King & Country
Captain
- Joined
- May 23, 2005
- Messages
- 5,026
Hi Guys,
I just got back yesterday from the biggest and best “down under” trip yet and wanted to express my thanks to all those who made it possible.
To Brett, Gerilou and Martin in Brisbane…to Peter, Sven and Richard in Sydney…and Howard and Jenny in Melbourne my heart felt gratitude for your kindness, generosity and friendship.
Another debt of gratitude must also go to the “Diorama Gang” of St. Joseph’s Nudgee College led by Martin alongside Wayne, Bob, Phil and Glenn. Your displays and setups were truly superb and spectacular. It’s not often I am lost for words when I see something but the scope and size of your efforts was just amazing. Martin also gets another pat on the back for the sequence of events on the night itself…a 3-gun salute, a bagpiper, highland dancers, an excellent little memorial service and wreath laying ceremony as well as a first class buffet supper. No wonder it attracted over 85 collectors!!! Plus the opportunity to meet up with lots of old Brisbane mates and assorted interlopers from New Zealand, Canberra and Darwin.
From Brisbane down to Sydney and another gathering of the K&C “Clan” thanks to Pete and Sven in the Queen Victoria Building. Plenty of friendly, familiar faces along with quite a few new ones –and younger ones too! I met up with 3 of Peter’s youngest (and most knowledgeable) K&C collectors in the store…They were alas too young to enjoy Peter’s excellent wines served at our dinner in the Regimental Officer’s Mess in Sydney. But it’s still great to see young people coming into and enjoying the hobby –Thanks to the Mums and Dads who encourage their history-loving offspring!
Again apart from the Sydney boys it was great to meet some of Peter’s “Out-of-Towners” at the dinner and in the store.
After Sydney it was down to Melbourne and out to Donnybrook’s Howard & Jen. This is only my second visit to Melbourne so along with Howard and Robin and myself we explored a wee bit of the city as well as the monumental “Shrine of Remembrance” , built after the First World War…awesome and impressive in its simple style and elegant architecture. Our first ever gathering was, I hope, enjoyed by one and all and although the weather turned colder the welcome could not have been warmer. A special thanks to Mick, the Light Horseman and “Winifred” his beautiful horse who very patiently allowed us to photograph them from every conceivable angle!
And suddenly, before you know it, you’re on the aircraft heading back to Hong Kong. Today as I’m writing this, my mind travels back to the “Land of Oz” and the great people there. If I have but one regret it is the fact that it’s another year till I hit those shores again!
A huge thankyou once more and… here’s to 2015!!!
All the best and happy collecting!
P.S. Here’s a little “photo” thankyou…pic attached.
I just got back yesterday from the biggest and best “down under” trip yet and wanted to express my thanks to all those who made it possible.
To Brett, Gerilou and Martin in Brisbane…to Peter, Sven and Richard in Sydney…and Howard and Jenny in Melbourne my heart felt gratitude for your kindness, generosity and friendship.
Another debt of gratitude must also go to the “Diorama Gang” of St. Joseph’s Nudgee College led by Martin alongside Wayne, Bob, Phil and Glenn. Your displays and setups were truly superb and spectacular. It’s not often I am lost for words when I see something but the scope and size of your efforts was just amazing. Martin also gets another pat on the back for the sequence of events on the night itself…a 3-gun salute, a bagpiper, highland dancers, an excellent little memorial service and wreath laying ceremony as well as a first class buffet supper. No wonder it attracted over 85 collectors!!! Plus the opportunity to meet up with lots of old Brisbane mates and assorted interlopers from New Zealand, Canberra and Darwin.
From Brisbane down to Sydney and another gathering of the K&C “Clan” thanks to Pete and Sven in the Queen Victoria Building. Plenty of friendly, familiar faces along with quite a few new ones –and younger ones too! I met up with 3 of Peter’s youngest (and most knowledgeable) K&C collectors in the store…They were alas too young to enjoy Peter’s excellent wines served at our dinner in the Regimental Officer’s Mess in Sydney. But it’s still great to see young people coming into and enjoying the hobby –Thanks to the Mums and Dads who encourage their history-loving offspring!
Again apart from the Sydney boys it was great to meet some of Peter’s “Out-of-Towners” at the dinner and in the store.
After Sydney it was down to Melbourne and out to Donnybrook’s Howard & Jen. This is only my second visit to Melbourne so along with Howard and Robin and myself we explored a wee bit of the city as well as the monumental “Shrine of Remembrance” , built after the First World War…awesome and impressive in its simple style and elegant architecture. Our first ever gathering was, I hope, enjoyed by one and all and although the weather turned colder the welcome could not have been warmer. A special thanks to Mick, the Light Horseman and “Winifred” his beautiful horse who very patiently allowed us to photograph them from every conceivable angle!
And suddenly, before you know it, you’re on the aircraft heading back to Hong Kong. Today as I’m writing this, my mind travels back to the “Land of Oz” and the great people there. If I have but one regret it is the fact that it’s another year till I hit those shores again!
A huge thankyou once more and… here’s to 2015!!!
All the best and happy collecting!
Andy
P.S. Here’s a little “photo” thankyou…pic attached.
