Newsletter No. 20: May 2003

Special Birthdays that occur in the coming months are: Stephen Wood 50 on the 12th June, Kevin Turner 50 on the 24th July and Alicia Lyell is 21 on the 29th July.
Two engagements have been announced, Julian Wood to Michelle Harvey they will marry probably later this year and Chris Turnbull to Melissa Derrick from Lalor who intend marrying late 2004.
Dennis and Marichu Lyell's baby Rhys Chadwick arrived on the 25th April and he weighed 7lb 6oz both mother & son are well.
Also celebrating the birth of their daughter Briana Rose are Leanne and Paul Richards, Briana was born on the 21st May weighing 7lb 14oz, both mother and child are well.
Lorraine Wood has recently had an athroscope on her knee which will curtail her tennis playing and orienteering for a few months.

BIRTHDAYS

( June )
5th Simon Camish
12th Stephen Thomas Wood
17th Victor White
17th Zachary John Wood
21st Christine Marie Payne
22nd Teresa Hilda Woestyne
22nd Anthony Victor White
26th Vincent James Wood
27th John Stanley Wood
27th Dale Christine White


( July )
2nd Brian Woodhead
2nd Lachlan James Turnbull
5th Pauline Joan Turnbull
8th Daniel James Wood
11th Maureen Barbara Muir
13th Christopher Edward Turnbull
16th Michael Charles Bellman
19th Stephanie Ann Collins
21st Helen Maree Bellman
24th Kevin James Turner
27th Madison Kathleen Wood
28th Anthony John Robb
29th Alicia Clare Lyell
30th Brent Edward Woodhead
30th Lesley Jane Bellman

FAMILY PROFILE: Bernadette Camish.

• D.O.B. 30th August 1957
• Occupation: Trained in General Nursing at St Vincents Hospital Fitzroy 1976 group.Have worked in many diverse nursing jobs, from clinics.radiology to medical & surgical initially in Victoria and now in NSW.Currently working as CNS in day surgery/recovery at Hawkesbury District Health Services, Windsor NSW. Husband, Keith works in computer sales at Harvey Norman
• Hobbies: Picture Framing. Arts & Crafts
• Interests: Reading, Gardening and Meditation
  
• Children:
  • Simon 21 years old---Apprentice Carpenter/ Builder, Won HIA Encouragement Award for apprenti 2002, also one of three finalists for 2nd year Apprentice of the year. Plays Soccer and has just built our stone retaining wall in the garden.
    
  • Melanie: 20yrs old---Manager of Homewares Section at Domain, Penrith, enjoys music,crafts a clothes, loves bags.
    
  • Luke: 15yrs old--in year 9 , Bede Polding College Windsor. Is learning & playing the electric guitar, plays indoor soccer and is addicted to playstation games especially "Final Fantasy"
    
• Favourite Entertainer: dont have one
  
• Favourite CD: Most music-Jim Croce, Gregorian Chanters, Cat Stevens, Celtic Music, Queen and Enya.
  
• Favourite Movie: Groudhog Day, Titanic
  
• Favourite TV Show: Keeping up Appearances, Angel, Will & Grace
  
• Favourite Meal: Salads, Bacon & Mushroom Pizza
  
• Favourite Book: Bruce Courtnay Books, Jan Aliel's series-- Clan of the Cave Bear.
  
• Car: Mitsubishi Magna 89, dont buy one though
  
• Famous Person you would like to dine with: Mel Gibson
  
• Event you would compete in at the Olympics: Tennis
  
• Favourite Sports Team: dont have one
  
• Pets: 2 dogs Border Collie X Cattle, Budgie and 2 muscovy Ducks
  
• Talent I would like to have: Dancing & Singing
  

JOKE OF THE MONTH

A young man once asked God how long a million years was to him, God replied, " A million years to me is just like a second of your time."
"What about a million dollars?" asked the young man, God replied, a million dollars to me is just like a cent to you."
Then getting up his courage the young man asked; " God, could I have one of your cents?"
God smiled as He reached into his pocket and replied. "Sure, just a second."

Laurie's Trip

Laurie Wood has put pen to paper and given us details of his recent trip around the Australian outback, he has also given us details of his family's activities all this information follows.

It was a long time coming but I was made redundant in the first week of July 2002. While it was no surprise considering the slow demise of the Victorian division and subsequent closing of the Melbourne office, I was nonetheless disappointed after nearly 23 years with the one employer. Initially with the children at school and Sarah doing VCE, I worked around home on little tasks that were overdue. We had an exchange student from Japan during August for two weeks. Once my finances were in order and I had established a business name for myself, I decided to do my trip through Central Australia while I had the time. Circumstances would not permit any of my family joining me.

I guess you basically now my travel path but just to refresh your memory, I left in early September and traveled via Echuca, Mildura to Port Augusta. From there through the Flinders Ranges and up to Marree being the junction of the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Track's. From there across to William Creek and on to Coober Pedy. At Coober Pedy I met up with my sons school tour group and spent an evening with Matthew and his group. From there traveled all the way to Uluru. Spent three nights at Yulara camping and spent the days sightseeing. From there I traveled to Kings Creek Station and met up with Matthew's tour group again. They were on their way to Uluru after being at Alice Springs. I did the Canyon walk around Kings Canyon and then left for Alice Springs. Spent three nights at Alice and managed to watch the AFL Grand Final in a bar there.

From Alice I traveled through Tennant Creek and on to Katherine. Spent two nights in Katherine and during the day did an 8 hour safari trip through the Katherine Gorge. Quite a good day had though it took it's toll on my legs having slightly sprained my ankle. From Katherine traveled on to Darwin where I stayed for 5 nights. During my time there as you know I visited Rob and Clare. While in Darwin I did a number of sightseeing trips including a days fishing on a charter, a day tour through Litchfield National Park and a visit to the Museum. On the eve of my departure from Darwin I had a nice meal with Rob and Clare with Clare doing a lovely job cooking the fish that I caught.

From Darwin traveled through Kakadu and back down to Katherine. I caught up with some friends of friends in Katherine prior to traveling back down to Tennant Creek. Left Northern Territory and crossed into Queensland and spent a night at Mt. Isa. From there went to Normanton at the bottom of the Gulf. Spent two nights there and again went fishing, this time for Barramundi. Managed to catch one but undersize much to my disappointment. Anyway did a day trip to Karumba at the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Had dinner at the Sunset Tavern and watched a magnificent sunset. Returned to Normanton and then on the following day headed towards Cairns along the way visiting the Undara Lave Tubes. Arrived in Cairns late on a Saturday evening and quickly found accommodation for the night.

Prior to leaving home I had organised for Trish to meet me in Cairns for 5 days and she was arriving in Cairns on the Monday. So after checking out the area found accommodation at one of the northern beach areas called Yorkeys Knob. Trish arrived on time and was a welcome break from my own company. Trish has relatives in Cairns so we visited them as well as doing some local tourist things. We traveled on to Port Douglas for one night and from there did a day trip through the Daintree National Park and up to Cape Tribulation. Beautiful area to visit but I confess the heat can be quite oppressive and towards the end of the day look forward to cooling off in a pool. We returned to Cairns Thursday night and Trish left for home on the Friday afternoon. I stayed on at Cairns for two more nights doing a boat trip out to the reef on one day and just relaxing another day before leaving Cairns.

From Cairns, traveled down to Airlie Beach spending two nights there. A little too busy for me there so continued down the coast to a place called 1770. The town of 1770 is so named to mark the time and place where Captain Cook sought shelter and repairs to his ship in the year 1770. It is a magnificent location and again witnessed a beautiful sunset. From there traveled to Hervey Bay where I visited some friends who now live there. Stayed with them one night only before traveling onto Brisbane. Again in Brisbane visited and stayed with friends for two nights. While there made contact with Maureen Muir, again a nice catch up. Left Brisbane for Byron Bay thinking to stop a night or two. Did not like the feel there so continued to Coffs Harbour for a night. From there traveled all the way to Sydney and visited my sister Bernadette and family at Currajong. Stayed with them for 3 nights basically resting up as the driving had worn me down quite a lot and the heat was excessive while there.

From there I traveled to Wodonga and stayed with Ann for three more nights. While in Wodonga caught up with Julian and met for the first time his fiancée Michelle. At the time they were not engaged but announced it around Christmas. From Wodonga traveled home to arrive on the Sunday of the Melbourne Cup weekend. So, overall I traveled a little over 14,000 kilometres in 7 weeks with virtually all the driving on my own. Taking out stopover days and putting a distance traveled on driving days, I averaged around 500 to 600 kilometres a day. It sure is a big country and nothing impresses it upon you like driving it by yourself.

Anyway, arriving home in time for the completion of the school year for Sarah especially was fortuitous. Trish had been receiving more and more work doing personal care work and home care work. Somebody has to earn some money. All the children completed their school years well with Sarah doing extremely well and topped her year for textiles. Her work has since been accepted into Top Designs and is at present on display at the Melbourne Museum until July. Her work/theme was to design a dress for Oaks Day for her mother, Trish. Sarah applied for Interior Decoration and Design at RMIT and was accepted. She is now well entrenched in the course and is enjoying it. Matthew also has done well at school and is in year 10 this year but is doing advanced Year 11 Maths/Methods. He seems to be coping with it quite well. Elise is now in Year 5 and is traveling very well.

On a recreational level, Sarah is continuing with her dancing and is quite fit and flexible is probably the best way to describe it. Matthew plays tennis and over the course of this past year has been in teams winning three premierships and one time runners up. He and I have just started playing together in a mens A Grade night competition. I also have continued with my tennis and play in a Section 1 mixed team for St. Pauls Bentleigh. We are in a Grand Final this Saturday and have played off in the final in the last two seasons having won one of those. Elise has taken up dancing this past year and is enjoying it and at school is continuing to qualify for cross country running. Trish has not played much sport lately due to work and other things but spends a fair time walking when able. She was last year regularly playing indoor volleyball.

On a career level, I suppose you could say I am having a career break. I have done two and a half weeks of consultancy work during February but that's all. Instead I am occupied with the renovation of our house. I have completed an ensuite, a toilet and am part way through the hallway. I still have to renovate the laundry, main bathroom and the lounge dining areas. New carpet throughout is also on the plan. I have done everything myself except install the shower screen. Presently I am completing the tiling in the hallway. In between work at home I transport children to and from train stations, schools and the like. Personally I am not over anxious to go back to full time work but ultimately will need to.