EDWARDS’ FAMILY NEWS  LAST MINUTE EDITION 1998

David, Kerry, Alexander, Christopher, Phillipa and Victoria Edwards have had a momentous and busy year in 1998, with lots of activities at both school and work.

Victoria commenced Year 7 at Taroona High School, where Phillipa moved into Year 9. Christopher commenced Year 11 at Hobart College, and Alexander started at the University of Tasmania, enrolled in a science degree, hoping to major in geology.

In January, Kerry commenced work as a research officer for an industry training board on a 6 month contract. She was given another 6 month contract in July, but this time only working 4 days a week, with a flexible arrangement concerning her days off, so she has been able to keep up with her knitting and spinning activities.

The really big change for 1998 is that in May David resigned from CSIRO after 13 years of employment, and started a new job as a Senior Electrical Engineer with ERICO Lightning Technologies, a US owned private company specialising in lightning and surge protection for the telecommunications and electricity industries. The ERICO facility in Hobart employs over 100 people in a modern factory and office complex at the local
Technopark. David is enjoying the challenge of his new job, and is only ever heard to complain about the 400% increase in the time it takes to get to work. Of course, what this really means is that instead of getting to work in 5 minutes by bike, he now spends 20 minutes in a car!

Manoli, Douglas and Mona
The children have been busy with sport this year. Alexander played in the Senior Reserves soccer team for Taroona, with occasional matches with the Seniors. The team had a number of wins and losses, and Alexander was awarded the best player trophy for the second year running. Christopher has continued his interest in surfing, and spends most of his weekends travelling to the beach with his body board and wetsuit. Dad and Mum are occasionally roped in to transport him and his mates at ungodly hours. Now that summer has arrived, Chris and his mates are starting to camp at the beach, thus ensuring that they don’t miss out on any waves.

Phillipa has excelled at basketball. Late in 1997 she was awarded a Tasmanian Institute of Sport scholarship, and spent many long hours training and learning the theory of sport. This all culminated in her selection in the Tasmanian U16 Womens basketball team, and her attendance at the national championships held at Terrigal NSW in September. For a 14 year old who is considerably taller than her mother (but she hasn’t passed Dad or her brothers yet!), this was a good effort. Phil has also been selected for the State Women’s Soccer Squad for 1999.  What an appetite!

Not to be outdone, Victoria decided she would like to play lacrosse, and after about 3 weeks of training, was promptly selected for the Tasmanian U16 Womens lacrosse team. The national championships were held in Melbourne VIC, so the last two weeks in September were appreciated by David and Kerry, with both girls away and no trips to training required.

Victoria at the Lacrosse Championships in Melbourne
Alexander continues to drive the Morris Minor, which is now a very reliable little car.

Alex is still keen on Nicole
Christopher has his learners licence, so when time can be found, David and Kerry take him for lessons. The second Morris Minor (a 1954 2 door split screen sedan) remains undercover in the back yard, with a few bits removed for use on the 1961 4 door 1000. Kerry’s 1976 blue Peugeot 504 sedan continues to run well, and David’s 1988 white Mitsubishi van is still used to ferry the family about.
Victoria was accepted into the Junior Strings Ensemble at the Conservatorium and her cello playing is much improved.  She passed her Grade 3 exams and has auditioned for the more senior group for 1999.

David & Kerry (still in love!)
David has continued his activities with the Institution of Radio and Electronic Engineers. He has just been appointed to a second year as National President. This has occasioned a number of Sydney trips and one to Brisbane, where he attended the IEAust national Congress. At the time of writing, David is busily preparing for the fouth Radio Foundation Day Dinner, celebrating the achievements of Guglielmo Marconi in bridging the Atlantic Ocean by radio on December 12 1901. This year there were 34 guests, including a large interstate contingent. With the aid of his new PC camera, David contacted his friends in St Johns Newfoundland via a live internet video link.

Manoli & Missy (Mr & Mrs!!)
We had very bad luck with our cats this year.  Early in the year Douglas was joined by his younger brother and sister, Mona and Manoli.  The new kittens were as adorable as kittens should be and fitted in well.  Unfortunately Mona died in a fall in October and Douglas was hit by a car only 2 weeks later.  Manoli and all of us were saddened by our loss and missed them terribly.  We have adopted a pretty tabby named Missy and hope for some kittens when Manoli gets his act together.

Alexander (18) and Virginia (19+)
As you can see from all the photos, David has some new toys. Since he bought his new computer just before last Xmas, he has acquired a scanner (hence all the photos) and an internet camera, which he used to great effect during the 1998 Radio Foundation Day dinner.