Cars at Tallarook

The last woodcraft for the term at Tallarook involved vehicles once more. The plastic lids that Peter had found at Reverse Art were enough in number to for what was required (at both schools). There were about 35 made on the day, pitched just about right for the age group that came and the numbers of takers.

Cars and Castles at Whittlesea

The last couple of weeks of the term Peter supplied many kits of cars (one week) and castles (the other). Both woodcraft club events were crowded events. After the 20 kits were taken each time, the children who missed out were happy enough to take a flat board and make a more random creation.

Deb Ball Experience

We had a delightful time as guests to a debutante ball earlier in the month. Peter was present as representative of the Whittlesea Chaplaincy Committee and received a fundraiser donation on behalf of the Committee. Barb found the perfect outfit for the occasion. We thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, sitting with Councillor Rex Griffin and his wife at the main table. The debutantes all looked wonderful on the night. It was cold and wet outside so this was the place to be, in a warm inviting friendly venue, where we witnessed twenty girls positively celebrating their entry into womanhood. People say that a deb ball is a thing of the past, but if they had been present and watched the event and noted the fifty tables, ten to a table of families and friends, they would think again. Carmel, director of "An Elegant Affair", must be commended for her work and commitment.

Op-Shopping in Chapel Street

One free day last month we went to Chapel Street, Paran to "go sick" in the many op-shops there. We came back with a few good finds and plenty of fun memories, like the musty smell of all the old stuff. We had lunch at a Vietnamese cafe watching the traffic through the shop window. Barb had a Vietnamese version of iced coffee and Peter a Vietnamese beer. Fun.

Chapel Street

Something we saw that was a little out of our price range.

Vietnamese coffee dripping down.

Visit to Townsville

We share a random moment from the past. Place: Townsville 1986. The reason: to chill out on Magnetic Island and visit Nan Ackland, 80 years at that stage. She went on to live to 92. The picture below was taken from Picnic Bay jetty waiting for the ferry back to Townsville from Magnetic to see Nan. Nice memories of a significant family visit. We flew back from Townsville to Melbourne the next day.

Laptops at Whittlesea

The wooden laptop also came to Whittlesea this time in greater numbers than in previous years. They proved to be just as popular this time around. Peter supplied a simple assembly drawing to each student so he would not be inundated with calls for help, and it was worth the extra effort to do that.

The following week the 'kit' project was a marble challenge. Though there were few photos taken on the day this was one of them, simple and fun to make and then to play with.

Laptops at Tallarook

There is something very entrancing for children and electronics... even when it is not electronic at all and something they have made out of wood to represent an electronic product. Peter supplied many such kits and they were all used up in quick time. All ages from Prep to year 6 were into this one. Peter sees this as one of the mysteries of childhood and what grabs their imagination.