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Editorial and Photographs contributed by Greg PECK 53A Cooroy. As
arranged for Saturday the 12th May, a celebration and gathering was held at
Cooroy ( Sunshine Coast hinterland, Queensland ) in recognition of Phil
Hutchinson's 70th Birthday. Phil, of Arborfield's 53a intake, is a founder
member of FEOFA. Due
to health setbacks in the case of Roy Ashman of the 42c vintage (he is now
coming good) and an overseas visitor with George Millie, only Reg and Vera
Harper, along with daughter Lisa, were able to join Maggie and I as FEOFA
representatives. Our
trip up to Cooroy was a bit of a struggle, as the connecting Highway between
the Gateway Tollway and the Bruce Highway was chocker block and at a
standstill. Fortunately I spotted this anomaly in sufficient time to take the
'Deagon Deviation' towards the Redcliff Peninsula, taking great care to be
alert for deviates along the way. ;) Others
had of course done the same, so that the Houghton Highway and ANZAC Avenue
were very congested in the northbound lanes. It was stop and go all the way
to the Deception Bay entry ramp onto the Bruce Highway but at least we were
moving. (The stoppage on the connection road was due to a pr@t highspeeding
it down the dual carriageway against the flow of traffic, resulting in a very
bad head on collision). Once on the Bruce, we had no further problems,
arriving an hour later than planned for though. As
it happened, we were first to arrive despite the handicap, next on the scene
were the Harpers, so we enjoyed a good lamp swinging session until Phil and
Lynne's other guests put in an appearance. Nice people, they soon joined in
with their own contributions from their Service days. Lynne provided a superb
layout of finger food to sustain us during the 'fall of shot and shell' as we
reminisced and listened to anecdotes. We
went along to the RSL (Returned Servicemen's League) Cub and after observing
the traditional minutes silence at the end of daylight, we settled into a
celebration Of Phil's Birthday, actually it was a double celebration as my
Maggie had reached another milestone on the 9th May. I have to say that the culinary efforts of
the RSL staff exceeded my best expectations and we enjoyed a superb repast.
Maggie and I settled on a Seafood Basket and it was quite magnificent, others
went for steak or for Barramundi, a superb fish that is one of my all time
favourites. I
have to say that it was a very pleasant evening altogether and we were in the
very best of company. When we returned to Phil and Lynne's lovely home, Lynne
surprised us with a birthday cake, of her own devising, dedicated to both
Phil and Maggie. I have to say, without reservation, that the fruitcake that
Lynne had made as the basis for the Birthday cake, was the finest I have ever
eaten. Reg
and Vera, along with daughter Lisa, were overnighting with Phil and Lynne but
as Maggie had arranged to go out with our daughter Kath on Sunday morning, (
Mothers day but typically it was a working bee ) we had to head off home. The
return journey was a doddle and we did it in one hour and forty minutes, an
hour less than the outward journey, a great day altogether and Phil was
stoked with the plaque presented to him as a memento. Next
Saturday is Roy Ashman's 80th Birthday, so watch this space.....
The Birthday Boy - Phil Hutchings 53A
A Plaque for Phil.
Reg Harper and Greg Peck back The Birthday Boy - Phil Hutchings.
The F.E.O.F.A. gathering at Cooroy.
A F.E.A.S.T. fit
for F.E.O.F.A. Published: 16th May 2007 |
