True Friends

I was reminded of true and deep friendship recently. A long term friend - Graham turned 60 a few weeks back and we flew to Melbourne to help him celebrate with his wife and 2 other close friends. Saw a show on Friday night preceded by a fantastic Chinese meal in the heart of Melbourne. Drove to Healesville on Saturday morning. Fabulous dinner, watched Black Caviar win at Ascot (just) and spent the rest of the weekend chatting and enjoying each others company.

Now...we've all known each other for 20 years and conversations are always easy with everything from Buddhist philosophies through to Collingwood's great form. World problems are solved, and a few first class wines imbibed.

And Graham and I wandered into Healesville at lunchtime on Monday for a coffee while the womenfolk shopped (oh...the pain of stereotype!) and I realized we'd all seen lots of challenges...and good times. The Black Saturday fires nearly took our friend's lives, and came within a whisker of destroying their home. Marriage break downs. Financial issues. Serious health scares. Wonderful holidays together. Children, (and not). Deaths. Job losses. Jobs gained.

I didn't mention for a long time we all lived in different states.

There is one thing in common. We are there to support each other no matter what...

We see each other perhaps 2 or 3 times each year. A snapshot on life, we move on and look forward to the next great get together.

True friendship.

Congratulations Jason and Chantelle & a conflict of sorts

Jason Capelo and his now wife, Chantelle had their nuptials on the Gold Coast over the weekend. Eighteen months in the planning and apart from a few nerves for the bride and groom, it was a very agreeable day. Julie and I tacked on a few extra days either side, and flying home I had time to reflect on the short trip away.

Kirra Beach was pumping yesterday and it was wonderfully energizing watching a bunch of black wetsuited surfers ride 4m waves far off the beach. I was quietly transported back to my twenties when in a fit of 'you only live oncesies' a few mates and I braved similar swells to ride one wave after sitting terrified out the back for 45 minutes. Set after set tested by underwater breathing with a few brave attempts to ride a soggy monster thrown in.

Then...the right wave came along.

It felt like that wave caught me and I was atop a watery cliff looking down to a painful wipeout. But my legs worked, the board bolted down the face and whatever fear I had was replaced with utter exhilaration.

I'm sure the wave lasted a lot less time than I recall, however I rode along the best part of Greenmount Beach, from 100m off Greenmount Point and even dropped onto my belly on the board to take the wash all the way to the beach. I didn't know what a Bucket List was way back then but I know now...and one item has been ticked off.

Wow!

A few hours earlier I was reminded how smart phones have invaded our conversations.

I flatten my iPhone battery every day...so I guess I'm not in a position to preach.

But...I was sitting reading a paper on my own at a coffee shop and looked up to see everyone seated around me with a smart phone to their ear or typing away, regardless of whom they were with.

Sad really...

Owning a business can be a little like the conflict I felt yesterday. Omni-present technology is all around us...and it enabled me to keep in contact with my team whilst away (and sell three properties!).

That day in my twenties had a few important components too.

A Goal (to get out the back and ride the wave of my life)
Fear (of spectacular failure)
And the exhilaration of accomplishment

What about your bucket list? What are you going to do today to keep balance in your life? What are your goals?

Ted Hanson (out and about!)

Congratulations Harold - Happy 80th!

Harold Hanson is a man who is sharp and perceptive, and a man whose intellect has not lessened with age.
He was the founding partner of a Wollongong legal firm that still bears his name, and his CV is nothing short of impressive....
Harold has been an Independent Alderman of Wollongong City Council, a Chairman of Tourism Wollongong, a Board Member of Tourism NSW, a Director of the Illawarra Mutual Building Society, The Foundatin Chairman of the Wollongong City Art Gallery, and a Chairman of the University of Wollongong Foundation, not to mention his voluntary involvement in many community organisations. In today's society, it is refreshing that a man who has left such an indelible mark on Wollongong clearly holds charity and public service in such high regard. It is hard to imagine many other people, ageless or not, who could have contributed as much to the community as Harold Hanson. A distinguished gentleman, a remarkable  career...Congratulations Harold and enjoy your day!

Time to move on

Former Wollongong Hospital medical superintendent Dr Ian Dixon and his wife Joy are soon to bid farewell to the Keiraville digs they've called home for 41 years.
"We are well and truly in the down-sizers age group but we've been putting off leaving for the last 10 years bacause we love this house so much," says Mrs Dixon.
Located on the northern side of the hill at 22 Keira Mine Road, the house resounds with memories of the past 4 decades where the Dixons raised two daughters now 39 and 36.
For most of his working life, Dr Dixon worked in Wollongong and in 1972 received an Order of the British Empire medal for services to medicine.
The Dixon's are very much village people and don't stray too far from home these days.
"We love the way the shops in Keiraville and Gwynneville have developed - we've got everything from hairdressers (same one for 38 years) to a range on cafes," says Mrs Dixon.
And the views? "We have always been able to see the sea but now there are layers to the view with the green belt of trees and the high-rise of North Wollongong," says Mrs Dixon.
The blonde brick home has three bedrooms, a study, a large upstairs deck and an outdoor entertaining area.
The garden includes a rare Illawarra cedar which BHP gave out to residents 35 years ago. The Dixon's, through agent Jason Capelo from Southern Estates, are asking $639,000.
Illawarra Mercury Saturday 11 February 2012

Marie the Champ

Marie has just returned from her very successful Oceania Masters Althletics meet in Tauranga, New Zealand. She entered 10 events and won all 10! PLUS 6 Oceania records. Is there anything this girl can't excel at?!





Results:

60 m (Oceania Record),

100m

200m (Oceania Record)

400m

80m Hurdles (Oceania Record)

300m Hurdles (Oceania Record)

Long Jump (Oceania Record)

High Jump (Oceania Record)

Shot Put

4 X 100m Relay.

What Marie does in her spare time!

Marie out in front again.

Our in-house Champion Marie Kay is off to New Zealand this weekend to compete in the Oceania Masters Athletics Championships. 
Marie has entered High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, 60m,100m,200m,400m, 80m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles and hopefully will be selected in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. 
We wish you all our best Marie for a safe, happy and successful meet.

Burrawang - Best NSW Pub!

Julie and I are great mates with the owners of Burrawang Pub. Last night at the SMH Good Pub Food Guide Awards they won Best Country Pub AND best Overall Pub for NSW. We couldn't think of a more deserving reward for the incredible hard work and dedication they offer to the responsible drinking public. I recall back in the early 90's, Ed and Julie were looking for a run down pub they could weave their magic around and they certainly found it in the little village of Burrawang. Having done their time in various ownership and managerial roles in Jerilderie and Wollongong, they felt it was time to capitalise on their skills and experience. They took over at Burrawang in January 1993 and they were greeted within a couple of days of ownership with a huge hail storm that smashed most of the south facing windows and stripped all the wonderful trees of their leaves. Welcome to your new home! I've watched the long hours and tasteful evolution of the Burrawang Pub into its award winning persona over the past 19 years. And in fact Julie and I were married in the grounds of the pub in 2008.
Congratulations to Ed, Julie, Peter and all the team at Burrawang Pub.