Meeting 12 October 2004
Thirteen gathered for the luncheon on 12 October. This record number included a newcomer, Kevin Reid. Kevin left the School in 1975 and in 1985 decided to come to Australia for a brief visit. He is still here. Now, he is a partner in an international accounting firm in Sydney. He is married and has two boys. We were particularly pleased to have the pleasure of Jan Webber’s and Peter Smitham’s company. Peter left the school in 1993. He gained his MRCS at Hammersmith and is now the orthopædic spinal fellow at the Prince of Wales Hospital. He is studying in the orthopædic research laboratory for a higher degree at the University of New South Wales. The Prince of Wales Hospital is the same hospital that Paul Bevis attended some years ago. All of our fellowship who have visited the school in recent years have met Jan. She is the source of most of our recent Luncheon Table members. Although we all know Jan to be a first class networker, what we did not know is that Jan’s contacts are far more influential than any of us anticipated. Week-long drought relieving rains coincided with her visit to Sydney. Jan kindly presented us with the school’s coat of arms, which the RAC Club’s Secretary is arranging for it to be displayed in the bar.
Only a few hours before our meeting, the world lost its arguably greatest all-rounder, Keith Miller. Only Ian Botham came near to him. Both demonstrated a buccaneering approach when they played. Miller’s apparently casual attitude hid a shrewd and calculating mind. It was not unknown for him to fail to bring his bat with him when he came in, grabbing the outgoing batsman’s one instead. He was decorated as a fighter pilot in the Second World War. He enjoyed a romantic interest in classical music and once diverted his Mosquito returning from a mission over Germany so that he could fly his plane over Bonn in order to dip its wings to salute Beethoven’s birth place.
The next 4 meetings are on Tuesday 22 February, 24 May, 16 August and 11 October 2005. Those of you with flexible travel plans please make a note; we love to see you. Gap year students, backpackers and others who may be short of a bob in Australia should not be deterred by the thought of an unsought expense; I am sure we can work something out.
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