Author: John Elphinston

Lunch Next Week in Brisbane

/ John Elphinston / Leave a comment

From Maurie . . .

Thank you to all those who have responded re the lunch.
 Details are:
       The Ship Inn
        www.theshipinn.com.au
       Meet at 12pm for drinks/lunch (pay as you go at the bar); reserved table.
       We will be sitting outdoors so rug up accordingly.

Attendees so far:
       David Cran and Trish
       John Elphinston and Sandy
       Maurie Meecham and Joan
       John McNamara
       Kevin Loughrey and Jan
       Trevor Smith and Ainslie
       Jon Mander Jones
       Peter Teys and Helen

If anyone else who is not normally on our list is around and about in the great south east, feel free to join us.
Cheers

Thailand Catch Up . . .

/ John Elphinston / 3 Comments

Well look who you run into when wandering around Thailand, far away from the land of the long white cloud.

Can you pick them? Roger Simmons called on Denis Brennan at his hotel in Chang Mai. No doubt talking about the novice boxing competition given they both won their weight divisions.

Gold Coast Catch Up

/ John Elphinston / Leave a comment

A small group of classmates and partners gathered at Southport yesterday at a seafood restaurant selected by Blackie. The day was so successful we decided to used the same venue for a Christmas Llunch which is now planned for Wednesday 4 Dec 24 . Please put this date in your diary and all classmates and their partners are welcome .
Coffs Harbour was discussed and we are still planning a “ Recce in Force “ this year for the nights 20 and 21 August 24 (roughly two and a half years since our 50th) .
Remember for the Coffs recce in 2024 you can book now (I think we have about a dozen booked so far) and you can cancel 48 hours prior if necessary without charge.
“ Mates forever”
JohnMc

Coffs update

/ John Elphinston / Leave a comment

A Message from Mac

Some of us have booked for Coffs ( Nights 20 and 21 Aug 24 ) .

The best way is to book directly with Pacific Bay Resort ( pacificbayresort.com.au ) Use your credit card and you can cancel up to 48 Hours prior to your booking .

There is no transfer of money until you arrive.This method will ensure you have the flexibility we all need at this stage in our lives!

Can you please keep me in the loop when you book . It is a pay as you go event but hopefully we will have a group dinner both nights so we will need numbers to allow the hotel to set up .

Cheers

A Dry Run at Coffs Harbour later in 2024

/ John Elphinston / 4 Comments

From John McNamara

As you may remember we are planning a Class Gathering in Coffs Harbour (www.pacificbayresort.com.au) in 2025 but we feel the need to do another recce to confirm last years recce ( you can never do enough planning!).

Therefore, some of us are planning to go to Coffs this year. The idea of this note is to say that if anyone else is interested, please feel free to join us in Coffs Harbour, arriving Tuesday 20th Aug and departing sometime on or after thursday 22nd August 2024. Consider it a recce ‘en force’.  Wives/partners are very much welcomed and encouraged as are your tents, caravans, fishing rods, golf clubs and walking shoes. 

How different would this be to the one in 2025? Not too sure on the answer to that as the over-arching theme for both is one of relaxation and minimal formality. Depending on the number who indicate possible attendance we’ll at least reserve a space in the dining room/on the terrace.

Please let me know your thoughts and potential attendance.

Cheers

Mac

A Class Gathering 2025

/ John Elphinston / 4 Comments

From John McNamara:

Good afternoon all,

About 20 classmates have sent through positive messages or spoken one on one about the desirability of a gathering in 2025.  The level of interest is very encouraging and even though 2025 may seem to be a long way off, it is only half of the wait for the ‘normal’ 5 year reunion.

So in a nod to our ageing selves, we are biting the bullet and planning for a Class Gathering in August 2025 at Coffs Harbour. Its on!!!

A recce is planned for 20-22 November 2023, with John Elphinston, Jon Mander-Jones, Murray Smith (a Coffs local) and me. We plan to stay at The Pacific Bay Resort to look over the place. As well, we will view other venues, check out caravan parks and other places of interest.

If any of you are passing through Coffs Harbour at that time, we will be on our mobiles and would love to see you. I am sure you will see a picture or two of us hard at work and we will report back.

Happy to take on any feedback and wish us well for a fruitful recee. 🤣

Regards ,

John Mc

A Tremendous Long Lunch. . . and Dinner

/ John Elphinston / Leave a comment

A few of us attended Paddy Ryan’s long running lunch at Victoria Barracks in Sydney last Friday. An excellent event as always and added to by a dinner at the instigation of John McNamara on behalf of the out of towners. Thanks to Peter Martyn for organising the dinner venue.

In the photo . . . Paddy Ryan, Peter Martyn, Peter Jenke, Peter McCann, Duncan McInnes, Dave Goggin, Pat Cullinan, John McNamara, Steve Despoges, John Black, John Elphinston, Rod Allan, John Hands, Don Muirhead.