 |
KEVIN 07 RUDD is in danger of being a one term wonder as a Prime Minister unless he starts to wake up along with the growing number of people who are realising the fallacy of so called Global Warming and man made Climate Change. We’re all getting a little weary of the rhetoric of “working families” whatever that means and caring for our children and grandchildren jargon. What about looking after the Now generation, especially the mentally ill and the elderly and carers and confine the dangerous gas emissions to the hot air chambers of the parliamentary bunker in Canberra where they rightfully belong. MOTHER’S DAY was last Sunday and I hope all our Mums had a wonderful day. I was fortunate enough to travel up to Cardiff way just out of Newcastle to spend the day with my Auntie Doll (Doreen Green) the last remaining sister of my Mum (Renee Gladys Buckland Booth). Doll is the twin sister of Gwen Lovett who lived at Ryde and Denistone East with hubby Gordon Lovett and they were the grandparents of my Goddaughter Amanda Kate Lovett who celebrates a birthday this Saturday. Earlier in the week I was also blessed to have my Auntie Ella (Booth) Norris in town who is the last remaining sister of my father Arthur John Booth. She was down from the family home town of Grenfell with her nephew and my cousin Ron Booth who celebrated his birthday last Tuesday in town. They stayed with another cousin Ralph Barnes at Earl Street Boronia Park so we had quite a family reunion with my sister Patricia Pat Gilkes her daughter Gina Maxted and her three offspring Michael, Rebecca and Hayley who also celebrated her tenth birthday last Tuesday plus a party at cousin Jan Andrews at Cheltenham. * * * QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY weekend I’m planning to make a return trip to the Booth family hometown of Grenfell and pay respects to my father’s elder brother Henry “Sonny” Booth who appears on the town’s war memorial alongside my Dad and their brother-in-law Bill Gibbs, husband of their eldest sister Bertha. It will the 90th anniversary of the death of “Sonny” at VillersBrettoneux where Dad also served. Bill Gibbs also was killed in action soon after the son he never saw was born in Sydney. Auntie Ella now nearing 95 said she can still vividly remember how sad the family was at the time they received the terrible news of their loved ones. Any wonder Dad never talked about the war. * * * HENRY LAWSON Festival is held in Grenfell over the Queen’s Birthday weekend at the time of our visit and features reading Lawson around the Boree Log at sunrise in Henry Lawson Park opposite cousin Ron’s house. That’s fine. But one of the events I really enjoy a little out of town is the running of the World Championship Guinea Pig Races where they have the TIB – Totally Illegal Betting! * * * DREEN MORTIMER heads the Birthday Honours List this week celebrating today and hard on her heels tomorrow is Edward Coggan son of Steve and the late Trish and younger brother of Alice Louise who turns eleven down Canberra way. Also tomorrow it’s the turn of Jatsinder (Jat) Sahota Singh hubby of my youngest niece Amber in London town. Paul Sironen of Balmain Tigers and Krispy Kreme donuts fame and East Ryde resident blows out the candles on Friday and is teamed up with Cameron Russell son of Dennis and Glenys, Charles Waddy and Marina Eng. Saturday is another special day for another of my special beautiful Goddaughters Amanda Kate Lovett who will blow out a quarter of a century of candles on her birthday cake. It will also be the 94th anniversary of Jack Irvine but must confess I haven’t seen him around for some time. Bill Coleman who turns 84 on Sunday is still scooting about but I haven’t seen him as much in recent time since the demolition of Top Ryde Shopping Centre. He shares the day with John Dodd who turns a young 52. John (Jan, Jon take-your-pick) Smolders should be in good voice Tuesday to sing Happy Birthday to himself and trust he is in good health and spirit. He was a guest artist at our last year’s TWT Rotary Community Christmas Carols Spectacular in North Ryde Common. This year’s Carols Spectacular will be Sunday December 7 a week earlier than usual and the day after our TWT Gladesville Christmas Festival Grand Parade and Fair. Happy daze all. * * * BUMPER STICKER: LIFE is what Happens when you are Making Plans! Keep
Smiling! |