2018. This was to go towards the production of my Moorefield racecourse video. I was honoured to accept it.
Early next year, hopefully a community preview will take place of my Moorefield video. I understand that there are possibly some people, who would prefer to watch my video, than read my detailed 231 page book. Photos are included.
DOGS
Sadly, Lizzie and James died on September 7, 2018 aged 15 and 15.5 years respectively. I was devastated at losing them together. Lizzie is the subject of my next book, The Adventures of Miss Hoity Toity and Lizzie. My book will be now dedicated to Lizzie and James. Harry has now adjusted to being alone, and is pampered with lots of love.
My 12 year old neighbour, Steven painted both dogs for me as a tribute. It is framed and hung on the wall, his first painting to be hung. I walk past it frequently and remember my beautiful dogs.
DEATHS
A long standing teaching colleague, and good friend, Diana Renton died on January 6, 2018 . Former staff, students and a Principal from St George Girls High School attended her funeral .Diana was a well loved and respected Maths teacher, who loved her Mr Men characters. She had a quirky sense of humour.
Former Hurstville Councillors, Merv Lynch (January) and Beverly Giegerl OAM (November ) died. Leonie Bodell, a former Kogarah Council Alderman died in December. Beverley was a contemporary of mine on Hurstville Council 1991-2012. Leonie and I, over the years that I was on Council, would discuss local political matters, and I regarded her as one of my political mentors.
Dave, a friend for the past two years, died suddenly at home on March 17, 2018 aged only 61.
Bill Mc Curley, horse trainer, died in June, although I was not informed of his death until mid-October. Bill was in his mid- 90’s. A lovely photo of Bill with Hiraji, after the 1947 Melbourne Cup win, features in my Moorefield book.
Desmond O’ Leary, whom I was to interview for my Moorefield video , sadly died in September, one week before I was to interview him. Desmond was a wealth of racing knowledge. He was the brother of the late Terry O’Leary, horse trainer.
Such is the importance of oral history; our history is lost when people pass on.
FOOTBALL
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LUNCHES AND DINNERS
I caught up a number of times with Jenny and Tricia , former teaching colleagues ; Russell who assisted me on Moorefield research , Lillian for lunch at the new William Inglis Hotel Warwick Farm and an Italian restaurant in the Strand Arcade; a long standing friend , Dorothy ; Lynette , former community heritage advisor on Griffith House campaign, St George Hospital in 2012-2013 at Dymocks Café, and later in the old Vienna Coffee Lounge Queen Victoria Building; a former student , Jenny, who is solicitor on a local Council ; a 2010 student, whom I am talking to about community involvement and Kathryn and Liz , former Councillor colleagues. Ross and Pamela kindly took me to dinner in Bexley North after my dog’s passing.
My most fascinating dinner was with Patricia, who is well into her 80’s and Bob, who is almost 80, and is my video producer. We dined at Ramsgate RSL in late November, and chatted for hours after dinner. Patricia travelled up the Norwegian Coast to the Arctic Circle as an 18 year old; lived in London after her education was completed at St George Girls HIgh School and the Conservatorium of Music.
She married and lived in Lucknow, India for 15 years, until 1967, when she returned to Australia. She travelled extensively in India, and was there at an interesting historical time -Nehru was the leader when Patricia lived in India.
Bob had been an entertainer on a cruise ship, and elaborated on his later travels to the USA and Canada, as well as other countries. In later life, he became a chef and ran his own catering business. Bob had also filmed, in recent years, an eye operation in Nepal .
RACES
September 1st, 2018 and September 30, 2018 a friend and I attended Randwick Races . Patricia and I, attended Randwick in December 2018.
Lillian and I attended Melbourne Cup day at Omeros Restaurant on the foreshores of Botany Bay , at Ramsgate. This year we decided on a new venue, which we both enjoyed. I wore my 1988 Melbourne Cup jacket over a black and white dress, and Lillian was dressed in white.
Winx’s continuing winning successes kept the nation sitting on the edge of their chairs. A wonderful horse. She will be well commemorated in our racing history.
COUNCIL
I attended the Noel Seiffert Presentation on February 14,2018 at Ramsgate Senior Citizens. I made a speech in memory of Noel, my former Council colleague. I am delighted that this award was reintroduced this year, after an absence of a couple of years. It will be held every second year.
On July 27, 2018 I attended the Mayoral Ball at Georges River Council. It was a lovely evening and everyone dressed up for the occasion. I sat on Councillor Landsberry’s table. Kathryn and I were Kogarah Council colleagues. My former male North Ward Councillor colleague told at the Ball that “ I was looking as good as i had looked when we served together on Kogarah Council (1999-2008)” i took this as a compliment.
On September 15, 2018 I attended the Ron Rathone Local History Awards at Bayside Council.
F6 FREEWAY
I have been involved in organising two public meetings on the F6 –March 3, 2018 and November 25, 2018 .Moorefield Bowling Club kindly allowed us to use the Club as the meeting venue.
Ongoing throughout the year, I have co-ordinated newsletters to residents on behalf of the Moorefield Estate F6 Committee, in relation to F6 matters.
RMS announced on November 7, 2018 that the Environmental Impact Statement for the F6 freeway was on Public Exhibition for 35 days only.
Residents have been busily preparing their submissions.
ST GEORGE EISTEDDFOD
Sadly, the Eisteddfod had to be wound up due to the untimely death in 2017 of the organiser, Linda . In my capacity as Secretary, , I presented cheques to St George Girls High School on February 16 ; Kogarah Primary School on February 28, 2018 and Carlton South Primary School on March 9 , 2018.
I presented the cheque at St George Girls to a staff meeting. I retired from St George Girls at the end of 2011. There are so many new staff now teaching at the school. Such is the passage of time……
NEXT YEAR
I plan to publish my children’s book on Lizzie , and then move on to my Message in A Bottle Adventure from the Southern Ocean and Eden in 2012. I would willingly do this adventure again –it was such a huge challenge , but great fun.
My Moorefield Racecourse video will be released for which Bob and I are delighted.
And I plan to continue swimming and walking Harry to get fit.
I wish you good health, happiness and prosperity for 2019.
Best wishes
Anne
