2002 has been an amazing year of ups and downs and we hope not to experience quite so much turbulence in 2003.  Travel, both overseas and interstate, was again a dominant feature.  Arrivals and departures, in lots of senses, was the feature of 2002.

Kerry has had a few contracts this year, which included writing a history column for the local paper.  Some interesting projects included an oral history collection for the University of Sydney Alumni Association of Tasmania and continuing with editing a collection of papers for the historical society. In July, David and Kerry attended the Egan Clan Rally in Melbourne and Bendigo.

Kerry was privileged to be able to present the Keynote Address at Parliament House in Melbourne.  David was able to introduce his newly met Texan cousins-in law to the benefits and advantages of "Chateau Cardboard" on the bus trip back from Bendigo, with the finale being a demonstration of how to extract the last drop of wine, and then how the bladder can be used as a pillow!!

  Kerry delivering the Keynote Address for the Clan Egan Rally at Parliament House, Victoria

Knitting and spinning constituted wonderful therapy during the worrying times.  A year’s preparation culminated in a wonderfully successful Aran Islands Retreat.  Spurning any superstitious thoughts, Kerry left on September 11 for the long trip across the world, then across Ireland to join the most amazing group of people for a week of fun, tours, a poetry reading and even some spinning and knitting.

  Spinners and knitters on Aran Island

David followed on Friday 13 September, and both he and Kerry had a wonderful time on Inish Mor.  Following the Retreat, we caught up with friends in Ireland, Cornwall and London.  David returned home then, leaving Kerry to enjoy a further two weeks in Scotland.  Kerry was very impressed by her visit to the Findhorn Foundation, particularly by their need for someone to establish and manage the poultry flock.  The five weeks away just flew!

  Guiness, David and Kerry    David & Kerry in Cornwall

Back in Hobart, Kerry and David repaired the old chook shed and welcomed the beginnings of our own flock.  The big meat birds, arriving as tiny one-day old chicks, are now almost ready for the freezer.  Our little layers are nearly ready to join the big layers, two of whom have gone broody and are sitting on fertile Campine eggs.  A gift of a mother hen and two chicks occupies the brand new two-storey chicken tractor, except that there is only one chick now, thanks to our cats.  The chooks are great entertainment and provide the most wonderful eggs you ever saw or tasted.  The less said about the cats the better, other than that Manoli, Missy, Ramsay and Persia are all in good, active health.

  The new Chicken Tractor

Alexander was offered 6 months work in sales with Telstra in January, and left there in July for a full time job at Vodaphone, which he enjoys very much, putting his good general knowledge to use, not needing to do any selling.  He has recently moved into Alicia’s new home on 12 acres at Leslie Vale, south of Hobart.  He seems to have learnt a lot working alongside Dad all those years, and is busy painting and building fences for their horses and dogs.  Cats, chooks and garden to follow.  Soccer is still a favourite pass time and he ranked well in the top-goal scorer list at Taroona Soccer Club this year.

  Alicia and Alexander

Christopher landed an apprentice chef position at a city hotel over 55 other applicants in early January and has since worked hard there and at TAFE.  He was asked mid year to design the dessert menu and he included some family favourites, which proved to be popular choices.  Once he had to help at the Launceston venue, and by coincidence Mum and Dad were there too.  He was able to cook their dinner for them, and it was very well done too, even though David’s steak was medium rare!!.  Chris was planning to go to Bali, but has now decided to tour the mainland with some friends instead.  He will be on the lookout for a 2nd year apprentice chef job somewhere where the surf is always good.

  Christopher and Amy

Phillipa took up the University of Tasmania’s "Intro to Law" offer and returned from Melbourne to live at home.  After a holiday in Sydney, she settled into her new routine of study, basketball and her casual restaurant job.  First year university is always hard and Phillipa chose to leave the Hobart Hurricanes with its heavy training and competition commitment, for a more social level game.  This has paid off as she has attained 7 distinctions out of 7 and has three years of Law to go.  Once she finished her final exams, the hours at the restaurant have gone up and Phillipa has been offered 50 hour weeks over the holiday period.  Phillipa manages to keep up with her friends in what is a very busy schedule, and maintains a good balance in her life.

  Nicholas and Phillipa

Victoria has passed Year 11 with flying colours and moves into the very important Year 12 in 2003, at this stage aiming for Medicine.  She continues to play the cello in the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra and the bass guitar in the Youth Music Tasmania group.  Once again she was chosen for the state lacrosse team and played in the national competition in Melbourne.  Victoria earned enough money from her part time jobs this year to pay tax!  She received several staff awards at MacDonalds and was nominated for a scholarship.  We are hoping that she can scale back her work commitments while she studies for her matriculation.  But neither she nor Phillipa can afford to give up their jobs with university HECS fees at thousands of dollars per semester.  Victoria is currently holidaying in Santa Barbara in California where she will be enjoying a Jewish New Year with Emma Ramoi.  We are looking forward to her return in January.

  Victoria

The consultancy travel at ERICO was light on in the beginning of the year, apart from one week in South Australia at Olympic Dam. Immediately after his return he received the dreaded "DCM" - Don’t Come Monday!!! - and immediately commenced looking for a new job. His contacts with other engineers through the Institution of Engineers Australia proved helpful, and he was offered a contract till the end of the year as a lecturer in the School of Engineering at the University of Tasmania. After 30 years, the wheel has turned full circle, and David is now lecturing students, whereas 30 years ago he himself was student.

To celebrate his new job, David and Kerry held a "Redundancy Party" in June. All guests had to be either redundant or bring something redundant. Mike and Evelyn Meerding took the limelight with full nautical attire, including life jackets!!, while David enjoyed his very own "Pink Slip" which Kerry found at (where else but) the tip shop. Just before the end of the year, David received confirmation of another term at UTas, and will commence lecturing again on 20 January 2003.

David has continued his involvement with local community organisations, as well as the Institution of Engineers Australia. He is also one of two consumer representatives on the Dental Board of Tasmania. Planning matters took a lot of time this year, with a dispute with our neighbours ending up in the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal. After a win-win decision, we were awarded costs. Needless to say we are still waiting for these to be paid, and for the illegal construction which sparked the dispute to be removed.

All in all, we had a busy end eventful year, and we are looking forward to relaxing at the shack in the New Year before David starts work again.