25 Years

www.peakystriders.org.au

Still to come

For some time now Anne Wilson has graciously hosted breakfast at her home following a walk in November, and on Saturday November 11 the meeting point at 6.50am for a special walk is at Anne’s home, 28 Grandview Crescent Lugarno. Not sure where this walk will take us but we do know that a scrumptious breakfast awaits us at the end! Saturday December 9 is our final breakfast for the year, in Oatley Park. As in the past Maureen has volunteered to prepare the food and there are special Christmas treats so the charge will again be $2 per person. Please put your name on the clipboard list if you are coming so that Maureen can cater to the numbers attending.

Looking towards 2018 Early days yet but for those who are keen to start the year off well and build up steam, not to mention gaining a few extra stamps, mark your diaries with walk dates of interest to you which will be on the clipboard in the new year. Saturday, February 24: 65K 4 65 Roses Walkathon around Iron Cove Bay, register from 7km up. Sunday, February 25: The 10k Billbergia Bennelong Bridge Run/Walk ending up at Sydney Olympic Park. Sunday, March 11: Campbelltown City Challenge Walk Mt. Annan, register for 6km or 11km.

November 2017

Where has our celebratory year gone?

It climaxes on 25th and plans are well underway to make sure

it is a memorable event.

Thanks go to -

our Peaky Executive for the very generous subsidy

towards the night that has allowed the price for

members to be in keeping with our 25 theme;

Gail and the organising committee – Shirley, Jen H, Julie,

Liz B, Carol and Henry – for their ideas and preparatory

work; and

Shane for making and donating the beautiful invitations. Shane’s talent is outstanding and you can see more creations on Facebook or her website - www.handmadecreationsforallcelebrations.com

So, you know where to go when future occasions arise!!!

There is nothing left to do now but to come along and enjoy yourselves.

Socialising

Oktoberfest, Sunday October 8 with photos taken by Gail and Carol K.

German Schuhplattler Dancers

Took to the Bavarian food and drink with gusto

Hat Dance Slap Dance

Peakies On Fire Took to the hat dancing with gusto, not so much the slap dancing, particularly the one

pictured below.

Who would

have thought

passing hats

could be so

much fun!!

Maureen and Jen H

Took to general dancing and chatter with gusto

Took to the Bavarian theme with gusto

Pizza night, Thursday October 12

The start of daylight savings was celebrated by 26 Peakies who, after completing our Park

Street route, got together for pizza and a few drinks. It was a great start to our summer

walking program as double stamps were issued which brought smiles to our faces.

Cheryl, Liz W and Henry’s smiles were extra wide after winning the glasses and

chocolates beautifully prepared by Maureen.

We are all looking forward to walking in the lighter nights as we can see the lovely

gardens and homes that we pass. And remember, come every walk as there are still more

double stamps to be randomly disbursed.

A big thank you to Gail for organising this

wonderful afternoon which was enjoyed by

all. As Gail said, this group knows how to

have fun fun fun, and it was!!!

The Bush Telegraph

100 Years of ANZAC 2014-2018 1917 was the year of most carnage in WW1 and Remembrance Day is on 11/11.

With the centenary of the end of the war coming up next year, Commemorative

ceremonies will take place throughout 2018.

Knitters from around Australia are creating 60,000+ poppies to carpet part of

the grounds at the Australian War Memorial, as well as at various other

locations. These projects are a community tribute of respect and remembrance

to our servicemen and women, their families and their communities.

Jean is certainly doing her bit, having kitted dozens of poppies over the last

couple of years. Peakies have been proudly wearing them on Anzac Day and on

other appropriate occasions – thank you Jean.

Why the Poppy?

The poppy has a long association with Remembrance Day. But how did the distinctive red flower become such a potent symbol of our remembrance of the sacrifices made in past wars? Scarlet corn poppies (popaver rhoeas) grow naturally in conditions of disturbed earth throughout Western Europe. The destruction brought by the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th Century transformed bare land into fields of blood red poppies, growing around the bodies of the fallen soldiers. In late 1914, the fields of Northern France and Flanders were once again ripped open as WW1 raged through Europe’s heart. Once the conflict was over the poppy was the only plant to grow on the otherwise barren battlefields. The significance of the poppy as a lasting memorial symbol of the fallen was realised by the Canadian surgeon John McCrae in his poem In Flanders Fields. The poppy came to represent the immeasurable sacrifice made by his comrades and quickly became a lasting memorial to those who died in WW1 and later conflicts.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

Love our men

November 19 is International Men’s Day (IMD). The first Australian event was held in Sydney in 1994 and the broad objectives of the day are to focus on men’s and boy’s health,

improving gender relations, promoting gender equality and highlighting positive male role models. One keynote speaker said, “IMD is one of many acknowledgements we need to make to men for their valuable contributions to our society and our families. Their masculine qualities are a strength that focuses and grounds women. Trust me, a world with only women would be no fun at all. To all the blokes out there, Happy International Men’s Day. To all the women, text your men friends and wish them a Happy International Men’s Day.”

I spied………………..

with my little eye our very own Maureen tripping the light fantastic on stage at the annual Oatley Village Festival on

Saturday October 21. Kylie Jebb and some of her Zumba Gold ladies were giving a

demonstration and they all looked fantastic. Some in the audience (both little and

big girls) were enthused enough to join in as well. Well done Maureen.

At the fair there were lots of stalls, lots of people and plenty of activities. Henry managed to get himself a bargain – a Bugatti juicer originally priced at $349.99 (can’t imagine anyone paying that) which was reduced to $50. Just as he got back to the car the bottom of the box opened and the juicer splattered over the pavement with a bang. He figured it must have been worth more than he paid as it still worked when he got it home. Italian craftsmanship - lucky eh!

After the Oatley West walk earlier that morning, Jean Cheryl and Carol H opted to forego breakfast in favour of heading to the fair early. They wanted to stock up on supplies – Jean and Carol needing cards and Cheryl some books – all left happy with their goodies.

Emergency+ Great advice from Maureen

Save this app on your phone, just in case you need it. The Emergency+ app is free, available on Google’s Play Store for users of Android devices; and on Apple’s App Store for iPhone or iPad users. Go to this link for easy access to both stores – www.emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au The app not only establishes your precise location, but also shows the position on a map,

and provides links to Triple Zero, state emergency services and police. Hopefully you will

never need to use this, but when the app is on your phone you simply click it and then hit

whichever service is applicable - 000, SES or Police. Very handy when time is of the

essence and you aren’t aware of your exact location, e.g. open space areas like beaches, parks, long stretches of

roads or simply confused and unfamiliar with your surroundings.

To help our kids learn about Triple Zero, there is also a Triple Zero kids’ challenge app. Kids learn about getting help by playing games and solving mysteries. They also learn about safety messages and hear what happens when you call Triple Zero. A great learning experience should they ever be in an emergency situation in future.

Words of wisdom from Mother Teresa

"Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is life, fight for it."

Henry’s juicer in one piece

END

Member Profile

Sue Garcia

I joined Peaky Striders in 2001, I was already a walker but preferred flat surfaces, so it was a shock to have hills & steps but I enjoyed the company as I huffed & puffed and can't believe how quickly the years pass and I still enjoy wearing the orange. I retired in December 2015 after having a great job as an executive secretary, also organising and attending our annual conferences for 300 plus members to exotic locations around the world, so I've had some unbelievable experiences and been lucky enough that my husband Primi attended many of these, so we have wonderful memories. We have two married sons, one lives in the UK, 2 adorable granddaughters and another baby due early February in the UK, so I know one trip I'll be doing next year! Retirement is wonderful and I love to travel, spend time with family and friends and be grateful for every day. Not only does Peaky Striders keep me fit, but the friendships and fun times are special and a great achievement for the Club to reach its 25th Anniversary.

Thanks to Jean for this poem

Like Calls to Like

If you walk as a friend you will find a friend, where ever you choose to fare If you go with mirth to a far strange land, you will find that mirth is there For the strangest part of this queer old world is that like will meet its kind And who walks with love for his fellow men an answering love will find If you walk in honour, then honest men will meet you along the way But if you be false, you will find men false, where ever you chance to stray For good breeds good, and bad breeds bad. We are met by the traits we show Love will find a friend at a stranger’s door, where hate will find a foe For each of us builds the world we choose, which only himself can spoil And an hour of hate or an hour of shame, can ruin a life of toil And through to the utmost ends of the earth your duty may bid you fare If you walk with truth and a friendly heart you will find friends waiting there