Last week Kingy (BFK) had a fall in the family home and fractured his femur. At first it was suspected that his hip had broken and there was some doubt as to whether he was in a good enough condition to withstand that op. Once the broken femur was identified it was rectified and when I saw him he was convalescing in Hervey Bay Hospital. He was expected to be moved to Maryborough Base hospital either yesterday or today. We will have to wait and see when he comes home. He seemed cheerful enough when we visited but obviously in pain when he moves.

I was a little disappointed at first at the number of attendees, but as the weekend progressed that sense of disappointment was replaced by an appreciation of those that did attend and the obvious camaraderie that still exists amongst those members who could and did attend.

Dennis and JO Quinn turned up but a week earlier than the rest of us which was a bit disappointing for both them and us, as we missed their happy input.

Bloo Dennis travels with a dog and as a result camped at Sapphire Beach, a dog friendly camp-site a couple of K’s out side of Coffs, and we set up camp with him. On the 18th Patsy, Bloo and I attempted to enter the Park Beach Bowls Club, only to be refused entry because Patsy’s photo ID on her licence was not available (long story) and as a result missed out on seeing the Quinns, Pom and the England’s. Instead we headed off to the Coffs RSL for their Long Tan service. A pleasant service which included drinks and finger food after. Bloo met up with an old mate from his days at Byfield, and we finished the day chatting with an ex submariner who served with Patsy’s nephew and a RAAF bloke with a very impressive service dog.

Comes Friday, we attempted to get into the Bowls Club one more time, coming across a slightly less aggressive receptionist on this attempt, and were met by Pommy Adcock sitting alone in the club. Over a period of time we were joined by Brian and Yvonne England, Des and Margaret Ralph, Bob and Adriana Wilson and Pommy and Jenny Hallam. A few phone call apologies were received from members who had planned on attending and couldn’t make it, and so the pattern for the weekend was set. During that first evening at the club, we came across Jim Gorman (ex president of the club, now 92) and a number of other bowling club members recognised us as members of 87 (Ken’s mob) and passed on their condolences. Sorry Margaret, but I don’t recall all the names, just realise that a lot of the locals passed on their respects to Ken.

Discussions amongst those attending were tossed around re whether we keep holding reunions over the next few years, and if so how often and where, and what type of format. After a few deep discussions and one or two drinks we decided to put forward a few suggestions for everyone to consider.

1. Should we change the date of our get together to a warmer all round season, say remembrance day 11 November 2023, a time when most destinations are enjoying a reasonable climate? (This would allow Jenny Morcom to enjoy her birthday with family!)

2. Seymour in Vic. has been suggested as a possible site, with it’s memorial wall, proximity to Puckapunyal, where it all started and it’s accessibility being on the main Sydney-Melbourne rail line. Having just gone through our Unit Roll, looking at who is still with us, who is in a fit condition to travel and where the majority of our remaining members live, the Southern states seem the obvious choice and by November most of the Southerners will be back home again anyway.

We would be most interested to hear any ideas anyone has. We don’t need to have any formal type of dinner function, merely a simple get together at a local establishment with each member covering their own costs. Our current President Des has graciously volunteered to do some local leg work if the above mentioned suggestion is acceptable to all.

Back to our 2022 get together. We met each night at 1730 at the Bowls club and enjoyed each other’s company immensely although Bloo Dennis was a little disappointed as he was looking forward to sitting with the widows for dinner each night!! All in all I think it was a very successful and thoroughly enjoyable weekend, at least I know I enjoyed it.

A number of members have already declared their interest and potential attendance at Coffs Harbour on the weekend Fri 19 – Sun 21 August 2022, and by all accounts it is promising to be a great weekend. A number of people have been in touch with me simply wondering who is going, are there enough to warrant the effort, and similar questions, so with this in mind I would like to set peoples mind at ease that there are a considerable number intending to turn up, and ask that If you are going, could you leave a comment in the comments below this post.

As you are aware, because of the Covid schemozzle that has hit us over the past couple of years, absolutely nothing has been formally organised in respect of rooms, dinners, finger food etc., so it is suggested that we gather at the Park Beach Bowls club around 1700 or so on Friday 19th August for an informal meet and greet style get together, and once numbers and personal desires have been taken into account I am sure some sort of arrangements can be organised for the remainder of the weekend. All meals, drinks etc will naturally be at the members personal expense.

Looking forward to seeing as many as possible for what should be a great weekend (or longer in some cases.)

The address given in the previous post for Ken’s funeral service was incorrect.

The correct address is;

Delbridge Chapel

66-68 Marley Street

SALE. Vic.

My apologies for the mis-information. Must be an age related thing.

For those who cannot attend Kens Funeral on the 14th July, the service will be live streamed.

To watch the live stream: Go to the web page of Barry and Annette Lett, Funeral directors, at the following address. http://lettsfunerals.com.au/funeral-notices/

Once into their site, select “Funeral notices” then scroll down until you find Ken Sceney.

At the moment of posting, this shows “TBA’, but later on as the date draws closer a link to the service will appear. When it does appear, that will be the link to his service.

Arrangements have been made for Ken’s funeral to take place at:

Delbridge Hall, 149 Cunninghame Street, Sale,

at 1 PM on Thursday 14th July 2022.

Following the service there will be a gathering for light refreshments at the Sale Bowling Club.

Any information re live streaming, if available, will be published in a following post once the information comes in.

Ken Sceney passed away yesterday, 2 July 2022, whilst holidaying in their van at Coffs Harbour.

From what I have heard, he came inside,sat down, reported that he didn’t feel too well and then peacefully, passed away.

Our most sincere thoughts and condolences go out to Margaret and family and friends at this very stressful time.

Funeral details will follow at a later date when they come to hand.

1 The year can only get better

31/5/22

Well, this year has continued similar to last year, as one of us comes out of hospital the other goes in.

3 months ago, one of my best breeding birds escaped from her cage and flew into a tree up the yard. Being a very tame bird, I walked up to get her, but she decided to fly back down the yard, causing me to give chase, trip and fall over another cage, breaking my sternum.3 weeks later I was released from hospital

Good Friday morning I awoke to hear calls saying, “can you help me up off the floor”. Shirley, laying near the bed on her back with no idea of why, how, or where she was. The ambulance came and 2 weeks later she came home from hospital. 

Two weeks later at about 3am I am awoken with another call for help. Shirley is lying face down in the bathroom and there was no way I could help her apart from making her as comfortable as possible until an ambulance arrived 20min later. That afternoon I get a call to go and get her .

After several days at home suffering a lot of very bad pain, aggravated badly every time she moved or coughed, I took her to our local doctor and after doing the numbers test on her blood pressure temp etc it was straight back to hospital where they found more damage from both falls, a very badly broken sternum, damage to her rear ribs, and to top it off an infection in her polio affected left leg which was now 3 time its normal size and fire engine red.

Over the past year she spent a lot of time in hospital with lung and heart problems, so she has had to undergo many tests and x rays etc to check her chest.

Today Greenslopes hospital asked her if they could use her on Saturday in a course where they train new doctors I have been invited to attend and all going well we both hope Shirley will come home and live as near as possible a doctor / Hospital free life for a long time

20/6/2022

Three weeks have gone by and I am learning 2 new skills  they are house work and Nursing not necessary in that order

2 The 87 Book

Reprint

My apologies to all expressed interest in the book by Jim Thompson but I have had a very hectic month, interstate visitors, and caring for Shirley who is on the mend except for asthma now and its taken me along time to respond to all.

I have just got a quote $150.75 per book from office works, I feel this is too much so those that would still require one I will buy USB sticks ($10?) and send then, and you can print your own or what ever .

Please contact me by direct by email cliff.hodgson64@bigpond.com or phone 0400209641

Dongers  20/6/2022

Dongers writes that if anyone has lost their copy of the 87 book and is looking for a new copy, get in contact with him. This offer is only open to Association members whose names appear on our roll.

it has been decided that because of the ongoing and unpredictable situation with Covid, it is too difficult to organise a formal reunion as we know it, this year; but there will still be a number of southerners escapig a southern winter in sunny Coffs, so if anyone wishes to turn up on the weekend of 19 Aug, we will run a purely casual get together, ie, we have not organised a formal sit down dinner etc., but a general get together over the weekend is envisaged.

We have also heard from Jenny Hallam that Pom is undergoing a bit of treatment for prostate cancer in John Flynn hospital at the moment.