Top 3 suspect characters at Roff Christmas

1. Maisie
2. Morley
3. The Wild Horse

Betty & Ken's Christmas Message 2010

Merry Christmas to all. Sorry we cannot make it.
Please save 3 minutes of garbled silence in our absence.
Best wishes to Vicky and Harry.
Kimi & Brendan via Jake's log in.

Brother John Taylor Award for 2010

Word came through today that Glenn recieved the Brother John Taylor award -

The award is granted annually in honour of Brother John Taylor cfc who was the executive director of the Catholic Education Commission NSW, from 1984 until his death in 1993. It is awarded to an individual who makes a significant contribution to Catholic education in NSW. Awardees are judged to have made an outstanding contribution to their education field which has benefited the Catholic education community generally and, through their work, facilitated the work of others in their professional role, and strengthened the ethos of Catholic education.

Glenn is pretty chuffed about this award, having dedicated his working life to Catholic Education. He's not done yet though, the old bloke...

Bonnie to the Rescue

Bonnie to the Rescue has recently been re-released as a directors cut and it's being premiered here on the Roff Report. It contains ground-breaking technical features including invisible rope to control the animal tallent. Some of the stars will be at Lismore this year including the bad guy, David Morley. Sit back and enjoy...

Part 3 - ANZACS (with commentary on great-grandfather John Roff)

Christmas shopping

Can anyone tell me where I can find the Roff Christmas list? If it's not on the blog can someone please email it to me .... cozandjen@bigpond.com
I'd better start thinking of what to get Jake just in case he's being bought for by the Armidale Roffs.
Cheers
Jenny

Amy is officially a teenager

Amy Therese turned 13 last week and had a mocktail party for 42... yes that's right 42... girlfriends. Dress was semi-formal and they all arrived in their finery and drank their mocktails out of champagne glasses with fancy umbrellas. It didn't take long for them to kick off their high heels though, and jump on the trampoline and play spotlight with torches down the back yard!!!
Amy was rolling in vouchers and jewellery given as presents, and I think I might borrow a few as she won't miss them. To help the time pass, a few Mums and I added a dash of rum to our mocktails to make them more festive whilst we heated sausage rolls and blended non-alcoholic pina coladas.
All Armidale Roffs are well and we are really looking forward to Lismore and lots of good reasons to celebrate!!! I will bring some strawberry daquiri mix to share.
See you soon
Love Jenny

Part 2 of the Roffy and Rupert Summer Series

Roffy and Rupert Summer Series - Part 1 - Tubby Little Trooper

I have Long Service Leave. Yes, that makes me feel old, but I will not sniff at the opportunity to take the last three weeks of term off. We just went to Paradise Resort at the Gold Coast for 4 days. They have a million dollar kids club attached - Every day "Dad can we go to kids club for the next 4 hours while you and mum lie by the pool"? Dad - "Yes kids, I think we can arrange that for you".

Unfortunately we only got 2 hours of sunshine in the 4 days, so lying by the pool turned into a Cavell Avenue pub and restaurant crawl or two.

Fortunately we missed the Cavell Avenue shooting by 2 hours.

In the meantime I have 9 weeks holiday - teaching is a good occupation - so I feel I have the time to put some tunes on YouTube just for fun. I also like the idea that I can have a dribble about whatever I want - So I did. Here it is. I am going to do one every week for 9 weeks.

Movember, Batman and Robin, Graduation

Thanks alot to all of my sponsors. I usually aim for $100 per year, but this year I raised over $400 for Men's Health Research (The highest donations for the whole of the Lismore region!!) - Mainly due to Roff donations, so thanks.

Lacho Graduated his Preschool the other day, and they had a Graduation ceremony (Hat toss and all..!) - Photos attached.

Maisie is the coolest Robin.

Jimmy Buffett t-shirt sighting

Ash's recent gift of a Jimmy Buffett t-shirt has revolutionised my wardrobe and it got an airing last weekend when Julia and I visited Adam in Sydney. Adam is finalising the purchase of a flat (I think that's what it is) in Darlinghurst and it's in an excellent location. We ate and drank our way around the area, took a ferry to Manly and back, and watched four movies in the flat's theatrette. None of them starred Megan but we enjoyed her company during a number of our adventures.
Dominic is currently in Byron Bay on his schoolies break and, since I haven't seen his picture in the papers or on the TV news, all seems to be going well. He's waiting for his VCE (HSC) results but has already been interviewed for a position in the Media and Communications school at my university. The plan at this stage is for him to have a year off to save and travel. Amanda is also waiting for results and is investigating doing some Honours study in the US. Nick is currently unrecognisable in his suits and driving his new (company provided) RAV4. I don't actually understand what he does but he's obviously doing it well. Annika is still having fun as an inner-city resident but is a little frustrated by the recent Victorian election results as she'd spent a few weeks stuffing letterboxes with Greens leaflets. We're all looking forward to Christmas in Lismore.

Geralton Roff Family Christmas News

Hi Everyone,

Can’t believe another year has just about gone! Merry Xmas to you all and we hope you have a nice break and a pleasant new year. We are all well in the west although as you will read the family are scattered to the far winds.

Jan continues her contract accounting work with shipping company Patricks. She enjoys the analysis work and the flexibility the company give her to travel and there was plenty of that during the year. Reading and walking are still her recreation likes and this year has got back into the crafts when time permits. John is still at the local catholic College and enjoying his economics and religious education teaching. He kept his brain stimulated this year doing a Justice of the Peace course and still plays tennis for leisure. Kate lives in Christchurch NZ doing a combo of tutoring at Uni, doing after school care of primary students at a flash private school, research assistant for a PhD guy and writing a lifestyle magazine. New husband Joe continues his environmental engineering work there and they both plan to study in Vienna the first 6 months of next year before returning to NZ in time for the Rugby World Cup when they expect to be inundated with visitors. Zac is in Norway, enjoying his mid twenties lifestyle doing a bit of labouring work and staying with his very kind host parents from his ’04 rotary exchange days. So far he hasn’t ventured into his engineering degree field but is healthy and happy, playing a bit of tennis again and is a great travelling partner. Liz is doing her final year of her Commerce degree at Uni in Perth (tourism and marketing) and hopefully will head to honours in that area for a 4^th year. She plays a bit of Uni sport and shares an off campus house at the moment. Liz had the first 6 months in Copenhagen as an international student and loved the experience.

Highlights this year mostly involved travel

· Last Xmas we walked the Milford Track as a family. It was a terrific time and was 4 days of walking, talking, exploring and getting drenched in between staying in a bit of comfort at night. Rated ‘one of the best things the family has ever done’.

· In July we all ventured to Oxford, outside Detroit , for Kate’s marriage to Joe. Zac flew in from Oslo, Liz came from Denmark and Kate and Joe came from NZ. We were understandably a bit outnumbered in the wedding crowd but it was a fantastic time. We stayed with the in laws who are very friendly and welcoming people and very ‘Roff like’ (I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not). Kate and bridesmaid Liz both looked sensational and Zac did a great job as MC at the reception.

· In July / Aug Jan, John and Zac hired a car and travelled Niagara, Washington DC, the American civil war trails, Boston and into Toronto in Canada. The good things here were bushwalking in the Shenandoah national park along the Appalacian Trail, travelling with Zac , the Jersey Boys show and the pro tennis in Toronto.

· Jan went to France and Italy for Mary MacKillop’s canonisation as part of a pilgrimage group and included tours to Lourdes and Paris. She caught up with our old exchange student Magali as well as numerous visits to religious relics. The Vatican turned it on for the big day and she managed a papal audience ( not as private as it once was) before meeting up with Zac for two weeks touring down the south of Italy, visiting Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi coast. Jan will tell you that the best part of the trip was time with one of her children but the whole thing sounded great. Apparently they did many coffees, cheeses and vineyards and much scenery gazing was done.

This Xmas there is a big Roff family reunion in Lismore. Kate and Joe are jetting in to have a ‘formal blessing ceremony’ in front of the many relatives who could not make Detroit which will be great. Zac will have Xmas in Norway, and Liz will fly over to Lismore. John is just about to take 40 students to Canberra and he and Jan will be staying put in Geraldton this year. It’s been a big year and the reserves, physical and financial , need replenishing. We do have plans to visit Kate and Joe in Vienna next Easter so we aren’t staying put too long. Adventure before dementia remains our guiding motto!

We hope you all have a great Xmas and a deserved break. We again express our offer that there is a couple of beds over here if you ever get the bug to see this part of the world.

Cheers

The Geraldton Roffs

Lachlan turns 5 tomorrow!

Keen observers of family birthdays will notice that tomorrow is not in fact Lachlan's birthday. Lachlan's dad has to attend the second day of the first test in Brisbane, and then Rupert McCall's 40th birthday bash on his son's actual birthday weekend (next week), so we celebrate in the park tomorrow with all of his little mates. Don't tell Lacho!

Poppa marches again

I had an email a few days ago from an old Moree friend, Denise Norbury, who included the picture you see here of Neil Roff marching with the Moree Diggers Swimming Club, a club he founded when he was transferred there from Lismore. It was Poppa's first appointment as a manager and he was the youngest person ever for that position in what was then the Rural (later State) Bank.
The big bloke holding the flag beside Neil is Denise's father and Neil's great mate, Bill Norbury. The Norburys and the Roffs exchanged letters for many years after we left Moree to go to Newcastle.
How old was Poppa when this picture was taken? My estimate is early 40s, making him around five years younger than Damian is now. Damian was, of course, born in Moree.

COSMO turns 47!

Happy Birthday to Uncle Damian who celebrates his 47th tomorrow, the 19th. It is hard to think that the big "50" is looming closer for the forever young Damio.

A belated Happy Birthday to Luke too. He turned 9 on the 8th of November. Double figures next year, Luke

Thank you for your condolences

Dear All,

Thanks for the excellent report on Rory's funeral, Grant and thanks for the strong representation of Roffs, Seages and Thomas's .

Rory loved the family get-togethers: from the early concerts at Norma and Gordon's to the wonderful 'mega meets' at Dunbogan and Lismore. He was especially happy to know that Niwili was born into such a large family with so many interesting characters (yes you know who your are). He commented to me when Amber, Paris, Cairo, Alaine etc got together, how nice it was that that connection was forged.

Thanks again for all your kindnesses and we look forward to seeing you in Lismore.

Also, I have a powerpoint of images but it is 69 MB so Jane can put it on sendspace and send you a link. Just email Jane on: naylorjane@optusnet.com.au

Lots of Love Shane Forrest.

Rory and Vanessa

Shauna, Rory, Betty, Vanessa, Brad and Shane

Rory and Niwili

Mo update for the sponsors

Rory

The service for Rory John Joseph Forrest was held at 1.30pm on Thursday, November 4, at a chapel in the Rookwood Cemetry in Sydney. Rory was the son of Jack and Betty Forrest. Jack was the young brother of Eileen, Norma and Fran
The chapel was full of family, friends and work colleagues. Representing the Roffs were Glenn, myself, Stuart, Ashley, Daniel, Alaine and Milly. Seages present were Uncle Ken and Aunty Betty, Brendan and Martin. All the Forrests were there including partners and children. The Thomas' were represented by Louise and Mitchel.
The ceremony took the form of a brief introduction by the celebrant who was an old friend of Bradley Forrest, followed by a number of speakers.
The official eulogy was delivered by Shauna and it presented Rory as a very valued member of the family who had a great sense of humour which he sharpened regularly on his brothers and sisters. Shane then assisted Aunty Betty Forrest to the microphone and she read a moving statement that she'd helped prepare. As you all know, Aunty Betty has been struggling against a variety of cancers but has outlived many medical expectations regarding the timing of her death. She was as elegant as she's always been and recognised most of the extended family.
Vanessa then spoke. Rory and Vanessa were twins and always had a close bond. Vanessa told a great story of how she and Rory had agreed to meet in Brisbane to celebrate a particular birthday. Rory arrived first and was promptly arrested at a demonstration against the then Queensland premier. Vanessa arrived later and was arrested as well. They caught up in a police watchhouse and celebrated their birthdays in gaol. Rory had a highly developed social consience and was never afraid to stand up against injustice.
Part of Rory's jouney was a relationship with Pillawok (spelling probably wrong - apologies) which produced a son, Niwili, who was Rory's pride and joy. Niwili made a very emotional speech in which he recounted his best adventues with his father who he clearly loved. A couple of Niwili's school mates from Adelaide made the trip to Sydney as a gesture of support.
Rory's long-time partner, Victor, also spoke. Victor is from Papua New Guinea and told the story of how he and Rory had gone there to visit Victor's clan. Rory was a vegetarian and that was a source of great amusement to people who'd never experienced it before. Rory underwent an initiation ceremony and became part of Victor's family.
Paris and Cairo (both are Rory's nephews) spoke and gave different perspectives on Rory's significant influence in their lives.
Rory's nieces, Sienna and Layla (daughters of brother Brad and his wife, Debbie), contributed a floral tribute and were accompanied by other neices Amber and Nephra. Django played a musical tribute on his celo - "Across the Stars".
Rory spent most of his working life as a set designer and builder in the entertainment industry and his clients included many high-profile names including Jim Hensen (Muppets) as well as working on the sets for the Star Wars franchise. Many of his professional colleagues attended.
The wake was held in the Writer's Club in Roselle and the Roff mob had dinner in Redfern later in the evening. When Daniel said it was going to be in a Vietnamese restaurant, none of us realised it was actually located in Vietnam. The four-day walk was worth it, though, and it was a very pleasant evening.
As John pointed out, Rory is the first of our generation to die. He was 51 and that's clearly too early. As demonstrated by both the ceremony and the wake, he had a rich and interesting life. Perhaps, in the end, this is more important than longevity.
Many of the Forrests will be in Lismore for Christmas and it will give the rest of the family a chance to share this loss. Vale, Rory.

She wasn't always a zombie

You've seen a few pictures of Annika lately looking like Amy Winehouse or a member of the undead but she wasn't always like that. These pictures are how I remember her. Why were they taken? Probably best you ask her...

Movember returns

Lachlan's 1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

4th Birthday

Poor Lachlan was born at the end of November. He has had birthday photos... every year of his life... in which his father was sporting a mo' of various descriptions.

The tradition must continue! My aim each year is to raise $100 for prostate cancer research. I've had great support in the past from family. I don't expect it from the same people every year, but if you feel like you would like to donate this year, I would appreciate the support.

To donate, go to http://au.movember.com/mospace/223515/

Happy birthday Adam

Adam is officially in his mid-30s today (October 30). He brought his boss down to Melbourne last weekend and they rode together to a motorcycle race meeting at Broadford. Adam still seems to have his job so all must have gone well.
Happy birthday from all your family in Melbourne.
Amanda has just been here for lunch and Annika and Milly are coming tomorrow. We won't make it a picnic as the forecast is for the entire November average rainfall in the next two days.
Anyone got any tips for the Cup on a damp track?

VALE RORY FORREST 3/10/59 - 24/10/10

It was really sad to hear of the death of Rory yesterday (Sunday). He died in the presence of all his family and his funeral will be held on Thursday, 4th November at 1.30pm. (Rookwood) Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Forrests and we all feel the loss of such a wonderful human being.

Thrill the World

At 10pm last night, my go-go class and 120 of our undead friends "thrilled the world", dancing simultaneously with zombies and ghouls in 31 countries across the globe to Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Keep an eye out for us on the news tonight, or check out this ninemsn link: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/video.aspx?tab=6&videoid=bc48af42-97b1-4061-ab95-77d443ff6877. See if you can spot me. I'm the one that looks a bit like Amy Winehouse.

Roff/Forrest/Seage Christmas Schedule 2010

To help people get organised and to build the excitement..

Thursday 23rd 5.30pm Early Arrivers BBQ – Hosted by Sue & Glenn

Friday 24th 4.00pm Touch Footy Match

Saturday 25th Christmas Lunch and exchange of gifts – gather around 12pm
3.30pm Cricket Match

Sunday 26th 10.30am Blessing for Kate & Joe
11.00am Morning Tea

Monday 27th 9am Tennis Competition
6.30pm Christmas Concert in the hall(alcohol allowed/encouraged)

Tuesday 28th 4pm Roff v Lee Soccer Match
6pm Cousins night @ the Dogs

Wednesday 29th Morning Wedding preps
4.30pm Vicky & Harry Wedding

Thursday 30th Morning Wedding recovery
4.00pm Swimming Carnival

Moto GP dreaming

Adam, his mate Phil and myself are just back from the motorcycle GP at Phillip Island. The weather was shocking and we camped in mud. The wind was the worst - unrelenting and cold. Somehow, it was still fun. We had the last night in a house rented by one of the magazines I write for so we had showers, a warm bed and no howling gale. The Philip Island circuit is vacant over Christmas and I know the manager so perhaps we could have the 2012 Roff Christmas there. No more "racquet ball", Glenn - see how you go in a six-lap production race! Stuart - complete strangers asked me where you were...
The picture is Adam giving me advice on how to put my tent up before the wind blew it down.

Alice Springs Show Ponys

Look for Megan in the pic above, gives you an idea of the ludicrous scale of everything.


Megan and I visited Alice Springs a couple of weeks ago. I had a conference and gave a paper which meant our hotel was free. It had room service and free breakfast and a pool. Alice Springs felt as if it was constantly on the verge of a race riot. It rained while we were there and I found it to be very beautiful. Bicycles were an excellent way to get around.

We only had a few days up our sleeves to see Uluru and Kata Tjuta. It was raining, which is highly unusual. It is the spritual and geographic heart of the continent. I highly recommend a trip there if you haven't been. It is very grand and very old. We found it very moving.

Watch out for Megan on Packed to the rafters this Tuesday and if you missed it she was on COPS LAC episode 2 a few weeks ago. If you can grin and bare the first half she owns the rest.

'Dan Kelly's Dream' Album Review - Jake

Dan's new album - it has more layers than Broken Hill sedimentary Rock. It flows more smoothly than Ebor Falls. It may also be as pretentious as the previous two similes, but shit, that's what we love about the bloke!

For a Queensland born Melbournian, the NSW references may be confusing, but Dan is on his way up, and I'm sure he's travelled to the Armidale region and out west of the premier state. He certainly visited Byron Bay where I was lucky enough to bump into him as he strode out of the surf.

We were sitting at the Beach Hotel and it was as if the scene unfolded in slow motion... Kelly will tell it that I hurried over to him, like an excited schoolgirl, but I believe that it was more of a macho beach moment that neither of us will soon forget. His gig was great by the way, but back to the album.

Certain tracks already stand out, and funnily enough, Amanda Roff appears on most of those. My pick (Andrew has mentioned this track on TRR before) is 'The Catholic Leader' - the story of a tryst between Sister Jan and the handyman. 'A classical DJ at Dandenong station' also stands out, as does the fact that Dan got Amanda to sing "He's super competent at everything" in response to his, "I could have tried my hand at anything".

Other songs worthy of note after only 32 listens (it really does take a number of listens to scratch at the surface of these songs) are 'Dan Kelly's Dream' (where he's playing cards with Shapelle, hitchhiking with a tranny named Mary, eating Cruskits, reading Harry Potter and visiting the North Pole), and of course 'Bindi Irwin Apocalypse Jam' - The single - in which he has an underwater jam with Jimmy Hendrix, Ringo Starr, and Bindi and Terri Irwin.

Do yourself a favour.

He has not let us down thus far, and I am sure he will go from strength to strength. Buy it if only to read the name of 'Amanda Roff' plastered all over the sleeve. She gets more mentions than Barry Hall at the judiciary.

Official Roff / Forrest / Seage Invitation

Melbourne post-Collingwood

Yes, a great victory by the best team and congratulation to Lainey for stealing the tipping competition at the last minute. Ever gracious, here's the text she sent me seconds after the final siren: "Let's share the wine. I'm the best, but let's share the wine..."
Amanda has been flat out with performances, including a literary reading with Marieke Hardy for the Melbourne festival. It was called "Women of letters" and involved women (including Amanda) reading a letter about a life-changing experience. Annika gave it an excellent review. There were pens, paper, envelopes and stamps afterwards so the audience could write a letter as well. She's also performed with "Time for Dreams", a Euro-disco outfit. Dom and Nick attended but the highlight is the end-of-festival gig which Jules and I have tickets to where the Ukes are on a bill with Eagle and The Worm and Mariachi El Bronx. This is probably a secret, but the gig's worth $1500 so they've assembled the band that plays on their soon-to-be-released CD for the night. It should be excellent.
Adam has been fairly quiet but that's what the working life is like. He's due here in a couple of weeks to go the the MotoGP so I'll get more gossip then. Short news is he's enjoying his job.
Nick now has business cards (Nicholas J. Kearton, Business Development Manager (Vic/Tas), a better car than I've ever owned and, finally, a bit of responsibility. He'll be the one at Christmas in a suit.
Annika spent last weekend turning the backyard of her rent house into a garden. We helped a bit with transport and lawn-mowers and prospects are good. She's still doing research at Melbourne Uni but there could be some developments with this for 2011.
Dom is four weeks away from his VCE exams and, as I'm writing this, is curled up on the couch with an empty Suimin Hot and Spicy noodle cup between his legs. His latest hard-rubbish find (he's the family expert) was an AIWA record/tape/radio player. I spent all last night listening to my old records. Early Dylan - genius.
Julia has just come back from the wedding of her nephew (son of Adrian and Connor) in Beechworth. Her Dad is in town and I'll get to see him tonight. We've got tickets to a gig at Hanging Rock soon - check the line-up: Leonard Cohen, Paul Kelly, Claire Bowdich and Dan Sultan. I'll fire up the Kombi for the occasion and it looks like Annika can come as well.

Good v Evil

Two Big Announcements!

Yes... bigger announcements than "Bud Spencer is cool" - a bit obvious Damio.

2011 will be the last year that Glenn Roff will be Principal of Woodlawn. He announced his retirement to the head of the Catholic Education Office a few weeks ago, and to the staff on monday. He will have been the Principal of St. Johns College for 11 years - The first lay Principal in it's 79 year history, and credited for the successful transition from boys boarding school to in-demand and well respected co-ed day school.

One of the staff, early in my tenure, gushed about Glenn being the singular saviour of the school - My understandable, filial response was "..really, how much can one man do?". I must admit that after 4 years, I now comprehend more of where this woman was coming from. He is the leader of a school in which the staff are happy, and the kids talk about how much they like going to school. Enrolments are at record levels, and the big problem each year is that he has to find ways to tell good families that there isn't any room for their kids. He has maintained Marist values and mission, held fast to traditions and forged a new school identity.

Obviously I find this hard to say to his face, but as he rarely turns the computer on I may get away with this one.

Now, for those single cousins out there who do not have domestic responsibilities and still believe that life is actually all about them... How does it affect you? (and everyone else).

It looks like 2010 may be the last year of Woodlawn Roff Christmas as we know it.

As such, we're keen to make it a memorable one. Obviously the Harry/Vicky Wedding (with Karaoke reception) and Kate/Joe Blessing will make this an 'especially special' time, but on top of that, the plan is to have a Christmas Concert to end all Christmas Concerts in the school hall, utilising all the media we have available to us. We can show Rick's DVD presentation from one of the earlier gatherings on the big movie screen, along with early video and photo footage in between the usual quality acts. I would like to think that with the P.A. and musical instruments at our disposal in the music department, that we could encourage people to perform their 'go to' acts - Like Amanda's 'Ukelady Ladies', Grant's 'Railway hotel', my dodgey 'Backyard Cricket' song (I'll save Medium Pace for Neil's bar), an acoustic 'Rafting Kids' track, Andrew's 'Louis Burdett', 'Business Time', 'Kath and Kim', 'The obligatory Brendon song' etc. etc. - Even a combined Cousin on-stage 'Rock'n'Roll Jam'. Forget Speigeltent - This is where it will be at, and at no cost to you the punter..

Once all of this has sunk in, let me know what your plans are for the concert, so (as stage manager) I can get all of the equipment organised. Also, stay tuned on the Roff Report for a preliminary schedule of events this Christmas.

DVD Review

I just revisited the classic "They Call me Trinity". Not only is it totally excellent, but it is not right that Bud Spencer never received an academy award. It also has a killer sound track. All in all it is probably one of the best movies ever. Highly recommended.

Luke makes his first eucharist

Luke made his first eucharist at the St Mary's and St Joseph's Cathedral last weekend. He was very proud of himself, especially now that he can have the bread.


I also include a photo of Lily's birthday cake from her recent party - I finished it just as the guests walked in the door. They always take longer than you think.

Other Armidale Roff news is that Damian has finally completed his Masters of Theology, and if all goes according to plan he should graduate from Newcastle University next month. It has been a mammoth effort and we are very proud of him - and relieved that it's all over, I might add.
Cal's school chess team has won the regional final and they are off to Sydney in November for the Championships. The team's coach is Mary Wilkie who actually coached Joe when he was a student at St Mary's in Armidale many years ago.
Amy has been selected to sing the opening song at a big concert in Tamworth next week called "Express Yourself - Catholic Schools Celebrate", and also at a wedding next month so she is pretty chuffed.
We are going camping at South West Rocks in the first week of the school holidays, so if anyone will be around that way please get in touch. We are 2 sites up from Stu and Marianne, and I am looking forward to dumping the kids on them really early in the morning and heading off to have a swim at the beach or river - the location is magical, as long as it's not too windy and we get blown off the headland! We are buying a pop top caravan with an annexe from some friends so there will be room for anyone who would like to stay with us.
Looking forward to a Lismore Christmas this year. Take care, Jenny xxxxxx

Kate's Birthday!

Kate turns old today, so everyone please wish her a happy birthday! In the spirit of Damien, and in honour of Kate i release this joke: Did you hear about the new boy band out of Christchurch? New blocks on the kids.

Happy Birthday Kate!!

Tipping update

The tumbleweeds sweep across the plain and only two remain facing each-other: flukey, ill-advised Lainey and master tipster Grant. Thanks to the Dogs unlikely victory over the Swans (suck on that, Damian), I'm now one ahead. Here's the problem: I HAVE to back the Dogs next weekend against St Kilda but the head says no. Having no sense of loyalty, Lainey, you're free to back the likely winner. What about the Collingwood vs Geelong game? It's the real grand final. I'm showing my cards here but I think Collingwood. I actually don't want the Dogs to win next week as I'd hate what would happen to them in the grand final - be it against Collingwood or the Cats. Living in Melbourne is hell in September...

Wedding....

Hi all,

So, Joe and I are surviving the Christchurch aftershocks by becoming very self-absorbed in our wedding photos, which have finally all arrived.
You can see them at http://joe.47north.org/wedding.htm (and at the professional site you'll need Joe's last name, it's Powers).
But let's be honest, you'll tune out after the first 300, so here are a few of our favourites. It was a great 3 weeks for us - full of family, friends, sunshine and BBQs. Highlights included an epic beer pong tournament, a hen's night in Las Vegas, watching our two families try to understand each others accents, and discovering gross American consumerism at its best (read WallMart and Taco Bell at 2am).

Drinking games on the stage we built in the Powers' backyard..."we" in the most liberal sense of the word...


Dancing lessons (our 'waltz' was Elephant Gun by Beirut)


Bridezilla moments...


On the big day...


Mum actually helped design my dress...






Meet the parents...
It rained after the ceremony but cleared up perfectly for some photos...







Joe's mum made the cake...


Zac did a great job of playing MC for the night and there were some hilarious speeches from Dad and Joe's brother Jeff.


You-know-who carve up the dance floor...


Siblings promptly ignoring elder sister's advice...


Jeff serenades the crowd...


Milly lets us know who's next in line...

All up it was an awesome day - can't wait to have a champers with you all at Lismore and introduce you to my husband (yeah - that's right, I can throw that word around now).
In other, and to some of you more relevent, news: Rugby World Cup tickets are now on sale so if anyone is tempted, visit http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/ - you know you have a place to crash in Christchurch.

Love Kate