Inspired by Carmyl’s delightful member’s choice story ‘First of April’, ‘April Fool’s Day’ and ‘Election Day’ reminiscences resounded as memories were shared during the icebreaker.
April's theme ‘War and Peace’ followed. Merv’s story included reflections on his brother Brian's childhood during World War II. An early cruise missile, a 'doodlebug bomb' hit the school Brian was attending in WW II. Merv, Jan and Heather, who all grew up in England, remembered the comment 'you felt safe when you could hear 'doodlebugs', not when you couldn't'. Jan’s memories of growing up in WW II London included a lovely vignette. Concerned Jan was still getting under the table on hearing planes flying over after the war, Jan's mother commented to her “You know, eleven-year-old students going to High School might look a bit strange, ducking under a desk or table, every time a plane flies over”.
Remembering growing up in country Victoria during the war, Max also caused a laugh "To confuse the Japanese when they invaded Longwarry, all the signposts to other places were taken down and the Longwarry Hotel sign had the Longwarry boarded over. It never got to confuse the Japanese, but did confuse some of the locals!" Kathy described the service role of her father Jim, a fitter and turner, in the team that finessed the treatment of rust in guns called the “Bluing Treatment". Showing us Jim's name on his name on a photo of the monument in Tallangatta dedicated to all of the soldiers who served, not only overseas, but in Australia, Kathy reminded us "They all contributed to the War Effort". Bev reflected on how her parents’ philosophy of ‘Two wrongs don’t make a right’ was prominent in dispute resolution during her childhood.
May’s theme, ‘Places’, took centre stage after the break. In ‘A Love Letter to Travel’ new member Robyn took us to mesmerizing ‘Budapest’, Jan to an unexpectedly idyllic holiday in Turkey. Ray described a 'wonderful sojourn' exploring Europe and Ireland while based in London at his daughter’s flat.. Max’s 'Love Letter to Travel', ‘Great Place, Capa’, described a decades long holiday ’Happy Place’ for this passionate bowler.
Carmyl wrote about Lake Benalla as her ‘Happy Place’ in a beautifully written story featuring her observations as she walks around Benalla lake, with special mention of her beloved Moreton Bay Fig tree on Jaycee Island. Lake Benalla was also mentioned by Heather amongst the retreats which enable her to relax and regroup. Robyn’s second story, ‘Time for a Change’ described moving from the city to a farm at Greta, which became her happy place for the next 26 years.
Catch up stories included Neville’s ‘Co-vid 5 years on’; Barry’s ‘Trigger’ when viewing images of a recent aerobatic aircraft crash at the Avalon Airport, and Kathy’s story ‘This (Lucky Break) Life’ reflected on a fire which almost got away near her property recently. You can check out our ‘Stories by Topic’ page on the website to read more of our stories.
April's theme ‘War and Peace’ followed. Merv’s story included reflections on his brother Brian's childhood during World War II. An early cruise missile, a 'doodlebug bomb' hit the school Brian was attending in WW II. Merv, Jan and Heather, who all grew up in England, remembered the comment 'you felt safe when you could hear 'doodlebugs', not when you couldn't'. Jan’s memories of growing up in WW II London included a lovely vignette. Concerned Jan was still getting under the table on hearing planes flying over after the war, Jan's mother commented to her “You know, eleven-year-old students going to High School might look a bit strange, ducking under a desk or table, every time a plane flies over”.
Remembering growing up in country Victoria during the war, Max also caused a laugh "To confuse the Japanese when they invaded Longwarry, all the signposts to other places were taken down and the Longwarry Hotel sign had the Longwarry boarded over. It never got to confuse the Japanese, but did confuse some of the locals!" Kathy described the service role of her father Jim, a fitter and turner, in the team that finessed the treatment of rust in guns called the “Bluing Treatment". Showing us Jim's name on his name on a photo of the monument in Tallangatta dedicated to all of the soldiers who served, not only overseas, but in Australia, Kathy reminded us "They all contributed to the War Effort". Bev reflected on how her parents’ philosophy of ‘Two wrongs don’t make a right’ was prominent in dispute resolution during her childhood.
May’s theme, ‘Places’, took centre stage after the break. In ‘A Love Letter to Travel’ new member Robyn took us to mesmerizing ‘Budapest’, Jan to an unexpectedly idyllic holiday in Turkey. Ray described a 'wonderful sojourn' exploring Europe and Ireland while based in London at his daughter’s flat.. Max’s 'Love Letter to Travel', ‘Great Place, Capa’, described a decades long holiday ’Happy Place’ for this passionate bowler.
Carmyl wrote about Lake Benalla as her ‘Happy Place’ in a beautifully written story featuring her observations as she walks around Benalla lake, with special mention of her beloved Moreton Bay Fig tree on Jaycee Island. Lake Benalla was also mentioned by Heather amongst the retreats which enable her to relax and regroup. Robyn’s second story, ‘Time for a Change’ described moving from the city to a farm at Greta, which became her happy place for the next 26 years.
Catch up stories included Neville’s ‘Co-vid 5 years on’; Barry’s ‘Trigger’ when viewing images of a recent aerobatic aircraft crash at the Avalon Airport, and Kathy’s story ‘This (Lucky Break) Life’ reflected on a fire which almost got away near her property recently. You can check out our ‘Stories by Topic’ page on the website to read more of our stories.
Coming up - topics for June
The theme for next month’s topic is ‘Passions’- the topics ‘My Other Life’; ‘I Can’t Stop from …‘ or ‘Memories Treasure Chest’.
Suggested for new/newer students - ‘My Other Life’ Are you a collector of model trains, a swing dance enthusiast or a weekend activist? Share a story about something unusual you get up to outside of work, or a side of yourself that other people don't normally see… Tell us about your unusual passion and how you first got involved in it. How does your ‘other self’ contrast with the side most people see? What satisfaction does your other life offer you that you don't get from your day-to-day life? How does your passion contribute to you as a whole person?
OR a new topic for most continuing students - ‘How can I stop from …’
Write about an activity which has meant a lot to you over the years, which has featured in your life over time and which you always seek out in some form or another. What has it meant to you over time and why? (Based on Carmyl’s member’s choice topic ‘How Can I Stop from Singing’ in 2022)
OR - for anyone...‘Memories Treasure Chest’
Bev Lee
Suggested for new/newer students - ‘My Other Life’ Are you a collector of model trains, a swing dance enthusiast or a weekend activist? Share a story about something unusual you get up to outside of work, or a side of yourself that other people don't normally see… Tell us about your unusual passion and how you first got involved in it. How does your ‘other self’ contrast with the side most people see? What satisfaction does your other life offer you that you don't get from your day-to-day life? How does your passion contribute to you as a whole person?
OR a new topic for most continuing students - ‘How can I stop from …’
Write about an activity which has meant a lot to you over the years, which has featured in your life over time and which you always seek out in some form or another. What has it meant to you over time and why? (Based on Carmyl’s member’s choice topic ‘How Can I Stop from Singing’ in 2022)
OR - for anyone...‘Memories Treasure Chest’
- Create/Draw upon an ‘Memories Treasure Chest’ in a shoe box, drawer or old case containing objects and artefacts that reflect your passions and enliven your memories, through scent and feel. Maps, menus, theatre programs, an old report card, vials of perfume, a garment, treasured photographs, a souvenir, an expired passport can sometimes trigger a work rich with detail.
- Select two items from the treasure chest as creative prompts – what do they mean to you? What were you doing, why; what were you thinking at the time this object related to your life? (250 words each object)
Bev Lee
