Some Year-2004 Reflections by Robert

(Not necessarily endorsed by The Management!)

 

Ah yes, well - Isn't it so much easier to look back one year than to look forward ?  Our first real year of "the empty nest"; just three of us (including the doggle-pops Bibs) occupying this five-bedroom house.  But it doesn't seem all that empty, with quite a lot of comings and goings.  It’s been quite an eventful year for many of our family and friends, with some mixed fortunes.


Our li'll Karen (now 19) has survived a full year of living away from home, although our washing-machine doesn't seem to have noticed that she's gone (her's doesn't work).

 

She's taken to Hospitality Studies at TAFE (Canberra Institute of Technology) enthusiastically, following completion of her traineeship during Year-12 College last year.  The academic challenge of this work has not been particularly severe, and it appears to have reinforced her clear focus on working with people rather than in a "back-room" profession.

 

Unsatisfied with  just the role (and accompanying poverty) of a full-time student, Karen has continued working at Crowne Plaza Hotel several days per week, mostly starting at 5:30 am (yes, five-thirty!) serving brekky for up to 500 guests.  She's also worked at the Chifley Hotel, Rydges Lakeside, and the National Gallery in all manner of catering tasks.

 

One of the great rites of passage at this age, or course, is the acquisition of a car.  Mum and Dad were hoping that Karen might not notice that her friends all seemed to be in this process, but it was not to be.  So now she has the independence (and responsibility) of her own wheels with all that this entails.  Karen and her friend Viv were awarded the prestigious "Inaugural RJ Best Wedding Helper of the Year Prize" for their huge efforts in providing transport and logistical support for the Royal Wedding in June of Uncle Frank and Auntie Sandi in Sydney.


Chris completed his third year of Performing Arts studies at Wollongong Uni, including some rather remarkable performances on stage, as well as a host of extra-curricular activities.  His work in entertaining at parties (for young and old), conferences, weddings, sporting events, dance shows, pubs, soap-box speaking and all manner of social events, has been great experience and training.

 

Not content with the prospect of spending the Uni Holidays studying for final exams, he organised a one-month tour through Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, culminating in participation at the Asia Pacific Youth Conference of MRA-IC (Initiatives of Change).  Travelling with his friend Teresa, he had some amazing adventures which will not be quickly forgotten.  It's just as well that Ma and Pa Kettle, waiting anxiously at home for the emails, became aware of the antics only after they were completed.  Further details of the escapade can be found on the fuller version of this newsletter on our website.

Chris is currently engaged in presenting a programme of "Song, Dance and Drama" at primary schools.  Next year he'll go on to a Dip. Ed. at the 'Gong.  He successfully applied for a grant to organise drama activities at the Unanderra Youth Detention Centre later in 2005, planning to arrange a presentation of "Bran Nue Dae" by Jimmy Chi and Kuckles, exploring contemporary youth and indigenous issues.  

Adrian has continued working with OEG (Outdoor Education Group) in Eildon, Vic, as well as full-time studies for Diploma of Outdoor Ed. at Swinburne TAFE (Isn't it great that we still have three full-time students in the family!)  He's just now finished the course work, which has included numerous expeditions and assessments in wilderness activities and the jungles of human foibles in working with colleagues and (mostly school-aged) clients.

 

AJ's year in the amicably-shared Eildon household, the TAFE studies and travelling have been a really important time for him.  His "near-death experience" in the blizzards of Kusciusko, romping around the Murray Gates, climbing the Grampions and working through numerous theory exams, have all contributed to a rather full year.

 

In June, AJ high-tailed it back by Land Cruiser from South Australia to Eilden, then by car to Melb. and by air to Sydney, to be collected by his (always helpful) sister Karen from the Airport and in the very nick of time to the wedding of his Uncle Frank at Dee Why (in a pair of shoes borrowed from Dad).

 

After these last few years of continuous movement by aircraft, train, bus, jeep, canoe, ferry, raft, trail-bike, Suzie-Wagon (1976 Subaru), abseiling-rope, surfboard, skis and shank's pony, I doubt that AJ will be willing to settle down into a desk job forseeably.   He's planning to work with OEG NSW around Moss Vale in 2005.  This will bring him much closer to his bro Chris at W'gong, Ma, Pa and Sis in Canberra, and the bright lights of Sydney.  Of the future then, "Who knows but the Lord, and He won't tell!"


 

Jeanne has had a year of mixed fortunes in the teaching sphere, and re-evaluating what she wants to do next year.  She has just completed a TAFE course for voluntary ESL (English as Second Language) tutoring of adults, and taken on a client.  This has been most rewarding and successful, perhaps indicating the wisdom of pursuing such work professionally next year.  After so many years of teaching infants, she seeks professional and personal fulfilment in a new direction.

 

Jeanne's mum Lola has had a most difficult year.  Her kidney dialysis process is rather inconvenient, requiring a visit North Shore Hospital in Sydney for three half-days per week, but has been quite successful at a medical level.  She has had a difficult time with bad fall and other complications, but is now doing much better in her nursing home at Mosman. 

 

JJ's bro, "Uncle Frank", was married (see references above) this year, and is now the proud father of Little Jeremy.  Frank has had a challenging year in terms of employment and health, but continues to be a strong support for his mum who would otherwise be quite isolated.


Support for the family has been (and continues to be) a big concern for us, particularly Jeanne, and the focus of our many trips to Sydney this year.  The outlook for next year is more of the same.  We are grateful for the support of our church and friendship community, sharing our little triumphs and tragedies along the way.

 

Jeanne recently suffered an acute knee condition which has been terribly painful but hopefully not so serious in the long term.  We're awaiting further diagnosis and progress.    


As for me (Robert), dunno what to say.  I serve Her Majesty to the best of my ability, in return for the means to pay the rent and the groceries.  I continue to be blessed with good health and a loving family, and pursue interests with church life, General Semantics, Jungian groups,  Prisoners Aid activities and the like.

 

We were fortunately able to visit my bro Tony and his family in Tas early in the year, and sis Kathy and fam. in the Blue Mountains.  The marriage of her daughter Becky with Richard in a jungle glen at Mt. Keira was a great family get-together occasion, and we're looking forward to her bro Chris's wedding near Dandenong in Jan. 2005.

 

The difficulty in spending more time with our extended family continues to be a source of frustration; we can but do our best.


We're about to depart for Cairns (which is why this missive is a little earlier this year!) for a couple of weeks.  I've been promising Max, my friend-from-third-class for the last thirty years or so, that we'll come and see him in Paradise.  Well, we're about to "go troppo" to check out the Cane Toads and summer monsoons up north.  It's a precious little window of opportunity for the five of us to get together for a special experience, which may not occur very many more times.

 

I won't apologise for our many failings to communicate with family and friends as we should, but we are thinking of you and hope to see you before too long.  Hope the new year brings you wellbeing and fulfilment.

 

Robert (on behalf of J&R, A, C and K)


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