|
TOOWOOMBA, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA – 3rd June 2004
George MILLIE’s 70th Birthday
“With friends
like these, who needs enemas?”
Prelude
The third
day of Antipodean Winter dawned crisp and fresh,
and the sun rose to lighten the cloudless sky, promising a fine and sunny
day. Marion and I breakfasted on Tasmanian smoked salmon served on lightly
toasted bread, accompanied by one of our favourite imported German white
wines. Whilst eating this humble repast we contemplated: “I wonder what the
poor people are doing?”
Thus
fortified, we attended to the last minute preparations and awaited the
arrival of our guests:
|
Gerry
‘Gregus’
and Margaret Peck
|
|
Reg ‘Rugsucker’ and Vera Harper
|
|
Roy ‘Dusty’ and Kay Ashman
|
|
Phil
and Lynne Hutchinson
|
all of whom were
driving up to Toowoomba from places distant. Robin ‘Jock’ and Jeanette Lamont, our old friends from Singapore
days and residents of Toowoomba, would be meeting us at the restaurant at the
appointed hour.
At
about 9.15 Phil telephoned, apologizing profusely for their suddenly imposed
inability to attend – Lynne, a nurse, had been summoned to duty to replace a sick
colleague.
The Gathering
At
about 10.30 the decision to have a brew-up before the horde arrived prompted
the sudden appearance of Gerry and Margaret, just in time for some
refreshment. Next to arrive were Roy and Kay, and by 11.30 we were becoming concerned
about Reg and Vera, who arrived on the scene close
to mid-day. We were due to leave for the restaurant at about 12.15.
The Cards and Gifts
When
all were safely gathered in, the birthday cards and gifts were ceremoniously presented
and photographs taken.
|
From
Roy and Kay -
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photograph: Margaret Peck
|
|
The
book was accompanied by a unique bookmark, designed and printed by Roy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obverse
|
Reverse
|
|
|
|
|
|
From
Reg and Vera -
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photograph: Margaret Peck
|
|
This
unique gift of a brass plaque on black lacquered wood is destined to adorn
one wall of the “FEOFA Mess”. It was accompanied by a card designed and
printed by Vera, using one of her many beautiful photographs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From
Gerry and Margaret -
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photograph: Margaret Peck
|
|
A
set of six video tapes titled: “Why We Fought”, being a compilation of the
major events of World War II, assembled from black and white film footage dated
1943. About 9 hours and 15 minutes of entertainment to fill the
interminable hours of ‘repeats’ and sundry other bits of rubbish currently
being broadcast on TV. This gift was accompanied by a unique piece of
Gerry’s innovative artwork – somewhat resembling the best of Leonardo da Vinci – a set of detailed plans and instructions
titled:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: The original document, formatted foolscap landscape,
becomes too small and unreadable when reduced to this size. To overcome the
problem I have digitally cropped and pasted the five elements in the order
reproduced above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And
to round off, a group photograph -
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photograph: Margaret Peck
|
|
(left to right) Roy Ashman, George Millie, Gerry Peck,
and Reg Harper
|
The Birthday Cake
Consumed at our home during the
afternoon.
|
|
|
Photograph: Margaret Peck
|
|
Living dangerously - a vanilla cake, coated in cream, a
variety of nuts, and strawberries.
|
Published: June 2004
|
|
The Restaurant
|
|
