JIM SMART 9.10.1945 - 19.10.2011

A very appropriate farewell to a great guy. A well-loved bloke. 
McKibbins, Fitzpatricks and O'Briens joined Fay and I at a "sell-out" function in Nowra. Lovely setting. Standing room only.

ggg

I signed the register for those folk who were not able to attend and had replied to that effect.

ddd

We told a few yarns about Jim. His fishing and football got a fair bit of attention. I did happen to mention (couldn't resist) about the time Jim and Jan were discovered in the student common room, "not vertical"! Letters went home to the old folks of course. Who else was in that group? Any takers?

ddd

Thanks Jan, Jen, Selena, Em and families.

JIMMY SMART

1945-2011
Jim will long be in our hearts and minds.
May there be many great stories surface.

HOW TO REACH MEMORIAL SERVICE

There will be a memorial service for Jim SMART on

Tuesday 25 October at 4 pm

at

WORRIGEE HOUSE

209 Worrigee Rd

NOWRA

From the north… driving along Princes Highway

·         LEFT (EAST) ON KALANDAR ST AT SET OF LIGHTS – PUB ON LEFT, CEMETERY ON RIGHT

·         THIS RD BECOMES GREENWELL PT RD (Don’t worry about that)

·         RIGHT (SOUTH) ONTO WORRIGEE RD AFTER THE GOLF COURSE AFTER 2 or 3 km

·         AFTER ABOUT 3 MORE KM, WORRIGEE HOUSE RECEPTION CENTRE (BIG PLACE) ON LEFT ON CNR OF BENNETT PLACE. IF YOU GET TO THE CREMATORIUM, YOU’VE GONE TOO FAR.

·         RING ME IF YOU’RE BUSHED!  0411 386 814 (Keasty)

SMARTY PASSED AWAY

Well, we've lost a good mate. 
Jimmy Smart had been in a coma for a day or so and passed away peacefully last night. His cancers had begun from a melanoma on the bottom of his foot. 
ggg
Jim was from Tumut. He went to Wagga Wagga Teachers College in 1963-64. He courted (and married) a lovely girl from the Riverina - Jan Ferguson. Before they married we had discussions with them as we were going to get married also. So, the 2 girls, Jan Ferg and Fay Bails, got their heads together and the Smarts got married on 23 Dec 1967 and we got married the following Saturday. 
Fay and I caught up with the Smarts again in Canada. Indeed, we romped around North America together during one Christmas holiday. Who could forget reaching Las Vegas on Christmas Day and staying at the Sweetheart Desert Bell Wedding Chapel Motel!
Of all the people we've travelled with, we've not found any folk easier than Jan and Jim. 
We've been holidaying at Christmastime with the Smarts for some 30+ years here in Cudmirrah, near Sussex Inlet on the South Coast of NSW. All our kids and Robbos' kids and the Roberts' kids and Joy's kids have grown up together. 
The 3 Smart girls live in Gerringong, Airlie Beach and Seattle. It is fitting that Fay and I caught up with Jenny in Seattle and Emily in Airlie during our travels this year. 
ddd
We will miss such a lovely bloke. Can't think that anybody ever had a bad word about him. It's been an absolute delight to have known the Smart family. I know we will always have a strong connection with them all.
Keasty  0411 386 814 

JIM SMART IN COMA

Just to give you a brief update:
Smarty in a coma as of yesterday - Tuesday 18 October.
Will keep updates on this site.

ggg

On a different note, Barry Robbo and Beth are due to leave Darwin Thursday 20 Oct. (Tomorrow.) I assume heading to Perth.

HIP GRINGOS GUIDE TO RIO

 "You've just gotta see this show guys!" Marion screams out.

 The show attracted Judy James and Suzi O'Brien who both thoroughly enjoyed Dave Baker's radio play.
There were a dozen ex WWTC folk who turned out for the event.

 Karen did a good job as narrator and a couple of other ladies in the show. Gerd King even had a cameo role as he danced with Karen as part of the show.

 Here's Marcus and Dave during the show. The play was written by Dave.

 Manny and the percussion man (forgotten his name) made up the cast. They enjoyed it and so did we. It was a two act jazz cabaret disguised as a live to air, 1979 radio play. (Think Dave wrote that info too!)
dff
The show is on 22 & 29 October at the Royal Exchange Salon, 32/34 Bolton Street Newcastle. Bookings essential - (02) 4929 4969. What a great intimate little theatre it is too. Thanks Dave.

VISITED SMARTY

 Fay and I visited Smarty yesterday afternoon at David Berry Hospital.
[A Community hospital near Nowra that provides rehabilitation and slow stream medical care and specialist palliative care for the Shoalhaven area.]

David Berry Hospital is in Tannery Rd, Berry, on the north eastern end of the town. If you come from the north, and you reach the shopping area, you've come too far.

nmm

He was on the closed-in verandah of the hospital chatting to a mate when we arrived on a beautiful day. He greeted us much the same as he always greets people - yep.... it really seemed like good old Jimmy. Except that he's confined to a wheelchair now. Jim's pretty much lost the feeling below his waist. Think that should read "Jim's lost the feeling below his waist." 

From the verandah (and we later moved to an adjoining room as the temp cooled a bit) Jim could see a couple of streams, the highway, the railway line and farming land. It really is a lovely view.   

 We didn't talk serious stuff. We just chatted. Like old times.
Jan had visited that morning. Visiting hours are between 11 and 1 and then from 3 pm to 8 pm (I think).
Hospital phone number is 02 4464 1001. Jan mentioned that he is not eating much now and has lost quite a bit of weight.
I know what you wanna ask me and I don't have the answers. 
Jim had mentioned to his mate Ian before we arrived that he figured he wouldn't be coming out of the hospital.... that Jan wouldn't be able to manage him at home. 

I think the team photo and the "bush" photo were taken at the Macquarie Muster in March this year. Remember the cross-country trekking we did at one stage? That's Jim, distinguished by the bandage on his left leg, as he makes his way through the scrub.
Just thought you'd appreciate an update on the situation.
bnm
Sunday 9th October 2011 - yes, this Sunday - 9.10.11 - Jim will turn 66 (if my records are correct).
Jan and Jim's address is 17 Bowada St Bomaderry 2540. Give me a ring if you want their phone number. Mine is 0411 386 814.