Reflection
I don’t tend to analyse my own life too much. Whatever will be, will be. I try to plan ahead, but mostly take things as they come.
On reflection though, the last six months have probably been the toughest I’ve experienced.
The news of Dad’s terminal cancer just under a year ago knocked me around. Read more
Tributes to Peter Gorey
Dad’s funeral was held today in Traralgon. Although he had been a very private person for the past 10 years there was quite a big attendance.
Dad believed in God, but not in organised religion, so there was a civil celebrant. I thought it was a tasteful, moving service and others told me afterwards they thought the same.
The coffin was draped in the Australian flag under new rules to recognise National Servicemen. Dad completed his training in the 1950s and rose to the rank of sergeant. Read more
Peter Gorey: 1935-2008
Dad passed away last night about 11.40pm. It was a merciful end to a painful illness — one which had worsened greatly over the past fortnight.
I’ll be giving one of the eulogies at Dad’s funeral on Tuesday, and will compose my thoughts better over the next few days. Read more
First video
This is a short video I made with the Xacti camera just before we left Kalgoorlie. It’s Jim and Maggie performing a very disjointed version of Ba Ba Blacksheep.
I tried to film Princess the pup tonight, but it came out pretty dark and there was a lot of background noise.
I’ve got a lot to learn about using this camera. it should be fun though, if I can find the time.
We have a puppy
We picked up a new puppy today, an eight-week-old black Maltese-Schitzu cross called Princess. She is pictured here with Maggie, aged 4.
Visit this post to see Maggie as a baby with Snowy, our former dog, also a Maltese-Schitzu cross.
We didn’t think Snowy would enjoy the heat in Kalgoorlie and weren’t sure how to transport him there, so gave him away to a loving home.
The way Princess is being doted on so far we expect the kids will have a lot of fun with her and the puppy will have fun too.
Gippsland by-election
I hope Darren Chester wins the Gippsland by-election. The seat has always been held by the Country Party/Nationals and until such time as they self destruct I hope that continues.
There is a demonstrated need, in my view, for an independent country party. That’s why I’m both encouraged and discouraged by this week’s decision on the single desk wheat bill, where the Nationals stood alone.
Some said they should speak out more often, while others said they would be irrelevant if they did so. I take the former view, which I think is sadly in the minority. The Nationals should quit the coalition in opposition and forget the merger talk. Read more
Arrival in Mount Gambier
We now feel that we have arrived properly in Mount Gambier. The previous stopover to unload was brief and included a night without power.
In between times we drove another 1200km to visit my parents. Dad was at home, and pleased to see us, but obviously unwell.
We just heard he was admitted to hospital again today, so it was nice and lucky to spend some time with him in the home environment instead.
Some random observations from the trip in no particular order:
- Traralgon is bigger every time I go there.
- There are a lot of Africans in the Latrobe Valley now. I can’t recall any when I was growing up there in the 70s.
- I drove on the new Pakenham bypass for the first time.
- It’s 580km from Mount Gambier to Moe. The journey took six and a half hours with one stop.
- There is no sign between Mount Gambier and Hamilton on the South Australian side to mark the state border.
Arrived in Mount Gambier
We arrived in Mount Gambier on Thursday afternoon after driving more than 600km from Moonta.
I picked up the house keys and everyone was excited to look around. Unfortunately the power wasn’t connected. The fuse box is inside the house and despite us arranging to have it turned off by the real estate agent, the power company failed to connect.
We made an adventure of it, got the wood fire burning and slept in the lounge room. Read more
Farewell Kalgoorlie
I’m feeling rather sentimental to be leaving Kalgoorlie after two and a half years. Farewell drinks were enjoyed last night. Juliet and I then had a wonderful dinner with my current and former deputy editors and their partners.
The Kalgoorlie Miner staff today presented me with a mock front page (see below) as a parting gift. It was clever and thoughtful.
I have no regrets about coming here and no regrets about leaving. It’s been a wonderful experience and a fantastic new time beckons.
PS: Comments here will be held for moderation until I have regular computer access. To fellow bloggers, sorry I can’t visit your sites much over the next couple of weeks. Read more
Leaving Kalgoorlie
It’s starting to sink in now that we’ll be leaving Kalgoorlie soon to start a new life in Mount Gambier, South Australia.
I haven’t written much about it so far because everything has been up in the air regarding Dad’s health. He has pancreatic cancer and his condition has deteriorated in the past week.
I obtained agreement from my employer today to finish at the Kalgoorlie Miner a little earlier than planned, next Friday, May 23. That’s eight weeks after I gave notice. Read more
Recent comments
- Sue: mmmmmm… *drool* Tim Taaaammmmmsssss Heaven in a rectangle. Sues most recent article …Accents to...
- Michael: Congratulations Sue. That was the 1000th comment on this site. You win a Tim Tam.
- Sue: One more reason to love your country… awesome plate! Sues most recent article …Feeling Disconnected
- Angela Aguilar: READ CAREFULLY Hi to all, My name is angela and im one of the reservation of TIMESHARE here in the...
- Stephan Miller: Cool. I have tried so many ways around the javascript in post issue. I went as far as using an ad...
Links
Random posts
Archives
Useful stuff
