"Hello Folks,

I hope you are all happy and in the best of health.  

During the year despite some health issues Pat has been busy co-coordinating music for church choirs, and St. Vincent de Paul Society welfare call outs for 2 conferences.  Her big project in recent months has been co-coordinating Christmas Hampers and children's presents for our clients in the Armadale district.  We got 30 hampers from Headquarters and with food donated from the Parish and 4 Catholic Schools in the area made up a further 80 Christmas Hampers; making a total of 110 hampers.  

We also got enough presents donated to give to each child on the family hamper list.  As you can imagine this was a major project and Pat spent a lot of long days and nights on the computer to ensure the the information was right.  Even when she was asleep, she had nightmares about the project which woke up " Jessie Belle " who growled and warned me " not to touch her mother ".  

On Friday 9th December all the food was taken to the church hall, each item of food was checked to ensure it had not reached the expiry date, then the hampers were made up. This was a major project by our excellent team of volunteers; who returned the following day to provide morning tea, hampers and presents to our clients. I never imagined that at 70 I would be running around with reindeer antlers taking hampers to people's cars.  I have no doubt that a lot of families would have missed out on Christmas  if not for our efforts. Special credit goes to Pat for coordinating this project

During the year I again served on the District Welfare Committee, which ensures agencies work together to help those in need.  For Christmas we aimed to ensure all those in need got hampers and / or vouchers for food.  Of course our work is year round when we help with food, rent assistance, clothing, utility bills etc.  What is so humbling about this work is it is mostly done by volunteers who are pensioners.

Besides welfare work I am still active with an Emergency Services Support Group, that set up and runs Command Vehicles and Centres during emergencies.  Most of our work is regarding bush fires, and it has again been a busy year.  We can be sent any where any time.  Again our group is made up of unpaid volunteers as are about 30,000 of our Emergency Services Members.

Family wise the kids and grand kids seem to be doing well; despite all the challenges life is giving them.  I am sort of glad I no longer have to deal with their type of issues; but again some how I survived, even thrived.

Health wise, I am finishing the year in pretty good shape.  I am still doing a lot of walking and kayaking when I can.  My fitness levels are in the range of the DPAW [ old State Forestry ] level for a 45 year old. During my yearly examination my doctor double checked his results then claimed I am fitter now than last year this time.  Of course what I did not admit was that I was performing beyond the pain barrier.  I know it is only a matter before I will have to have some small operations, but I am putting them off as long as I can.  Mentally, like anyone who has served in emergency services for a few years, in my case over 50 years, I have my flash backs and demons to deal with.  I find by keeping busy out in the field helps me keep these matters under control, better than relaxing for too long.

Now the year is almost over.  Are you ready for Christmas?   I appreciate that some of you will be snowed in (not in Bermuda) and next to a warm fire.  Here in Western Australia we are the complete opposite with temperatures in the mid to high 30’s [90’s to over 100 F ] To the north of the State we have a number of cyclones developing.  They could make life interesting in the last days of 2016.

Well I finally managed to get this e-mail  without a call out of other emergency.  Look after yourselves, Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 2017

All the best,

Pat, "Jessie Belle" and Ray

 

We have received the following best wishes from Colin Mackenzie who joined the BPS in 1970

Happy New Year, Roger. Hope this finds you well

I gave thought to your request for remembering Christmas in Bermuda (a little after the fact I know) so here is one thing, out of so many, that I remember. During my early years in Bermuda I was a member of the JCC’s along with Will Mayo, former owner with his wife Carole of Strands Salon. Will and I were part of the group involved in the Santa Clause Parade along Front Street. It was always a fun time, especially doing things for the kids. Will and Carole have been great friends and their hospitality and friendship during my 9 years on the Island will never be forgotten. I’m sorry, I don’t have any photos of those parades or even of Will and I on the parade route.

And, in keeping with helping others, as a Rotary member of the Rotary Cub of Peterborough, 4 years ago I initiated the food donation program from our meetings, meaning I deliver the left over food from our Monday meetings to the various homes and shelters in Peterborough. Before Christmas I delivered 30 turkeys to those less fortunate than us and the turkeys were donated by generous Rotarians. How the food donation started was I saw leftover food (paid for by Rotary) going back to the kitchen of the hotel where our meetings are held. I spoke to the kitchen manager and, with the cooperation of the kitchen staff, they pack up the food in containers that I (Rotary) provide and the food is delivered to the various homes/shelters right after our meetings. No matter where one lives there are always people having a tough time making ends meet so the Rotary Club of Peterborough members help out whenever we can.

I am also a member of Habitat For Humanity working with the Youth Program to help build homes for those again less fortunate than us. A group of Rotarians help out at build sites and we act as mentors, as some youth members (16 - 18 years old) have never picked up a hammer before.  We also encourage them to think about safety at a build site.

I am also a board member of our local CrimeStoppers program and involved with others in fund-raising activities.

And, still playing squash regularly as well as giving squash lessons once a week!

On a personal note, I was stunned, as were all of us here, of the news of the passing of Bron Pett. I played rugby with Moby, worked beside Barrie Mancell, know his wife Jen and, of course, knew Bron as well. My wife and I met Moby and Bron some years ago when they were here for a visit and we all met at Paul Hendrick's house. Such sad news indeed.

I hope the info. is OK, Roger and, finally, congratulations on your New Years honour! Well deserved!

I wish all whom I worked with and know on the Island a safe, healthy and happy new year.

Cheers.

Colin.

Editors note  - After receiving this email from Colin I wrote back to ask if he might have a Christmas photo of himself and his family, to which he replied:-

“You know what, no photos of us this Christmas. I’m always taking photos of somebody else! Grandkids were over before Christmas and my wife and I had to have eyes in the back of our head….they are into everything! 8 and 4 years old…mischievous as heck and smart as anything! What any proud grandfather would say, right?

I have a photo of myself and our dog that I have attached….if that helps. His name is Duke and he’s a Schnoodle, a cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle.

 

Duke has been a “therapy” dog at one of the schools here, about a year and half ago. The kids loved him and, as part of the visit, I told the kids in each class 5 things about a dog they may not have known. Duke also did his tricks for a treat, like rolling over and sitting and pawing the air.  He was a hit because he has such a good temperament, very easy going and doesn’t get rattled easily.  Then the V/Principal who set up the visits moved to another school. Duke may return to the school later this Spring.

Sorry about no Christmas photos. Cheers!

Colin.”