The 2019 Bourke Christmas Chronicle

     THE BOURKE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLE 2019.                         Merry Christmas everybody.

Christmas Eve 2018. Kai, Jack, Cisco at rear. Sophie next to Lesley Sari,  Havana and Luc in front.

Of course we all knew Christmas was coming because those big department stores started telling us way back in August that it is Christmas time.                                                                                                                        

Now, four months later, it really IS Christmastime.                                                                                                                                   

 2019 flashed by in a blur of happy birthdays, sad funerals, grandchildren’s swimming carnivals, weekend football and netball games, class and graduation assemblies as well as Thursday Morning Symphony Concerts, Morning Melodies at His Majesty’s, Eagles matches, Test Matches at Perth stadium and lots of fun and enjoyment with family and friends.                                                                              

 Noel and Lesley continue to thrive at the Ocean Reef Country Club where Noel produces a monthly newsletter and Lesley is the honorary Librarian. This year Noel received a Service Award from the Principals’ Association for contributing articles to its publications over 25 years.                                                   

 They both keep in touch with old schoolmates and friends from university days. This well travelled duo did not stray too far from home in 2019, but they did stray frequently. Trips to Donnybrook, Busselton, Geraldton and to their many friends and relations across Perth allowed them to retain membership of the Freewheeling Travellers Association.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             On the occasion of their 52nd wedding anniversary in August, they even took a nostalgic trip to where it all began…the bus stop outside the Guildford railway station. 

52 years later. At least one of us is still beautiful.

August 26, 1968. The way we were.

 Then they stopped at the Guildford Arms for a celebratory meal. They even made a return journey to Tranby Primary School where, in  February 1965, Noel and Lesley first met…discounting the many times, four years earlier, when Noel used to enjoy the daily sighting of the beautiful mystery girl sitting  at the bus stop outside the Guildford railway station as he drove by on his way to Koongamia Primary school. Sadly, that nostalgic drive back to Tranby School revealed that it no longer exists. Somebody has changed its name to Rivervale School.

 

 It was Sunday, June 2nd, the second day of Winter.                A perfect day for morning coffee with the family at Trigg Beach.

 

                                                                                                                                                               Not only are Noel and Lesley enjoying good health, they feel privileged and so happy seeing their grandchildren growing up so splendidly and that their families are all happy and healthy. They feel blessed to have been part of so many  family milestones.                                                                                                    

 All the grandchildren received very pleasing reports. Cisco and Sari both graduated from their respective primary schools. Sari also earns some handy pocket money delivering advertising leaflets two nights each week.  Havana and Kai, in years 6 and 4 next year, are the last remaining grandchildren at primary school. Sophie, Jack and Luc are all progressing well in secondary school.  Sophie completes Year 12 next year. In November, Sophie obtained her driver’s licence. Congratulations, Sophie! She also works part time at Boost Juice at Whitfords Shopping Centre. That should help pay for the petrol. 

Graduate Sari

Graduate Cisco.

                Noel and Lesley enjoyed attending school assemblies, grand parent days, sports days and concerts throughout 2019. One of the highlights was attending the Massed Choirs Festival in the Concert Hall as Cisco and Havana helped 500 children make beautiful music. Havana has also completed her first year of trumpet tuition. She has progressed really well and played with confidence and distinction at a recent school music assembly.                                                                                                                                                        

Jane and Ian  continue teaching with the WA Education Department. Jane is still at the School of Isolated and Distance Education. Occasionally her job takes her to Broome, Esperance and other places to meet with students and their prospective employers. Some BIG events for Jane in 2019 were gaining her Certificate 4, gaining permanency at SIDE and hitting the BIG 50, which she celebrated with family in September. Congratulations on achieving all these milestones, Jane.                     

Other family highlights in 2019 were Sarah walking halfway around Western Australia. Well, maybe not that far, but she walked a huge section of the Bibbilmun Track in the south west over a five day period. In her “spare time”, Sarah works four days a week helping in a friend’s business, making and supplying delicious cakes and desserts to Perth cafes and restaurants. Denis is busy building his new business and website, Discovery Development Partners, a consultancy concerned with business efficiency and effectiveness plus staff and organisational wellbeing. He is also writing songs, producing CDs and appearing in gigs with his band at the Indie Bar and other Perth night spots.                                                                                                                                                      

Emily and family went to the Melbourne  ANZAC footy game earlier this year, after Carl had completed his swim to Rottnest. She and Carl then enjoyed  a holiday in Bali, sans children.                          

Emily enjoys working  three days a week in Year One at West Morley Primary School. She also did a great job as Team Manager of Sari’s netball team. This year Carl and Emily will be spending Christmas with Carl’s family in Dunsborough, so the usual Christmas Eve family photo will be three grandchildren short.                                                                                                                                                                                                Noel, Lesley, Jane, Ian, Cisco and Havana will enjoy Christmas dinner at Chateau Belliveau with Sarah, Denis, Sophie and Luc, where they will also be celebrating Noel’s birthday with family and friends on Christmas Eve.  To all our family and friends, MERRY CHRISTMAS!                                                                  

 May the peace and joy of Christmas stay with you all through a healthy and happy New Year.                                                              

Merry Christmas from Noel, Lesley, Jane, Ian, Cisco, Havana, Sarah, Denis, Sophie, Luc, Emily, Carl, Jack, Sari, Kai, Sadie, the Wonder Dog and Billy, the Big Black Cat.