John Mason
Hi Cedric,
The drone footage brought back some nostalgic memories. We couldn’t help but note the caravans on the foreshore - presumably using this pristine coastal setting as an overnight free camping site. Many years ago we travelled around Tassie in a rental winebago and remember quite clearly the seascape. For some reason I found the drone perspective quite hypnotic. One of the appealing features of Tassie is how so many of the older homes and cottages are retained and cared for - especially in the central parts of Launceston and Hobart - the latter reminds me so much of Cape Town.
Thank you so much for the details concerning Maurice’s Presley - I am trying to establish whether he would like to reconnnect with someone he may only vaguely recall. And yes, I have no doubt that it is the Maurice that was a year my senior. As you may guess he was given the nickname Elvis - something of an inevitability given his surname. I suspect he may have been very ambivalent about this given that he was in every way the antithesis of the superstar rock idol.
Val and I have been trying to think of some way of assisting you with your visa applications. What is about bureaucracy that it always seems to complicate that which should be so simple? And why can’t merit and the human dimensions of a case be the determining factors? Unfortunately, this particular issue has become So politicised in recent years that the individual merits of a case seem no longer to be a consideration. Val says that you should appeal in person to Eric Abetz - a conservative politician who professes a strong Christian faith. One good thing about politics in Australia is that the politicians are generally very accessible.
We have also spoken to Barrie and Di Irons. Barrie taught with me at DHS in 1980, and I was able to help him secure a position at Mentone Grammar thanks to a dynamic headmaster who was able to orchestrate matters at that time. Barrie retired last year after several years as deputy headmaster at Hutchins in Hobart - a much-loved teacher and cricket coach. Last year the school, renamed its main oval The Barrie Irons Oval. Unfortunately, they too are bemused and frustrated by current immigration policies in Australia.
On a more positive note, my daughter Sarah’s husband Peter are very close friends with an anaesthetist who is specialising in transplant anaesthesia - Louise Ellard. Peter is a paediatrician and he and Louisa completed fellowships in Toronto about four years ago during which the two families formed a very close friendship. Sarah texted Louisa today and it turns out that she is presenting two lectures/ papers at the conference in Malaysia. We got to know them quite well during our various stays in Toronto and were hugely impressed with her and could easily see why our daughter had such a high regard for this dynamic young woman. She would me more than happy for Felicity to contact her. Her mobile is 0437742820 and will be staying at thenHyatt. Sarah also told me to mention that she’ll have Whatsapp.
Thanks again for the info on Maurice and I shall certainly let you know if he is interested in a guest membership on the 1965 website.
Best wishes and we will certainly be praying that something can be done with respect to your visa aspirations. Unfortunately, we tend to bypass Sydney two or three times a year on our various migrations north to Byron Bay where we have a beach property. The climate and beachscape north of Byron so reminded us so much of parts of the Natal south coast that we bought the beach house about twenty years ago - a blessing for which our children and now grandchildren are wonderfully grateful. If on the other hand you have reason to come to Melbourne you would be most welcome to stay over with us.
Cheers,
John.
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