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CARDINAL GEORGE Pell Catholic Archbishop of Sydney was in good form when addressing the school students at last Sunday’s blessing, dedication and official opening of the new and refurbished class rooms at St Kevin’s Primary School Eastwood. He was able to converse at their level and keep them interested in proceedings while proceeding with the business on hand. Official party apart from the Cardinal and parish priest Monsignor John Lyne comprised Bennelong Federal MP Maxine McKew, Catholic Education Office Regional Director Frank Malloy, Regional Consultant Elizabeth O’Carrigan, Principal Mary Farrell, Assistant Principal Brian Story and parish representative Leo Hart. Also present after previous engagements were Ryde Mayor Clr Vic Tagg, Epping MP Greg Smith and Ryde MP Victor Dominello, all good Catholic boys. Students joined Cardinal Pell in prayers of intercession, namely William Badaoui, Isabella Laguzza, Matthew Darmenia, Liam Ryan, Sophia Azize and Gabriella Mfula while James Holloway, Rebecca Nichelsen and Antoine Kandalaft supported Monsignor Lyne in reply of thanks. * * * LIGHT HEARTED moment occurred at the plaque unveiling ceremony when Cardinal Pell pulled the strings only to reveal no plaque! A somewhat embarrassed Principal made a quick dash and the ceremony was repeated, successfully. A good humoured Cardinal announced the first time was just a practice run. Nice to know some of us are not infallible. * * * NORTH RYDE Communi- ty Bank Bendigo branch annual general meeting of shareholders is next Tuesday November 25 at 10.30am in the Holy Spirit Church hall Cox’s Road North Ryde. The Bank is expected to declare its first dividend to shareholders who have invested in the venture to get it up and running and to announce its first community grants package to local charity groups or sporting organisations. Inquiries Bank manager Pat Italiano 9878 5559. * * * GLADESVILLE RYDE & Hunters Hill Branch of Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association Christmas Luncheon is this Monday November 24 at 12 noon at Gladesville Sporties Club. I expect to see patron and former Ryde Mayor Jim Hull OAM there. Inquiries president Harold Parneby 9808 6649. * * * VICTOR DOMINELLO the new State MP for Ryde will be guest speaker at Ryde Business Forum’s Breakfast Briefing meeting this morning at North Ryde Golf Club. RBF inquiries to Sabrina Ferguson 9807 4999. * * * ROYAL REHABILITATION Foundation will be launched tomorrow night (Thursday November 20) in the Todman Hall at Weemala Building at Ryde’s Royal Rehabilitation Centre. Rehab CEO Stephen Lowndes says donations to the Foundation will be used to develop and expand the centre’s long-term and “slow to recover” home and community based programs across the State. Funds raised will also assist in the purchase of expensive rehabilitation aids and equipment and support on-going research into best practice rehabilitation models for people with acquired disability to enable them to achieve their personal goals and maximise their abilities. * * * RYDE AQUATIC Festival Presentation Dinner was at Gladesville Sporties Club Monday night in conjunction with Gladesville Rotary Club. Dragon boat race winners were awarded and co-sponsors were honoured. Next year’s Ryde Aquatic Festival is Sunday September 13. Note the date now. * * * NORTH RYDE Macquarie Park Chamber of Commerce in co-operation with Ryde Chamber of Commerce yesterday visited Macquarie University train station to see at first hand the facilities when the long awaited Epping to Chatswood rail link is operating expected now for early next year. Members were impressed with the station but will be much more impressed when they see the first actual train arrive. A bit like “Yes Minister” the station is grand, but we don’t want it spoilt with all those messy trains and passengers! * * * MICKEY MOUSE should top this week’s Birthday Honours List turning a ripe 80 and sharing in number with Shirley Miriam Geddes of Tennyson Point. Miriam celebrated at home with all her family and friends from far and wide invited by the children and number one son Christopher turned up just in time from Kiwiland where he now mainly resides and where his Mum was born and a surprise visitor Elisabeth Daniel from Germany especially for the occasion. Sharing this week’s top Birthday Honours today is my niece and Goddaughter Debbie Booth Reynolds number one daughter of my twin brother Peter and his child bride Maggie and blowing out the numerous candles on her birthday cake in the ACT with hubby Graham and daughters Eva and Zoe. Also today Joe and Anne Bolton of Ryde share birthdays with Tom C Redshaw originally of Ryde and Michelle Louise Lutz. Robert
Erskine of Rotary fame blows out the candles on his cake tomorrow
Thursday same day as Daniel Patrick Power turns seven. Peter Graham OAM former mayor of Ryde turns 65 Saturday and just about qualifies for feet up with his lovely Betsy while Anite Blote turns 27 and journo and author Toni McRae starts a new chapter. Theodorus Eckhard Blote turns four on Sunday and Martin Aston reaches the grand age of 65 on Monday. Also Monday it’s a record 24 years wedded bliss for Margaret and Frank Hodgekiss. Tuesday November 25 is a busy birthday date with Tom Kerr of auto fame, Rob Mitchell knocking up 64, Christoffer Messmann Nielsen turning 15 in Denmark as the pride and joy of grandparents Kiss and Erik Mess-mann, Donald Keith Turner formerly of North Road Ryde and my favourite nephew Timothy Michael Gilkes son and heir of my favourite sister Patricia Pat Gilkes. Cousin and namesake John Peter Lovett celebrates Wednesday same day as Epping MP Greg Smith and wedding anniversary of Harry and Patricia B`ell who wed in 1955. Happy daze all. * * * BUMPER STICKER: I’m Not Incompetent. I’m a Night Person with a Day Job! * * * Keep
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