Forty years ago this March I was wandering around the streets of Melbourne, a little dazed and over-awed, waiting for the Bureau of Meteorology Head Office to open its front door so they would let me in and I could start being a meteorologist. I met a guy called Terry Ryan who was also that way inclined. We were the first there. A year later out stepped 26 of the finest meteorologists that ever drew... isobars (well we think so anyway). Something gelled between us and we kept in touch over the years and have had several reunions. I’m not aware of any other courses within the Bureau that have done this. One day we’ll understand why.
Clem Davis was the mover and shaker for this reunion. Fourteen of the old originals showed up, and with partners there were 29 attendees all up. Maurs and I and Gary Bot (the Legend) and Ros Bot stayed as Clem’s guests at his place. Clem’s planning was based on Sir John Monash’s tactics (Clem is now a guide at the Australian War Memorial and Sir John is one of his heroes) so it was complex, considered, and timed to the minute. A pizza night at Mary and Brian’s place, Parliament House Tour, War Memorial Tour, Saturday Night Dinner, and lunch at Elly and Howard’s Vineyard (Kingsdale Wines) outside of Goulburn on Sunday. The pace was hectic!
Some salient points: None of us had died! I thought that was an important point and was immediately branded as “macabre” for saying it. I watched a few people totter a bit over the weekend but my statement remained intact for the entire reunion. Also, a lot of the women there still work! Most of the lads have finished up to pursue a career in golf; however the women are still earning their keep in some form or other (I haven’t pointed that out too closely to Maurs – much! Well, I am still alive like I said before, aren’t I?) The high point of the reunion was definitely the free flowing poem penned by Clem for the occasion. It would have done McGonagall proud and included every member of the course. We’re all hoping for a written copy soon. And, except for isolated cases, the last thing we talked about was the weather!
So are we reunioned out? There was talk of a 45th anniversary meeting in Tasmania. Hope there’s no deaths.
A bit of disturbing news from this part of the world. Watching local TV I noted with disappointment that they do in fact call Wagga Wagga Wagga in these parts (it’s just not right)! We are definitely bypassing Pura Pura, Bong Bong, and Gin Gin on our way north – I couldn’t stand the trauma.
Two highlights coming back to Melbourne. One was relocating Baileys of Glenrowan – a place where we had discovered a very nice red many years ago. We tossed a couple of bottles into the X-Trail for good measure. The second was stumbling onto the Long Track Pantry at Jugiong. We just pulled off the Hume Highway when we felt hungry and this place ticked all the boxes. It was great food. Oh, it’s so good to find treasure in obscure places.
We’re back in Melbourne now until after Easter. The vehicle has a 10,000km service booked and we need a break from driving for a while. We got the highway blues.
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