Kogarah 2217
NSW
Australia
annefield.net.au
annefield author.com
December 2014
Dear Relatives and Friends,
Another year has gone by all too quickly. My annual update has again been written . Retirement is simply not part of my schedule ……..
January 4-7 2014 I returned to Newcastle with my girlfriend, Maria to celebrate my birthday at a wonderful location – Surfhouse Restaurant , Merewether Beach . January 10-11, 2014 I was in Wollongong for a birthday dinner with Rob and Karen, Harold’s daughter.
On January 21, 2014 I was photographed in French Lane, Kogarah for an article in the St George Leader newspaper .I featured with an ex- Moorefield Racecourse track work rider, and an ex -female horse trainer in front of one of the only remaining Moorefield Racecourse stables . The article featured in the St George Leader on February 4, 2014 and on February 18, 2014 in the Shire edition of the Leader .At the end of January, I sorted out copyright issues with Gregorys Publishing, in relation to some old maps of Moorefield Racecourse.
On February 2, 2014 Megan and Patricia took me to breakfast in a Rockdale café for my birthday. February 5, 2014 I caught up with Alf Leslie at Kogarah Golf Club. I took some of my display boards on Moorefield Racecourse to show Alf and his fellow golfers.
My uncle, Keith Field died in Perth on February 9, 2014. I flew to Perth on February 17, 2014 for the February 19,2014 funeral . Marietta, my beautiful tri -Cavalier King Charles Spaniel died on February 20, 2014 aged 13. I had to return from Perth to bury my beautiful girl, who had been with me since late 2008.
On February 22,2014 I attended the 1994 St George Girls High School girls 20 year reunion at the Como Hotel . Anna, the 1994 school captain is completing a Heritage degree in Canberra; we have remained in contact.
During March, I worked on my Griffith House Report. I planned to submit this, along with the Save Heritage Documents to the National Trust Heritage Week Awards. These were to be announced in May . On March 3, 2014 my two new Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs, Lizzie and James arrived. I soon learned what a bundle of mischief Lizzie was, so her name quickly became Lizzie Mayhem. If you read the articles on my website annefield.net.au you will appreciate the enormity of her mischievious deeds. James is a gentle dog –I call him Gentleman James.
On March 5, 2014, I attended an author talk by Chris Muir at Kogarah Library. Chris kindly checked my You Tube, Anne’s Adventure, and convinced me to turn it into an e- book .On March 7, 2017 the stables in Chuter Avenue , Ramsgate were photographed by Rockdale City Council’s Local History Librarian, as well as myself. March 17, 2014 Maree and I attended a St Patricks Night function at Asquith Leagues Club.
On March 10, 2014 I was invited to do 4 guest talks at the Benevolent Society, Bexley. Two talks were scheduled to be on Moorefield Racecourse, on May 13 and June 4, 2014; the two other talks were on my Bottle Overboard , and were scheduled for July 2 and 3, 2014.
Patricia and I, attended on March 26, 2014 “British Birds Beasts and Bards’ in the Great Hall,Sydney University . March 30, I caught up with Loraine at Hazelhurst Art Gallery. On April 1, 2014 Kristina, my real estate agent friend, and I caught up for lunch at St George Leagues Club.
On April 17, 2014 my Uncle, Jack celebrated his 93 birthday. He is now the longest living Field; my Dad died at 92.5 years of age in 2007.
Professor Richard Herrmann, grandson of Peter Herrmann, who built Griffith House, St George Hospital campus, contacted me in a surprise email from Perth in mid- April 2014. Professor Herrmann will be given an electronic copy of my National Trust Report.
On May 2, 2014 I attended the Pontificial Mass for Barry O’ Keefe AM QC GCSG at St Marys Cathedral , Sydney. I had met Barry on a number of occasions. He presented me with a National Trust Medal at the National Trust AGM, on November 21,1998,to recognise my contribution to heritage. I wrote to him on many occasions in relation to local heritage matters. Whilst Barry had achieved so much in his life time, he was always a humble man.
On May 15, 2014 I gained a new nickname, Miss Hoity Toity. A Kogarah medical specialist gave me this nickname in front of a former school captain; coincidentally, she had an appointment prior to mine.
It was one year on May 16, 2014 since my flight to London –my wonderful trip is now only memories. On May 17, 2014 I watched on TV the FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Hull City .I have long been an Arsenal fan..
On May 14, 2014, I attended the Heritage Week National Trust Awards at Doltone House,Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont with a resident and the heritage consultant we used for Griffith House. I presented the Griffith House Report to Rockdale Council ,at the June 4, 2014 Council Meeting ; a presentation was made to the Local History Librarian, Kogarah Council with residents present on June 10, 2014 ; and a presentation to Hurstville City Council on July 2,2014 at a Council Meeting.
On May 27 and 28, 2014, I was in Newcastle and stayed in Honeysuckle . On May 28, 2014 I had lunch with Bonnie, my friend of 50 years .Bonnie had travelled from Inverell to see her son ,who lives in Newcastle. We enjoyed the day together taking a tour of Newcastle, and then had lunch at a lovely restaurant facing Newcastle Harbour .I had dinner on Tuesday night with Wendy , the wife of a former Lord Mayor . On May29,2014 I returned to Sydney, by train, and had lunch with a Member of Parliament in the Parliamentary Dining Room , Parliament House ,Sydney .
On May 31,2014 Maria and I travelled by car to Canberra . We had dinner that night at the Crowne Plaza with Kathryn and Anna, an ex school captain. Sunday morning,I swam in the Olympic Pool . Maria and I visited the National Portrait Gallery,old Parliament House , did a tour of the new Parliament House , attended Mass at Manuka , and had dinner in Manuka after Mass. A very busy day ! Monday morning we left Canberra for Sydney, having had a busy weekend.
On June 11, 2014 I had been invited by St George and Sutherland Clinical School (NSW UNI ) to be the community representative to judge the Postgraduate Thesis presentations at St George Hospital. An interesting night.
June 14, 2014 Tricia and I attended Rosehill Races .Nan ,Ken and I attended a luncheon at Canterbury Racecourse on July 23 ,2014. I gave a talk on Moorefield Racecourse to St George Toastmasters at St George Tafe, on the evening of July 23, 2014.
By the end of June, I had a new website annefieldauthor.com . to cater for my future writing . My initial website ,annefield.net.au was modernised in mid -February ,and moved to a new server in mid -August 2014.
By the end of January,2014, my web site had been viewed in 40 countries; mid -June 67 countries; mid- July 74 countries; early August , 79 countries; the end of October, 88 countries ; and by the end of November , 92 countries. There are 196 countries in the world, so I am optimistic of hopefully reaching half the world very soon! My You Tube on my Bottle Overboard reached 1,000 views on December 9,2013; on December 1, 2014 it had reached 1629 views.
Late June, July and early August were a feast of sporting events with the World Cup in Brazil and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. I particularly enjoyed some of the football matches.
July 27 and 28, 2014 I was in Coffs Harbour.Whilst there, I caught up with the grandson of a Moorefield Racecourse horse trainer. Bob Mead. His grandson showed me his archives ad copied quite a few items for me.
At the end of August, I decided to join Toastmasters . I welcome the opportunity to learn more public speaking skills.
I attended the Ron Rathbone Local History Competition Presentation on September 6 , 2014 at Rockdale City Council . I gained a mention in one of the entries from a Sydney Technical High School student . His topic was “The Political Trials and Tribulations of Rockdale City: a History”.
September 17, 2014 I attended Fox Studios , Moore Park to try out for a non- speaking part in the movie ”Truth” . Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford were the big stars in this movie. It was an interesting experience. I was phoned on October 27 and November 28,2014 for possible work, but had to decline due to other commitments. I am still on file –next movie, roll on.
On October 11,201 I attended the Hurstville Discovery Writers presentation in Hurstville Library . I had submitted an entry titled, Miss HoityToity , which was on nicknames. I gave the specialist, who gave me this nick name, a copy of my written work.
Harold’s Memorial Award was presented on October 18, 2014 by his daughter, Karen .The award went to a young man, who has been awarded a Youth Scholarship at Central Coast Mariners .Harold would have been so delighted with this outcome.
October 31- November 7, 2014, I was a patient in St George Private Hospital .I watched the commemoration ceremony on November 1, 2014 in Albany , Western Australia from my hospital bed. This event acknowledged the AIF sailing into King George Sound, Albany, before they left for the battlefields of World War One . I sailed from Albany on April 19, 2012, on my journey into the Southern Ocean to put my “ bottle overboard”. King George Sound is simply stunning, and it will forever stay in my memory.
Sadly, I missed my Melbourne Cup day luncheon .My TAB bets were dutifully and speedily delivered to my hospital bed by a friend ! I also watched Gough Whitlam’s Memorial Service from my hospital bed .The quality of the various presentations, and the content of the speeches, were excellent.
My neurosurgeon met his match with me. In the operating theatre on November 6 ,2014, he nicknamed me “ The Professor “. The good doctor had previously told me that “he wished he could speak as eloquently as I do, and he wished that he could write as well as I do “.
November 8, 2014 I attended the 1984 St George Girls 30 year Reunion at the Georges River Sailing Club. I recognised so many of the girls. Sadly, 6 girls from this year were deceased, largely from cancer .
I was invited to join St George /Sutherland Eisteddfod Committee, Speech and Drama on November 15,2014. It will be an interesting Committee of 7 people; a playwright will also serve on the Committee, and the Committee will have access to a high profile entertainment lawyer.
On December 3, 2014 I attended an author talk by a friend,Gabriella at Kogarah Library . I watched Sydney Football Club play Perth Glory on December 4,2014 and will watch a few more SFC matches in the future. They are playing good football under their new coach, Graham Arnold.
Lillian and I enjoyed a lovely afternoon at Rosehill Races on December 6, 2014.
I have continued to swim during the year –the speedos ,swimming cap and the goggles get a good work out .Previously, I fractured a bone in my back in 2004; my recent injury will also benefit from swimming.
I have completed Moorefield Racecourse work this year . I will, at the beginning of 2015, return to my draft ten chapters .I am delighted that progress has been made. My Moorefield Racecourse Speeches on my websites are being read in a number of countries around the world. I maintain a tracker on my site.
I plan, in 2015, to finish a draft on Moorefield Racecourse, have my electronic book on Bottle Overboard published on Amazon and a children’s book started. A very creative and productive year is planned.
I hope that you have had a good year, and I wish you good health and happiness for 2015. Seasons Greetings.
Anne
