Christmas Reunion

Murray & Gillian

Gillian & John

Dale & Lynley

Anne & Michael

John & Anne
JT & Dale

The 2nd 07 reunion of the CBS Records former managers took place at the Taymac's Viaduct apartment on December 17th. JT and daughter Leigh did a fantastic job of the organising and cooking. As you can see "a good time was had by all"

GOOD BYE COOLUM; HELLO AUCKLAND

On Tuesday 11th December we departed Coolum and returned to Auckland for the Christmas-New Year season.

In the week prior to leaving Coolum we both played and watched (The Australian PGA) golf. JT worked for four days at the PGA and we both were able to see some of the greats in action from excellent close up views.

JT working crowd control on the par 4, 7th. In the background Rory Sabbatini (red shirt) and Stuart Appleby. Rory Sabbatini, Stuart Appleby and Peter Lonard (the winner) leave the 7th.On the Wednesday prior to the PGA we played with fellow Coolum members Dudley and Linda Welsh at Twin Waters. It was Dudley and JT against John and Linda. On the Saturday Dudley had a 43 stableford and John 44 in the Coolum weekend competition taking the top two prizes, so both were keen to carry on their rivalry.

Dudley plays off an 11 and Linda a 19 so both are really excellent and competitive players and wonderful company. With JT and Dudley going 3 up early John and Linda had to work hard to get back in the game. At the 17th it was even and both Linda and John got the points on the difficult par 5 to take out the match.
Linda going down 18.
Dudley (who makes the ball go forever) going for the green on 18.

THE WARNER CLASSIC GOLF-SYDNEY

We had our first experience of flying out of the local Sunshine Coast Airport at Mudjimba; and what a pleasant and painless experience it was. A quick check in, good seats (cheap too) and an hour thirty minute flight to Sydney. JETSTAR were excellent. We were in Sydney to play in the annual WARNER GOLF CLASSIC at Avondale Golf Club, near Pymble.It was great to catch up with business friends from the TV industry and WARNER BROS turned on a wonderful event. Greg and his team do a great job and he is just the best of hosts. After a briefing it was out for 18 holes of stableford.

Chris Omara from Channel 7 and Wayne Broun, a former MD of Warner and now head of his own distribution business. Both keen and good golfers with Wayne being the early driving force behind the Warner Classic.

Carlie Broun, winner of the Ladies Longest Drive.

Pal Cleary, now retired former head of MCA tees off on a difficult par 5.

JT had a fantastic round of golf winning the over 18 handicap section and a new Taylormade Driver, whilst John had an enjoyable round interspersed with the brilliant and the really really bad. In the evening we attended the cocktail party which was a superbly organised Warner event.

JT back at Coolum with her new driver.

Sydney was spectacular and we enjoyed a very tasty meal at Neil Perry's ROCKPOOL plus some excellent retail therapy at David Jones. Arriving back at The Sunshine Coast for the first time from another Australian place was interesting; here really feels like home and it's good to be back.

COOLUM IS NOW OUR BASE

We have been back in Coolum now for 2.5 weeks and Auckland is just a distant memory; not somewhere we think of a lot. So....we have decided Coolum is now our home base.

It has been a busy time with Golf and Gym days alternating and in between we even managed to take in a few movies. MICHAEL CLAYTON is one we highly recommend. GEORGE CLOONEY stars in this entertaining and intelligent thriller. It is little too cerebral to be a big hit but it suited our taste and we found it highly enjoyable. The big surprise was DEATH AT A FUNERAL. Only the Brits can make outrageous comedies like this. A laugh a minute. Go see it.

As Coolum is now home base we decided it was time to stop sending AVIS money and we have purchased a waggon of our own. The LEXUS 350 is our choice and with satellite navigation, reversing camera, electronically set seating plus excellent handling; WE LOVE IT

JT and the Lexus 350
We also joined ITUNES Aussie and my first purchase was EAGLES, Long Road Out of Eden. What an album. It is the best blast from the past since Jerry Lee Lewis's LAST MAN STANDING. In my view, this CD is a must for all those who thrilled to those great EAGLES, FLEETWOOD MAC, PETER FRAMPTON, ROD STEWART and NEIL YOUNG albums from the late 70's. In other words all of us old music farts!

We just watched the final (on channel 10) of the USA's SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. We loved this programme; the dancing has been amazing.

Next week we are off to Sydney for the annual WARNER GOLF CLASSIC and we are looking forward to catching up with friends from the TV business, and to some golf too.

REUNION

Murray Thom, John McCready and Michael Glading

On our return to Auckland Gillian and Dale Wrightson hosted a dinner and among the guests were Murray Thom and Michael Glading with their lovely wives Anne and Lynley.

John set up CBS Records in New Zealand in 1978 and soon after Murray was Sales Manager and Michael the Finance Manager. John was appointed MD of CBS Australia in 1982 and Murray took over as New Zealand MD. When Murray moved on to begin his highly successful independent business career Michael was appointed MD. The company eventually (during Michael's leadership) became Sony Music and so the three of us were the only MD's CBS Records New Zealand ever had.

Murray and Michael enjoy a "golfing" story

Host Gillian and JT

MATCH PLAY

Since our arrival on The Sunshine Coast Barry and Robyn Robertson have been the most helpful and social of all the many wonderful people we have met here. We regularly play matchplay as a foursome, ladies vs guys. To date the ladies have been well in command winning two and halving one of the first three matches.

On Thursday October 5 the fourth match took place at Noosa Springs. The match was tight with the ladies going into the turn 1 up. Soon the lads were three down and looking out for the count with both Robyn and JT having excellent games.

The determined Barry then won 16 with a par 3 to bring the boys back to 2 behind. On 16 both ladies found the water: Barry hit the green for two and calmly 2 putted for the win to make the boys one down, one to go.
JT putts for a 6 for 3 on the par 5, 18th: the putt slides by the hole and JT ends up with 2 points.

Barry then sinks a ten footer for a birdie to win the hole and square the match.

We now look forward to match 5 which we hope will be played at Hyatt Coolum.

GOODBYE TO ROSE AND FRANK

After three days and a lot of fun we said goodbye to The Fillary's as they caught the 7am bus for The Gold Coast. An excellent time was had by all.

NOOSA SPIT: ANOTHER TREASURE

On Friday Sept 28th we explored more of the greater Noosa area and discovered another gem; NOOSA SPIT. Just off Hastings Street this wonderful sandy spit has fantastic views, great swimming spots and interesting beach walks.

A DAY IN NOOSA

Thursday Sept 27 lunch at SEASONS, one of Noosa's best restaurants and excellent it was. Frank had lamb, Rose chicken caesar salad, John snapper and Jt Duck curry. We were forced to have dessert - Frank a trio of sorbet; John, macadamia caramel slice with honey ice cream, Jt, ice cream with Kahlua sauce, Rose declined. Yummmm. After lunch we walked off our new gained kilos with a brisk hike along the Noosa headland bush track.

Needless to say the evening meal was late, lite and less expensive; that is if you discount the three bottles of wine that Frank and John managed to get rid of before taking their turn with couch naps.

FUN WITH THE FILLARY'S

Rose and Frank Fillary are our latest guests; coming over to see us from Napier before travelling down to The Gold Coast to see daughter Inga and grandchildren.

We spent our first morning together visiting the Eumundi markets. We found the market a disappointment with not a lot of fresh food stalls and a lot of fast food outlets, fringe therapy outlets and general rubbish. Worth a look but not somewhere we would go to again.

JT, Frank and Rose

Rose enjoys an art stall.

JT and Frank (and the Aussie hat)

Frank and Rose
Dinner at The Coffee Club (Coolum Beach)

THE ART AUCTION

For some time we have been searching for some Australian art for our Coolum Beach apartment. We have visited many galleries and whilst we have seen a lot we like, most of it has been priced beyond what we want to pay. We particularly wanted to find some beach and bush scenes, having fallen in love with both in the area. On Sunday we attended an art auction at Twin Waters and were fortunate to pick up some excellent oils at very reasonable prices.

Two artists caught our eye; Colin Parker (work below) and Nick Petali (work above). We successfully bid for eleven works from these two at various sizes.

We spent this morning hanging the work in the apartment and are delighted with the visual excitement they have given our Australian home.

There were some wonderful bargains at the auction, especially a wide range of bronze sculptures and aboriginal art. Now that we have given the apartment a new "life" next time we attend such an auction we will try to buy one "investment" piece; hopefully by an aboriginal artist as some of their work is both terrific and complex.