This is a G’day to all our friends and an opportunity to say a farewell to this lovely lady as she is not expected to last very much longer and moves onto a better place. (prognosis is that she may not see the weekend out!)

All of us in 87 wish you, Bloo and Jody, all the best and let that lovely lady know that she is loved by all. Stay strong.

The funeral for Helen Hickey, wife of Blue Hickey of near on 55 years, will be held on Tuesday 5 October 2021 at 1030 am.

The venue is Centenary Memorial Gardens at 353 Wacol Station Road (Corner of Woslton Rd), Sumner.

At approximately 1830 EST Friday night 24 September 2021 Helen Hickey, much loved wife of Blue Hickey slipped away in Hospital. Helen had been incapacitated over the past couple of months through an inability to walk and was being cared for in a nursing home.

She was admitted to hospital yesterday and passed away from congestive cardiac failure around 6.30pm.

She will be sorely missed by Blue and his family. We in 87 offer Blue our heartfelt condolences.

From Gary (Son)

Latest is he is slowly getting better. Had a broken collar bone, grumpy and irritable. Diabeties is back under control atm, he is not eating so on a drip to keep him hydrated etc. Will be in hospital for 2 weeks then a home for 3 weeks initially. As we know more i’ll let everyone know

I have been away for the last week and came home to find this message from Gary King, (BFK’s son)

Wednesday

Hey Glen, just letting you know that Dad (BFK) is in hospital. He took a fall last night around 12.30am, he is not too good. Has bleeding on the brain, non verbal / responsive (atm), not identifying anybody, UTI with blood in transfer, his diabetics was at 45 when it should be at 7. a few other things also. He has lost about 45kg since last I saw him. He is not in a good way. I am in Harvey Bay now to find out more. Cheers Gary

Thu 11:17 AM

Update, he is sitting, verbal and aware of his surroundings. Pain in shoulder and chest (possible ribs). Slow recovery I think but seems a lot better this morning. Not spoken to Dr yet.

I have since made a phone call to Glenys and she seems to be handling things reasonably well. She was obviously highly distressed when BFK didn’t recognise her at the hospital, but we are hoping that this may have been somewhat aggravated by the fall. As if Glenys doesn’t have enough on her plate with BFK she was also advised yesterday that her other son (Stewart) has just had a heart attack and is in hospital.

It never rains but it pours.

With the ever changing situation in this wonderful country of ours and the strict Covid rules in force, yet again our casual get-together in Coffs Harbour 2021 will be a non event.
We do hope that 2022 will be able to go ahead and at this stage envisage a casual event.
Please pass this on to those you know that don't have blog access.

A memorial service will be held celebrating the life of Brian Smith (BRW)

at the Heysen Chapel, Centennial Park Cemetery, 760 Goodwood Rd, Pasadena S.A.

at 1130hrs

on Friday 7 May 2021.

Following the service, a Wake will be held at the VVMC (SA Chapter) clubhouse at Lonsdale.

Currently I have no info re live streaming of the event but if and when that info becomes available I will post it here.

4 Section member, Brian Smith (BRW) has spent a considerable amount of time in hospital of late and slipped peacefully away this afternoon at approx 1245 (Aust Central time), Wednesday 28th April 2021.

He will be sadly missed by his wife Sandy and family.

87 Members offer their heartfelt condolences at this sad time.

What’s been going on?

Bloo Dennis has almost taken up permanent residence in Greenslopes Hospital for a a variety of reasons. Knee still playing up and the treatment for that counteracts the treatment of his cancerous situation and on and on it goes. He is currently back in there again and I am not too sure why this time, but he says he enjoys the helicopter rides down every now and then.

Dongers wife Shirley, hasn’t been travelling too well either from what info I have gleaned of recent. In and out of cardiac treatments. Look after yourself Shirley, I don’t know how well Dongers cooks.

Blue Hickey is floating along with well spaced out visits to his oncologist so I guess that he is getting along pretty well considering the shape he’s in.

Saw John and Shirley Hoare at Jimmy Thomsons funeral and they seem to be battling along despite the problems that ageing throws at them.

Pom and Jenny Hallam both seem pretty well also from info prised from Pom at the same reunion.

My wife Patsy is home recuperating after a prolonged stay in hospital from just before Xmas until a couple of weeks ago. Suffering from trigeminal neuralgia she was careless enough to suffer a major attack on Dec 23,  when every neuro surgeon in Qld was on holidays. Spent 15 days doped out on opioids before the 20 minute procedure solved the problem, now we are just fighting day by day,  the after effects of massive amounts of drugs given to fight the pain.

I must at this stage offer my heartfelt thanks to Bloo Dennis, who, although he had problems of his own, allowed my daily visit to rant and use him as a means of allaying my deep frustration of the system at the time.

Marie Thomson seems to be battling along with support from Joy Purdie and many others so that’s good to hear. As soon as my boss picks up a bit we are planning a lunch over at Redcliffe soon. Stay tuned any Qlders who may be interested.

Now the main reason for the post

As we are all well aware, this past year, 2020 saw us in a position where borders were closed, gatherings banned etc and resultingly our scheduled reunion had to be cancelled. Not only did we all miss out on an opportunity to catch up with old mates but also a lot of southerners had to endure a winter at home. This last fact seems to have been not too well appreciated as I have just received communications from a couple of these poor southerners who have no desire to suffer the same fate again this year.

 With this in mind it has been decided that although our next reunion is not due until next year 2022, it may not be a bad idea to hold an unofficial casual get together at Coffs Harbour this year on the weekend of 13 August 2021.  Nothing is organised, no official dinner, no official meet and greet etc, but purely a casual get together in the usual area, as (covid allowing), a number of the regular holiday makers from the south will already be there.

Mark down this date and if you can make it we will see you there.

I offer my heartfelt thanks to all members and friends who sent cards, flowers, offered their support and condolences and attended Jim’s funeral.

Until I was in this particular situation I had no idea how much these simple gestures actually meant, and I am so thankful to be part of the 87 family, a family that obviously cares about its members.

Special thanks to marvelous Joy Purdie. She has been a tower of strength and rings at least twice a day to check on me.

Thank you everyone.