ASOPA CEOs

News from 'Dubbo Dave'

2012-01-27T09:10:00.002+10:00

Sorry Keith Rod, I took so long to tell you the news after telling you at the party that things were not travelling that well..I have included a couple of other Asopians on the roll out.

Bill could you please put it on the blog so if anybody else is interested they can have a read..I don’t know if the blog is for this sort of news if it isn’t ..no worries

Well the news is that I had my pet scan and I have two tumours ( they call them lesions) not 1 as we first thought in the liver.. the good news is that they are not very far apart

The oncologist has referred me to a liver surgeon who I will go and see this Tuesday

The liver surgeon’s job on the first visit is twofold..he has to

1 Look at the latest pet and cat scans and see if he can do the procedure and if the procedure will be of benefit to me

2 Look at me and see if I am up to this big operation and long recuperation period

Realise this news is a bit nebulous but that’s where we are at the moment...Keep you in the loop

Dave from Dubbo

To which Rod added:

I think that when you put this on the blog…some reference should be made about Dave’s state of mind…

He is very positive as we found out at the lunch a week ago and will certainly not “lay down and die”….

Elissa is a great supporter and I am sure his many friends are including him “in their prayers”…

I have no doubt he will get through it..

Regards,

Rod.

Ed:
After talking with Dave at Bob's birthday bash, I too was impressed with his positive attitude. I am sure we all wish Dave all the best and hope the outcome is successful.

Berowra Get-Together

2012-01-20T13:45:00.001+10:00

From 'Dubbo' Dave on a recent Berowra get-together:

Was going to call our meet up an ASOPA Reunion but I thought that was a bit over the top.

Well the story goes like this..the three remaining 1962/1963 Asopians who still live in Sydney met at Berowra on the far northern outskirts of Australia’s biggest city ( population wise that is)

Someone once told me that Brisbane is bigger in area.

At the meetup was Rod & Cheryl Hard..Keith Ingrid & Ingrid’s mum, Libby (who proved to be a very agile senior by negotiating our precipitous steps)

Would love to say it was a beautiful Sydney summers day unfortunately it wasn’t ...It was overcast & windy..so much so that we couldn’t have the lunch outside..but we got over that.

Rod & Keith both brought lovely bottles of wine..they looked good..I had a sip of all of them..as many of you know I haven’t had any alcohol since October 2010..but my resolution for 2012 is not to whinge about it..I still love to sip at other people’s wines before the taste gets too much for me.

Topics of the day included ..what our kids were doing..Rod & Cheryl’s boy is just finishing his apprenticeship and their daughter is just starting Year 12.

Keith & Ingrid’s boy is working in Keith’s office.

Keith is easing out of the business and doing a fair bit of work on New Guinea matters..which he is enjoying.

Keith & Ingrid are going on a cruise up and down the coast of South America in about a month’s time ...we are assured it is not of Italian origin and doesn’t carry 4000 people.

We had a very amicable and friendly discussion on New Guinea and Australian politics..not like the old days when we would chuck plates at each other..oh the joys of being young.

A highlight of the day was when somebody murmured under their breath “ukulele” well that’s all it took and before you could say “Hank Williams” Elissa and I flashed our ukes and before the horrified guests could escape they copped a blast of “You are my Sunshine” and the late great Leadbelly favourite “Midnight Special”.

Still can’t work it out but the party finished soon after that .

Dave from Dubbo

Ukulelelele... Elissa and Dave - Yodlelelele

That iPhone marimba is NOT in the Ninth Symphony

2012-01-15T17:48:00.001+10:00

Judith Jones sent the following interesting article from the Herald Sun newspaper:

FYI - if you're going to see an orchestra play, turn your phone on silent.

New York's Philharmonic Orchestra stopped mid-performance after an audience member's iPhone just kept on ringing.

Conductor Alan Gilbert called a halt to the final movement of Gustav Mahler's Ninth Symphony to sort out the issue of the iPhone, Fox News reports.

After several minutes of intermittent buzzing from that distinctive iPhone "marimba" ringtone, Gilbert stopped to face the owner.

"You have a phone ... Fine, we'll wait," he said, according to the WQXR's classical music blog.

Read full story here

From Henry Bodman:

2012-01-13T16:20:00.000+10:00

Last Friday, Bill Welbourne and I met up at Bill Bergen’s funeral in Bathurst.

The ceremony was conducted in the local Catholic Cathedral and it took four clergy resplendent in their red cassocks to do the job ( and direct the traffic of people wishing to add their part to the eulogy segment)

Thoughout the ceremony a variety of music and musical groups played their farewells to Bill – all of whom had been effected by Bill’s participation and/or guidance at some stage. The Dutch community had its representative and, predictably, that contribution was very frank and direct (qualities which many speakers recorded as a major part of Bill Bergen’s personality. Certain grandchildren recorded that their grandfather had an opinion on everything and delivered that opinion regularly and often ….in short, there was none of the soppy , emotional comment which too often slips into this segment of funerals. (Having attended a funeral per week for the past eighteen months I claim to be able to comment in this way.)

The wake after the ceremony was conducted in a building which would have been at home close to Buck Palace (the Nuns’ quarters high on a hill…”Closer My God to Thee??”)

Significantly. At that function Bill W introduced me to part of the harem…the dancing part. So now we have two dancing parts and a Sue.

Watch this space!!!!!!!!

…….vale Bill Bergen

50th Anniversary Reunion of ASOPA Class of 62-63

2012-01-03T09:46:00.003+10:00

This is to inform you that your presence is required at the

50th Anniversary Reunion of ASOPA Class of 1962-63

in our nation's proud capital - CANBERRA

from 9-11 October, 2012

By Order of the Organising Committee

The Hon Robert Davis & Ian McLean Esq.

Further details to follow in the coming months

(excuses for absence shall not be entertained)

Bob and Ian have created an E-Mail accound for the event

Canberra2012@yahoo.com.au

(Attendance limited to Class of 62/63)

Bill Bergen passed away

2012-01-01T12:09:00.000+10:00

Bill Wellborne writes about his ASOPA friend Bill Bergen who passed away last Friday:

Asopa Class 1A 1962 - (Bill Bergen 3rd from right, top row)

Bill and I were great mates and this is confusing to some of our 1962-63 ASOPA colleagues. We were different in many ways but this made our friendship all the more interesting.

I was the athlete and Bill loved his music. He had a strong Roman Catholic faith and I was Anglican. Bill met his wife Joan when they sang in the church choir, prior to ASOPA. My late wife Pam and his wife Joan became firm friends after we married while at college. My wedding was in December 1962 and his was September 1963.

At college we often dined together, played Canasta and sometimes saw a movie. We convinced our wives to enroll for the 6 month E Course for teachers to commence in Rabaul in February 1964. Our wives actually arrived in Rabaul a day ahead of Bill and me in November 1963.

They were met by Father Franke and the were temporarily accommodated in Wanlis flats. We were then posted... Nodup T School for me and I think Rabarua for Bill. The following February our wives started the E Course but they could not cope as they were both pregnant.

Bill and I had to confront Frank Boisen, the District Education Officer, to tell him the news. Frank mumbled as strode off hitching up his pants, “'That's the trouble with Wanlis...There's not enough room to bend over or swing a cat.!'”

In May my son Tony was born and around the same as Joan gave birth to Helen.

We often dined together in Rabaul. At home one evening in 1966 we were enjoying a fondue and listening to some grand music on Bill's huge state-of-the-art tape deck. The newly constructed terrace houses were built close together and were known as the European Compound. Some were rented privately.

A German group was carousing noisily and even played their national anthem. Bill was fed up with this and taped it and played it back at twice the volume. There was some muttering, then silence followed. Later on Bill was posted to Bougainville and I went over to the Lands Department in Port Moresby. But we always kept in touch.

We left PNG after after Independence in 1975. Bill and Joan decided to live at Bathurst even though parents lived in Sydney. They wanted to settle in an area with four seasons and one that had good cultural and education facilities.

Bill taught in the convent schools for a while and then became a businessman. He had a electrical shop selling lights and he ran a laundromat. He sold these after he built his rental units in Durham Street, Bathurst.

I would visit them and we would have eggs Florentine for breakfast at their son Chris's reaturant in central Bathurst. Bill and Joan were practicing musicians and, right up to his death, Bill was in charge of the Bathurst Orchestral Group.

He and Joan often travelled to music festivals in country NSW and New Zealand. Their younger daughter Penny is a brilliant violinist who once was a member of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. She now works as a journalist in Alice Springs. She spent time in Holland where Bill was born 71 years ago.

Bill was born in Rotterdam, Holland on 19 June 1940. During the war his father volunteered as a cook when he was captured by the Germans. He was a butcher by trade. The family lived together in an upstairs apartment while big pots of stew were cooked downstairs. So they survived the war.

His father joined the Dutch army and went to Indonesia after the war. Sukarno and the Moslems vied for control and independence for Indonesia. Bill attended school and one day there was heavy shooting. His dad collected him and got his family to close the shutters and to stay inside. Moslem terrorists shot all the red coated police and army personnel they could... about 100.

The family returned to Holland and he went to school there. They returned to Indonesia in 1947 after things settled down and Bill had to have lessons in Indonesian after they got Independence. His father was a sausage maker and got a job in Borneo but he tossed it in as there was lots of violence there.

He didn't want to go back to Holland so where? South Africa, Argentina, Canada or Australia? And that's how Bill ended up in Australia. He attended primary and secondary schooling here and learnt the piano after school. Through his Roman Catholic connections he got a job at a garage and then studied science/ industrial chemistry for first year university.

Bill then worked for a paint maker who offered more money once Bill was approved for ASOPA. Bill was to join the 1961-62 ASOPA intake but he had a cut on his face from a close shaver which needed to be checked out by a specialist for a possible skin problem. He was automatically included in the 1962-63 intake.

Bill's love of music which stayed with him to the end. He was in pain from asbestosis and was heavily drugged when admitted into Bathurst Hospital a week ago. On Christmas night at 3 am Helen sang Silent Night and her father struggled up and managed to sing a few lines with her.

Bill is survived by his wife Joan, his two daughters Helen and Penelope and his sons Christopher and Timothy.

His funeral is set down for 11.30am on Friday 6 January at St Michael and St Johns Cathedral, Bathurst.

Bob's Birthday Bash Moves South

2011-12-19T09:37:00.000+10:00

Following from the blog's last post, Bob Davis celebrated his birthday again a little bit further south. Ian McLean reports:

Bob Davis' birthday bash in our nation's capital at the Weston Club
was a nice mix of family, friends, former colleagues at Canberra
Grammar School ... and stalwart Asopians Keith and Ingrid Jackson, Rod Hard and Ian McLean.

The brief remarks by guests about their recollections of Bob's earlier
days soon turned into a "Roast" with the stories and the language
become increasingly raunchy, and hilarious (you had to be there).

The first photo shows the guest of honour flanked by freeloading
friends Keith and Ingrid (left) and Ian and Rod (right).

Ian wasn't sure what was taking place in this photo, but as
he's always looking for some way to blackmail the rich and infamous,
he just kept his finger on the shutter release.

Rod chatting with Bob's son-in-law and daughter.

Bob cutting his birthday cake under the supervision of his
amazing grandson Ned and granddaughter May.

The Moose turns 70

2011-12-14T09:40:00.002+10:00

Last Sunday family and friends gathered at Tweed Heads to join Bob (Moose) Davis on his 70th birthday. A group of Asopians were also present:

Young Bob (Moose) Davis

Henry, Barry, Diane, Dave, Bob, Brian and Denis

Brian, Dave and Colin

Brian from Northern Rivers and Dave from Sydney come for the day.

Henry and Bob

Jamie and Barry Vincent

Barry and Jamie came down from Hervey Bay

Ros and Denis Burrell

Dubbo Dave Kesby

Elissa, Smoth Brian and Colin

Bob, Diane, Denis, Ros and Henry

Bob receives his birthday cake

Photos by Elissa Kesby, Diane and Bill Bohlen

Burra S.A. Visit

2011-11-05T14:23:00.001+10:00

On a recent trip to South Australia, with a group of friends, we stopped at Burra and called in on Val who kindly served afternoon tea for us.

Val lives in The Smelters Home, a former Burra hotel built in 1849, a very nice historical place.

Val and Diane on the terrace of her former hotel.

Cheers,

Bill and Diane

Bill and Diane's USA Tour 2011

2011-07-19T17:39:00.002+10:00

We've just returned from a great trip through the United States of America, traveling over 10,000 km by plane, car and coach.

Click to enlarge map

We stayed in Los Angeles for a couple of weeks with our daughter Sonya, SIL Bernard and grandson Fox. They showed us around LA and of course tinseltown where they live. It was great spending some time with them.

The family together in Los Angeles

Then we flew to New York where we stayed for a couple of days before joining our 23-day cross country tour as shown on the map above.

A boat trip took us out to the Statue of Liberty

In Yellowstone National Park we came very close to a grizzly bear, on the same day some poor hiker was attacked and killed a little further in from where we were.

Close encounter with a grizzly bear

Some of the waterfalls in the Yellowstone National Park are fabulous as is the scenery everywhere in the park.

Waterfall in Yellowstone

Of course Old Faithfull didn't disappoint us even though we had to wait over an hour for its performance.

Old Faithful in discharge mode

In the Grand Canyon

From Las Vegas, we took a helicopter flight over the Hoover Dam into Grand Canyon where we landed in the canyon for a champagne lunch.

Flying over Hoover Dam

And finally we arrived back in Los Angeles which was the place the old Route 66 terminated at Santa Monica Beach.

Route 66 ends at Santa Monica Beach

If you follow Diane's blog, you'll see more details of the trip over the next few weeks.

Cheers,

Bill and Diane

MINI REUNION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

2011-06-03T17:05:00.000+10:00

In April, Colin, Peter and Margaret went to SA to visit Val, Lorraine and David. They are all from the 62/63 ASOPA intake. Margaret supplied the following photos and information.

Val lives in a heritage listed corner hotel (Smelter Inn 1849), in Burra Nth on the Barrier Highway. We stayed in the top end of the single storey bulding which Val has set up very comfortably with bedrooms, sitting rooms and a kitchen. The bathroom has been updated with a heated floor which you sure need as tempertures plummet!

Burra is full of historic buildings. Peter and Margaret outside the Police Station

Colour coordinated Colin

Colin left and Val right

Val took us on many sight seeing tours. We travelled through little villages before coming across Martindale Hall.Wow this building is really something, having featured in the movie Picnic at Hanging Rock. It is a large square building with rooms radiating around a square downstairs hall overlooked by a second storey with a glorious staircase. it is managed and run as a B&B set up as well for 'Host a Murder' parties.

The Collegians, Dave, Lorraine, Colin and Peter

The Antique Fair was set up over the weekend at the High School and Town Hall. We arranged for Lorraine and David to come up from Adelaide for lunch and have a potter. It was lovely to have a catch up and the collegians had great discussions.

St Mary's Church

We went to the Anglican Church St Marys which is part of the Willochra Diocese. There is a magnificent organ within however the dear old organist played the hymns far too quickly! It was a very cold morning!

The Grande Hotel

Val took us back to Adelaide and kindly placed us in the Grande at Glenelg, a beautiful position overlooking the Ocean. We left the following morning for Newcastle; Colin left very early for Brisbane.

Road to Sirinumu Dam

2011-04-17T22:34:00.000+10:00

Those of you who have lived in Port Moresby, you are probably familiar with the Sirinumu Dam above the Rouna Hydro-electric power station. It was a popular picnic spot for a Sunday outing including a swim.

Well look at it now:

We used to drive up to Sirinumu Dam on Sundays in my Ford Falcon sedan. Don't think that would be possible now.

The pictures were taken by Ben and Rebecca who both still work in Papua new Guinea

Ted Egan needs your help

2011-03-22T14:41:00.001+10:00

Bill,

What chance including the following in your blog?

Ted Egan

Ted Egan, of Northern Territory fame, and who shared part of his training with kiaps at ASOPA has called on our assistance in tracking down Don Gaffney, a past teacher in PNG.

Col and Wendy Booth were quick onto the scent having run across Don on Kar Kar. They initially got word that Don might have been teaching at the great black/white board above. There is now doubt about that and we are trying to establish where he might be contacted - probably somewhere in Brisbane - if the Booths' lead is accurate. Who can spread the light?

Ted is eager to make contact as Don had a great version of "Frankie and Johnnie were Lovers" -in pidgen.

Ted's email address is ted@tedegan.com.au

Cheers and beers,

Henry B

A Sunday Gathering in Fig Tree Pocket

2011-02-28T19:57:00.000+10:00

On Sunday, local Asopians and their spouses we were invited to lunch at Henry and Janelle's home in Fig Tree Pocket, a leafy suburb of Brisbane.

Lots to talk about when we get together

Unfortunately, we didn't get a shot of everyone who attended. Here is (L to R) Colin, Josephine, Joseph, Ros, Denis and Bob sitting under the umbrella as it was extremely hot on Sunday.

Henry and Janelle have a lovely garden

Henry and Janelle have a tropical garden. They have both been sick too. Henry has been treated for cancer and Janelle has just had an operation. We couldn't believe they didn't cancel the lunch. Luckily their daughter together with friends Lucy and Geoff got everything organised in the kitchen.

Ros and Diane cool off at the pool

It was lovely to cool off near the pool, we should have taken our togs. I am sitting with Ros who has also been very ill with throat cancer and the aggressive treatment since we last got together.

It is so sad to hear of our friends getting ill. Since our first reunion of ASOPA students back in 2002, we have lost friends and many have been ill. The joys of growing old.

However, we did enjoy relaxing by the pool with friends and partaking of a delicious seafood lunch and a glass or two of wine.

News from Dave (Dubbo) Kesby

2011-02-23T15:37:00.001+10:00

Dear Friends,

Since my last email sent to you on New Year’s Day things have moved along.
You might remember we were hoping that I had the wild gene..well I had it and so I can receive this drug called “Erbitux” which keeps me alive.
Well I have been to the clinic 6 times and I have received the drug 4 times.
The 2 times I missed out are of interest..the 1^st time I went I had such a bad reaction to the drug that I collapsed on to the floor and they had to revive me and give up for that week.
They had to work out what pre med to give me so that I could tolerate the drug. On about the 3^rd time I went they decided not to give it to me as I looked so bad..One of the side effects of the drug is that I get really bad acne and I looked that bad with the acne that bad another dose would have really put me over the edge. Since then I have really attacked the acne so now all I look like is an old bugger who has drunk too much whiskey.
My son Pete who follows English Soccer reckons I look like Sir Alex Fergusen, the coach of Manchester United.

I am really looking after the face at the moment as I have a couple of Social functions coming up where I have to see other people..So I am doing the face twice a day every day..when it was at its worst I thought about buying a face mask.
The only other news is that the drug makes me tired but Elissa keeps me organised and going to different things..we have joined the the seniors upper north shore table tennis group..we have just had 3 days down at a beach south of Burrell lakes on the South Coast which was fantastic..the salt water did wonders for my face..we participated in the Sydney festival seeing The Jersey Boys and enjoying a night listening to Paul Kelly ( for overseas readers of this blog..he is one of Australia’s greatest song writers ) She has organised me into 2 day long workshops on the ukulele which I enjoyed .I can now play “You are my Sunshine” and I am working on “ I saw the light” ,a great Hank Williams song of 1948..I think she is planning on us seeing Don’s Party at the Opera House. She is not here at the moment she is out at Cherrybrook earning a dollar..she goes once a week. But as I have said in all of my previous emails..she is my hero..whenever it gets too much she just thinks of alternatives.

I am still a non drinker..I haven’t had a beer since October..I still feel like a drinker though..love to go to Dan Murphy’s and look at the specials look at other people drinking and wish that I was with them. There is another person at the clinic I go to ( the clinic has 16 chairs it’s an amalgamation of 2 clinics and is very crowded) who is on the same drug as me..he has 2 beers every night I had to ask him why..the answer was that his bowel cancer metastasised to his lungs and mine went to the liver and my liver rejects alcohol ( I know that this is in the too much information department but there it is).

Anyway people thanks for reading my email..I hope it will be the last for a while..that means I will be going to the clinic once a week Elissa picking me up, the premed drugs they only give to you if you have someone picking you up..they send you off to cloud cuckoo land..and everything is good..no more news thanks again for your wishes and thoughts..we have had good Catholics.. good Protestants..good Jews..and good Buddhists all wishing Elissa and I good news..it must have done some good because we are still here so once again thanks for reading my story. I hope I have included everybody....all the best

Dave & Elissa

Richard's 83rd Academy Awards

2011-02-16T12:47:00.000+10:00

Richard Jones' peek at the 83rd Oscars

To read the story - CLICK HERE

Film Night in Brisbane

2011-02-12T08:15:00.006+10:00

For the Brisbane Chapter, from Henry Bodman:

ROTARY CLUB OF TOOWONG
PREMIER FILM NIGHT

Wednesday, 23rd February 2011
at the

Regal Twin Cinemas

Honour Avenue - Graceville

6.00pm - Champers and nibbles night

7.00pm - Screening of "Conviction"

Cinema management relaxed about drinks and food

in the cinema

All profits to the Rotary International Polio Plus programme

$20 per head

Please contact Henry for tickets
Email - hmacdb@ozemail.com.au
Phone (07) 3378 8383

Richard Jones Top Five Live Shows

2011-01-23T20:23:00.001+10:00

Richard Jones' Top Five Live Shows - CLICK HERE

Richard's 10 Best Movies

2011-01-06T06:14:00.001+10:00

Richard Jones sent us his review his 10 best movies in 2010.

To read it - CLICK HERE

News from Dave (Dubbo) Kesby

2011-01-05T08:53:00.000+10:00

Happy New Year to all our readers

As I told you in my last email we were Joined by son Pete and his lovely wife Beau for Christmas and we also had Jack & Miah and their beautiful kids for Christmas Eve..we went to Canberra where Elissa & I were able to still do the long walk involving a climb up the Pinnacle and look at the Kangaroos...We can usually do the walk in about an hour this time it took about 2 hours but we were relieved that we can still do it ,the hospitality and welcome we got from my sister and family was something else ..It was over the top..we had great time..most people there who had seen me before said that there was a big improvement.

Well the story took a bit of a turn 2 days ago
Many of you know that there is a drug that can control the cancer if you have a wild gene . If you have a mutant gene there is nothing that can be done for you.
1 in 3 have the wild gene..well 2 days ago the oncologist rang and said that I have the wild gene and come in and see him so today ,New Year’s Eve, Elissa & I visited him.

Well the news is good and bad ,mostly good.
For the rest of my life I will be taking a drug called “Erbitux” stop taking it and I die. I will take it once a week intravenously .At the start it will take 1.5 hours but after awhile it will be less.

The side effects of the drug will be acne either on the face or body..I will also be tired listless and lazy..I thought to myself “what’s new”.
At the clinic where the Doctor works there is 1 patient who has had over 100 doses of this drug...that’s 2 years..that’s 2years he wasn’t counting on....There is only 1 worry he’s their first.

The Doc wasn’t able to cite other examples..didn’t worry me .I said where do I sign. He said the drug acted like a sniper it tries to shoot the cancer gene whereas Chemo knocks out all the genes
Like a shotgun.

Asked about other things..I can eat what I like..if I put on any weight that would be a bonus...I told him The taste of alcohol was not good
He said my alcohol drinking days were over..the liver is no good and it can’t control the toxins so when the beer hits the throat the liver says “get to the shitter out of here” or something like that. Elissa & I had lunch with son Jack at Australia Square yesterday and I looked at all the young girls drinking beer in long glasses and I thought to myself....

Why am I not there and then realised I couldn’t stand the taste anyway .

Well thanks for reading my story..As always Elissa is fantastic so all is good...keep you in the loop.

Dave from Dubbo

From 'Dubbo' Dave

2010-12-16T08:49:00.000+10:00

Rod Hard sent the following note from Dave Kesby:

Dear friends,

I know that it looks like a lot of people up there but it’s the same rules as before.

You have either sent an email you have contacted Elissa by phone or at school to enquire about my health or whatever but thanks you for your interest.

I have also included a couple of old mates I met at my old alma mater reunion, the fabulous Dubbo High, who don’t even know I have been crook.

This is my version of events.

Elissa is slightly different, especially on the 2 month part so be aware of that.

As you know I spent 21 days most of November in the Sydney Adventist Hospital... they put various stents inside me some with complete anaesthetic, and others with local anaesthetic.. I dealt mainly with an Interventionist Radiologist by the name of Dr Liang, who Elissa had complete faith in.

They had plans to do this massive operation on me where they would go behind the liver and take the tumour out. I would have been in hospital for about 5 weeks and have a recovery period of about 6 months. Elissa and I agreed to this they would have had to get a special
Liver surgeon in to do this..they then decided that it was too risky and that there was no guarantee it would work

The oncologist who was managing me announced that he would see me this day, it was about 3 or 4 days before I left hospital. Elissa arrived early, about 7am. He stated there was not much more they could do for me and that they would try to get the jaundice down but to go home get my affairs in order I then said,
“How long have I got..a couple of months?” and my version is he agreed. He said come and see him in a fortnight.

The oncologist left, Elissa & I kissed cuddled and cried told each other we loved our 38 years together..we were proud of our 2 boys and all was good.

For the next 3 days in hospital I was visited by Social workers, chaplains etc.

I left hospital on Monday 29th November weighing 68kgs I still have the jaundice, I live on a drug called maxolon which helps keep food down and I have a cocktail of drugs at night that give me a good night sleep.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that since I have been home I have put myself on a high fat diet (Homer Simpson would be proud of me) I am doing little jobs around the house and with the beautiful Elissa.

Getting better each day. In hospital I had to weigh myself each day which gave me the shits as I lost a kilo each day ..now I weigh myself each Monday and I have put on 2 kilos knocking on the door of 71 kilos.

I haven’t given up alcohol ..it has given up on me..have tried a red wine and my favourite beer, Carlsberg, got as far as the throat and have had to spit it out the throat has said “No way Jose”

Thanks for reading so far. We now get to the crux of the story ..yesterday 14th December we go and visit the oncologist.. Elissa decided that we would fill-in the day before the visit by sitting under the trees at Newport.

It was beautiful ...at 4pm we go to the oncologist I tell him with the help of lovely Elissa I am getting better each day all is good when do I start to die and he says you will have” many months”..Elissa and I left the surgery.

Couldn’t believe it..he gave us all these permutations which I won’t go into but at the moment all is good I have Jack & Miah and my grand kids coming around on Christmas eve, my other son Pete and his lovely wife Beau, rock in from Dubai so we plan a party on Christmas Eve.

On Boxing Day Pete and Beau go with us to my sisters place in Canberra where they all play golf with all the cousins and we have a “Hooley “ at night so all is good.

Once again thanks for your interest. Elissa has been fantastic as before the last time I wrote to you she is out earning a dollar at Cherrybrook, but when you are as crook as I was in October she was the rock and I love her.

Well that’s all... will keep you in the loop. Hope I haven’t left anybody out

Dave Kesby

THE BURRA CONECTION

2010-12-15T09:24:00.000+10:00

On our recent coach trip to Lake Eyre we had a short stop in Burra. I rang Val to let her know we were passing through and she waved to us from her lovely old home and then drove to meet us at the Town Hall rest stop. Following is an excerpt from my blog.

Val and Diane in Burra-old room mates from the 60's

Then we drove on further south and stopped at a historic mining town, Burra, which is still thriving today on tourism. It so happens that I have an old friend living in this far away place. We used to room together when we were at teachers' college. Her home is the oldest hotel building in Australia that has not had the original floor plan altered. It was fun to catch up with her even if it was for only half an hour.

Burra is a fascinating historical copper mining town with many wonderful buildings to see. Unfortunately, we were not there long enough.

submitted by Diane Bohlen.

Old 16mm movie footage Bill Bohlen shot in 1967 - 68 in TPNG

2010-12-13T09:49:00.000+10:00

A note from Dave Kesbey

2010-12-04T15:43:00.002+10:00

I finally found how to get to the photos I just wish I was not in the Haus Sik at the time .

I was really happy to see people enjoying the Sunday morning coffee. I spent 21 days in the Haus Sik came home on Monday and as they say in rugby league circles, "Elissa and I are taking it one game at a time".

Dubbo Dave

1962-63 Reunion Sydney 2010 Cont.

2010-11-30T07:02:00.001+10:00

The festivities continued on Saturday night. The Sydney team had organised an excellent dinner cruise on Sydney harbour.

Bob, Janelle, Rod and Henry waiting to board at Darling Harbour

There was lot of reminiscing going on during the meal.

Peter and Wendy

Rod enjoys a glass of red

Henry and Bob in great spirit

Margaret, Diane, Bill B and Colin B.

On Sunday morning, some gathered at Chowder Bay for morning tea

Bob, Keith and Les

Bill W

Bill B and Lorraine

Rod, Lorraine and Warwick

Rod and David

Photos by Ian McLean

A great time was had by all

1962-63 Reunion Sydney 2010

2010-11-26T07:17:00.000+10:00

Finally some pictures from the recent Sydney Reunion.

Les, Colin, Ian and Rod at the Meet and Greet on Friday night

Henry, Janell and Keith at the Meet and Greet on Friday night

Wendy, Margaret and Diane, Friday night

Ingrid and Bill W at the Oaks

A pleasant Saturday lunch meeting under the big Oak tree

Janelle and Lorraine, Saturday lunch

More pictures to follow of the Saturday night cruise and Sunday brunch

Henry reports

2010-11-09T17:04:00.000+10:00

Just back from Dave Argent's funeral and submit the following for the interest of your readers.

On Friday 5th Janelle and I travelled from Brisbane to the beautiful Nambucca Valley which, like all of the country in between looked great after good rains. We were told to get to Bowraville ...does this ring a bell with anyone? Well right now there is a "Sniff" tragic from there playing ducks and drakes to the highest bidder - the Bronos having pulled out of the race and the Rabbitos and The Storm now trying to sort out what might be the final outcome. A big Aboriginal community near Bowraville so they probably have a pretty good side- all sporting facilities are in the town except the premier footy code, AFL, but give it a few years and.....

As we pulled up in front of the hostelry where our reservations had been made Rod Hard and the Big Bob "Moose" Davis leaned over the balcony and welcomed us with words which were pretty clearly aided by an early start on the 'red'. As I was more than 500 kms away from Godzilla I was in the mood and had enough courage to join them ('red' and all alcohol being off the menu as part of the strategy of regaining my health) From the balcony and after a couple of glasses we had time to look the town over and it was a very neat place with substantial buildings - many erected in the early 20th Century. The place we stayed in was built of very solid timber (the town obviously prospered on its timber getting- two sawmills still operating there) as not even Bob's trip to the ablutions at night (15 yards away from the bedrooms -four poster beds) did NOT manage to elicit one creak!!

The following day we travelled quite a distance to C3 Nambucca Valley, WIRRIMBI, where we joined a large gathering of people to support Kerry and the family through the ceremony and later the burial. This place is the home of some Calathumpian religious sect - as preferred by the Argents when the Anglicans refused approval for the now popular power-point presentation of birth to death and limited the time for eulogies. In all it was a very nice service and the atmosphere less funereal which I am sure was a great help to Kerry who has been a tower of strength matching Dave's great last fight..

Dave had a favourite niece, an attractive MD who liked sport and betting, a beer and could play the piano - as it seems all of the Argents can. She advised that despite her classical training, after three beers she had to get off the keyboard as her playing deteriorated so badly....Dave by contrast could not read a note of music (it got in the way of his spontaneity) but by his thirteenth beer he would have shamed Liberace. Fortunately, as part of the powerpoint there was Dave playing a known piece and one he had created only a few weeks before his affliction took him from the family...wonderful clip to have.

From the ASOPA side Rod,. Bob, Janelle and I represented the 1962 intake while Glen Warwick was of the 1963 intake. Glen had known Dave before he went to ASOPA and was staying with his mother in the area - over the years in PNG, and since, Glen has been very close to the Dave and Kerry family and I was pretty certain he would do the honours for us all in the eulogy stakes- he didn't offer. Without a voice I was out of the game so up jumps fearless Big Bob and lays 'em in the aisles lightening the atmosphere with some amusing memories - and most appreciated was his desciption of those invited to join Dave on "The Drive" - a look for femmes around Sydney town. Their first sortie occurred in a Town Hall Saturday Night Dance and after half an hour Dave said to Bob, " I have found THE ONE" - no need to look any further.."

And it turned out to be so. Dave and Kerry were married less than three months later in January 1963. "The Drive" died right there", reported Bob.

It was then off to the cemetery about 20 kms away and guess where? Argents'Hill. It turns out that the place was originally settled by an Argent 110 years ago- at least- and Dave had been brought from Tassy to Argents' Hill to join the family. All of the big number of Argents present had put down their $2 to reserving their plot. Unfortunately Dave's older brother and a nephew have recently preceded him to this peaceful resting place among the gum trees....the nephew due to a freak accident on a skate board at age 17.

So, here was I (as his best man) thinking I knew the guy- contact for wedding anniversary and birthday 47 times and called into the three or four places he had settled over the years and had no idea of his background. Who else do you know who will be buried in a cemetery carrying your family name? And a composer to boot..........isn't it great to receive these surprises but so late in the day, Dave!!!!

With so many talented Argent musicians present readers can probably guess the course the after interment ceremony took...a wonderful variety of instrumentals and voices.

I am confident that the day would have helped Kerry a great deal after such a long and protracted period of watching a courageous husband's battle and then the huge job of arranging to get Dave from Tasmania to the home cemetery.

Janelle and I had to take off early but I understand that Bob and Rod were entertaining Kerry back at our digs after the afternoon nibbles and entertainment in such idyllic surrounds.

We all hope that Kerry will be able to make the necessary adjustments to her new circumstances and will spend some time with her daughter's family before returning to Tasmania and making arrangements for the move back to the Wauchope area where her son and daughter's families live.

I am sure that she would appreciate hearing from others of our ASOPA intake and others of the Argent friends.

What a girl.

And what a loss with Davy Baby not with us to add to the stories we associate with Dave Argent. It was nice knowing you mate.

Henry Bodman

'BROIL THE BIGGY' BY DUBBO DAVE

2010-11-05T14:23:00.000+10:00

Dave and Elissa at reunion 2007

When Jack & Pete were about 3 or 4 their favourite characters on TV were Bert

& Ernie and when something big was on like a big hamburger Ernie would yell

out "Broil the biggy" well that became part of the language in the Kesby

house for about 4 or 5 years..If something big was coming up like going to

Cumberland Oval to see the mighty Eels or of to Sydney Football Ground to

see the Socceroos You knew it was big if either Jack or Pete would make the

utterance "broil the biggy" we were in for something big. Both Venues are

now gone.

Well I think we are in for a broil the biggy moment next week

All the tests ,scans, ultrasounds have been done and what has been worked

out that the little bugger that is giving me so much grief is not attatched

to my liver but is hiding behind the liver he might not even be cancerous

but we have to assume that he is.

Well the plan is to go in there and get the bugger out. The surgeon said it

might be a "piece of cake" but he won't know that until he gets in there.

Elissa asked how often to you do these operations .He said he did one 10

days ago and he is doing another one this Friday. I asked if the bloke he

did 10 days ago was still alive he said he was. Because I can't get the job

done this week I asked could I have some junk for this week . he said what

do you mean . I said heroin. He declined so we settled on Valium and other

things I took 2 of his blue pills this morning they kept me asleep for 4

hours

Well on Friday the 12th of November I go to the Sydney Adventist Hospital

for about 10 days . I will have

2 Surgeons

1 specialist anesthetist

1 specialist Intensivist..he or she will look after me in the Intensive care

section where I will be for up to 2 days

There is one other but I forget and I want to finish the email off before going back to bed.

He hopes I won't have a bag but I will have weep holes on my side for up to

2 months after the operation to drain the shit out of my system
( I knewyou wanted to know about that)

Well thanks for reading my story .

Dave( Elissa also but she is out earning a dollar at Cherrybrook)

David Argent 1942 - 2010 by Bob Davis

2010-11-04T16:09:00.001+10:00

I cast my mind back to February 1962 and I am in this weatherboard and corrugated iron hut situated out on Middle Head in Sydney, having been shepherded in with 56, (I think – I mean it was 48 years ago!) other equally bewildered and wary people, either in their late teens or early twenties. I plonk myself down at a table towards the rear of the room, (where I was to spend a large part of the next two years as it eventuated), and then beside me a tall, athletic-looking, dark haired man also plonks himself down with a gritty, resigned look on his face. He turns and looks at me with big brown eyes and grunts, “G’day.” I responded in an equally loquacious manner and thus began our friendship. Neither Dave or I were all that big on words – we thought we were men of deeds. After all ‘actions speak louder than words’ was an adage instilled in both of us by our respective upbringing. However I decided then and there that if I were ever going to be in a fight with this bloke, I’d rather have him on my side than on the opposite side.

Over the ensuing months, groups and friendships emerged and developed (or exploded.) I discovered that Dave and I had a lot of things in common – a love of all sport and rugby in particular, cards and 500 in particular, beer, (Tooheys of course,) and table tennis - (Dave thought he had a match winning backhand.) It soon became apparent that we both had very competitive natures in most things, although it would be fair to say that this did not extend to our academic studies.

David was a taciturn person, private and close. He took time to develop relationships but they lasted a lifetime. He did not suffer fools easily and had little time for those with airs and graces. He was a country boy - what you saw was what you got. But he was as soft as marshmellow if ever you could crack that front he put up. I rather suspect that few people ever did manage to crack his façade and that was just fine with Dave.

After six months or so at college Dave came to the conclusion that while life in Sydney had its moments there was definitely something lacking and so he started up a student movement he named “The Drive”. Essentially the object of this movement was to uncover some female companionship which was in a somewhat short supply as the majority of us had descended on Sydney from other states or the country or overseas and so our social contacts in the big smoke were very limited to say the least. The first foray of the founding members of “The Drive” was to the Lane Cove town hall where weekly dances were held. I was one of Dave’s mates chosen for this initial skirmish, mainly I think because I had a reasonably reliable vehicle. It was at this dance that David met Kerry. Not long afterwards I recall Dave saying something along the lines of “She’s the one”. That occasion also saw the end of “The Drive.” Dave had met his life-long-companion-to-be and he and Kerry were married a few months later. I think this was the smartest move Dave ever made and I know he knew it.

We certainly did not share a common interest in music – Dave had quite some talent in this area whilst I had none. In retrospect and looking back on things I believe that Dave should have become a music teacher. At any rate he managed to pass some of his musical genes to his daughter Michelle who was able to make music her career. Some of his sporting genes were picked up by his son Jonathon, who represented the mid coast region in athletics.

After college and our dispatch to various parts of Papua New Guinea our paths crossed all too infrequently. There ensued quite long periods of little or no communication between the two of us but I know that David taught in the New Ireland District, Western Highlands District of PNG, as well as Bulolo (Morobe District.). On returning to Australia he had a brief respite from teaching as an insurance salesman for a couple of years until he returned to teaching once again. This time he taught at a school for disadvantaged children in Sydney where most of the children had disabilities of various kinds. It takes a special kind of person to adapt to this very demanding role and I know from discussions with David that it was here that he found his true métier. He told me that the nine years he had at this school was the most rewarding and satisfying of his teaching career. He truly believed that he was able to make a difference in these children’s lives. He finished his teaching at Kempsey High School in 1990. After a short stint at Portland, Dave and family returned to the mid coast region at Wauchope and bought a property large enough to produce crops of native flowers. Alas, competition from large companies made this venture largely unsuccessful. It was here in Wauchope that I caught up with Dave and Kerry once again We had a great week together – much of which I must confess, was spent at the Wauchope Country Club consuming considerable quantities of the amber fluid and reminiscing long into the early hours.

Then there was the first reunion of ASOPIANS at Port Macquarie in 2002. Most of our year group managed to gather there and celebrate the 40^th anniversary of our first year in teachers’ college.

Dave and Kerry then decided that a change of scenery was required and they sold up and moved to Smithton (on the northwest coast of Tasmania.) I visited the Argents at Smithton and spent another great week, most of which was spent at the Smithton RSL Club doing the same sorts of things we had done at the Wauchope Country Club. Dave didn’t take too kindly to the local beer (Boags) and the management of the club decided that Dave’s patronage was definitely worth hanging on to and they decided to install a VB tap. (They wouldn’t come at Tooheys as Tasmanians generally don’t acknowledge that there are any other states worthy of consideration outside of their own and Victoria.) David was duly grateful and settled for the odd glass of VB every now and then.

Dave and Kerry attended the next reunion of the 62-63 ASOPIANS, which was held in Sydney not far from our old stamping grounds when we were college students. It was a nostalgic return to the past.

A few years ago Dave’s health took a turn for the worse and this subsequently saw a significant decline in the amount of VB sold at the Smithton RSL. Unfortunately things went from bad to worse with David’s ailments and he finally succumbed on the 31^st of October 2010 after a brave battle. He is to be buried in the family plot at a place called Argent’s Hill near Bowraville NSW. (Fancy having a place named after your family!!) Dave leaves behind Kerry, his wife of 48 years, son Jonathon, daughter Michelle, their respective spouses and six grandchildren.

He will be lovingly remembered and not just by his family.

I am really going to miss hearing Dave’s voice around Christmas time when he’d ring up with his annual call – “Moose, thought I’d ring instead of sending a card. How are you going?”

Bob Davis

A TRIBUTE TO DAVE

2010-11-03T21:07:00.002+10:00

Dave Argent arrived at ASOPA early in 1962, no doubt, eyeing up those who would join him as a member of the 1962 intake - just as the other 60 qualifiers were also looking over the field.

Depending on where one fitted into the intake they would have observed a burly, good looking young buck with a great smile and startling eyes (the girls). The "short strides brigade" would have seen the burly bloke and probably recognised the hidden athlete while the veterans waited to see how he went in the bar before passing judgement. He seemed to pass all measures of those tests.

Events in the canteen were where Dave's personality established itself and he demonstrated his willingness to live dangerously when he snapped a cigarette out of the lips of one "Moose" Davis.....the distance he kept between himself and Moose after that event was the greatest in their 48 years association.

In the lecture room he also established his presence in spectacular fashion by refusing to complete Rossy's psych test "I know my IQ and don't see who else needs to know" was impressive - even if it did jeopardise his continuation on the course.

Where Dave flourished (and was unassailably superior to his peers) was in the area of music where he proved a superior pianist of the entertaining kind- needless to say he made short work of the flute used to measure classroom suitability in that discipline.

But it was on the "sniff" field where Dave made his reputation - at ASOPA he was a key player in the college's success at a high provincial level. In Papua New Guinea, very senior officers managed to arrange transport so that Dave would be available for the weekend 'sniff' game in the District Centres......and often the transport home went missing for a week or so.

Dave and Kerry also managed to establish a well deserved reputation as great card players and cleaned out a couple of communities at postings in the Islands and Highlands.

Despite all of the attractions and skills which went to make up the personality of Dave Argent, it took less than twelve months for Kerry to bring him to heel and they were married early in 1963.

Inevitably, family followed and the Argent family's devotion to its members has been amply demonstrated in the past difficult two years of Dave's ill health.

Dave will be very much missed by his family and those others of us who had the good luck to know him well.

by Henry Bodman

Dave (second from left) and his mates carrying Henry during ASOPA days.

VALE DAVID ARGENT

2010-11-01T11:42:00.000+10:00

It was with shock and sadness that we heard of Dave's death on 31 October at Smithton in Tasmania, where he and his wife Kerry had settled in retirement.

Dave was at ASOPA in 1962/63 and I remember him as a loveable larrikin nicknamed Kurt. I was in awe of how he passed exams when he missed so many lectures. In fact he wasn't even recognised by Les Peterkin, the PE lecturer, when Dave turned up for the last lesson of the term so that he could pass the ropes course.

In P/NG he worked in New Ireland, Mt Hagen and Keltiga, where he had Pius Wingti (later to become Prime Minister) in his school.

Our thoughts and sympathy go out to Kerry and her family.

For a more in depth tribute to Dave Argent see Kieth's blog here

Dave and his mates from ASOPA at the Pt Macquarie reunion in 2002

posted by diane bohlen

Richard and Judith are off again

2010-10-29T16:19:00.000+10:00

HOPE you all have a great time at the Sydney ASOPA bash. Sorry we can't be
there but had to delay this year's o/s jaunt until after youngest
granddaughter's 1st birthday.

So, NO MORE E-MAILS (not even a reply to this e-mail, thanks) until the end
of next month.
This laptop will be going into its case at 5 pm and linger there until our
return.

Cheers and best wishes: RICHARD & JUDYTH

Father Of My Children (M)

2010-10-14T15:48:00.000+10:00

Richard Jones sent his latest movie review:

GREGOIRE Canvel seems to be a successful, if harried, Paris film producer with a loving family.

But all is not as it seems with Gregoire (Louis-Do de Lencquesaing). In order to produce edgy, arthouse films his film company struggles constantly with the demands of pushy directors.

One particular Swede regularly hassles Gregoire and places extra strain on the production company’s overworked staff.

Then there’s the seven-figure sum the producer owes his bank, plus the fact film funding agencies won’t extend any more credit to his firm.

And on the way home for a family dinner with Italian-borne wife Sylvia (Chiara Caselli) and their three daughters he’s pulled over for speeding.

He really should also have been booked for speaking on his mobile phone while driving, but that’s conveniently overlooked.

The second half of Mia Hansen-Love’s movie focuses on Sylvia and 15-year-old daughter Clemence (Alice de Lencquesaing) as they try to deal with their changing circumstances.

Meanwhile Gregoire’s other “family” -- the staff at his film production outfit -- are struggling, too, and it all falls to him to sort things out.

Butchard Gardens, Vancouver Island

2010-10-04T10:45:00.002+10:00

by Bill Bohlen

On our recent tour of Canada and Alaska, we visited the famous Butchard Gardens near Victoria on Vancouver Island. It was summer and a glorious day, here is a little film I cut of that great garden

BOHLENS IN CANADA

2010-09-25T22:52:00.001+10:00

Bill and Diane went on a Scenic Tours jaunt to Canada and Alaska last month. The tour was very well organised and the accommodation pretty swanky.

The Empress Hotel in Victoria.

Butchart Gardens in Victoria.

The Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler. A very scenic drive.

They swung from Peak2Peak in a gondola at Whistler.

To find out more about this fantastic gondola ride - CLICK HERE

Enjoyed the magic scenery at Lake Louise in Alberta.

Emerald Lake

The famous Banff Springs Hotel was their home for a few nights.

Inception (M)

2010-09-15T22:03:00.002+10:00

Richard Jones sent us his latest movie Review:

Inception (M)

WE all dream, with some of our reveries scary while others are fuzzy, warm and full of fluffy white clouds.

Imagine, then, a time not so far in the future where there’s a technology allowing us to enter and control our dreams.

So-called lucid dreams: the types in which we are completely aware we are dreaming.

In Christopher Nolan’s new film Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an inception expert. He’s able to steal ideas and secrets from the minds of his subjects by entering their dreams.

It’s something of a double-edged sword for Cobb. He’s haunted by the memory of his dead wife (Marion Cotillard) who continually infiltrates his own dream scapes.

Unaware of this problem businessman Saito (Ken Watanabe) hires Cobb to break into the innermost recesses of a rival, the heir to a business empire.

Saito wants Cobb to plant an idea in the brain of Fischer (Cillian Murphy) which will result in the collapse of his corporate world.

It’s an elaborate and costly form of industrial espionage, but Saito is prepared to foot the bill.

Cobb, however, can’t do the planting of an idea without a skilled team. He assembles a group which includes his regular assistant Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), set designer Ariadne (Ellen Page) and an identity forger (Tom Hardy).

Nolan lets the story unfold in a quite complicated way. He plays with the concept that his characters could be in their own real world, somebody’s else’s mind or perhaps a fantasy of their own making.

Be warned, though. This is a film like Hidden or even 2001: A Space Odyssey you’ll want to see more than once.

But the first viewing is amazing enough as we try to work out just exactly what’s happening among the many layers of consciousness.

The Bohlens are traveling in Canada and Alaska

2010-08-28T02:47:00.007+10:00

A postcard from Canada where Bill and Diane Bohlen (Speakman 62/63) are traveling by coach, train and cruise-liner.

Greeting everyone

Richard Jones latest review - The White Ribbon

2010-08-11T12:44:00.000+10:00

THE WHITE RIBBON (M)

TWELVE months before the start of the First World War, a chain of horrific events unfold in a small German rural village.

The local doctor (Rainer Bock) is thrown from his horse and badly injured after his mount trips on a wire stretched across a road, a farmer’s wife is killed in what appears to be a work accident and her son holds the baron (Ulrich Tukur) responsible.

Still, the village’s orderliness continues to be disrupted. A barn is burnt down, an intellectually disabled child is bashed and the pet bird of the Lutheran pastor (Burghart Klaussner) is impaled upon a pair of scissors.

Tension in the village escalates. There’s not only mystery but also malice abroad. Who is responsible for these ongoing accidents, dramas and even fatalities?

Director Michael Haneke’s stark black and white imagery outlines for us an almost feudal world, one of class bullying, authoritarianism and resentment.

The women, even the village midwife, are clearly second-class citizens while the children are required to unswervingly obey and follow the lead of their elders.

Haneke, director of French mystery Hidden, is a master of creating intrigue and subterfuge. So much so that as with Hidden, I will have to see The White Ribbon a second time to catch up with all its subtle nuances.

Incidentally, The White Ribbon was Germany‘s entry in this year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. That particular Oscar went to the Argentinian movie The Secret In Their Eyes, but having seen all three I firmly believe the south American film should have run third to The White Ribbon and France’s A Prophet.

News Update - Henry Bodman

2010-08-03T13:16:00.003+10:00

Rod Hard sent me the following update on Henry:

Well folks,

Just took the next big step towards becoming bionic man with the

addition of an implanted device* which is quite an amzing thing. This

particular one caters to three different challenges, a heart which

stops, a too slow pulse rate and a pumping station which doesn't send

through enough blood with each beat and throws thre rest of the system

out of whack. I qualify for all three.

It is the latest and greatest and should it "go off" I'm told I'll know but so too will someone in Yankeeland (and also the star who inserted it here in Brisbane).All I have to do is call an ambulance and get to the Wesley asap.

You've all seen the TV procedure in hospitals (which Kerry Packer also experienced) "Hands free? Zap." Well this little gadget does all of

that as soon as it discerns the need.

When it is safely established (10 days) I believe I'll get the next

round of chemo etc which promises to be pretty hefty.

The readings of myeloma "progress" are encouraging as are the blood

tests -thanks largely to the strict food intake which Marcelle is

controlling. (I hate the stuff which is more mud than food!!!!) Haven't

had a real drink for eight weeks!!!

As they haven't interfered with me for 10 days (except for the gadget)

I'm feeling pretty cheeky at the moment. Watch 'em chamge that!!!!!!!!

Cheers and beers,

Henry B

* The device is called an 'Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator' (ICD). I too have one of those, the second one just replaced on 16 July 10 - (Bill Bohlen)

For more information on the ICD device - CLICK HERE

I, Don Giovanni

2010-07-15T09:53:00.000+10:00

Richard Jones' Movie Review

WHEN the great composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote his opera Don Giovanni he engaged the librettist Lorenzo da Ponte.

Da Ponte was something of an unusual choice. He was the protégé of the great libertine, Casanova, or so the folklore goes.

The route Spanish director Carlos Saura takes us to the eventual staging of Mozart’s opera starts two decades earlier.

The librettist da Ponte (Lorenzo Balducci) is living in Venice. He’s a close friend of Casanova (Tobias Moretti), but despite his earlier career as a priest finds himself exiled from Venice because of his licentious behavior.

Da Ponte ends up in Vienna in 1781 collaborating with Mozart (Lino Guanciale). Casanova had engineered the meeting between the two through the Viennese court’s in-house composer Salieri.

As Mozart and da Ponte go to work on the new opera, it becomes clear that even though the fictional Don Giovanni is the key character, he’s really modelled on Casanova.Composer and librettist get down to work. Mozart is plagued by ill health while da Ponte has some competing, romantic interests in his life.

Besotted by the beautiful Annetta (Emilia Verginelli) he also has a couple of demanding divas to contend with, not to mention Casanova’s treacherous wheelings and dealings.

Da Ponte’s problems with Annetta are of his own making. Aware of his reputation she is determined not to just become another one of his trophies.

Mozart also has a problem. His is one of perception. Just how are his audiences going to take to Don Giovanni.

The opera’s central character is a thoroughly modern man -- a free thinker who defies God and organized religion.

2010-07-11T14:59:00.000+10:00

Well folks,

Things often seem to go in threes and my visit yesterday to my hematologist saw me redirected to a heart specialist , presumably to see what strength of “zapping” I might be able to absorb in the coming week

The heart specialist told me in very clear terms that I have a very “dicky ticker” (with full acknowledgment of “Allo Allo’s” references to “dicky tickers”).

This has come as a surprise as, throughout my life, I have always enjoyed a lot more puff than my peers . The analogy with an eight cylinder car has me running on two and I now know why, lately, I have had a few giddy fits.

So we have a twelve month old undiagnosed mass in the throat which is interfering with a vocal chord (no voice), a smouldering myeloma which has suddenly become a multiple myeloma (for which I have been pretty thoroughly zapped and fed tonnes of tablets) and now a “dicky ticker” for which I am likely to be carrying around metal which will set off the airport security systems from here on in.

Apart from that, the world doesn’t seem such a bad place and I have to thank Janelle and Marcelle for being able to say that seriously….very attentive and covering the many bases which I am now not even getting close to.

You can probably imagine how comfortable I am not being in control.

I will be in the Wesley for the coming week – starting 4.00pm Monday. Probably a good idea to be in touch with Janelle if you are contemplating visits.

BOHLENS GO ON MYSTERY TOUR

2010-07-10T22:01:00.001+10:00

Diane (Speakman 62/63) and Bill Bohlen were recently invited on a mystery tour, here is Diane's report:

We were invited to join a group on friends to go on a tour to celebrate two birthdays. One of the group organised the trip but kept the destinations a secret, so we didn't know where we were going until we got there. Fun! Fun! Fun!
Here are some of the places we visited:

Gympie

Maryborough

Bargara

Town of 1770 and Bustard Bay

Cania Gorge

Carnarvon Gorge

Bunya Mountains

Somerset Dam.

BILL WELBOURNE WINGS AWAY

2010-07-08T14:19:00.001+10:00

I am nervously packing for my trip to Canada that my mate in the UK asked me to organize. I met him years ago while teaching at Brisbane Boys' College while he was on exchange. Of course we've retired from teaching now but we're both busy. He works part time as a sports journalist and announcer for BBC Radio Jersey. I want to get stuck into writing but at the moment I'm researching as much as possible on New Guinea history. I now have quite a library of books I've ordered over the net, at least 18 and quite a few $$$$ but keeps me busy and entertained... but more importantly out of mischief!

Richard has a ski lodge in Colorado and suggested we dump our gear there and take a trip. I suggested we head for Canada, travel 'light' and go there first to take in the Calgary Stampede... chuck waggon races, rodeo etc...Richard wanted to wait until the W Cup Soccer Finals so then due to time constraints, we had to fly direct to Canada in order to get to the Stampede. Then we take a trip over the Rockies to Vancouver by bus, train and helicopter. Then up to Whistler and over to Vancouver Island. After taking in the Butchard Gardens we travel by ferry to Seattle. We then fly to Denver and over to the Ski lodge to scout about for a week ,but no skiing as it's summer..... finally home on 6th August. Well that's the plan ( all done over the net, so hopefully all goes well.)

The Kesby's are away

2010-07-06T12:02:00.000+10:00

Dave and Elissa Kesby are on the way to Europe..

Before they left, they advised the following:

On Friday Elissa & I head for the airport to catch a business class trip to Dubai on the 380 (sounds good doesn?t it)..what really happens is we wait around and if there is any room in business left over ..we get it No room left they offer us a seat in economy..no room there..we go to cheap hotel around Mascot and try to catch a 777 in the morning....all planes look full so it?s a lucky dip.

On the too much information department..we are going to a wedding for an old teaching mate of mine from Galston High where I worked from 1977 til 1988. He is 54 and this is his first marriage .The wedding will be held at Rochester Cathedral, the second oldest Cathedral in England .It was established in 604AD by Bishop Justice ( I knew you wanted to know that) there are 100 people going to the wedding ... 86 pommes and 14 aussies..so I hope we fit in a few ?no worries Digger? and? stone the crows? might go down all right but then again it mightn?t.

After that we catch a bus to Scotland.. have 4 or 5 days in Edinburgh and then get a car and have look around the Scottish Highlands for 7 or 8 days and end up back in Glasgow where Elissa has arranged for us to go to some pubs and listen to some old fashion rock ?n? roll and blues ...I sincerely hope we don’t get our heads punched in but Elissa is cool.

After that a side trip to France for a couple of days and then back home via Dubai..so now you know.

Richard Jones reviews - The Concert

2010-06-11T18:26:00.000+10:00

THE CONCERT (M)

Andrei Filipov was once a famous conductor of the Bolshoi Orchestra in Moscow who fell foul of the Brezhnev regime back in the 1980s.

Now a cleaner at the company’s theatre Filipov (Alexsei Guskov - pictured above) is given another shot at glory.

He intercepts a fax in the company office and immediately hatches a plan. If he can cobble together an orchestra comprised of his former musicians they can play one last performance of Tchaikovsky’s famous concerto for violin and orchestra. In Paris.

Finding the surviving members of his group is hard enough for Filipov. So he enlists the help of former KGB man Ivan (Valeri Barinov) to round up the motley crew.

More importantly, Filipov needs a violinist competent enough to perform as the soloist.

Enter Anne-Marie Jacquet (Melanie Laurent) an acclaimed young violinist. Once ensconced in Paris, Filipov invites her on board as his soloist.

Pictures from Margaret Lewis

2010-06-08T16:48:00.003+10:00

Margaret Lewis sent us some pictures from one of their trips this year, to South Australia. On the trip they met up with Val Rivers (62/63) and they visited Maggie Beer's (of ABC-TV fame) Farm and Winery.

Margaret Lewis and Val Rivers (62/63) outside Maggie' Beer's Farm and Winery

They also visited the tourist town of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills.

Val Rivers and Peter Lewis (62/63) at a restaurant in Hahndorf

Amongst the pictures Margaret sent, were a couple of the historic Paterson Tavern in the Hunter Valley, when Colin Huggins (62/63) passed through on the way to the PNGAA AGM in May.

Peter Lewis (62/63)outside historic Paterson Tavern

Colin Huggins and Peter Lewis enjoy a beer

at Paterson Tavern.

Pictures from Haus Burrell

2010-05-31T22:30:00.000+10:00

Colin Huggins (62/64) sent the following photos from a visit in summer to Dennis (62/64) and Ros Burrell's house. Shown here are some of their pets, although I suspect the last one to be an intruder.

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Lunch at The Harlequin in Brisbane (62/63)

2010-05-27T19:51:00.000+10:00

Peter and Margaret Lewis are in Brisbane for a few days so what better chance than to catch up with a lunch at The 'Harlequin Restaurant' at the Sofitel Hotel above Central Station.

f.l.t.r. Diane Bohlen, Peter Lewis, Bill Bohlen, Margaret Lewis and Colin Huggins

As usual, the food and company were excellent. Peter and Margaret fly back home next Tuesday.

Happy Grandparents

2010-05-16T21:31:00.001+10:00

Bill and Diane Bohlen (Speakman 62/63) are happy to announce the arrival of their first grandchild Fox William, born in Sydney on the 13th May 2010 to Sonya and Bernie.

Bill and Diane and Fox William

The star of the show

Colin Huggins (62/63) reports from Sydney

2010-05-05T18:44:00.002+10:00

Colin sends us his Report from Sydney:

" Dear friends"

Just a couple of days ago, I flew out from Brisbane on "Jetstar" to Newcastle where I was met by Peter and Margaret Lewis, who had only the day before returned from a trip to SA, where they were able to catch up with Val Rivers and David and Lorraine Westover. There will be a forthcoming report with photos of this trip at a later date.

Staying with "P & M" is just so wonderful, we have many laughs and managed once again to visit that great little pub at Paterson for lunch, hopefully photos of this place, also photos of a large "open-house" at an Agricultural College on the way. To see the number of cars there was to believe.

Then on the Sunday I left on the Intercity Express for Hornesby and then a taxi to Killara Golf Club.
Not the largest of turnouts and all the reports can be found - President's and Treasurer's annual reports on the PNGAA website. Terry Chapman, the Groewegens,Riley Warren and the Walshes of ASOPA days (Education) seemed to have been the only attendees of education ASOPA. However, the camaradie was wonderful and I was at last able to meet Nancy Johnson, who is a most delightful lady and a fountain of knowledge on colonial PNG. Also I was able to speak with PP Harry West and past treasurer, Ross Johnson. The table I sat at was a great group and many laughs were had - especially on LATIN LESSONS!!! You are never to old to learn!

Also Andrea Williams was present and hopes that with a site which will be attached to this blog, some of us may see fit to give our opinions on the new Australian history curriculum in relation to the old TPNG (colonial times under Australian control) and the war history, if anyone knows something, of WW2 that they feel should be included in the new history curriculum. Actually I think that Andrea, Riley Warren and Deveni Temu ( Committee member of PNGAA) will be accessing these ideas.

Next stop will be Young and on the return to Brisbane, I hope to catch up with the one and only " Moose" in Canberra and also, David Weeden during my 5 hour stopover there.

Cheers

Colin

Henry went fishing

2010-04-27T09:22:00.003+10:00


OK .... here is the evidence - this fish won the fishin' competition at Dundee (25 minutes by light plane SW of Darwin) recently. Measured 93 cm.....was released, of course. Cheers and beers, Henry B

He caught a whopper

and another

Justine Finter writes:

2010-04-25T14:08:00.000+10:00

Hi Bill and Diane,

Thank you for keeping in touch. I would love to participate after viewing all the blogs. Would you believe, I have a new laptop but still haven't mastered any new skills.

I'm not even sure how to use the comment box. Yes, I'm still alive - I do hate getting old- even slower at everything.

Please forward my congratulations to Henry for his life membership.

Richard's reviews are great. Diane, you still looking good. I'm insanely jealous.

Bill and I are still working on with the final touches to our motor home before going on road to join the "Grey Nomads. I do love all the clever e-mails Ian has been forwarding onto me. My strengths lie in pressing the "reply button" on e-mails. Wishing you all good health and keep smiling.

Mary(Justine).

How to comment:

Commenting on blog posts is easy, You see below each post a COMMENTS link, just click that and a comment box will appear where you enter your comment. Below that it says Comment As: click that and select Anonymous unless you have a blog account yourself in which case you select that. Then click Post Comment and your comment is up there. Don’t forget to write your name in the box with your comment.

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (MA 15+)

2010-04-21T12:16:00.000+10:00

Richard Jones reviews the following movie:

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (MA 15+)

FORTY years ago the beloved niece of a wealthy Swedish industrialist disappeared from a national Family Day celebration one summer.

Convinced she’d been murdered by someone from his mad, bad and very sad family, patriarch Henrik Vanger (Sven-Bertil Taube) hires crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) to re-open the cold case.

The only problem for Mikael is that he’s in a spot of bother himself. Pinged by a court for publishing what it considers misleading revelations about corporate corruption, six months detention awaits the white knight.

Nevertheless he takes up residence in the isolated Vanger island enclave connected to the mainland by a single, long bridge.

Investigations proceed at a snail’s pace, with Mikael’s only real breakthrough a four decades old grainy press photo of the nearby town’s Family Day gathering.

On the day she disappeared, the missing Harriet Vanger is in the front row of the picture. But what is she peering at in the middle distance?

Fortunately for Henrik and Mikael, a Vanger family business friend has a contact. Lisbeth Salander is a 24-year-old anarchistic, goth-punk with sublime skills in computer hacking.

Things really start to move when Lisbeth (Noomi Rapace) moves into the estate cottage with Mikael.

Their joint investigations reveal that a number of murders of women across Sweden have remained unsolved.

Could Harriet Vanger have been a victim of this killer, or killers? And what is the meaning of an intriguing and mysterious five-line text --- five, spaced capital letters on each line --- they find in Harriet’s Bible.

Journalist and crime thriller writer Stieg Larsson, whose world best seller formed the basis for this film’s script, was a crusader against Swedish corporate corruption and neo-Nazism.

And so, considering that a number of members of the Vanger family were fervent Nazi lovers during World War 2 and remained so in the decades after, there’s not much help for Mikael and Lisbeth on the home front.

It doesn’t bother Lisbeth. Only a fool would mess with this tough, tattooed investigator.

NOTE: as it’s a Swedish production, sub-titles are involved. Occasionally there’s snippets of English but remember, it is a European production.

Henry Bodman (62/63) receives Life Membership

2010-04-19T07:46:00.000+10:00

Bev Kenna (last Life Member recipient of PMARFC) presents HB with PMARFC Life Member Award(first in 35 years of Past Players Association) while Reunion Convenor Jack Moffatt looks on.

Janelle and Tom - March 2010

Grey Nomads - Kathryn and Joe Crainean (62/63)

2010-04-17T07:21:00.000+10:00

(from Kathryn and Joe's travel blog KERMIT)

The Craineans have been traveling around Tasmania for a few months where they have seen some wonderful sight according to their blog.

On the Cam River at Wynyard in Tasmania was the perfect place to wake up.

The beautiful coastline of Tasmania overlooking the golf course at Wynyard. How players can concentrate when playing on this course, is anyone's guess.

Fisherman ordinare with a beautiful bream.

You can follow their travels directly on their Kermit blog Click here

Our Movie Reviewer - Richard Jones (62/63)

2010-04-15T07:35:00.000+10:00

I HAVE been a journalist for more than four decades, involved with both the print and electronic media.

Starting off as a ‘stringer’ or correspondent back in the 60s with the twice-weekly South Pacific Post in Port Moresby, I finished 25 years full-time service with central Victoria’s Bendigo Advertiser in the early Noughties.

My old boss from Moresby days --- the redoubtable Douglas Lockwood –-- had been posted to Bendigo, via Melbourne, following his days as managing editor of PNG’s only daily: the Post-Courier.

When we called into Bendigo on a 1977 driving holiday Doug asked me what I was up to. Two sentences later he inquired what would be a suitable start date for me at the Addy.

“I need a sports writer and you fill the bill,” he said.

So we established ourselves in Bendigo and have been here ever since. Sadly Doug passed away in 1980, the victim of overwork and a heart attack.

I served 17 years as the sports editor, and then five as business/finance editor, after starting life in Bendigo as a council and politics roundsman.

In the late 1970s-early 1980s being called ‘sports editor’ was a mis-nomer. Jack of all trades would have been a fairer assessment.

Australian footy on Saturdays, and occasionally Sundays. Harness racing on Friday nights. Gallops meeting mid-week and greyhound racing on Monday nights.

Athletics and cycling carnivals all summer, interspersed with swimming and diving meets. And then it was time for the footy to start again. Not a very family-friendly occupation.

When a community radio station started up down near Castlemaine I was asked to help with Saturday morning footy preview shows and within the year to assist with live matchday calls.

As I’d done a lot of radio work in PNG (live boxing and rugby league broadcasts, as well as studio anchoring) I was pleased to help out.

Later on in the 90s the National Indigenous Radio Network, with its headquarters in Brisbane, became the Brisbane Lions’ dedicated radio outfit.

A Bendigo radio colleague was the commentating co-ordinator and our ex-station manager had been appointed manager of the NIRS, based in Queensland.

So the NIRS AFL calls which expanded from one or two broadcasts a weekend to Friday nights, Saturdays, Saturday nights and Sundays, had a distinctly central Victorian flavour. Until 2002 I was involved for three seasons, but only from Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium or the MCG.

I left the interstate gigs to other colleagues. It was getting very tiring, up and down to Melbourne every second weekend, so by mutual consent I called it a day in 2002.

My local footy calling continued on, though, until mid-2007.

Nowadays I write a Bendigo Football League match report for Monday’s winter and spring newspapers and submit my weekly tips for publication on Fridays.

There’s also the Look Back In History segment for the weekly Bendigo Football League guide to compile.

And on a separate community FM station, I’m involved with a Wednesday morning sports review and preview programme.

So, how did the involvement with writing film reviews come about? Well, my wife and I have always loved live theatre and classical music performances with a special fondness for the cinema.

We see up to 30 films a year. Not on DVD. Live, at cinemas where there’s proper surround sound.

When our former State Premier Jeff Kennett amalgamated a whole heap of local government authorities 15 years ago quite a few civic buildings weren’t needed any more.

The Eaglehawk Borough Town Hall was one of those structures. An enterprising lady took it over to run a community cinema there, complete with a projection room and box office.

When she relinquished the business a community group, of which we’re members, decided to run the cinema. Volunteers staff the box office and the projection room.

Paying patrons sit on plush velvet couches, sipping beer or wine, to watch the movies.

Other volunteers were needed to pen reviews for the Bendigo Advertiser’s Saturday Weekend magazine --- and I was asked to write one, sometimes two, every second week.

So, some three or four years down the track I’m still writing regular film reviews.

From time to time, some of these will appear on the Asopa Blog.

--- RICHARD JONES

The Bear & The Moose Dine With The Smoth.

2010-04-07T15:57:00.000+10:00

Bob Davis (62/63) sent this report:

Mid March saw Col (Huggiebear) Huggins train south from Brisbane to Robina where he was rescued from exotic peddlers of dubious items in and around the railway station by the arrival of Bob (Moose) Davis.

They drove south and headed for the delights of northern NSW and the sleepy town of Ballina in particular, where they descended on Brian (Smoth) Smith. Brian these days leads a very relaxed, sedentary lifestyle in the place of his birth - (not too different from many of us (I suspect.)

Next stop was the Ballina RSL which is literally spitting distance from the broad expanse of the raging Richmond River -(well it seemed to be raging that day!) A few beers chased down a tasty luncheon and seemed to make the Richmond rage even more fiercely. Yarns and stories (all gospel,) about common acquaintances and places and events flowed thick and fast. We did agree on one thing and that was the need for some central means of collating up to date details of ex ASOPIANS and their exploits given that our numbers are only going to decline at an ever increasing rate. (I believe that Diane and Bill Bohlen have taken this on board.)

Few people would be aware that Col and Brian shared a SOQ in Finschhafen in 1964 - I am
still not able to work out who slept where!! Fortunately for both of them Brian was posted to Daru in mid year and this saved the pair too many domestic wrangles.

Brian's quiet existence in Ballina is punctuated by frequent visits from his two children,
(both in their early twenties or thereabouts and both living in or around Ballina.)
Brian's mother (now in her nineties and ex Lae) lives in South Tweed and he catches up with her frequently.

Back on the road northwards after lunch and overnight at Hausdavis in West Tweed. Colin declined a ride to Brisbane early the next morning, preferring to sleep in instead and train back to Brisbane at a more civilised hour.

Henry Bodman (62/63) recently returned from Canberra

2010-04-02T17:25:00.000+10:00

Henry Bodman has recently returned from a reunion in Canberra, he writes:-

PMARFC Reunion – The First of the Fiftieths

. What a vice like grip PNG has on all of us when we snatch at every opportunity and excuse to share more time with those who know PNG as we did and do.

1960 saw the first of the many premiership trophies won by the Port Moresby Australian Rules Football Club and from this start followed those of 1961 (Lightning, summer and main seasons) 1962, 1964, 1966 and 1968.

With the last of the 40^th reunions conducted at Maroochydore in 2008, Jack Moffatt offered to host the first of the 50ths in Canberra. And thus, as Captain, Coach and sole selector, Jack turned on a weekend which will be well remembered by every one of the 100+ in attendance. From the collection at the airport by Hughie Maher, Wally Cook and Roger Evans .to the final evening under the gum trees, the weekend flowed smoothly from one venue and ambience to the next – in all, three; and each quite different and catering to all tastes and expectations..

The ever present and reliable Brian “Tangles” Pearce and Max Palmer ensured everyone was properly welcomed, watered, fed, and informed on the three day programme.

Of interest is the fact that not one of the five members of the triumphant 1960 Demons’ side -. Captain Brian Sherwood, Barry Whish-Wilson, Rod Sergeant, Derek Sholl, or Noel Kenna - could remember playing a draw in the grand final and having to win a ‘play-off’ the following weekend to claim the cup. Fifty years can do things like that but all remembered being personally presented with the “Best Man Afield” trophy in the same game.

By contrast, George Bottriell played in Moresby’s first team in 1955 and his memory remains as sharp as a tack which it needs to be to keep up with wife Dulcie who, approaching 90, is still playing competitive tennis on the Bellarine Peninsula. Equally impressive was Jim Thomas, resplendent in a mint condition Papuan Rules Blazer of 1956 vintage. It fitted him like a glove and there is no stoop evident in this youthful 80 + year old. The opportunities for the ‘newbies of the seventies’ to meet these ‘legends of the fifties’ was not lost and was particularly exploited on the second evening which was conducted at the swank Gungalan.Golf Club where the all important tucker was a further reflection the great management of the Canberra committee.

Henry and crew

The initial reception and gala evening of the weekend was conducted at the Ainslie Australian Rules Club which had all of the facilities and service needed for the exceptional night which followed. Club memorabilia was spread over a number of tables. With the original burnt in the Colts Club House in Boroko, Bill Vivian’s replacement Honour Board was on show for the first time. With the discovery of some of the ‘legends of the fifties’, Bill had to start from scratch after his first completed Board was, necessarily, revised.

At this function all in attendance were issued with a copy of the PMARFC story “Long Taim Stori Bilong Port Moresby Australian Rules Football Club 1955-1975.” This expensive 60 glossy paged production is already a collectors’ item – anyone looking for one will need to approach Jack Moffatt. Those who can remember John Ilian (DIES) will know what a professional job has been done of this important record. John’s efforts were recognised on the weekend with the award of the coveted “Red Ribbon Award”.

While the opening night and weekend will be remembered by all as an enormous success and thoroughly enjoyable, few will remember it as fondly as Henry Bodman who was awarded a Moresby Past Players’ Association Life Membership – the first issued in 35 years.

Predictably, there is a Grey Nomads component to the Demons ranks and on the third night all gathered under the gum trees on a hill behind Canberra and got stuck into the rich brown suds and pizzas. Rose and Jock Collins, for the third successive reunion, presided over our ‘last supper event’ and co-ordinated the regular and constant supply of suds and pizzas This was probably as near as the weekend came to parties as we remember them in Moresby - though this occasion remained ‘couth’(versus uncouth) to the end. Such was the enthusiasm engendered, that Kerry and Graeme “Moose” Tilyard offered to host the 2012 Demons Reunion in Tasmania.

Late press indicates another case of blood rushing to the head with Noel and Bev Kenna looking at 2014 in Warrnambool.

Those years in Papua New Guinea can be blamed for a lot - including these great get togethers. Don’t you pity those who didn’t experience life and living in Papua New Guinea?

Thanks for that submission Henry.

Dick Arnold - 60/61

2010-03-26T09:09:00.000+10:00

Dick Arnold sent these two pictures with the comment:

On 15 March, the second intake for the 1960-61 course celebrated it's 50th anniversary.

Scary, isn't it!

Dick Arnold 60-61

Colin has some good advice

2010-03-25T21:16:00.000+10:00

Hi all ex-CEOS of ASOPA.

If you want to inform people of what you are doing, this is the blog.
Reunions, small get-togethers, travels, who is missing from your class group,who you can't find. And really the sad part, who has passed away, many of us who recall them as friends have no idea.
Use this blog - that is the purpose of its creation.
On the left hand side you will be able to still access the Keith Jackson blog which covers affairs pertaining to PNG. A very informative report on the PNG situation, but, many of the CEO'S of ASOPA went to the NT.

Cheers to all
Colin

Sydney Reunion 62/63 - 12-14th November 2010

2010-03-25T10:43:00.001+10:00

Rod Hard said...

Whilst we discussed a number or options between "sips," we thought that we should get an agreement on the date before further arrangements. Due to transport logistics we decided to use Sydney as the base, given that transport to the Hunter or Southern Highlands is restrictive. E-mails have been sent to those whom Keith has on his data base and when we get a reasonable consensus we will proceed with the next step. The initial invitation has been sent to the 62/63 contingent as that is our "target market"....but others who wish to participate will be most welcome. Whilst many of us keep in contact through the internet,it is great to catch up in person and we should take advantage of this while our "health" allows.

Sydney Steering Committee 62/63 Reunion

2010-03-22T16:20:00.000+10:00

Richard Jones (62/63) sent these pictures recently with the following text:

The Inaugural meeting of the Sydney Steering Committee was held at
Berowra Heights . All factions were represented and as far as we can
ascertain,
There were no blues.

Regards
Desperate Dave from Dubbo

Rod Hard (62/63)

Dave Kesby (62/63)

Keith Jackson AM (62/63)

ASOPA 70/72

2010-03-22T10:28:00.000+10:00

Richard Dokter writes (February 2010):

Hi,

Watched the slide show on youtube. Went to ASOPA in 1970 to 1972. Was the last group to attend ASOPA before going to the Northern Territory. Have attached a class photo still in my collection. Not everyone is in the photo. A pity. Can you use it.

Regards,

Richard Dokter

A visit from the Hunter Valley

2010-03-21T07:08:00.000+10:00

A couple of weeks ago Peter and Margaret Lewis who live in the Hunter Valley came up to Brisbane for a few days. We organised a lunch at Cleveland to meet up.

F.L.T.R. Josephine Arnold, Bill Bohlen, Colin Huggins (1962/63), Dick Arnold (1960/61), Peter Lewis (1962/63) and Margaret Lewis. Diane Bohlen (1962/63) took the picture.

A little History about ASOPA

2010-03-20T20:02:00.000+10:00

The Australian School of Pacific Administration was educating young Education Officers to work as teachers in the Territory of Papua New Guinea and the Northern Territory.

For detailed information CLICK HERE

The campus then

The campus in 2005