FAMILY HISTORY

Kimi and visited Betty & Ken last night. Kimi takes up a meal every couple of weeks which breaks the routine for Dad which he enjoys. Kimi makes sure there are some leftovers too. Mum & Dad seem to spend their days unearthing photos from backs of draws. Grant lamented there are few shots of Neil Roff in uniform. Here is one which proves that he did wear a shirt and trousers through at least some of his military service.

He is promenading here with a Joan "somebody-or-other" whom he was 'seeing' at the time. Unfortunately Mum's recall is no longer as sharp as it once was. The back of the photo has The Leicagraph Co. Pty Ltd at 5 Strand Arcade, Sydney written on the back, so I expect it was a staged shot somewhere on George Street. There is a tram on the LHS and a sign saying 'NEWSREEL' behind Neil's head. Staged? Enlarge the photo…he's holding a pipe! But I am intrigued if it is pre or post war.

Another couple of shots that might have family interest for the diehard historians:

This shot represents 4 generations of Greens from which Mona (Neil & Betty's mother)(Mardi to her grandchildren) was derived. Nanny Green (Mona's mother) is at the front holding a newborn Tony Seage, so I guess the date is about March or April 1945 by the clothing. Betty on the left, Linda Green (married to Frank Green, Mona's elder brother) behind her, Mona at the back RHS and Thelma Green (married to Walter, Mona's younger brother) on the RHS. Location is in front of the front entry door of Carrington Hall at Coogee for those old enough to remember, and that is getting very old, on the RHS as you walked up the steps.

And finally:

An outing which includes Pop (Frank) and Nanny Green. Pop was a staunch mason, and doesn't he look it. I think it is the only photo I have ever seen of him. A young Mona (Mardi) Green is at the LHS (in the photo) of Pop with one of her many suitors, on this occasion a Mr Jack Toe. 'He worked on boats and things' was the explanation I have received to date. Others in the party included Mardi's friend Henri Biffin, seated in front of Pop. I suspect it might be Walter at the back leaning against the tree as he was the younger brother just there. Time? Anywhere between 1911 and 1915 guessing that Mona would have to be chaperoned, and between 16 and 20 years old. Location? Maybe Centennial Park as there is another shot of them posing in a boat.

I include this just to get you to consider fate, that you could have all been Toe's rather than Roff's. More praise to Jack Roff!

Brendan

 

Kate's Baby Shower!

So Kate had her baby shower at my place in Perth in early March :)
It was a Mad Hatter Tea Party theme and it went very well! There was plenty of food and Alice In Wonderland themed decorations. Here are some pics:








Liz x

Jan's Birthday

Happy Birthday Jan!

On this day in history; 1987 - Hulk Hogan took 11 minutes, 43 seconds to pin Andre the Giant in front of 93,136 at Wrestlemania III fans at the Silverdome in Pontiac.

You share a birthday with Jennifer Capriatti, Elle McPherson, and the most exciting politician in history, John Major. Happy Birthday Jan!

Ladies ski trip to Lake Louise

Hi All
Just back from a ski trip to Lake Louise with a few teachers from my school. The weather was amazing - clear blue skies, no wind plus fantastic snow.
The family is heading back to Banff for 4 nights over the Easter break, and plan to do more skiing/snowboarding. Poor old Luke broke his collar bone skateboarding a few weeks ago so hope it has healed enough for him to do a few easy hills.
Looking forward to receiving some guests soon. First cab off the rank is Glenn and Sue, anyone else interested in a Canadian holiday is very welcome to come and stay.
Love to all
Jenny xx

A frozen Lake Louise in the background dwarfs the Fairmont Hotel

Me and my teaching buddies from St Elizabeth

Early morning car trip to the Rockies

Down town Banff - what a backdrop!!

Happy Birthday Julia!

Julia shares her Birthday on March 23 with the following famous people Joseph Barbera, Roger Bannister, Steve McQueen and most notably, The Undertaker. I hope someone takes you up the road for a chinese. Happy Birthday Julia.

Home alone

As of yesterday, Dom has moved out of our Box Hill (Pox Hill, according to Morley) house to live with his older brother, Nick, and two friends in a shared house in Fairfield. It's a beaut, old house but it's possible they'll be the last tenants. Despite its faded glory, the land is worth a fortune as its a two minute walk to a railway station, a two-and-a-half minute walk to a yuppie shoping area and a 20 minute bike ride to the middle of Melbourne. They have a 12 month lease and survived a month-long set of inspections and applications where they often got close but no cigar. It's hard to get a house in the inner-city area of Melbourne.
What it means, of course, is that visiting relatives have a NEW, EXCITING, FREE accommodation venue close to the city. I'm sure the boys will want you to abuse it.
I'm having to learn to cook for two, the garbage bins are only half full and there's no noise after about 8.30pm. Wierd...

March 20

Rowans Birthday!

Happy Birthday R-Dizzle. On this day in 1968 John Lennon and Yoko got married. To celebrate your Birthday Ive posted a shot of Mr Ed and Wilbur Post, playing chess no less! Surely an inspiration for the fabulous Wild Horse and Man.

AFL Tipping Comp Starts in 5 Days

New Tippers, Old Tippers

1.Log onto footytips.com.au. Join up (its free). If your already a member just sign in.
2.When you have joined, look on your profile and press "create/join competition" At the bottom of the next page you will see "search". Write "roff afl" . Don't put in the inverted commas!
3. On the next page you will see "roff afl". Click on that. Dont be put off by the Admin, Dude Love. He's alright.
4. On the next page you will need a password, it is "roff" Dont type in the inverted commas.
5. You should be a member now. Go to the top of the page. Click tipping and start tipping.
6. Games start this weekend so get onto it!
7. How good is cutting and pasting.
8. Old tippers may need to simply respond to the invitation or just start tipping.
9. Jake, help Biggles out.
10. The rugby is doing my head in.
11. Get Dizzle!

March 13

Jenny's Birthday!

A bit late sorry. Jenny received a voucher for a pedicure and a manicure and some tickets to "Cats". Canada Roffs celebrated with a Pizza dinner. No photo available of Jenny so we will go with her favourite Flames player, Jerome Iginla and Andie McDowell.

That's not a band - THIS is a band

Bushman's Axe from around 1980. We thought the crowds booed us because of our cutting-edge use of electric instruments in the conservative folk environment but it's possible it was just becasue we weren't very good. Highlights of the period included a residency at Cambridge Hotel (every Thursday night). The trainee nurses at the local college liked us and, becasue they came to the pub, so did all the young blokes in town, creating the eronious impression that we were a top act. We got $300 a night and free drinks - that's probably still considered to be good money. There was a lot of work around and we averaged three gigs a week which was lucky as it was my only job at the time. That's my old school mate, Peter Tarren, on the left. The fiddle player was a student at the conservatorium of music and he always made us sound good. Aha, the old days...

Band 6

Jake has a new covers band. He was once described by Amanda as a human jukebox, so he thought he should use his "talent". Here's the link to the Facebook site. They are trying to look popular, so they are keen for everyone to 'Like' them. Their second gig, next friday, is at 'The Middle Pub' in Mullumbimby. Love Kel.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/BAND-6/333292830055659

March 5

Happy Birthday Zac! You share a birthday with Rex Harrison the famous actor. Also on this day in history, The King was honourably discharged from the army. The picture posted in no way resembles you. Your mates seem to be able to make comparisons. I cant work out the dates here and I could be a day late, sorry.

28th of Feb

Happy Birthday Sarah! You share a birthday with dashing Italian racing car driver Mario Andretti.
In the absence of a photo of you to post, I have used a photo of Mrs Brady. Top 3 Brady Bunch episodes.
1. When they go to Hawaii.
2. When Greg goes to senior high school.
3. When Peter's voice breaks.

I actually liked the Partridge Family better. My favourite character was Rueben Kincade.

Good times! Happy Birthday Sarah.

Ice Hockey at the Calgary Saddledome

Enjoyed our first ice hockey match Calgary Hitmen vs Edmonton Oilers. We lost 3-1 but it was a great night, especially when we read "Welcome to the Roff Family on exchange from Australia" up on the big screen. Luke wants to go professional and wants to live in Canada permanently!!

Correct address

Hi All

Our correct address is 37 Beach Road, Redhead 2290. Our old house number was 19.

Marianne

Dogs super excited and ready to pull the sled!!

STUART and MARIANNE HAVE MOVED

Daniel always claims that he is the least favoured child (which is true) but just to boost his confidence a bit we have shifted house to HIS outer Newcastle suburb - Redhead!

Our New address is: 19 Beach Road
Redhead 2290

New Phone Number: 49449290

Brendan and Kimi win the prize for being the first family visitors (apart from children) but all are welcome. It is a downsized house but has 3/4 bedrooms and overlooks the beach.

Milly's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Milly! The 24th of February is an awesome day to have a birthday. George Thorogood has his birthday on this day. In my opinion his 3 best songs are;
1. One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer.
2. Night time
3. Maverick

Happy Birthday Milly!

New tipping comp.

Super Rugby Tipping.

1.Log onto footytips.com.au. Join up (its free). If your already a member just sign in.
2.When you have joined, look on your profile and press "create/join competition" At the bottom of the next page you will see "search". Write "roffrugby". Don't put in the inverted commas!
3. On the next page you will see roffrugby. Click on that. Dont be put off by the Admin, Dude Love. He's alright.
4. On the next page you will need a password it is "roff" Dont type in the inverted commas.
5. You should be a member now. Go to the top of the page. Click tipping and start tipping.
6. Games start this weekend so get onto it!

Go Waratahs!

BRUSHES WITH FAME: Picasso anyone?

OK that last effort didn't work, so posting to Adam was a bit too literal for my luddite's mind. Adam tells us we can blog without passwords so I am giving it a second go.  A life without passwords. Imagine the possibilities.   Jake posted Brushes with Fame so I will segue with that (check the spelling).

If in Sydney and haven't yet visited the Picasso exhibit at the Art Gallery, and were intending too, you might drop by the Asian Gallery and see some Kimi donated treasures on display. This exhibit attracts some famous faces! But no flash photography. Guess who?

These pieces are part of a dowry Kimi brought here 25 years ago, much of which had been safely stored in the back cupboard, though some we have used some as curry plates over the years. Nice curries too. Three 'pieces' on permanent display so far (one set in the foreground), with Kimi and her mum's name duly acknowledged. Google Kimi's name and you might think the Gallery is building a new wing to accommodate the remainder.   The Gallery now invites Kimi and 'partner' to opening nights where it helps to blend in, rub a few elbows  and brush up your fame card. But no flash photography. Guess who? I'd like to know too.

Anyway, a Seage in the Art Gallery. Imagine that.

Kimi's donations are part of our downsizing campaign that has seen us toss, bequeath, donate, pack up, sell and sayonara out of Manly. We are now coming up to a year of bringing out our Inner Westie, renting in Dulwich Hill, with dreams of snapping up a bargain in a plummeting market. Dream on. In the meantime we curse our landlord, tend a veggie patch, and have become registered apiarists, all free of the confines of body corporate life.

 

Dulwich Hill is somewhere between a dressing gown and cardigan town –tellibly British - and being on the set of The Slap, but without the sub-titles. Our welcome included stealing our car in week two, and expecting the house to be a target any day since.    Two 'Protected by Wild Horse' stickers please. If the Wild Horse franchise extends to home & car security.

Other items in the downsizing exercise are finding photos left unsighted in drawers for many years. This is Aunty Betty at Thursday Plantation in Ballina in one of the Lismore years. 2006? I've always meant to post it. But confronted by passwords.

Behind her is one of Shane Forrest's installations on exhibition at the time. Shane's design was appropriated into Mudgee, to deter the bush junk from attacking our Pistachios that are enjoying the summers of rain.  These are Pistachios on the tree. I'd never seen them in situ before.

  

Brendan

And if in the neighbourhood:  Mick Seage and band (Music Sound Dance) will play at the Sandringham (Newtown) on 29th February on a list that features Will and the People (UK), exponents of the Pogo. Check it out.

 

 

Greetings from Canada

HI All
Just back from a great weekend in Canmore 90 minutes away where we met up with a large group of Australian exchange teachers. Went dog sledding which was an awesome experience, and then walked up Johnston's Canyon to see a frozen waterfall.
We are having a wonderful time in Canada, and would welcome any visitors to this side of the world. By the way, Ash/Cathie and Glenn/Sue can you please let us know your exact dates if you have them as we want to start planning a few trips.
The boys are really loving snowboarding, and Luke is a maniac on the mountains. The rest of us are ski bunnies, and Damian tried it for the first time on the weekend and did really well.
I apologise for not blogging earlier but I have discovered Facebook and that counts a large majority of the oldies out (except Grant who thinks he's still a teenager). If you get a chance, log onto some young person's page and check out my or Amy's photos.
The kids have all settled into school well, and are pretty positive and enjoying the experience. I have been very proud of how well they have coped, as it is a big ask taking them away from everything familiar for so long.
Off to a Calgary Hitmen ice hockey game this Friday night then off skiing again on Sunday - Luke is worried we will run out of snow but there are a couple of months left.
Love to all
Jenny xxx

Neil Roff and the bombing of Darwin

February 19 is the 70th anniversary of the major Japanese air attack of Darwin. It wasn't exactly a surprise but the Australian millitary was ill-prepared for the event. Recorded deaths were 251 but hundreds more were injured. The Japanese dropped more bombs on Darwin that day in 1942 than were dropped at Pearl Harbour.
Air attacks in the Northern Territory, WA and Queensland continued for the rest of '42 and into '43. Neil (Poppa to his grandchildren) Roff served in the NT during this period. While he wasn't injured by the bombing, he broke his leg in a training accident in Darwin and was subsequently moved to an army hospital near Katherine farther south.
According to Neil, the hospital was nestled under one of the tallest mountains in the NT.
"The Japanese bombers used the mountain to get their bearings and would circle it at low level before going off to their targets for the night. We assumed they wouldn't bomb an isolated hospital but we always suffered an attack of the "butterflies" when they passed.
"While my army service was relatively modest (particularly when you compare it with my father who landed with the ANZACs and Uncle Ken Seage who flow bombers over Europe), it took six years of my life at an age when there were probably more pleasant alternatives.
"I was discharged on May 14, 1946, and granted the 1939 -45 Medal; Imperial Medal; Defence Medal and, subsequently, the '39-45 Star. It wasn't a big deal but it wasn't bad for someone with a broken neck."
Few pictures of Neil in uniform remain partly because camera technology wasn't very developed at the time. The studio shot above is complemented by a far more realistic view of army life in the Territory during the war. Of the half-dozen pictures I can find in the family archives, he only has his shirt on in one. That's Poppa in the middle.
Neil wrote briefly about his war service in the old print version of the Roff Report - look for the last two issues in 1996 for parts one and two. Good on you, Dad.

from Brendan Seage

Hi Adam
Now apparently if I send this to you you can post this? Could you?
Breaking my silence.
If you need to format please go ahead.
Are you still in EPA in the city?
Brendan

Dave Morely's Birthday

Roff Family Christmas Legend and the villain in Bonnie to the Rescue celebrates his birthday today. I googled him, found these pictures and some pretty interesting information on him. What happened at Accrington Dave? Im guessing booze broads and bikes. Happy Birthday!

David T. Morley (born 13 February 1977 in St Helens) is an English football defender who plays for Welsh Premier League club Bangor City.

Morley started his career at Manchester City. He made 20 starts for the club's reserve team in 1996–97,^[1] and broke into the senior team for the first time the following season. He made a goalscoring debut against Bury on 12 September 1997, but did not make any further starts for the club, two substitute appearances providing his only other first team action.^[2]

He subsequently played for Southend, Carlisle, and Doncaster Rovers. He joined Macclesfield Town in January 2005,^[3] where he later became captain, leading out the side for their 2007 FA Cup tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.^[4] He signed a new contract in June 2007,^[5] but left Macclesfield four months later after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent following a particularly poor performance in a 3-2 defeat at Accrington.^[3]

9th of Feb - Ashley's Birthday.

The 9th of February is significant because it is Ashley's Birthday! I hope you get something nice.

9th of Feb

Update from Asia

The blessing (curse? Nah, blessing) of our gigantic family is that no matter how far around the world you might move, Roffs and relatives are never far away. Recently, Sarah and I caught up with Brendan Seage, who was passing through Tokyo. Brendan took us out for Yakitori and beer at a tiny bar in the backstreets of Shinjuku (a major business/red light district of Tokyo).

It was amaizing to watch Brendan order and chat with the waiter in flawless Japanese. Sarah and I have been studying hard at a local community centre, but when we speak we still sound like we're regurgitating stock phrases from a lonely planet guidebook. Brendan politely rejected the waiter's offer of an English menu, and then negotiated for beer and food without missing a beat. We swapped horror stories about teaching English in Japan. It was a great evening.

Then, a couple of weeks ago, we went to visit Harry and Vicky in Taiwan. Harry had earlier described Taiwan to me as "Japan on crack". I was skeptical, but that's actually pretty accurate!

Harry and Vicki (not to mention Vicki's parents Barry and Alice, who let us crash) were amazing hosts, and we had a great time. Harry is insistent that he knows more about Taiwan than Vicky, which resulted in some good natured squabbling. I want to support Vicky in this fight, but Harry really does seem to know an awful lot about Taiwanese history and culture, and everytime we seemed lost in the backstreets of Taiwan, our organs about to be harvested, Harry somehow led us to freedom.

Here are some photos from our Taiwan adventure. More can be found on our blog: www.tamagomoon.com.





Oh, and can I just say I think it's a travesty that "Visions of Johanna" didn't make anyone's top 5 Hottest 100 of All Time Bob Dylan Songs List... er, thing? Seriously though:

1. Visions of Johanna
2. Things Have Changed
3. All along the Watchtower
4. Subterranean Homesick Blues
5. The Hurricane

Honourable mention: Like a Rolling Stone. Just because it's been played to death doesn't mean it's not an awesome song.

Worst Dylan song: Licence to Kill.

Women of letters

Prominent literary figure, Marieke Hardy (grand-daughter of novelist Frank Hardy) has recently been creating "literary afternoons of Women of Letters". She invited prominent women from the fields of stage, screen and page to write letters on a particular theme and they've been collected in a book appropriately titled "Women of Letters - reviving the lost art of correspondence". Contributors you might recoginise include Judith Lucy, Cal Wilson, Catherine Deveny, Noni Hazlehurst, Helen Razer, Claudia Karvan, Helen Garner, Julia Zemiro, Missy Higgins, Joan Kirner, Megan Washington and, of course, our own Amanda Roff.
Amanda's contribution appears with Alice Pung in the section titled, "To the moment it all fell apart."
The book is published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Books. If you go to womenofletters.com.au you'll get information on how to purchase a copy.
I got my copy from Amanda as a present and it's inscribed by Marieke: "Darling Roffy, your brain is f#$%ing awesome!" I'm presuming Marrieke was thinking of me at the time.
The attached picture is from some kind of promotion of live readings. Go Amanda. It's a really good bedside book because you can imagine all the letters are to you and they're all short.
Damian would give it four stars...

Magic Melbourne moments

We've just had a flying visit from Kate on her way back to WA from NZ. I should have taken a picture as it's K8 like you've never seen her before: heavily pregnant. Amanda warned me in advance that I'd need sunglasses. "She glows radiantly already; imagine what she'll be like with child!" She's in excellent form and Joe is due to arrive in Perth this Friday. In the short term, they'll be staying with John who's having the same trouble selling his Geraldton house as the rest of us currently on the market. Kate says he likes his new job.
Amanda is on the Hume Highway as we speak heading south with her mum for May's wedding next Saturday night. May is the second half of the Ukes. Jules and I will be attending as well and the event is on the Great Ocean Road with a reception afterwards in the Wye River surf lifesaving club. Most of us are camping nearby and there will be LOTS of excellent music. Watch this space for a full report...

Brushes with fame

This is about 7 years ago at a school dress up party. Mel Breen is now the 2nd fastest woman in Australia (behind Sally Pearson) and will be running at the London Olympics, due in no small part to the advice offered by her PE teachers at the time..
Falconed with 'The Falcon'
I doubt that the saying has reached Victoria, WA or wherever the Wild Horse lives, but Mario Fenech (Nicknamed the Falcon) got hit in the head by a stray ball in a Rugby League game 20 or 30 years ago, and any time a NSW kid gets hit in the head, he/she gets 'Falconed'. The Falcon visited Woodlawn today. It took 8 falcons for the photographer to get this shot. I personally think that they got the shot on the first attempt.

Grant's Birthday

Happy Birthday Grant! How good was the Box Hill Big Birthday Bash last year! Hawaii shirts, Ukes, guitars, mullet dives, the works. Hopefully someone will take you up the road to the RSL for a beer and a meal from the bistro.