60th ANNIVERSARY

Caught up with heaps of people in Wagga at the 60th Anniverary Celebrations for WWTC. While our (63-64) era wasn't really well patronised (Bernie & Janice pictured above were there), Fay and I did catch up with a bunch of people from various years, some for the first time. I even found a bloke (Jim Banks) who'd taught at Pooncarie before my brother Bill went there fresh from college in 1962.

I don't know who these people are.... must've been on a nearby table I guess! Do you recognise either?

Was good catching up with Laurie Orchard (played the organ for us a couple of times over the weekend), John Cosier (craft fella) and Henry Gardiner (English.) Henry was an ex WWTC student who came to lecture there in 1964. We even heard the background to his supervision of Fay in her final prac and how he managed (against all odds) to grade her an A+ when she'd previously been a C!!! She's been twisting me round her little finger for nearly forty years so I have no doubt that she could easily manage Henry G. Thanks Henry for your efforts back then. Here's Fay with Henry.

We each received a medal commemorating the 60th Anniversary.

Thanks for the Baileys on Sat night Sue. Lovely.

Margaret and Alan Milne (Goulburn) and Sue King (Canberra) toast the best and fairest.

There was an excellent brunch on Sunday morning after a brief service. Once again, we ate well.

Looking forward to seeing some of you folks at Cudmirrah/Berrara on 15 March 2008 (The Ides of March weekend.) That's near Sussex Inlet.

Coming so far: Marion, Kings, Lamberts, Roberts, Van, Keasts, Smiths (Merv/Helen), O'Briens, Hughes, Fitzpatricks and hopefully Smarts. Maybe Lyn Ludwig and Tom McKibbin if they get back from San Fran. I have some apologies already like Wrights, Barb Luelf, Warfields, Elwin & Judy James. I think Judith Dark is a chance of coming too. Please let me know if you are coming so I can arrange accommodation. Thanks.

O'BRIENS of THE HUNTER

Susanna and Graeme, grandparents to Olivia, Sophie, Hamish and Elodie
Graeme and Suzanna met in ’65 and married in ’70. Kids born in ’73, ’77 and ’80.
They made a lifestyle choice early on in their marriage to live in the country in the beautiful Hunter Valley and started raising Hereford cattle.
8 years ago they bought a smaller property deciding to downsize their herd (they now have about 20 cows) as they aged (as Graeme & Suz aged, not the cows!). Their property is near Bulga, 23 km out of Singleton. It borders Wollemi National Park and also contains 2 Ha of muscat grapes that they sell to a local winery.
The house is a work in progress but visitors are more than welcome (as we found out recently). The place is taking shape nicely.
The property is run on biodynamic principles and they are now seeing the results of that approach.
As well as 3 kids, they also have those 4 grandkids that they dote on.
They plan on hosting a quiet (it won’t be quiet Graeme!) WWTC Hunter Valley weekend in September or November 2008 as they will be overseas in October. Details here later.
They are looking forward to catching up with folks at the Berrara/ Cudmirrah gathering 15/16 March 2008. Yes, they are booked in!

Other info that GOB didn't divulge - they have various community commitments and responsibilities AND he's a damn good cook!

Thanks for a great visit Graeme and Suz. Seeya in March 08.