Dear Friends and Relatives,
My year has been a difficult one in that i have continued to have feet pain. This resulted in a long overdue operation for Morton’s Neuroma in my right foot on November 22, 2023. It took a long time to diagnose my problem, and it was an MRI in June that provided the diagnosis. Morton’s Neuroma is in fact a pinched nerve, which is very painful. I have provided more details in an article in the blog on my web site.
In spite of my awful pain, i managed to do quite a lot. I have travelled far and wide this year.
TRAVEL
I flew Qantas to Perth on January 9 2023 to use up an airfare. I stayed with a school friend, Anne, who lives near Freemantle. We visited Mandurah to see the stunning Giants Exhibition, lunched at Pirelli Winery with my cousin Rosanne, saw the movie Blueback, and went to Rottnest for a day. Blueback was largely filmed in Bremer Bay, which is where my bottle washed in in May 2012. A stunning part of the Western Australian coast.
Rosanne and her daughter, Amy flew to Sydney on May 13 returning to Perth on May 19 2023. We caught up again on May 17 2023.
On March 18-21 2023, Margaret and i travelled to the Upper Hunter. On March 18 2023, we lunched at the Branxton Hotel, as respite from the heat. We stayed in self -contained unit in Muswellbrook, and were meant to be attending a luncheon at Scone Racecourse on Sunday, March 19 20023. However, it was 38 degrees, and the races were postponed until Monday, March 20 2023.
We enjoyed a visit to Hunter Belle Cheese Factory, visited Muswellbrook Art Gallery and had dinner at the Eaton Hotel. We did a road trip through the wineries on our way back to Cessnock. We never did find the alpaca farm!
May 1-11 2023, Teddy and i took off on a road trip to Benalla, Northern Victoria. We stayed 2 nights in Gundagai, and i had the chance to visit the art deco, Niagara Café. It has been restored beautifully by the new owners. On May 5 2023the café won a major award at the NSW National Trust Heritage Awards in Sydney.
Then on to Benalla where i was meant to be visiting a relative. Sadly, this did not happen. Benalla is a great central point in northern Victoria, and Teddy and i had a great time in exploring the beautiful area.
May 3-8 2023, when we were in Benalla, a cold front happened to come through. I took additional blankets, as a just in case! I said to one man in the supermarket car park late afternoon one day, “it is rather brisk.” His reply to me was “you have hair on your head!”
I visited the excellent Benalla Art Gallery, whilst Teddy went off for an hour’s walk with Mathilda, a professional dog walker in Benalla. (Pre-booked) In the afternoon, we drove to Ned Kelly country at Glen rowan .Friday; we drove to Rutherglen to visit the wineries. I was collecting wine for my pharmacists, who are both red wine drinkers. I drove on to Corowa, where one of my 1985 girls lives. We only connected by email, as she was busy with work.
Saturday, i drove the Art Silo Road Tour and admired the stunning art work on the silos. We ended up for late lunch in a lovely town, Yarrawonga. It was the day of the Coronation in London. Teddy and i were walking down the main street in Yarrawonga, when a voice called out to me “is it a Prince or Princess. We know that Cavaliers are one or the other, “i then introduced Teddy to a couple, who were having coffee outside a cafe. ‘May i introduce Prince Teddy?”
Sunday, i drove to Bright, which was both lovely and chilly. There is an ongoing current dispute with Council, as Council wants to give permission to remove some of the beautiful trees in the avenue in to Bright. The trees were in their stunning autumn colours.
Monday, we returned to Gundagai for the night, and then drove on to Goulburn for two nights. This allowed me to visit Crookwell, one of my favourite country towns. I usually try to visit Lindner sock factory to buy some colourful socks.
I returned to Sydney on Monday, May 11 2023, having travelled over 2000kms. Teddy and i had a great road trip.
On July 17 2023, I flew to Cairns to use up airline credits. I stayed at Cascade Gardens, a self -furnished unit in Lake Street, Cairns. I was last in Cairns in 1996, with fellow Geography teacher, Col Murray, and Year 12 Geography students.
This time, i visited the Aquarium (highly recommended) , a food trip to the Tablelands , visited Green Island (disappointing, as the coral was dead, but alive when i last visited in the late 1980’s),Cape Tribulation (recommend) and a skyline and rail trip to and from Karoonda (recommend.)
I flew up on a full Qantas flight and came home on a full flight. There were so many Victorians in Cairns and neighbouring areas such as Port Douglas. Escaping the cold down south!
November 1-6 2023, Teddy and i took a road trip to Jindabyne to use up a long – held booking. I could drive ok by this stage, but not walk too far. Night one, we stayed at Goulburn and then had 3 nights in Jindabyne. I by-passed Queanbeyan, and managed to find the Monaro Highway. I made a welcome stop at a wonderful café at Bredbo for lunch.
We visited Adaminaby to see the Big Trout ( currently being restored) ,but missed lake Eucumbene due to fog.; enjoyed lunch in Birchwood Café in Jindabyne (they received a regional food award recently ); checked out the Visitors Centre ; and walked a short distance along Lake Jindabyne to photograph the stunning Strzelecki monument . Strzelecki was a Polish explorer, geologist, humanitarian, environmentalist, nobleman, scientist and businessman. He climbed Australia’s highest mountain in 1840 and named it Kosciuszko, after a Polish national hero.
I managed to get lost in Canberra, so I pulled into a garage! A very kind man navigated me to Canberra Airport, and i was ok. I made Goulburn for the night, and returned to Sydney on November 6, 2023.
GUEST TALKS
Wednesday ,April 19 2023 i presented my first Zoom talk , which was to the Australian Society of Genealogists on my Message in a Bottle Story; Saturday May 20 2023 i did a guest talk for Bayside Council at Sans Souci Library on my Message in a Bottle ; June 22 2023 my guest talk to Rockdale Probes was on Moorefield Racecourse ; and October 21 2023 my guest talk to St George Historical Society was on my Message in a Bottle .
Mid -year 2023, The Australian National Maritime Museum published my 2012 Message in a Bottle Story in their publication, Signals. It was wonderful to see my story in print.
On August 25 2023 my You Tube, Anne’s Adventure had been posted 10 years. It has had 3840 views, as of December 6 2023.
My website, annefield.net.au continues to be read well, particularly in the USA and across Australia.
RACES
January 10 2023 Ken , Phillip and i attended a Canterbury Night Meeting ; February 10 2023 a friend and i attended a Canterbury Night Meeting ; March 14 2023 Ken and i attended the Golden Slipper breakfast draw at 9am at Rosehill Gardens ; May 27 2023 Randwick races with Marianthe ; Randwick races with Mary on June 10 2023 and June 24 2023; Randwick races with Lillian on June 24 2023.
Ray Selkrig, champion jockey and 1961 Melbourne Cup winner on Lord Fury, passed on June 29 2023, aged 93. I attended Ray’s funeral at the Our Lady of Sacred Heart in Randwick, as did many other racing people. John Tapp gave an eloquent eulogy, by Zoom. I caught up with former Moorefield jockeys, Jack Waterhouse and Cliff Clare (barrier trials) after the service. It was so lovely to see them both again. Cliff has recently been entered into the Hall of Fame at Kembla Grange Racecourse. Warm congratulations, Cliff.
Ray was one of the 3 people, who launched my Moorefield Racecourse book on July 14 2016 at James Cook Boys Technology High School. A wonderful man, who was very humble for all of his racing achievements. And he loved racing history.
And on May 30 2023, i delivered a racing book, from a former Jockey, who lives now in Perth, to fellow racing historian, Graham Caves. Graham lives in Western Sydney, and again my geographical skills in Western Sydney were tested.
I continued to be successful with my bets over the Spring Carnival, which was a feast of top quality racing.
Melbourne Cup day, November 7 2023 was spent for the first time with Marianthe, Mary and Ken at Ramsgate RSL. I backed first, Without a Fight and second Soulcombe in the trifecta. Had i had the 3 horses in the trifecta, i would have gotten almost $10,000. This was the 163rd running of the Melbourne Cup with $8million in prize money,
My web site has continued to have good views. My horse racing articles have been widely read in the USA and across Australia. My Moorefield Racecourse Facebook site now has 194 followers.
DEATHS
Bruce Sharp, a long- time Bexley resident, a former gymnast at the 1956 Olympics, artist, photographer, and poet passed on January 11 2023, aged almost 92 years of age. Bruce and i ,had many years of connection , through Rockdale Rotary, which i joined in 1989, but he had joined well over 50 years ago ; his photographic work for me ; the photography for my Moorefield Racecourse book, and his Moorefield poem in the front of my book . As well, he painted three of my Cavaliers for my Dad’s 91st birthday present in 2005.
His family asked me if i would give the eulogy on his Rotary involvement at his Memorial Service on February 28, 2023 at the Uniting Church in Oatley. I was happy to do so.
Bev Scott ,a long-standing and highly respected pharmacist in Bexley, passed away in May 7 2023,aged 87 . I attended her funeral on May 28 2023. Belinda Scott, Bev’s granddaughter who left St George in 2006 was at the funeral.
Brian Langton, former Mayor and Alderman from Kogarah Council, and MP for Kogarah (1983- 1999) passed away October 17 2023, aged 75. His service was held at St Patricks Church Kogarah, on October 27 2023, and was a well -attended funeral. The Church was full; this was a reflection of Brian’s standing in the Kogarah community. Many former MP’s were in attendance, as well as current ones. It was good to catch up with a few people whom i had not seen for some years.
Former Kogarah Councillors in attendance were Michael Platt, Kathryn Landsberry, Nick Katris and I. After Brian retired from politics, he continued to do community work. I missed Adele Langton after the service, but spoke to Davina Langton. Both girls were former students from St George Girls.
Two former long-standing St George Girls teachers passed: Madame Odile Malliate, passed on April 28 2023, aged, 89. Bob Ritchard, former Social Science teacher (1979-1996) passed on September 6 2023, aged 86. His funeral was held on September 15 2023: Mrs Hatton, Mrs Hodge, Ms Brown, Mrs Cappelletto (from the early 1980’s) and I attended the service. Mr Allum and Mrs Sharp were apologies.
COUNCIL
I attended Bayside Council’s International Women’s Day function at Bonnie Doon Golf Course on March 10 2023. I attended the 100 year celebration of the Sans Souci Institute on July 8 2023; former Councillor Brian Peacock, a Fifth Ward Councillor, did the honours and cut the birthday cake. I missed the Ron Rathbone Local History award presentation on September 2 2023, the first I have possibly missed since its introduction in 2006.
I am a member of the Executive of St George Historical Society and now serve as one of its 3 representatives on Council’s Lydham Hall Committee.
Teddy and I appeared on the front page of the St George Leader on June 7 2023. The article was in relation to the loss of green space between Kogarah High and St George Girls High School. I was wearing my red alpaca jumper; red socks from Lindner in Crookwell a Teddy had a red lead.
REUNIONS
The 1988 girls held a 35 year reunion at Kogarah Pub on August 12 2023. I attended for a couple of hours-it was the year of Penny Farrow, Michelle Gaigus and Jaqui Ormer. The 1983 girls held a 40 year reunion at the Paragon Hotel in the City on November 18, 2023. I had attended their 10th, 20th and 30th reunions. Sadly, my feet problem ruled me out of attending anniversary no 40. I sent Caryl Wiggins a speech to read out on the night. The girls sent me a lovely Get Well card with messages inside it.
I had lunch at Gymea Tradies on April 11 2023 with Jemma Payne. Jemma was in my Year 11 Legal Studies class in 2011.i was delighted to hear of her progress in the Canberra, and to hear of her academic studies in Economics. Jemma and i will catch up again over the Xmas period.
I had lunch in Bruchettas Café, Rockdale on May 19 2023, and saw my former Head of Department, Wes Melville having a coffee. Mrs Hatton , Mrs Hodge , Mrs Phillips , Mrs Collins (teachers aid) and myself lunched at Gymea Tradies on June 29 2023.
LUNCHES
Various lunches with friends took place throughout the year at The Clubhouse , Kogarah ; The Laughing Goat , Kogarah ; Oatley RSL; Gymea Tradies ; 500 Café, Kogarah , St George Motor Boat Club , Sans Souci and Parea, Kogarah
PLAYS
I attended “Cinderella” on January 24 2023 at the Lyric Theatre, at the Casino. And a Lecture at Customs House on March 8 2023. This event was organised by the National Trust.
I saw “Julia” at the Drama Theatre on April 10 2023 ; “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Ros Packer Theatre on October 14 2023 but will miss The Dictionary of Lost Words on December 15 2023 at the Drama Theatre.
ODDS AND ENDS
On August 20 2023, at 230pm i attended a course titled “Secrets of Book Design” at Hurstville Museum. In November. I am supporting a new koala- a joey at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. Roto Jaz whose mum is Wauchope Jade and dad is Ruins Ray Baz. December 1 2023, we again held our popular street Xmas party. We were sadly less one neighbour. On November 2 2023, Paul and his wife, Sue walked the grandchildren to the park, at the top of my street. He told his wife that “he did not feel well “and then lay down on the grass. Paul then had a massive heart attack and died in the park. He was only 70.
TEDDY
On December 15 2023 Teddy will have been with me for 3 years. And what an adventurous 3 years it has been. He has loosened up and has become very affectionate. I get an affectionate kiss on the ear now! And Teddy loves his tummy rubs. He was walked for a number of weeks in August/September / October with a neighbouring Cavoodle. Each afternoon they would greet each other on my driveway with a kiss. It was lovely to watch this affection happening!
Teddy has been such wonderful company over the past 3years. He is a social butterfly too, as he loves going to doggy friendly cafes and meeting people on our travels.
On Tuesday night December 12 2023 Teddy had to visit the vet .He walked in and went straight to where the treats are kept. He sat and eyed the vet nurse, and then the treats. He moved only when the vet nurse relented and gave him some treats. Those people waiting in the clinic had a laugh at my boy’s behaviour. That is my wonderful Mr Personality!
OPERATION
The year was moving on, and my pain levels were increasing .My white cell count had dropped, so my planned operation date was postponed from November 8 2022 to November 22 2023. I would have danced into the operating theatre if i could have done so. My surgeon was a former Olympian for Germany on 3 occasions in Hockey -winning gold at Barcelona Olympics – an interesting man
A special thankyou to the kind friend, Peter who took me to medical appointments. They were usually followed by a lovely coffee at Sweet Marie’s café in Carlton and a thank you to the other Peter who drove me to appointments at St George Private. And after my operation , a very special thankyou to an angel, who has done my shopping , vacuumed, collected my mail , walked Teddy, put the garbage out , collected books from Bayside Library for me to read, amongst countless other chores . I see my specialist again on Thursday December 21 2023. It has been a very difficult time with effectively only one foot! And having to elevate, elevate and elevate!
NEXT YEAR
I will be having one of those “special 0 birthdays “early next year. I am planning a trip on a Cunard cruise to celebrate. And I am looking forward to putting my Speedos on and getting back into the pool again. My first guest talk for the year is scheduled for mid- February to the First Fleeters Association, Botany Bay. Graham, a fellow racing historian believes that i need to be fit again to join the Kogarah Ladies Football team! I would however like to return to Scottish Country Dancing classes.
Best wishes to you and your family for the festive Season and a healthy 2024.
Anne
