It's a while since I made a post to my Blog, which partly reflects my ageing but the wide range of experiences one can have even for someone aged 78. This particular post reflects on 5 experiences I had during the first half of September. The first concerns a farewell party to a former bridge partner of mine - Manfred Junge. The second looks at an early surge in Spring flowers around our garden. Thirdly let's look at Armidale's transition to an elecrtic scooter hub!! After that, I'll report on my invitation to attend a National Summit in Canberra!! And, immediately after returning from that I attended a brilliant performance of our local orchestra playing a range of music.
Let's start with our sad gathering to remeber Manfred.
It was at the Bowling Club and was attended by heaps of friends and relatives who gathered to discuss their memories of him. Of course, given his name, you would be correct in guessing his birthplace - Germany
Secondly, Spring arrived early because of an extremely mild late winter when temperatures even reached 20 C.
About the 10th September, Armidale awoke to a big surprise. Something like 300 + electric scooters appeared out of nowhere and were deposited all over town including the entrance to our street. Our local council acquired them from a company called REAM and slowly they're attracting a lot of attention and use by our younger residents. I'm going to have a go at riding one shortly! Apparently they can travel quite fast.
Next comes the national summit I attended in Canberra. The entry fee was A$1,000, but the Regional Australia Institute with which I have been associated for over 20 years allowed me in for nothing, though I did have to apy to fly to Canberra and back. Fortunately, Rebecca put me up at her home and I was driven to and from the event in town by her over the two days.
Maybe 70 or 80 people from all over the country and working for all 3 tiers of government - national, state and local, or for business interests, or people engaged in research like me, attended this excellent meeting.
Here's the leader of ther oppsoition, Peter Dutton organising a session.
And another politician is here leading another discussed theme.Here's some of the audience listening to the proceedings attentively.
Most of the time however, the audience was seated aroung circular tables in the posh hotel near Parliament House.
We were served great food for 2 days! All up, I was very pleased to attend.
And the fifth theme I mentioned previously was my attendance at a marvellous musical performance of, surprisingly dance music by some of the great composers of the last 3 centuries. The excellent orchestra performed in our old town hall to an enthusiastic local audience. The two pictures show the performers on stage and a selfie of yours truly and the rivetted audience.
So, I am having a great retirement with lots of interesting things to. That's the way things should be.
AS
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