Dear Friends and Relatives,
Another year has flown on by at a fast pace. My year has been largely taken up with matters Moorefield Racecourse,my two book launches and author talks. Producing a book is stressful ! The experience however, has not fazed me- I plan in 2017 to write a children’s story-the Adventures of Miss Hoity Toity and Lizzie, as well as turn my You Tube, Anne’s Adventure into an electronic book.
January 2nd, Maria and I, attended the Magic Flute at Sydney Opera House. A few lunches followed in the next few weeks to celebrate my January birthday.
On January 16, I attended a Back to the 80’s music concert at the Concourse. Chatswood. January 24 a trip followed to Berry Bowling Club to meet with Nerry Stark , mother of a former student, and Tom O’Reilly (author of a self published horse racing book ). January 25, a friend and I attended the Robert Burns birthday celebration at the Castlereagh Inn, Sydney. I attended the early morning Australia Day ceremony for Rockdale City Council in Peter Depeena Park , Dolls Point.
On January 27 Lillian, Maria and I drove to Canberra for the day to see the Tom Roberts Exhibition at the National Gallery. We caught up for dinner with a friend ,Katherine Edwards and a former St George Girls student, Anna Kalloudis. An enjoyable day, but a long day.
On January 30 four of us made the journey to see Sydney Football Club play ; inclement weather, but a good night. I always enjoy a good football match.
I attended the Noel Seiffert Presentation Award on February 10 at Ramsgate Senior Citizens .The award was presented to Brian Peacock , my former Council colleague, for his work as a patron of the centre. On February 13, I attended with a friend ,the Sun Record All Stars Concert at Revesby Workers Club. February 14 , Lillian and another friend joined me for the Masterpieces from the Scottish National Gallery at the NSW Art Gallery.
On February 19, I attended John Maguire’s funeral – a very sad occasion . John had been very good to me in respect of my Moorefield research ; he had taken me on walks around streets highlighting where stables were located, and assisted with other information. One of the dedications in my book is to his memory.
On March 5, I was invited by the Scottish Association to present my Bottle Overboard story to their meeting . On March 13, a long overdue lunch was held –Wesley and his mother, Joan took me to lunch at Dolls Point. I caught on March 19 the ferry across the harbour to Cremorne ; Lillian and I lunched and then had a visit to Balmoral .
March 30 was my first visit to Heritage at the Australian Turf Club , Randwick. March 30 was also the first anniversary of my “ Yorkshire” bottle washing in at Yeppoon, Queensland. March 31. ( Grannie’s bottle is still at sea) I attended a guest talk by Chris Waller, horse trainer and Hugh Bowman, jockey and Winona Costin, jockey at Randwick.
On April 2, I received a phone message from Topsy, an 86 year old Australian lady in the Netherlands .We spoke in a phone conversation on June 5 .On April 13, I again visited Heritage at the Australian Turf Club. Cliff had moved to a brand new Nursing Home in Clemton Park, and I visited him on April 14 to see his new home.
On May 5-13, I drove with a friend to Coffs Harbour. It was lovely to be back in Coffs Harbour to catch up with a few friends . On the return journey south, we called into the Slim Dusty Museum at Kempsey, and to catch up with an ex jockeys widow, Sandra and 95 year old Neil , a former groundsman at Moorefield Racecourse. We met in a Wingham café and chatted for a number of hours.
May 14 –a significant date for me, as it was one year since my 4.5 hour spinal operation.
On May 19, a friend and I attended the David Bowie Tribute Concert at the Opera House . A stunning concert of Bowie’s music.
And on June 8, St George Girls High School held an Open Day and School Assembly to acknowledge 100 years .of public education. I was fortunate to attend and to catch up with former students . It would be the last time I saw a former member of my staff , Col Murray, who passed away in early August. His funeral was held at Cronulla on August 17, and was well attended by former staff from St George Girls. Col willbe sadly missed.
June 22 , the St George Leader printed an article onmy e book launch,which was planned for July 14 at James Cooks Boys Technology High School .
Betty Field passed away on April 24 and her husband, my Dad’s last remaining brother , Jack ( Claude) passed away on July 6.
My e book launch on July 14 was most successful. I had former champion jockey , and Moorefield jockey, Ray Selkrig do the launch honours along with Clarence the Clocker’s grandson , Rick and a former golfer from Moorefield , John. Attendees enjoyed the afternoon of racing history. The Moorefield Poem , written by Bruce Sharp , was read for the first time by the school captain from James Cooks Boys Technology High School .
On July 23, the St Georgians Luncheon was held at Doltone House in the City to acknowledge 100 years of public education. I sat with some of my 1980 girls. Lydia , Connie and I caught up again after last seeing each other in Hong Kong in early June 2013.
On July 28, the new Rockdale City Council Library was officially opened . I was invited , as a member of the Library Committee to this wonderful occasion.This Library is magnificent . i am so happy to see a wonderful new Local Studies area, along with all the other wonderful features.
In August and September , jenny and I were involved in the detailed editing of my book . Jenny had a huge job in front of her ; she fulfilled it in a very professional manner . I was stressed ! We both proudly saluted the winning post on October 13.
By July 30, my You Tube, Anne’s Adventure was up to 2600 views and by mid- December 2667 ). In April 2017, it will be 5 years since my Southern Ocean bottle overboard adventure.
On August 7, I was invited to catch up with a former student , Sarah at her Church. On August 19 and 21, I had St George Eisteddfod duties in the School of Arts, Kogarah. And on August 20,a friend and I attended the Proms Concert at the Concourse , Chatswood. We attended on August 26 the Beatles Concert at the Opera House, and on August 27 , we attended the Hot August Night Concert at Revesby Workers Club
On September 8, the Centenary Labyrinth was opened at St George Girls High School. I bought a brick to recognise my years at the school -1977- 2011. I attended ,on September 10,the Ron Rathbone presentation of local history prizes in the new Rockdale Library. On September 12, Anne flew in from Dallas, USA. We caught up for breakfast, before I drove her to Sydney Airport for her flight home to Perth.
During September, John Johnson , Local Studies Librarian for the now titled Georges River Council, and I , worked on a Moorefield Racecourse power point presentation . I was then be able to use this at my hard copy book launch on October 13 , October 20 author talk at Rockdale Council Library and my author talk at Kogarah Library on November 10. And any future talks……..
I continued my traditional good betting form for the Victorian Spring Carnival –first and second in the Caulfield Cup on October 15; first and second in the Cox Plate on October 22; second in the Derby on October 29, and third in the Melbourne Cup.
On October 6, Brian Bateman interviewed me on my Moorefield book on 2NBC Community Radio. On October 13, my hard copy book launch took place at Moorefield Bowling Club. French Street , Kogarah. Katya, from Kaligraphic Print Pty Ltd in Leichhardt, has done a wonderful job in printing my book. Again , a successful book launch with the grandson , Mark Hanna of Moorefield trainer, George Hanna doing the launch honours. I was delighted to see 3 former Moorefield jockeys turn up, as well as the widows of two other jockeys. Photos of my two book launches are on my websites.
On October 21, a friend and I attended the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Concert at The State Theatre. A wonderful night of Scottish music and dancing.
And on October 27, Pamela Griiffiths and her husband , Ross invited me to dinner to discuss her ancestor, Moorefield horse trainer, George Halpin. On October 28 Jenny Hodge , a former teaching colleague and I, enjoyed lunch in Dolls Point.
Lillian and I, spent Melbourne Cup day this year’s Cup day at the St George Motor Boat Club, Sans Souci. I donated a Moorefield book as a lucky door prize for the function. Patricia Rovik and I enjoyed a celebratory luncheon on November 2 at Cronulla RSL. We were celebrating the successful launch of my long -awaited Moorefield Racecourse book.
I unfortunately missed the 1986 girls 30 year reunion on November 12 – their Facebook reports indicate that they had a great night. I had attended 30 year reunions for 1983, 1984 and 1985.
On November 19, I was invited by the Principal of James Cook Boys Technology High School to sell Moorefield books at the school’s 60 year celebration . A gentleman in attendance came to buy a book . He said to me ,” Anne I have watched you age through the pages of the St George Leader newspaper. “ I was taken aback by the comment, and asked “did I still look fine?”
My web sites have continued to be updated by my capable computer man . My tracker highlights the fact that my Moorefield work continues to be read widely across Australia, and occasionally overseas. My websites have now been read in 122 countries around the world – an amazing result as one site were established in mid -2013 and the other in mid -2014. Leesha has continued her hard work on my Facebook site, Moorefield Racecourse , Kogarah.
Xmas Day, I intend to visit Cliff to have lunch with him in his Nursing Home , have afternoon tea with Colleen and her family , and then to have dinner with my physio and some of her friends.
I wish you a happy Festive Season and good health for 2017.
Best wishes
Anne
