CollinsPlus
E-news
Edition 4. October, November, December 2009
Editor:
Barbara Collins – admin (at) collinsplus.com
Index
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Website news
As most of you know, this is the last newsletter for the forseeable future. The time has come for Paul and I to move on the next stage of our lives – a retirement village! This will mean a lot of preparation and resettlement and all my spare time will go towards that relocation.
I’ve really enjoyed publishing the newsletter over the last five years. It started when Mum (Bridget) lost the ability, through her dementia, to be the family ‘grapevine’. I thought it would be a good idea to create something that could fill that role. Dad (Cornelius) thought it was a good idea too and agreed to fund the associated expenses.
I made LOTS of mistakes and went through excrutiating frustration at times when the web and I didn’t see eye to eye and it just didn’t want to behave the way I thought it should. But at each stumbling block, I learnt a little more, and gained more confidence.
The most important thing I learnt was not to give up, that there is always a solution to every problem and that there’s a lot of help out there on the web.
But the thing I most enjoyed about the newsletter, was it’s ability to capture those little snapshots of family as they lived their lives. Those of you who regularly contributed will find that if you go back through the archives and diaries, that you have indeed been immortalised for five years of your life. You might not think that’s really interesting now, but read them in 20 years, or 40 years, or have your children/grandchildren read them, and you will just love seeing that slice of life.
Yes, what is happening with the archives? Well, I’ve started putting them back up, one by one, and you will find them under the “E-newsletter” link on the collinsplus.com website. But it is a slow job as all the links have to be reconnected and checked as I put them into this site and still every time I check I find something that doesn’t work or doesn’t look right. So if you find an error like this, please let me know so I can correct it.
Thank you all so much for all your contributions over the years and for patiently putting up with me nagging you for news!! You know how much I have appreciated your participation.
Collins Family News
Go to Collins Family in CollinsPlus
Website
Dad news
Cornelius Charles Collins passed away at 10.55pm on Wednesday, 22nd October 2009 at John Fawkner Hospital in Moreland/Coburg. He had gone to hospital about 10 days earlier for a CAT scan and from that time started to become noticably weaker. He didn’t want to eat (except for some grapes that Jessica brought in to tempt him). In the last two days, the family held a constant vigil. He was unable to talk, open his eyes or move much during this time except for times like when Judy and Renato smuggled Bear in for a quick visit. He said “my little friend” and was able to pat him one last time. Or, when Jessica left him on the last night - she bent over to kiss him and tell him she loved him and we could see him trying to communicate. With family close by over the last two days, he did not go alone. And yes Jess, we will keep an eye on that agapanthus.
Most of the people reading this newsletter will have attended his funeral at St Joseph’s Church in West Brunswick on Wednesday 28th October. Con was fond of saying that not many people would be able to attend his funeral because so many of his mates have alredy passed on. He was wrong. Con had touched many lives in many different ways in his 87 years and many people came to bid him farewell.
The family held a viewing and a Rosary for him the evening before the funeral and Judy shared a poem she had written for Con for a Father’s Day a few years back.
The grandchildren did him proud with their participation in his funeral. Carly read the first reading, Tyson, Wade and Alex offered prayers of the faithful, Max and Zac brought the gifts in the offertory and Jessica gave a lovely and well thought out eulogy, as did her father, and Con’s son in law, John.
So Con, if you are reading this, know that you are loved and will be in our hearts and thoughts forever.
The ‘Letters”
You have probably heard me, or Jess, refer to Dad and Mum’s letters over the last couple of years. This is a series of letters Mum and Dad wrote to each other while Dad was stationed in Papua New Guinea during WW11. They had not met beforehand so the letters tell a story of two people corresponding as penfriends and gradually falling in love. But they also give an insight into Melbourne in the 1940s as well as life in the army camp both during the war and during demobilisation when the war finished.
I have transcribed the letters and am currently proofing and checking them for sequence. When this project is finished, they can be put on CD and distributed to the family to keep as part of our history.
Jess is using the letters as a base for a literary work that is currently taking form and hopefully, one day, she will publish this for distribution to the family and other interested parties.
Joan Collins
We received correspondence in September, that Con’s cousin, Joan Collins, passed away in July. She had gone into an Aged Care facility in March with multiple health problems. Her wonderful, long time friend, Christine, kept us informed of her health until she finally ‘slipped away’ on July 25th. Dad and I visited Joan a few times when she was still in the retirement village. Joan knew everything about the Collins Family and passed on a lot of historical information over the years.
On our last visit, she gave me a photo of a painting that I thought you might like to see. This was a house that one of dad’s cousins (John Alexander or Alec) lived in. I remember visiting the house when I was little – I was fascinated by the cork tree as I peeled off some of the bark. My memory of the inside of the house is that it was very small and old.
Graham Collins
(Graham Collins is the first and only son of Con Collins. Graham
Collins Family)
Carly
Carly moved into her first home a few months back, and
has been meaning to send pictures of it
for everyone to see. She says, “Finally getting my unit pics in the last
newsletter....just in time!!!
Thanks for all ur hardwork over the last 5 years with this newsletter...it's
been a great way to keep in touch and in the know with what’s happening in
everyone's lives. It was a great idea and ur efforts are much appreciated.
So here are the long awaited apartment pics!!! Some came out a little dark, and
there still isn't much decoration in there yet, but u can at least get a
general idea!!”
Wade
I'm currently working in financial services
at a superannuation company in the city. It's an insurance job and whilst it's
not my dream job (far from it) I have gained good experience and earned some
cash. Having worked 2 years since finishing Uni I have now saved up enough to
seriously think about doing some travelling either next year or 2011. I can't
wait to get out of my comfort zone and see some other areas of the world,
in particular Europe! Loved going to Cairns this year on a footy trip and meeting
backpackers from all over the world - every person u spoke to was from another
country. Definitely opens your eyes to what's out there!
Other than that me and Darcy are also looking at buying an investment property
shortly.
It's been something we've been researching and thinking about all year and have
been to numerous inspections recently. Hoping to get a quality 1 bedroom
apartment in a good location that will rise in price over the years and set us
up for the future. (Ed note: Wade and Darcy have purchased their first
investment property 22/12/09).
I know a lot going on at the moment, so no time for a mrs, and quite frankly no
intentions at this stage. The single life is way too good!!! Maybe after I
travel and am a few years older and wiser I might look at settling down and
finding someone and working hard to build a career in a company.
Also been doing a lot of training at footy and at gym the last few months on
the recovery from my shoulder reconstruction. Hoping I never have to go through
another dislocation!
Anyway, that's all for now...
Darcy
Darcy is the last of the “Collins Kids” to turn 21. He had a ‘wild’ party (I’m told he’s quite the ladies’ man) to celebrate coming of age and has sent some pictures. Why have they all got hats on? It was mandatory.
He says, “As usual, I have to mention my beloved
football. Pre-season has just started but unlike previous years, we have a new coaching
panel, both in the seniors and reserves. Along with the new coaches, we have a
few recruits down at the club too so it has been exciting times to interact
with the new faces around the club. Training takes a three step process of
skills, running and some sort of strength work such as boxing or brick work.
I have finally completed my uni degree, which in case you have forgotten, is a
Bachelor of Commerce with triple majors in Marketing, Interactive
Marketing and Management. Over the last few weeks, I have been
creating and fine tuning my resume in preparation for job hunting. I will soon
go shopping with Dad for a couple of suits and then my job hunting will begin.
I am assuming it will be a pretty long process so I am not really
expecting to start a job until March next year. I want to get involved in
Marketing but it is such a broad industry that I can not tell you exactly what
part of Marketing I could work in but I really enjoy promoting and advertising
products sold to the consumer so I will aim for jobs which fit this role.
Me and Wade have been looking for houses to buy for investment purposes over
the past month but we have had the idea of buying together for over a year now.
We have inspected a few houses, had numerous interviews with a mortgage broker
and we are now currently working with a buyers advocate to speed up the process
and to make sure that we find value in our investment. We are hoping to have
our joint property under our belt by the end of the year. I am confident we
will, so it may be a talking point on Christmas Day.
I think that is about it.
Thanks for all your hard work on the newsletters, I may not send you my news
for every edition but I certainly read every one, it is a great way to stay in
touch.
Good luck with all your moving too.”
Tys and Kate are ENGAGED
Great news, Tys and Kate are engaged. They have been together for YEARS, so it’s about time! They have decided to marry at one of their favourite holiday destinations, Hamilton Island, next November. Tys says,
“I don't have a lot of news for the website. We've started organising the wedding and booking reception venues, ceremony venues and all that kind of stuff. After 24 years, I've decided I'm hanging up the boots, so I won't be playing football next year. I've actually really enjoyed doing my own training in my own time and will look at doing something different next year. I'll still be down at the club most weeks watching the boys play, but I just felt like it's time for a change. Besides that and the usual functions every weekend nothing much more has been happening.”
The Bill Collins
Family
Bill Collins was the only brother of Con Collins. Kath is Bill’s wife.
Go to Bill
Collins page for more information on this family.
Aunty Kath says, “We all certainly grieve with you in the loss of your Dad, and the first Christmas without a parent is a little poignant. May his soul rest in peace.
Sarah will soon join Rebecca, Matt and Josh as a driver as she will go for her license soon. Matt and Daniel have finished their first year at uni and Luke is still the resident cook which suits Michael and Marg. Antoinette is nine and will be in year 4 in 2010. Rebecca had a successful year of Team Ministry and had a final night with a presentation on 27th November. The family are very proud of her effort. Daniel has continued to do well with his studies.
Paul and Michaela are still regular golf players, while Josh plays cricket and indoor soccer.
This is the year we all meet for Christmas lunch, so that will take place at Creswick Street.
Farewell until we meet and chat again.
May God bless you all this Christmas and may His Peace be with you in the year ahead.”
The Zoch Family
Catherine Zoch is the 4th girl in the Con and Bridget
Collins Family. She is married to John Zoch. Go to Zoch Family
page.
Elise
I’ve finished school on the 25th of
November for the year. I did really well in my assignments, exams and
assessments which is very good as I’ll be going onto my 2nd year of
Diploma of Animal Technology.
I passed my test of an injection on a live mouse which I found it quiet easy
but at the same time I was very nervous as I didn’t want to hurt the mouse.
Throughout the year I had to dissect a rat and also a mouse which wasn’t
pleasant at all.
I had to do dog’s urine and poo practicals. Let me tell you, it was very hard
trying to catch some urine from Bob and every time he went to pee, mum would
hold him while I was trying to catch the pee from an ice-cream bucket. Mind you
we only got enough to do the test.
Throughout the year I had some good times at school but my bad times were when
I didn’t enjoy the subject.
Phuket Holiday
Elise says, “Cathy, John, Josh and I went
on a holiday to Phuket from the 31st of October to the 7th
of November. WOW what a holiday to remember! It was awesome. I would recommend
Phuket to anyone!! They’ve got beautiful beaches and it’s just an awesome
holiday destination!”
This animal was
Elise’s favourite. His name is Milo. The man says
“Milo, act tough”. Milo stands up and crosses his arms and acts tough. Elise
has written more about the Phuket holiday – with pictures, here.
Jessica
While the rest of
the Zochs were having fun in Phuket, Jess stayed home in Australia and worked!
She had a birthday during this time so Judy and Renato invited her over for
dinner and made her a special cake. Jessica says, “I was 20 not 110, it’s just
they didn't have the right candles!!!!” Glad to hear it Jess.
John Zoch (Senior)
Paul recently came across some photos of John Zoch’s dad (dec.) on
the wall at his golf club. He took a photo of this one. It shows John’s Dad in the
last Limbless Soldier’s golf game at Medway Golf Club in 1987.
The Cabrera Family
Judith
Collins is the second girl in the Con and Bridget Collins Family. She is
married to Renato Cabrera. Go to the Cabrera
Family page.
Judy said, “The last three weeks of October are a blur with dad going into hospital and passing away on 22nd and then his funeral on 28th. It was quite a shock to us, because we had taken dad into hospital and brought him back out so many times, and little did we realize that this would be his final time. Dad battled on for a long time and was a true soldier right to the end. We miss him terribly, probably the most around dinner time when we are constantly reminded and find ourselves repeating so many of his remarks and comments - some that shocked us, some that made us mad and some that had us in fits of laughter. It will be a long time before we get our life back on track, you can't change 10 years of a caring role overnight. So now we are at a major turning point in our lives that will take some time to adjust to. We have time to dedicate ourselves to each other again. However we would do it all over again, knowing we cared for dad and mum in the best way we could. Rest in peace Dad and Mum.”
Judy and Renato hosted Dad’s last birthday party for the family a few weeks before he passed away. Read more about the party and Judy’s other news including the sale of Frederick Street, lots of Chilean (and other) fun here.
The Gough Family
Mary Gough is the 3rd girl in the Con and Bridget Collins Family. She is married to Chris Gough. Go to Gough Family page.
Mary Says, “Zac has been busy with his school Human Powered Vehicle competitions. One was a one day endurathon event, and the other was the RACV Energy Breakthrough event held at Maryborough over four days. It was a massive event and Zac had a great time. He competed in the eight hour endurathon and the sprint races.
Zac has also been growing a MO for Movember. You can still visit his webpage on www.movember.com/mospace/193093/ to see how he’s going or to donate. He has raised $200 and would like to thank those who have donated.
Alex has finished TAFE
for the year, but does not have results yet. She has applied for a Fashion and
Design course at RMIT and will find out on the 15/12 if she has got in. They
offer a better program of what she has been doing this year. Alex will be off
to Pyramid Rock Festival at Phillip Island again this New Years Eve, even
though it rained and was cold last year, she has not been put off.
Mary and Max don’t
have any news, boring, but Max has been working hard and has been able to buy
himself a 46” TV. The Playstation games look great on it.
We will all
miss the newsletter, you have done a great job keeping everybody in touch.”
The Teres Family
Paul Teres is husband of Barbara Collins,
daughter of Con Collins. Go to Teres Family
page.
Lisa is engaged!
Lisa and her fiance Dave surprised us by announcing their engagement on Sept 6 which just happened to be Father’s Day. We offer our congratulations and wish them happiness in their lives ahead.
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Seniors Week
For the last couple of years, we have participated in Seniors Week. In this year’s booklet, we were surprised to see ourselves in one of the pictures of the Seniors Walk in 2008. Hundreds of people took part in the walk but please note – we are leading the pack and were the first to complete the walk!
Numurkah
Not many holidays for Barb and Paul since the last newsletter – but we did manage a week at a timeshare in Numurkah. The resort is called Lakeside and once the lake was the focal point of the complex. Not now. The lake has almost dried up. It was very sad to see. But we did enjoy ourselves as Barb continued to transcribe Con’s letters to Bridget during World War 2 and Paul played golf! And Barb enjoyed the visits from the gang of ducks who walked from door to door some mornings looking for things to eat. They would quack outside each door for a minute and if there was no response, they would waddle on to the next door to try their luck. See pics here.
Sam’s 2nd
birthday
Sam Teres has had his first hair cut AND he turned two. His Aunty Emma made him a Thomas birthday cake. Sam is besotted by anything to do with Thomas. He had his birthday at his local play centre.
Happy birthday Wade,
Darcy, Joshua C & Wasyl (dec) in October; Joelle (dec), Jess, Zac, and
Sarah in November; and Bridget (dec), Carly, Andrew, Rebecca and Joshua T in
December: Click
here for your birthday card.
Paul’s Clean Funny Jokes
I
hope you have enjoyed Paul’s joke selection over the last few editions of the
newsletter. Here are his last, especially selected
jokes for you.
Congratulations this month to ….
ü Darcy on turning 21
ü Tys and Kate on their engagement
ü Rebecca on her successful
year of Team Ministry
ü Darcy
on completing his uni Bachelor of Commerce degree, with
triple majors in Marketing, Interactive Marketing and Management.
ü Zac on raising money for prostate
cancer during Movember
ü Zac on completing the eight hour endurathon and the sprint races.
ü Lisa and Dave on their engagement
ü Wade and Darcy on becoming
property investors
Passing on
this newsletter
If you want to send this newsletter to
an extended family member, this is how you can do it.
- Go to File in the Toolbar
- Go to Send to
- Go to Send – link by email (or similar wording)
An email will come up with the link in it and you just have to put in the email
address of the person you want to send it to!
