After 7 years in the top job the boss of the SES, Philip McNamara had his farewell dinner on Saturday. A group of us from Wollongong SES were among the 200 guests, mostly volunteers from around the state who paid homage to a man who has lifted the image of the SES to what it is today.
The City Beach function centre hosted the dinner which included parlimentary dignitaries, other Emergency Services personnel and his family. Nothing but accolade's were stowed upon him as everyone enjoyed a 3 course dinner and dancing.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Samantha turns 5
“Your children grow up so quickly”. Our little princess turned 5 on Friday with all the fan fair that makes her such a little character. On her actual birthday we did the usual family thing together. She was so excited with all her presents, which of course had a ‘Dora’ theme. We then had a little party dinner.
However the real fun came for her when she had a ‘Dora’ birthday party with 14 of her close friends on the Saturday afternoon. While the weather was cold and windy that didn’t seem to bother the kids who all had a great time playing numerous games and eating lots of party food. Samantha had a beautiful butterfly cake and also received some great presents from her friends.
However the real fun came for her when she had a ‘Dora’ birthday party with 14 of her close friends on the Saturday afternoon. While the weather was cold and windy that didn’t seem to bother the kids who all had a great time playing numerous games and eating lots of party food. Samantha had a beautiful butterfly cake and also received some great presents from her friends.
Windstorm 1st Aug 08
I'd just settled into my usual Friday night activity of watching the footy on Tv with a bourbon in hand when the wind started. It'd been predicted all day but typical of the bureau their timing was way off. Well, it blew and blew and eventually the pager started going off with peoples 'request for assistance'. The wind was gusting so bad that at times you could feel the whole house shudder.
We later heard that gusts were recorded of 109km/hr.
At SES it quickly became evident that we had a major operation on our hands. We asked for as many members as possible to respond. Calls were flooding in, way faster than anyone could handle. The wind was relentless and the damage was widespread with a number of houses loosing roofs, there were countless trees down along with the minor jobs.
Saturday morning I called it quits at 3.00am, but by 4.00pm I was heading back to SES for my next shift. The tally of jobs had grown to 291, big by any standard but not our worst. We had SES teams from all over Sydney assisting us. By the end of my shift (1.00am) we had only 57 outstanding jobs.
Today the operation continues, hopefully it'll all be complete this afternoon but thats for someone else to woory about. I'm having a day off.
Saturday morning I called it quits at 3.00am, but by 4.00pm I was heading back to SES for my next shift. The tally of jobs had grown to 291, big by any standard but not our worst. We had SES teams from all over Sydney assisting us. By the end of my shift (1.00am) we had only 57 outstanding jobs.
Today the operation continues, hopefully it'll all be complete this afternoon but thats for someone else to woory about. I'm having a day off.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Shine a Light
I was lucky enough last night to attend a special screening of the new Rolling Stones film “Shine a Light” after winning some tickets on the local radio station.
I’ve been a bit of a closet Rollin’ Stones fan ever since I seen them at the SCG back in 1995 as part of their Voodoo Lounge tour. So with an open mind I went along to what I’d call a doco/concert filmed for the big screen. The film directed by Martin Scorsese is shot at the Beacon theatre (very similar to the Enmore theatre in Sydney) in New York, back in 2006.
The movie I thought was OK, not something I’d rush out to buy. It has a lot of old footage and interviews from the bands younger years that is edited in between songs. The band plays to a packed house, which includes the then president, Bill Clinton. What stood out for me is just how old these guys are now. Obviously too much of the good life. They’ve been performing for 46 years now and with the close-up camera work they look every bit of the 60+ years of age they all must be.
It was an enjoyable night and great to bop along to their songs once again.
I’ve been a bit of a closet Rollin’ Stones fan ever since I seen them at the SCG back in 1995 as part of their Voodoo Lounge tour. So with an open mind I went along to what I’d call a doco/concert filmed for the big screen. The film directed by Martin Scorsese is shot at the Beacon theatre (very similar to the Enmore theatre in Sydney) in New York, back in 2006.
The movie I thought was OK, not something I’d rush out to buy. It has a lot of old footage and interviews from the bands younger years that is edited in between songs. The band plays to a packed house, which includes the then president, Bill Clinton. What stood out for me is just how old these guys are now. Obviously too much of the good life. They’ve been performing for 46 years now and with the close-up camera work they look every bit of the 60+ years of age they all must be.
It was an enjoyable night and great to bop along to their songs once again.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Navshield ‘08
Navshield has been a part of my life since 1996. Each year has been memorable for one reason or another, I’ve had top 10 finishes and for many years I was part of the Wollongong SES team that religiously won the SES category. As the years went by my body slowly told me it was time to give up the competitive aspect of Nav. I still participate and thoroughly enjoy my navigation.
This year I teamed up with some good friends in the 1-day event. Our plan was simple, go and enjoy a day of bushwalking and navigation. Little did we realise how well we would do. The area south of Nerriga bordering on the Budawangs was the site for this year’s event. As our day unfolded we meticulously hit our mark, while the terrain was friendly the often thick undergrowth of hard harsh heath would often slow us down. From the higher points of the course some spectacular views towards the Budawangs were had.
With the day drawing to a close and our intended route pretty much complete we walked back into base an hour ahead of the scheduled finishing time. Happy with our day’s effort we’d amassed 640 points and to our surprise it was good enough for 3rd place in the 1-day event. I must thank my 2 fellow team mates for a great day.
This year I teamed up with some good friends in the 1-day event. Our plan was simple, go and enjoy a day of bushwalking and navigation. Little did we realise how well we would do. The area south of Nerriga bordering on the Budawangs was the site for this year’s event. As our day unfolded we meticulously hit our mark, while the terrain was friendly the often thick undergrowth of hard harsh heath would often slow us down. From the higher points of the course some spectacular views towards the Budawangs were had.
With the day drawing to a close and our intended route pretty much complete we walked back into base an hour ahead of the scheduled finishing time. Happy with our day’s effort we’d amassed 640 points and to our surprise it was good enough for 3rd place in the 1-day event. I must thank my 2 fellow team mates for a great day.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Ethan turns 3
They grow up so quickly, my little man (as I call him) has just turned 3. It feels like only yesterday that he was a newborn and in no time he’s now 3.
On Sunday 22nd June Ethan had a little party with his friends at ‘Hungry Jacks’. With some of his friends from preschool and a few family friends they all enjoyed a couple of hours of fun in the party room. As the kids enjoying a happy meal and a play on the maze, the parents took time to enjoy a coffee while watching the kids have fun.
Ethan received some very nice presents from his friends with the theme of most presents being ‘Bob the Builder’.
On the 24th June he celebrated his actual birthday with family. As with all our kids birthdays they can have their choice of dinner and without hesitation Ethan chose his standard nuggets and chips. Prior to dinner though, Ethan got some lovely presents from his family. A new bike being the highlight for him.
Another year bites the dust!
On Sunday 22nd June Ethan had a little party with his friends at ‘Hungry Jacks’. With some of his friends from preschool and a few family friends they all enjoyed a couple of hours of fun in the party room. As the kids enjoying a happy meal and a play on the maze, the parents took time to enjoy a coffee while watching the kids have fun.
Ethan received some very nice presents from his friends with the theme of most presents being ‘Bob the Builder’.On the 24th June he celebrated his actual birthday with family. As with all our kids birthdays they can have their choice of dinner and without hesitation Ethan chose his standard nuggets and chips. Prior to dinner though, Ethan got some lovely presents from his family. A new bike being the highlight for him.
Another year bites the dust!
Monday, May 5, 2008
City Vs Country
For the first time, the annual City Vs Country NRL game was held in Wollongong. A few of us from work decided to brave the cold weather and head along to last Friday nights game.
The game started fairly slowly and didn’t seem to have the hype of usual rep games. The crowd attendance was poor and those of us who were there stayed very quiet. Possibly due to the standard of football we were watching. At half time it was 16-6 to Country.
The second half proved to be a little more exciting, City stormed back to the lead and looked like winning the game, but Country who for most of the game were the better team made a late run and tired up the score. Both teams traded late field goals but neither team could land the elusive point and the game finished at 22-22 and was declared a draw under international rules.
Whilst it was good to get out and watch a game of footy, it certainly didn’t live up to expectations.
The game started fairly slowly and didn’t seem to have the hype of usual rep games. The crowd attendance was poor and those of us who were there stayed very quiet. Possibly due to the standard of football we were watching. At half time it was 16-6 to Country.
The second half proved to be a little more exciting, City stormed back to the lead and looked like winning the game, but Country who for most of the game were the better team made a late run and tired up the score. Both teams traded late field goals but neither team could land the elusive point and the game finished at 22-22 and was declared a draw under international rules.Whilst it was good to get out and watch a game of footy, it certainly didn’t live up to expectations.
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