Our October icebreaker, 'Play it again, Sam', a video segment from 'Casablanca' in which Ingrid Bergman listens to 'Sam' playing 'As Time Goes By', sparked memories of films which made lasting impressions.
Stories on the theme ‘A Steep Learning Curve’ illustrated personal moments of challenge and growth.
Carmyl's story on becoming a youth worker at age 50 culminated in her abseiling from a wheat silo, while Bev M's story was equally unforgettable. As a new school boarder at 13, Bev was the only student who had never studied French and didn’t know the words of the Marseillaise. As the lone non-singer, she was told to stand up and sing it by herself. She did – with no idea of pronunciation or even tune.
In 2018, the St. James community decided to have murals painted on their silos, a steep learning curve for Kathy, who took on the task of Committee Secretary. Working closely with artist Tim Bowtell, ten alternative subjects were offered to the St James community, with ‘Team of Horses’, ‘Grain’, ‘Bag Sewers’ and, of course, ‘G. J. Coles’ winning the vote.
Young Phil took his new girlfriend to the pub for a few drinks. A guy came over and had a few words with the girlfriend. She nodded and turned to Phil saying, ‘It’s OK. I’ll be quick and he pays well.’ It took Phil some time to work out what was going on.
Stories on the theme ‘Turning point’ highlighted how pivotal moments and relationships can reshape our lives in meaningful ways.
Delfina’s ‘Ode to Snails’ recalled next-door Mrs. A., who didn’t like Delfina. The feeling was mutual. Mrs. A. told Delfina to collect all the snails that were going into her elegant garden from Delfina’s family’s uncared-for block. Mrs. A. threw them into the copper incinerator fire, a turning point for Delfina, who was horrified and became a vegetarian from then on.
Teacher John took on the position of AFL coach for Grades 4 and 5 at Bargo Public School under sufferance. The ‘Bargo Bulldozers’ were so successful that the girls’ team won the state championship. The star, Ash Brazill, a former Collingwood player who now plays for Fremantle, gives the credit to her first coach.
Without any definite idea of a career, Heather returned to England in her early thirties. Encouraged by a cousin aware of her love of crime novels, Heather successfully applied to join the London Metropolitan Police.
Neville reflected on his resilient great-aunt’s daughter who ‘Started over’ many times, without complaint or explanation. She looked after his great aunt until she passed away; then moved in with a female friend for ten years until the friend contracted Alzheimer’s, and then went into Aged Care herself.
In ‘Communications’, Carmyl reflected on the value of letters in recording glimpses of people, places and life events in her life, concluding “where will the great-grandchildren find the old letters to tell them about the past?”
Max spent years ‘Riding the Rails’ as a telephone linesman for the Victorian Railways in motorised gangers’ trolleys known as 'Caseys’ (after Casey Jones). One of the trickiest things was not being overtaken by a train. He described a couple of close shaves... ‘I don't know how I survived, really’.
For ‘Someone Who Shaped Me’ Ray wrote about two inspirational friends, Rolfe Mann and Norm Matthews; and his much-loved wife of 57 years Bernadette, who as well as “creating a loving home environment …ensured that I ate 5 veggies per day and became a moderate alcohol consumer.”
In 'Relationships', Heather talked about family members, teachers, employers, colleagues and friends who shaped her life and gave her confidence.
Our story topics for November - ‘Right Here, Right Now’ ‘OR ‘One Moment, This Year’
Carmyl Winkler
Stories on the theme ‘A Steep Learning Curve’ illustrated personal moments of challenge and growth.
Carmyl's story on becoming a youth worker at age 50 culminated in her abseiling from a wheat silo, while Bev M's story was equally unforgettable. As a new school boarder at 13, Bev was the only student who had never studied French and didn’t know the words of the Marseillaise. As the lone non-singer, she was told to stand up and sing it by herself. She did – with no idea of pronunciation or even tune.
In 2018, the St. James community decided to have murals painted on their silos, a steep learning curve for Kathy, who took on the task of Committee Secretary. Working closely with artist Tim Bowtell, ten alternative subjects were offered to the St James community, with ‘Team of Horses’, ‘Grain’, ‘Bag Sewers’ and, of course, ‘G. J. Coles’ winning the vote.
Young Phil took his new girlfriend to the pub for a few drinks. A guy came over and had a few words with the girlfriend. She nodded and turned to Phil saying, ‘It’s OK. I’ll be quick and he pays well.’ It took Phil some time to work out what was going on.
Stories on the theme ‘Turning point’ highlighted how pivotal moments and relationships can reshape our lives in meaningful ways.
Delfina’s ‘Ode to Snails’ recalled next-door Mrs. A., who didn’t like Delfina. The feeling was mutual. Mrs. A. told Delfina to collect all the snails that were going into her elegant garden from Delfina’s family’s uncared-for block. Mrs. A. threw them into the copper incinerator fire, a turning point for Delfina, who was horrified and became a vegetarian from then on.
Teacher John took on the position of AFL coach for Grades 4 and 5 at Bargo Public School under sufferance. The ‘Bargo Bulldozers’ were so successful that the girls’ team won the state championship. The star, Ash Brazill, a former Collingwood player who now plays for Fremantle, gives the credit to her first coach.
Without any definite idea of a career, Heather returned to England in her early thirties. Encouraged by a cousin aware of her love of crime novels, Heather successfully applied to join the London Metropolitan Police.
Neville reflected on his resilient great-aunt’s daughter who ‘Started over’ many times, without complaint or explanation. She looked after his great aunt until she passed away; then moved in with a female friend for ten years until the friend contracted Alzheimer’s, and then went into Aged Care herself.
In ‘Communications’, Carmyl reflected on the value of letters in recording glimpses of people, places and life events in her life, concluding “where will the great-grandchildren find the old letters to tell them about the past?”
Max spent years ‘Riding the Rails’ as a telephone linesman for the Victorian Railways in motorised gangers’ trolleys known as 'Caseys’ (after Casey Jones). One of the trickiest things was not being overtaken by a train. He described a couple of close shaves... ‘I don't know how I survived, really’.
For ‘Someone Who Shaped Me’ Ray wrote about two inspirational friends, Rolfe Mann and Norm Matthews; and his much-loved wife of 57 years Bernadette, who as well as “creating a loving home environment …ensured that I ate 5 veggies per day and became a moderate alcohol consumer.”
In 'Relationships', Heather talked about family members, teachers, employers, colleagues and friends who shaped her life and gave her confidence.
Our story topics for November - ‘Right Here, Right Now’ ‘OR ‘One Moment, This Year’
Carmyl Winkler
