VillageGreen

ROLF BONACKER and EDDIE MOYLAN have been members of Seymour and District U3A since just after its formation in 2005. They have both contributed in many different ways and we are all saddened with their passing this year.

ROLF was born on 29^thAugust 1929 and lived most of his early life in England. He supported U3A in many ways, including: serving on council, singing with Jessica's Corral, leading the writing group, running a gardening group, contributing vast numbers of beautifully made boomerangs which were given to our speakers, assisting in the woodwork program and providing a smiling face and lots of interesting discussion at melting pot and other U3A meetings. Part of his collected verse can be seen in an item lower down this page. After a courageous battle with cancer Rolf died at his home on 5 November 2011.

EDDIE was born at Rushworth on 7 February 1921. In his early days he was a technician with the PMG (Post Master General's Department) and went on to a senior position in Telecom. He was active in many organisations around Seymour. U3A was fortunate when he joined soon after the start of Seymour and District U3A. He served on council for several years, including two years as Treasurer and a year as Vice-President. He contributed to several U3A courses and used his technical abilities to assist in the formation and running of the Interconnect program. Eddie died on 11^th July 2011.

Both Rolf and Eddie had a great sense of humour and enthusiastically joined in fun events as is shown by this photograph of them wearing special hats for a U3A Melbourne Cup meeting several years ago.

The weather has been perfect - cooler nights - one even -4 in the early stages, but lovely days. Currently in Cairns where nights are warm - about 15, day 25 - perfect. We have come the long, inland route, via Mt. Gambier, Burra, Leigh Creek and up the Oodnadatta track to Birdsville. Lots of dirt roads -early morning walks every day, as well as numerous of adventure walks. Seen some magnificent scenery and "man made" structures of different Shires. The money poured into some of the little villages ( one with only 20 people, another the Shire population is only 600), is just amazing. Wish we could get a little of it! In Boulia they have a "Mim Mim" Sound and Light show - cost about $4 million, and in Birdsville, they are planning to spend $4.5 million on a "dust storm" experience! The Mim Mim show was very well done, but very scary as you went through doors and lights went out, and I couldn't always find the emergency button - just in case!

Lawn Hill is still magnificent, and many lovely walks - mostly strenuous, which helps as we are eating VERY well. Three families take turns at providing dinners, and when we got to Burketown and Karumba, we had a couple of delicious barramundi meals at little outdoor casual places. On to Cobbold Gorge - a place we hadn't been to before; it comes under National Park regulations but is run privately, so some of the area could only be accessed by doing a tour - much the same as Undara Lava Tubes, but there were plenty of free walks in both places as well. So many different birds - all very noisy in some areas! Einasleigh Caravan Park was an experience we had all to ourselves. The owner has developed it for his own lifestyle, and doesn't want any kids or teenagers! (We passed that test!). There are only 8 sites, very well kept as it is his back yard. If the town grows when the mine opens, (supposed to be soon - but they said that 6 years ago as well!), he said he will have to move as it will disturb his peace! He works part time for the Shire doing slashing etc. so has use of equipment. This is the town with 20 people and only 2 workers according to him. Post Office - with residence- is for sale if anyone is interested in parting with $400,000 and living in the middle of nowhere! After spending a night at Granite Gorge with another campfire - one of the nicest spots, we are now in the big city of Cairns for a couple of days, and relishing in the fresh fruit, veges and bread again. Bananas have been non existent, and other fruit was bought by the piece not the KG.

The van is still going, although the 3 tyres that looked good, were not really up to travelling. Think it must have been left in a paddock for a number of years, but now with 3 new ones, and just minor bits falling off - all of which are put back or patched up, we are travelling well with the dust. Perhaps the 2nd part of this trip will have less "off road" travelling! I am a bit like the van - a few things a bit worn! Was trying to squeeze into a small space to do footy tips at a caravan park internet as we had no reception, and "did my back and groin" again, and later had an unfortunate experience with what I thought was a seat, but apparently not - and landed on my backside - hence a very sore coxyx. Also fell flat on my face (luckily on grass), in another C.P. Its only pain, and it hasn't stopped the walks and exploring. Sitting is the worst!

Pat Coffey, August 2011