Dear Colleagues,
My apologies for the long silence. One country class member wrote to ask if I was still alive! I’ve been busy trying NOT to retire just yet. In March Matt Sawyer and I had looked at organizing a small Paddington dinner to discuss arrangements for the big anniversary reunion next year. Plans were scuttled by Covid-19 so I write again as the curfew is being gradually lifted in NSW and we are all starting to feel a bit like there will be a future, unlike in America where some might be questioning it.
The only BIG news I have from classmates is the wedding of Howard Barker to his long time Daintree elder partner, Darryl John (‘DJ’ ) Ah Kee. Just before the lock-down started, Warwick and Mane Stuart and my partner Allan Gill and I were invited to a family gathering at Cabarita Rotunda on Sydney Harbour where a charming and elegant ceremony with formal luncheon afterwards was enjoyed by all. Howard’s father Norman was in good form aged 95 while there were cousins, young nieces, nephews plus a babe in arms. See photos below.
Potts Point neighbour Les Schmalzbach’s son Joel is in Year 8 at Cranbrook so I have been aware of home learning for over 2 months, just recently resumed face-to-face classes. Les continues to work in Emergency at RPAH. I see Clive Lovell quite regularly in Kings Cross walking to work and spoke to him briefly on the phone recently. He is a doctor in Macquarie Street. Over the year I have had informative messages from Greg Deacon, Matt Sawyer, Alan Pearlman, John North, Nick Back, Marco Belgiorno-Zegna, Mark Darling, Andy Howie, John Sze-Tu and Cyril (Ot) Ratsaphong. Also Greg Ilich’s sister Alice. Hope I have not left anyone out.
You may know that Cranbrook is in the throes of a massive redevelopment currently with Hordern Oval being dug up and subterranean structures installed including world-class gym / pool facilities. It would probably not be feasible or desirable to have our reunion at the school. Empire Lounge at the Catalina wharf was recommended by a Cranbrook mum so I will check it out and ask if anyone else has eaten there (note NOT the Catalina restaurant, but café / lounge next door).
Best wishes to all old Cranbrookians. Andrew Byrne .. (class trouble-maker)
