MORE CUDMIRRAH REUNION

Van,Lucy and Doug at Berrara.

Walkers and 2 Gra's who missed the boat at Sussex Inet.

Walkers, Lynn, Van, Sue and Gerd at the house in Berrara.

Bocce was a big hit.

Bocce (cont)

Dino Forsythe and Doug Walker

Here are some more photos taken at the Ides of March gathering. Thanks Marion. The last photo of Dino and Dougie was taken at an earlier function. Fay and I caught up with Dino at Wallsend Bowling club (Newcasle) for a meal. He lives at Marks Point which is a beautiful spot just out of Newcastle (near Belmont).

REUNION - ACTION REPORT

Lucy and Doug Walker in nautical uniform!

Lynn Ludwig and Barry "Stumpy" Robertson

The performers ... once again!!

Graeme O'Brien explains a few things.

Lynn L listening to Marion Giddy explain a few things.

Bernie Fitzpatrick (64-65) was our BBQ man.

Barbecuing Lucy

Bargain buying at the op shop Doug

Beachwalking Graeme

Bocceing Suzi

Bushwalking Marion

Cooking Sue

Cycling & Tandemming Gerd

Dancing Barry

Drinking & Eating Beth

Entertaining Lynn

House boating Van

Kayaking Grahame

Lounging & Napping Fay

Nibbling Janice

Sunbaking Bernie

Surfing & Wading Elaine

Have I left anything or anybody out? Sorry about the format... they were meant to be in 2 columns!!

Sixteen of us had a ball at Cudmirrah/Berrara. There were a few apologies, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of those who did make it. Aren’t we lucky with the people who have joined our group who NEVER even went to WWTC?

Trivia: Did you know that Lynn Ludwig, Marion G and Graeme O’B were in primary school TOGETHER!

As the second oldest at the gathering – only by a fortnight – I had the enviable job of making decisions on things like who will get to go on the houseboat and who will have to stay and go cycling. Tough decisions for tough times! I cycled!

Many thanks to the blokes and ladies who had a hand in the tucker scene. There were salads, desserts, exotic drinks, slices, not to mention the barbecue cooks and of course the cleaner uppers! All up a great team effort. Even GO’B who was prepared to sacrifice himself and swim valiantly through crocodile infested swampland to rescue Beth’s helpless Mexican hat. Where was Captain Barry during all this? Swilling cold VBs aboard the Houseboat like any fearless leader.

Thanks folks for coming and making Cudmirrah/Berrara 08 a very special event. Thanks God for some great weather (although house boat captain Neil claimed some authority there). Thanks Barry for your local knowledge and assistance. Thanks Nicole for Berrara Cottage. I know if there was to be a follow-up it wouldn’t be hard to get about 16 starters!

And the champion bocce team was................

CUDMIRRAH / BERRARA

22 Kirpson Street BERRARA

We will enjoy some beachwalking.

...even at low tide.

While Keasts' mansion - Retreat is not far away!

Our gathering approaches - Friday 7 March for most starters.

Barry & Beth Robertson, Van Davy, Graeme & Suzi O'Brien, Bernie & Janice Fitzpatrick, Lynn Ludwig, Doug & Lucy Walker, Grahame & Fay Keast.

We will be joined by Marion Giddy and Sue & Gerd King on Saturday 8 March. Elaine Saunders might join us for the day.

Eating arrangements:
# bring your own brekky - people in vans usually have this anyway
# Friday night - barbie at 22 Kirpson St Berrara (you'll be able to buy some meat at Sussex if you haven't got any in your van) - that's the house pictured above
# Sat lunch - blokes will probably make team sandwiches to order at 22 Kirpson St
# Sat night dinner - at Bowling Club where Robbo is a Director - complete with courtesy bus
# Sun lunch - like Sat lunch (unless we come up with a better offer)
Sun dinner - RSL Club in Sussex - courtesy bus.
Don't forget to bring your swimmers/togs/bathers, sunscreen and towels.

Those staying at the house will also need to bring sheets, towels, pillowslips.

It'd be great if you could let Grahame know your estimated time of arrival.

GATHERING at CUDMIRRAH-BERRARA

This is our Retreat! It's situated at Surfside Caravan Park at Cudmirrah. It's a very comfortable spot 5 km south of Sussex Inlet. This is where we catch up with Jim & Jan Smart, Gra & Dale Roberts and Barry & Beth Robertson each summer.

We're really looking forward to the WWTC gang heading this way on 7-9 March. There'll be about 21 of us there to foster a fair bit of collambience.

I'll be in touch with all people who've let me know they're coming to Cudmirrah-Berrara over the next week or so. That includes: Marion Giddy, Rob & Julianne Hughes, Merv & Helen Smith, Doug & Lucy Walker, Lynn Ludwig, Van Davy, Barry & Beth Robertson, Bob & Colleen Cureton, Graeme & Suzi O'Brien, Bernie & Janice Fitzpatrick, Keasts and Gerd & Sue King.

Received a card from Jock and Gail.... I think they're in Europe as we speak. They have a daughter working in England.

Found another great spot yesterday for a future gathering. The old rectory at Kangaroo Valley. The old stone cottage has FIVE bedrooms! Can cater for about 20. Anyone interested in, say 3 days midweek one of these days?

UPDATE ON WWTC FOLK

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE BEST FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN 2008.

Here's some info on a few folks from our gang:

KING Sue and Gerd
"Grahame, I blog on every morning to check for news etc. Love to read new stuff. Please keep up the good work!!!!!!!I have had rather a busy year and have met up with Marion on more than a few occasions! We managed a weekend at the Sapphire Coast and went to the races there, went to Lightning Ridge in July together to help choose the 2007 Opal Queen, spent a glorious 4 days in October in Hobart at a conference together and will be meeting up again on NYE here in Canberra for a 'Bubbly, Bocce and Barbecue' party. I think we are trying to catch up on the 33 years we missed out on, not knowing where the other lived! Gerd joins in with us when he can and loves the fun we have.Our Christmas was really wonderful this year as Gerd and I are now Oma and Opa to granchild Heidi. Couldn't be happier.See you at the coast in March. Looking forward to catching up in person again love Sue" (Upton) King

ROBERTS Graham and Dale – Still married! Next year will be 40 years for them. Dale works for the gov’t and Gra works for a publishing company. Dale gets into the craft (knitting and needlepoint) while Gra is enjoying golf. He still gets to his race meetings. They have 2 daughters in England and 1 in Sydney. They’re planning a trip to NZ for a couple of weeks in Jan with Barry (62-63) & Beth Robertson and Joy (Barr) & Len Sheargold. Joy was 62-63. G & D Roberts are heading to Europe 19 April and return end of May.

SMARTS Jim and Jan – they have 3 daughters – 1 down Sth Cost, 1 at Airlie Beach and 1 about to head for Singapore. They have 4 grandkids including twins! J & J Smart are off on a cruise which will take in most of South America, then the West Indies/Cuba and finish in England. Over 3 months!!!

POLLARD Nev – last seen driving a taxi up near Ballina.

PORTER Ken – lives in Ballina and swims regularly. He’s currently wandering round ACT and South Coast catching up with a few people. I actually caught a few waves with him at Cudmirrah last week.

SAY Gerard – After four months out of action following my six cardiac bypasses and my collapsed lungs after the breathing could not keep up with the new turbo heart, I'm gradually returning to something like normal. I was looking forward to joining you on the South Coast in March.

However, I have discovered that our District Rotary Conference in Bathurst [March 6 ->9] clashes with the WWTC 63-64 south coast get-together. As I'm the next President of the Chatswood Club, I'm fully committed to Bathurst and will have to miss out on Cudmirrah.

Please keep me informed of your next venture.

Have a marvellous Christmas

O’BRIEN Graeme and Susanna – “Madhouse here with preparing for 24 people for Christmas lunch and finishing the painting of the outside of the house.” And that’s as well as preparing for their niece’s wedding 3 days before Christmas!

LUCAS Bruce and Laraine (Cookie) - Cookie is President of the Independent Schools Heads of Junior School for NSW. Enough said! Even though Bruce retired in Dec 04, he is currently doing management consultancy 3 dpw which he feels is fairly non-threatening. He organised the Woolooware High School European Band tour - 21 days through Austria, Germany, Switzerland with a touring party of 95. So they are busy but enjoying life and are proud of their kids and 5.8 grandkids.

GIDDY Marion - As I am too slack to send out Christmas cards this year, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a Joyous Christmas, filled with Good Things!!!I wish you the happiest of New Years, with the hope that we all get together again soon for some serious partying.

WRIGHT Graham & Janet - Stiff luck about all that rain.... the damn roses are growing like weeds, so the president of the NSW (or Aust?) Rose Society is gonna be super busy!!! Good onya Graham.

BERRARA / CUDMIRRAH - 21 starters at this stage. Roberts may not make it but Walkers a late entry. We'll have a ball.

Not too sure whether anyone has a look at this blog. If not, I'll save myself the effort. If you want it to keep going, add a comment below. OK? Take care out there, and try not to travel on the roads (unnecessarily.)

Grahame

FROM ADELAIDE

Di (Edwards) Groenewegen lives in Adelaide. She lives with her Mum, June Edwards. Her three boys live in Adelaide also. Early next year Fay and I hope to visit with Di over there as we head to WA.

It's nearly 40 years ago that Di was our bridesmaid! Fancy that! Fay chose a girl I had whizzed in 1963 as our bridesmaid. Fay made sure Di was dressed in red or pink (can't even remember the colour now.) Doesn't time fly?

Jan and Jim Smart celebrate 40 years of marriage on 23 December. Give Jan a ring on 0432 627 121 - congratulate the pair of them. We are currently holidaying with them, and also Di's ex roommate..... Dale! Yes, and her husband Graham Roberts.

2nd photo is of Jan and Jim, their 3 daughters and 2 of their 4 grandkids. Smarts live in Nowra.

Merry Christmas to you all.

ROS FROM NARRABRI

Question: What do the following ladies have in common?

Jan Ferguson, Ros Lyell, Joy Barr, Sandy Booth, Wendy Mitchie, Jenny Lambert, Dale Read, Janice Kerin, June Alden and Fay Bailey.

It's fairly obvious eh? Can you think of other ladies from WWTC who married a WWTC fella? If so, click on COMMENTS below and let me know. Ta.

The photo above of Fay, myself and Ros, was taken in Narrabri last week. We caught up briefly with Ros Lyell who married Bob Tobin.

Here's a bit of Ros' story:

Taught at Blaxcell St. Granville 65-68.
Married Bob ’69 and moved to Narrabri where we both taught at Narrabri Primary and Infants.
Later I did 2 terms at Narrabri West before resigning after having 2 children Geoff and Alison.
Bob moved to the Infants Dept with some other male teachers and that’s where Bob always said “he learnt to teach.” He became Assistant principal, Infants until medical retirement in 1998 then passed away in 1999.
I’ve been teaching Scripture at both schools for 30+ years and teaching beginner music lessons to private pupils for about 15 .
We were both very involved with our local Anglican church , Bob as parish councillor, secretary, lay preacher and leader.
I play the music for some church services, weddings and funerals etc. and am also involved with Narrabri Eisteddfod, Meals on Wheels, a weekly exercise group, parish secretary and helping in the office with my limited office skills.
In 2005 I took a bus tour from Darwin to Perth and celebrated my 60th at Cable Beach Resort.
Son Geoff is married and lives in Wellington, N.Z. and has 3 daughters, (8,4, and 1). He works in computer animation, including all 3 Lord Of the Rings\nmovies and King Kong. So I travel to N.Z. at least once a year, sometimes more.

Daughter Alison is a pharmacist, is married with 2 daughters (almost 4 and 2) and lives in Sydney.

I have no plans to move from Narrabri. It’s a great town, wonderful\npeople, real community and a great\nchurch family. You should see the view of the Kaputar Mts I have as I drive down my street.

There is plenty for me to do here.

Enjoy beautiful Narrabri, Ros. Thanks for sharing your story.