61-62 BASH at FORSTER

About 55 people gathered at Forster (are gathering)! Thanks Mick McGrath and Terry Dwyer. Most folk went to college in 1961-62, but there are some ring-ins! I was in 1st year when most of these folk were 2nd years. Of course my wife (Fay Bailey Keast) being a younger woman, didn't graduate till 1964.

Ross Eggleton (Heather behind him) is a famous golfer, but I can remember playing cricket with him in Orange back in 1968-69 against the likes of Steve Bernard etc!

Adel and Adrian.
Noel Cox, Pettsy and Joan re-enact Titanic, with some alterations. Noel and Jeanette were in Merritt, BC back in 1969-70.

Adrian Hurley chats with that famous golfer. Adrian coached the Aussie basketball team back in the 90s.... maybe earlier and even a bit later. He spent some time in Eugene, Oregon, which is where Fay and I bought 2 tandem bikes!!!

REUNIONS APLENTY

In this photo, Barry Robbo (62-63), Fay Keast (63-64), Jan Smart (63-64), Grahame Keast (62-64), Beth Robertson (never actually did the WWTC thing), Dale Roberts (63-64), Graham Roberts (62-64). Enjoying brekky at the Cudmirrah store. How come Beth looks younger than the rest of us? Guess!

Here's Judy (Wilson) James. Judy went to WWTC 1964-65. She lives in the Central West.

Here is Jean (was she a Waddington???) Pidgeon from near Cowra. She went through in 1964-65.

Here's an old mate of ours - Dave Reid. Dave went through WWTC in 1959-60. His lovely wife Irene (pictured) was also a teacher whom he met in Canada back in 1967 or 1968 and married her in Scotland in 1970. They live in the Central West.

Two reunions scheduled for this year that we're going to attend:

• the 1961-62 group - Forster on 1-3 March. Thanks Terry & Heather Dwyer & Mick McGrath.
• the 1963-64 group - Lake Macquarie on 4-6 March. Thanks Dennis & Nola Forsythe. Good timing I reckon.

Cheers to you all. GHK - keasty446@gmail.com

MERV SMITH

Sadly our friend Merv has lost his battle. He passed away this morning, on Christmas Eve. He'd turned 65 not that long ago.

Merv had been in hospital for some time. Leukemia (have I spelt it right?) was what they'd diagnosed. Well, he seemed to have beaten that, but there were other issues that kept him confined.

Our mate Merv will be sadly missed. What a blessing that he is no longer in pain or discomfort.

Fancy his lovely wife Helen fell and broke her arm - I think just this last week. She has had a lot on her shoulders for quite some time. There'll certainly be some adjusting to do.

Funeral is scheduled for Thursday 30 December 2010 at 3:15 pm at Macquarie Park. Fay and I will certainly try and make it.

A sad day. I really feel for you Helen. I'm so glad I knew Merv. First met him in Wagga in early 1963 I guess...47 years ago. The boy from Coolamon.

GOOD NEWS and SOME NOT SO GOOD NEWS

Think this is Chris Giddy's wedding recently. I can recognise the marriage celebrant on the left - Rob Hughes. Heard it was a ripper of a show. Congrats to all.

Marion (mother of the bride) looked fantastic. (This is an earlier photo of Marion taken at Orange in October.)

Merv Smith is still in hospital. Infections seem to be his biggest concern and they seem pretty hard to shake. So he's loaded up with antibiotics to combat the buggers. The good news is the leukaemia (is that spelt right Helen?) isn't a major prob at the moment - thank goodness for that. Merv has appreciated the messages he's received from rank and file folk. This too is an earlier photo of Merv.

Jim Smart got a doc's report this week that didn't thrill him. He's gonna have to return to hospital for some more surgery as they attempt to get rid of more of those bad cells. We pass on our best wishes to Jan and Jim as they tackle this latest set back.

SCHOOLS VISITED - JOB DONE

Grahame taught here in 1968-69 before he and Fay (Bailey) Keast headed for 4 years in Canada. This is part of Orange Public School. Grahame decided to ride to all the schools where he'd taught overt the years. He'd already ridden to Niemur, Cooma, Mittagong and Heckenberg. Now he had the northern section to cover.

Where the bloody hell is Goodooga? was a well-known question. Well, check out the NSW-QLD border. Look where the straight bit meets the bendy bit. Now it's about an inch along on the straight bit. Got it? Near Lightning Ridge. In fact food and accommodation is at the Ridge. Here is Grahame with Rowan Mason who was in first class when Grahame was teaching there. He now has an important financial admin job at the school.
Grahame averaged about 90 km per day, with his wife Fay driving behind as his support. He rode alone mostly, but had company on two of the eight days of riding.

Orana Heights PS was where Grahame finished his teaching career. He was principal there from 1998-2003. Fay taught at Dubbo Public.

Dave Reid (WWTC 1959-60) and his wife Irene, looked after Grahame and Fay before they headed off on their last day - Cowra to Koorawatha.

Here is Jean Pigeon (now what's her maiden name??) with the Keasts when they arrived at Koorawatha, at the end of their journey. Jean graduated from WWTC in 1965.

You can't take the teacher out of an old Wagga boy eh?

Koorawatha.... the end of a journey. 1,060 km in May and then 678 km in October, visiting schools where he'd taught. Visiting by bike. Praise the Lord.

A FEW MISSING

Pity we didn't have Merv, Wrighty, Dougie, Van, Lynn L, Gerd, Bill S, Rob as well as their partners and Mavis and Ethel! Just think how much fun we'd have had then!

Sorry that Nola and Dino couldn't make it because Nola has busted her arm (humerus). Thinking of her as she heads to specialist on Tuesday!!! Fancy having to wait that long.

Here is GK getting close and personal with the waitress! (Just beat Dave G to it!) This is Ella (above). She was one of GK's bright little buttons at Orana Heights in Dubbo some years ago. No, she's not a replacement for Fay!!

Here Jock thanks Russ on behalf of all of us and gives him a wee drop from the O'Brien winery! (Thanks O'B also.)

Good to see Tom and Anne also. Somebody looks awfully happy that she has just finished up. There's no stopping them now.

*

2011 and beyond

***** Lake Macquarie early 2011 - mark your calendars. Dates coming.

***** Let me know if you are contemplating joining Hughes, Keasts, Smarts, Wrights and Fitpatricks on their Qld vantrip in August 2011. Phone 0411 386 814.

***** 2014 will give us a chance to celebrate 50 years since grad!!! Wagga Wagga?????

COLLAMBIENCE AT ORANGE

A heap of collambience was in abundance as the gang gathered on the Orange weekend, 1, 2 & 3 October. Giles, O'Briens, Fitzpatricks, Warfields, Grants, Keasts, Marion, Judy J and Sue. Apologies from Forsythes..... last minute hiccup.... but..... (thanks for sponsoring the Keasts Dino!)

Judy initiated the gathering occasion and venue. Russ stepped into the breach and organised the "events".

Here Bernie chats with Lyn G who was fresh from her daughter's wedding in France earlier this year. Bernie has just announced the birth of #8 grandchild.

Can you recognise - Barry Robbo, Fay, Jan and Jim Smart (on left)? GK, Beth Robbo, Dale and Pix on the right. Dining at Cudmirrah earlier in the week. No, they weren't in Orange!!

Dave Giles chats with Russ Warfie about something in depth.

Good mates Fay and Jock.

What can I say? Sue and Marion!!! Enough said.

The mafia was in attendance also. Just don't cross these blokes, OK? Talking of mafia, I believe McKibbins due tonight!