Raw Sugar

G'day !

This week's picture is of our favourite breakfast hangout, " Raw Sugar Cafe ". The " Big Brekkie " is exactly that and the " Eggs Benedict " is pretty damn good. The group on the left were a bunch of sweaty cyclists and I don't think the guy parked in the Disabled Parking Bay is really disabled. I suppose it reminds us of Oscars in Durban but here the video shop is next door...............

Yesterday was a Public Holiday - ANZAC Day ( Australian and New Zealand Army Corps ). I looked back at my email from this time last year and confirmed to myself that I had not taken it very seriously. It has made a far bigger impact this year and I have realised its significance to Australians. It is quite different to Australia Day in that it is not a celebration at all. ANZAC Day celebrates Australian pride rather than Australian Nationalism. It commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. When they evacuated 8 months later, nearly 9000 had died during what was later ( and possibly at the time ) recognised to be an impossible attempt to breach Turkish lines.

What happened at Gallipoli has become a symbol for Australians in general and the values are ones to which many Australians aspire.

" ANZAC stood for and still stands for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship and endurance that will never admit defeat. " - official World War 1 correspondent Charles Bean.

I've had a busy week which included another successful outing to the hockey field ( victory and survival ); Matt and Jen enjoyed their last week of school holidays and Bron is not looking forward to having to prepare school lunches from Tuesday; the Autumn leaves are falling ( more leaf blowing ! ) and we thought of those of you in South Africa on Election Day. We didn't arrange to go down to Canberra to vote - should we have ?

With love

Dyl, Bron, Matt and Jen

Perfect Sunday

G'day,

What makes a " Perfect Sunday " ?

I suppose we all have our criteria but for me, one where I wake up after a first hockey game victory ( stiff but no pulled muscles ); enjoy a bowl of Tasty Wheat; have a garage cleanup with everyone contributing; find the letters Bron and I wrote to Matt and Jen when were in Munich in 2005 and have them read back to me by Jen; sip on a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with lunch and then finish reading the Sunday paper comes pretty close - and, it's only 3 o'clock !

We had a fantastic few days up at Coffs Harbour this week. The 250 km drive up on Monday seemed to take forever and the driving rain made us grateful that we had remembered to take the cards and chips for Texas Hold'em. The weather improved spectacularly as you can see from this week's picture taken from Muttonbird Island looking west over Coffs Harbour. We played golf in the mud, fished ( barely a bite ), ate fresh seafood at the harbour, visited The Big Banana and played lots of pool ( Jen's highlight of the trip ). I spent a day and a half in " Planning Sessions " for the Northern Child Health Network and the Children, Young People and Families Clinical Network. The 2 Networks overlap but also have their own identity and agendas. They cover slightly different geographical areas and together with our Area Health Service provide excellent care for the children of Northern New South Wales. Challenges we face include closing the gap between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal care, the burden of children in Out-Of-Home ( foster ) care, manpower shortages and improving Neonatal Resuscitation outcomes - all achievable.

My Sunday just got better - a cup of tea and a piece of freshly baked chocolate cake............

You don't have to send me your thoughts but, what makes a " Perfect Sunday " for you ?

With love

Dyl, Bron, Matt and Jen

Big drive; pitching wedge

- posted a week late

Happy Easter !

US Masters fever has gripped Taree ( I still look to see how the South Africans have fared before checking the Aussies on the leaderboard )and we decided to head out to Wingham Golf Course this morning. Matt and I played with Di Stewart ( Jo-Jo and Jen accompanied us on the cart ) and Bruce played with his brother Andy and Anthony and Liz Giordano behind us. I took this picture of my best drive - needless to say I choked on the pitching wedge approach ....................but managed to get up and down for par. Matt and I hit our best drives on the last hole where we decided a run up was called for - " Happy Gilmour " - the beauty of a background in cricket and hockey.

We returned home to find that Bron had cooked up a delicious chicken dish and a great afternoon was had by all. Bruce was crowned champion of Wesley Park as he beat Matt, Andy and me around our 8 hole chipping course in a playoff. Our longest hole is 100m along the road but Pythagoras says that we can have a 180.3m hole from corner to corner - this will require a shot over the house which might not pass the committee - Bron!

We're off to Pacific Bay just north of Coff's Harbour tomorrow. I have a Conference / Planning Day on Wednesday and Thursday morning but we are hoping to have a relaxing time and get a bit of fishing in. The weather forecast is a bit dodge but you're never allowed to complain about rain in Australia even if you do live in an area which is more at risk for floods than drought.

Bron added to her Pandora bracelet collection and I got some more wine for our Anniversary yesterday - what is the theme for a 17th Wedding Anniversary anyway? Thanks to those of you who sent us wishes. I know I missed a couple of important birthdays recently ( only by a day or two ) - how about sending us some dates of your special days - especially birthdays? Mickey, Gavin, Richard, Haig and I have always remembered each other's birthdays and it has always been special for Bron and me think of them on their birthdays - I think they feel the same way...............maybe I should check. Anyway, I expect some replies with names and birthdays please.

Well until next week when I will be stiff or have a pulled hamstring ( first game of hockey ), farewell.

Dylan, Bronwyn, Matthew and Jennifer

The last chainsaw story !

G'day

At last I have got closure on the whole chainsaw story - have a look at my new toy. Future photographs of our home might look slightly different as our park-like surroundings are at risk...............I don't think we'll ever be short of firewood.

I received some good news from the Australian Medical Council ( AMC )and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians ( RACP )this week. I have been assessed as being " substantially comparable " to a Paediatrician who has been through the Australian training programme. They have asked for a 12 month Peer Review period which I should be able to claim most ( but not all ) of retrospectively. Following this , provided they are satisfied which they have been so far, I will be " invited " to become a Fellow of the RACP. Having made the decision to come to Australia with the expectation that I would have to write their Paediatric Exams, this has been an unexpected bonus for us. We were never under any illusions about what preparing for the exams would have entailed. My colleague from The Netherlands has not been as fortunate and will have to do the clinical exams and spend some time in Community Paediatrics. Another South African colleague has been spared the exams but has to spend some time in Community Paediatrics. Their scenarios have made us even more appreciative.

Matt had a disco at school on Friday night while Bron, Jen and I joined our Paediatric Team at the Nabiac Hotel ( 40 km South ) for the presentation of a $ 22 000 cheque to our Children's Ward. The money was raised at Nabiac's annual Demolition Derby a few weeks ago and was gratefully received. The Hospital Budget provides for our basics but extras ( and some basics to be honest )are funded by the generous donation of others. Nabiac is a small community and it was a big effort by them.

I'm enjoying today's ODI much more than I enjoyed Friday's...............

With lots of love
Dyl, Bron, Matt and Jen