Funky Overnighter

We had the pleasure of having our grandkids overnight a whole day before their overseas trip. At night we shared a massive "add in" story. It started in a bull fighting ring with a spiky pig and it escalated into mayhem with a huge cast of weird people, animals and situations. It was fun and showed just how creatively the imagination can be pushed.

Family History

It seems nice to share an 'ancient' family snap, taken when we were on a holiday and very young and happened by one of those photo places where they dressed us up in costume to pose for their camera looking like we were early Australian settlers. It was fun but for a long while the photo was lost. It was nice to see it again. What beautiful kids we had then. And still have now!

Here is some historical stuff for family tree buffs. The Sixteenth Ackland party arrived at Melbourne in 1862 from Liverpool on March 31 aboard the “Star of India”, 1697 tons: Henry, wife Jane (nee Greedy), and Harry aged 2. Henry was a brother of Eliza (arrival No.7, 1853)*, and he and his family started out in the Mt. Moriac district near Geelong. Henry was a bootmaker and carried on his business there until 1875. After that year, Henry went to Masse, near Donald, in the Eastern Wimmera and selected land there. He retired in 1905 to live a Cremorne, Sydney, where he died on November 28, 1917. Henry and Jane’s children were: Francis b.1853 (died on voyage), Harry b.1859 d.1912, Elizabeth b.1860 d.1900, Mary Ann (Polly) b.1861 d.1953, Robert b.1863 d.1928, Thomas b.1865 d.1866, John b.1866 d.1866, Frederick b.1868 d.1944, Herbert b.1870 d.1920, George Henry (Peter’s great grandfather) b.1872 d.1940, Albert b.1874 d.1960, Ellen b.1877 d.1967, Ada b.1883 d.1958. The last two children were born on the farm at Masse, near Donald.

*A note about seventh arrival Eliza Ackland: she arrived as a single immigrant in Geelong in 1853 and was not long to remain a spinster. One January 13, six months after her arrival, she was married at Geelong to John Francis. Many of her parent’s family and cousins eventually settled around Geelong, and this group represents about one-third of all Acklands in Australia (according to an assessment made in 1969).

Dogs, Houses and Things at Whittlesea

At Whittlesea PS Woodcraft Club, Peter provided 12 dog kits, 3 house kits, and loads of blocks for making what ever came into the students' minds. This provision turned out just right and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and leave with something. That is always a super outcome for an often very intense and popular event.

Dogs at Tallarook

This week at Tallarook PS the kids made wooden dogs. Even though the body shapes were all identical, the kids were able to personalise their 'doggies' a little with ear positions and adding spots to the surface. Their were also a few collar colours to choose from. There was just enough to go around, much to Peter's relief. It was encouraging because Peter prayed that it would turn out just right. The kids learned a little more on the nature of the glue. There were a few tears when the head kept on falling off the body but in those cases Peter was able to show how the glue needed a little more time for the pieces to 'bite' together.

Race Horses Whittlesea

For a theme connection with the Melbourne Cup, Peter prepared eighteen race horse kits for the next day back at school. The kids seemed to enjoy making them. The quantity of kids making them meant that they had to figure out how the pieces came together without help. Except for a few persistent ones, they put the parts together themselves, hence the strange but elegant horse above, a totally new way to assemble the head. Nice to see.

Vehicles Whittlesea

Over a number of days and using a door hole cutter, Peter had enough wheels for yet another wooden vehicle design. Once the kids made the chassis they could rummage through the trays for shapes to make their own unique design. This turned out very well.

Helicopters

Peter eventually was able to make three helicopter kits for three boys who were patiently waiting. It was a bit of hit and miss and the models held together remarkably well. It actually took a number of days of preparation to make all the pieces (times three). It was good to do it though and the boys had a good time making them, taking just 30 minutes to accomplish the task (one recess).