Almanac Lunches: ‘And eight comrades walk into a yacht club …’
L-R Gavan O’Connor, Peter Fuller, Roger Lowrey, Mickey Randall, Allan Barden, Swish Schwerdt, Anthony Beck, Col Ritchie
Eight blokes walk into a yacht club …
And they had a most enjoyable lunch together learning all sorts of things about one another through the good humoured chat, banter, and stories shared over a relaxing few hours of comeradeship at ‘The Yot’ in Geelong.
Many topics were raised and discussed. Such as making movies, playing extras in movies and TV shows, footy in Adelaide, Kapunda, ‘running with the ball and diving with your boots on’ and playing senior footy, jogging, running, and swimming, and of course, plenty of music, progressive ideas, working life, retirement, and much, much more as you would expect eight like-minded chaps to ruminate about.
Mickey Randall
Thanks to Roger Lowrey for organising this wonderful get together primarily to catch up with South Australian Almanacker Mickey Randall who is over for the Queenscliff Music Festival with his wife Claire who is working as an Auslan signer interpreting the songs for hearing impaired listeners. And secondly, it was a fabulous opportunity for a few of us from the local and wider Almanacker community to further bond and cement our comradeship.
Gavan O’Connor
For me it is incredible to acknowledge how small a world it is at times. Peter Fuller who is well known to Almanackers invited former MHR Gavan O’Connor, both being friends for over seventy years growing up in the Warrion/Alvie region to the north of Colac to today’s lunch. I was fortunate and honoured to serve with Gavan on the Colac City Council in the late 80s early 90s. His brilliant and progressive mind ensured Colac moved with the times and expectations of a growing city.
As the afternoon drew to a conclusion it was obvious from feelings expressed by all that this was not a one off event but the first of many future events to come.
Thanks Almanackers, it was a great afternoon.
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here
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About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
Let me know if you have another one in or around Geelong
Noel McPhee
0432471463
Grand day. Thanks Roger, Mickey, Col and all participants. I feel a fraud as people seem to be grateful for my being there, as though that involved some hardship. On the contrary, the lunch, the company and the conversation was pure indulgence for me.
Great to hear from you Noel, and we’ll certainly welcome you into the Community of Almanac Ratbags (Geelong and environs division).
Thanks to everyone for coming along to lunch yesterday. It was my first beer, lunch (parmi or parma? Don’t start!) and indeed, visit to Geelong. That these were accompanied by terrific conversation made it most memorable.
Especial thanks to Roger for his meticulous organisation but also to Swish, Col and Peter who all travelled some distance.
I was disappointed to note that no-one wore a ‘scarf of apricot’ and no obvious ‘gavotting’, but a fine gathering of gentlemen nevertheless.
A terrific day. First time since forever that I left Geelong smiling.
Who knew that my recent investigative excursions into Darwin footballers in the SANFL and vice versa would be of interest to someone else, so thanks Allan. And Mickey, we didn’t mention Nipper Christie once.
Well played to all concerned and thanks to Roger the Ringleader.
I cannot add much more to comments already made except that I too, enjoyed the lunch and chat immensely.
Great time had by all. Especially, enjoyed the banter with Swish and Mickey about the SANFL and Darwin connections.
Reading ‘The Age’ this morning I note an article about Geelong born Helen Garner’s new book ‘The Season’
(pp4-4 ‘Spectrum’). How good would it be to have her present at a future Almanacker’s function?
Looking at the dramatis personae, I can see why it would have been a ripper lunch. Some experience there! And some story-telling. Will get there one day RDL.