Navigating the healthcare system can be a daunting experience.

This case is especially true for senior community members who require complex care.

In light of the senior community's needs, a groundbreaking pilot program brought a beacon of hope that could improve the efficiency and quality of care for elderly patients.

A pilot program at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne embedded a geriatrician within the emergency department (ED).

This move has shown remarkable results during its initial run, halving the number of older patients admitted to hospital beds.

This initiative both improved patient outcomes and saved about 900 acute bed days by diverting almost 150 elderly patients previously planned for admission.

The success of this trial was a testament to the power of specialised care.

Seniors previously queued for a hospital stay can now stay at home thanks to a program ran by St Vincent's Hospital. Image Credit: Pexels/Rollz International

Geriatricians are medical doctors who specialise in elderly care and are focused on unique health issues that come with ageing.

These specialists consider the full spectrum of a senior's life, including overlapping illnesses, multiple drug therapies, and their support systems.

One of the hospital's senior patients, Beverley Minogue, was initially queued for hospital admission.

After her knee gave out due to osteoarthritis, she faced the prospect of a lengthy hospital stay.

However, thanks to the Geriatrician in the Emergency Department (GED) service implemented at St Vincent's Hospital, the 85-year-old senior came home with a comprehensive support plan.

This plan included daily visits from nurses, a physiotherapist, and a geriatrician for two weeks.

Minogue was able to manage her condition comfortably at her home.

The GED service goes beyond keeping beds free; it also provides the right care in the right setting.

For many seniors, the hospital setting could be disorienting or detrimental to their recovery.

Previous studies indicated that seniors are at a higher risk of falls, delirium, and confusion when hospitalised compared to recovering at home.

The program first assesses patients in the ED.

If appropriate, the geriatrician sends them home with a tailored care plan.

According to the pilot program's results, there has been no increase in re-admissions for those diverted from hospital stays.

This innovative approach became beneficial for both patients and the healthcare system in general.

With the number of seniors presenting to emergency departments steadily increasing, the challenge to accommodate everyone has been an ongoing issue.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) recognised the urgency of the situation and called for a long-term funding agreement to support senior Australians better.

The AMA's Hospital Report Card highlighted that public hospital beds per Australian over 65 have more than halved since the early '90s.

A study in the Australasian Journal on Ageing found that more than half of the older adults seen by the geriatrician service at Monash Medical Centre were directly discharged from emergency, with only a four per cent re-admission rate.

The pilot program at St Vincent's Hospital pushed through thanks to a combination of Victorian government funding, hospital resources, and philanthropic contributions.

Similar programs are also being trialled across the country as they aim to address the health needs of an ageing population.

Innovative solutions like the GED service should be vital in providing tailored elderly care while keeping Australia's healthcare system running.

The AMA urged the incoming government to prioritise the next National Health Reform Agreement, which would increase Commonwealth funding for state-run hospitals and allow flexible funding for home-based programs like the GED.

Key Takeaways

• St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne introduced a geriatrician in its emergency department, which significantly reduced the number of older patients admitted to hospital beds.
• The program diverted almost 150 elderly patients planned for admission, which saved about 900 acute bed days.
• The Australian Medical Association (AMA) called for a long-term funding agreement to address the increasing number of older Australians requiring emergency care.
• Studies indicated that patients tend to recover quicker at home, and the embedded geriatrician program has shown success without an increase in re-admissions.

What do you think of this program? Will you benefit from this program if it pushes through? Share your thoughts and opinions about this initiative in the comments section below!

 

[ariba]

The hospital trial pushing for better support for senior Australians is a promising initiative that aims to improve healthcare services and outcomes for older adults. As a senior Aussie or caregiver, you can benefit from this trial in several ways:

1. Improved Care: The trial focuses on providing more tailored and personalized healthcare to seniors, which can lead to better overall treatment, quicker recovery times, and fewer hospital readmissions.
2. Access to Specialized Services: The program may offer access to specialized services such as geriatric care, mental health support, and rehabilitation that are better suited for older adults' needs.
3. Support for Caregivers: This trial could include initiatives that provide better support and resources for those who care for elderly family members, helping to ease the burden on informal caregivers.
4. Community-Based Healthcare: The trial may also push for more community-based healthcare options, making it easier for seniors to access care in familiar and comfortable settings rather than always needing to visit hospitals.

If you’re eligible for the trial or can access the services, it’s a great opportunity to receive enhanced care and support tailored to seniors' specific needs. Keep an eye on local announcements for enrollment or program details!

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Sorry to hear this. In today's world both situations are unacceptable.

Yes, it's very unacceptable.
Even my own GP who has debilitating headaches at times and requires hospitalisation, leaves to be admitted to another hospital 500km away.

 

[Ezzy]

Yes, it's very unacceptable.
Even my own GP who has debilitating headaches at times and requires hospitalisation, leaves to be admitted to another hospital 500km away.

A GP taking desperate action like this says it all.
If it hasn't already happened, patients taking such desperate action to avoid a hospital will see someone die trying to access quality treatment. The affected citizens have my sympathy. This situation must change before an innocent person dies.
Can something be done to address this unacceptable situation Wombat?

 

[Wombat2u2004]

A GP taking desperate action like this says it all.
If it hasn't already happened, patients taking such desperate action to avoid a hospital will see someone die trying to access quality treatment. The affected citizens have my sympathy. This situation must change before an innocent person dies.
Can something be done to address this unacceptable situation Wombat?

I don't know mate.
A lot of people in my city agree with me on this issue, so I suppose there has been complaints.
The Public Hospital also supports a Private Hospital and Medical Training Facility, so their funding from Government must be really good.
I have only spent two days in the Public Hospital there before being flown to Newcastle for a heart stent. During that two days I had one injection in the stomach by an obviously ill trained nurse, which left a huge bruise on my tummy. The next nurse to give me an injection the next day just looked at the bruise and said "Some people, they just never learn"
As for my deceased wife, it got to the point where my Doctor and I cared for her at home. She never wanted to go back to hospital anyway and was quite content to pass away in her own bed.
All of my other Hospital stays have been at the Private Hospital in the same grounds. I made sure I phoned DVA about that, and always ensure that any doctors know about that too. Being a Gold Card holder.
But guess what? The food is still terrible. LOLOL

 

[Ezzy]

I don't know mate.
A lot of people in my city agree with me on this issue, so I suppose there has been complaints.
The Public Hospital also supports a Private Hospital and Medical Training Facility, so their funding from Government must be really good.
I have only spent two days in the Public Hospital there before being flown to Newcastle for a heart stent. During that two days I had one injection in the stomach by an obviously ill trained nurse, which left a huge bruise on my tummy. The next nurse to give me an injection the next day just looked at the bruise and said "Some people, they just never learn"
As for my deceased wife, it got to the point where my Doctor and I cared for her at home. She never wanted to go back to hospital anyway and was quite content to pass away in her own bed.
All of my other Hospital stays have been at the Private Hospital in the same grounds. I made sure I phoned DVA about that, and always ensure that any doctors know about that too. Being a Gold Card holder.
But guess what? The food is still terrible. LOLOL

I am in full agreeance about Govt. funding my friend but with people complaining l am at a loss to understand why these have fallen on deaf ears unless someone is receiving a kickback.

Many years ago while in our public hospital in Perth for tests l needed a canular in my hand replacing for the final day. The specialist who did this removed his reading glasses & leaned down to within approx. 15cm of my hand & made a hash of this. The result was as you described with your stomach. I hope you were treated more humanely at Newcastle.

I have had 3 friends who preferred to die at home in the comfort of natural surroundings & not restricted by hospital rules. They received essential treatment still, as l believe your dear wife did, from what you stated. I think this is what l would also want for myself.

Except for those early tests in Royal Perth Hospital, all my treatments have been in Private Hospitals.

I hope you are managing to keep as well as possible now. Thankyou for sharing with me. I am saddened to hear hospitals can treat patients like 2nd class citizens when they are in there to get better. I believe staff shortages are not a patient's responsibility & the Govt. should address this issue.

A dear friend of mine lived to be 100 y.o. in a Nursing Home under trying conditions with staff. Most were from overseas with a limited understanding of the English language. I believe this was the nursing homes way of addressing shortages. I know of a nurse whose friends & relies send Immigration papers to her from India to be filled in & returned. This is how they get nursing positions in Australia. Trained or untrained, able to speak good English or not, l do not know.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

I am in full agreeance about Govt. funding my friend but with people complaining l am at a loss to understand why these have fallen on deaf ears unless someone is receiving a kickback.

Many years ago while in our public hospital in Perth for tests l needed a canular in my hand replacing for the final day. The specialist who did this removed his reading glasses & leaned down to within approx. 15cm of my hand & made a hash of this. The result was as you described with your stomach. I hope you were treated more humanely at Newcastle.

I have had 3 friends who preferred to die at home in the comfort of natural surroundings & not restricted by hospital rules. They received essential treatment still, as l believe your dear wife did, from what you stated. I think this is what l would also want for myself.

Except for those early tests in Royal Perth Hospital, all my treatments have been in Private Hospitals.

I hope you are managing to keep as well as possible now. Thankyou for sharing with me. I am saddened to hear hospitals can treat patients like 2nd class citizens when they are in there to get better. I believe staff shortages are not a patient's responsibility & the Govt. should address this issue.

A dear friend of mine lived to be 100 y.o. in a Nursing Home under trying conditions with staff. Most were from overseas with a limited understanding of the English language. I believe this was the nursing homes way of addressing shortages. I know of a nurse whose friends & relies send Immigration papers to her from India to be filled in & returned. This is how they get nursing positions in Australia. Trained or untrained, able to speak good English or not, l do not know.

I know a lot of hospitals and nursing homes hire immigrants. Not sure if they are to meet a quota set by the govt.
I hope WA hospitals are better than those in NSW, as I'm thinking seriously of selling up here and moving to Mandurah in the near future. I'll plop my unmarried daughter in that and use the home as a second home, as I live most of the time in Thailand. I've had it with NSW.

 

[Ezzy]

I know a lot of hospitals and nursing homes hire immigrants. Not sure if they are to meet a quota set by the govt.
I hope WA hospitals are better than those in NSW, as I'm thinking seriously of selling up here and moving to Mandurah in the near future. I'll plop my unmarried daughter in that and use the home as a second home, as I live most of the time in Thailand. I've had it with NSW.

Not sure about quotas either.
I have never been in a hospital in the Eastern States. They appear to be good in W.A. except for one which is constantly in the news for the wrong reasons.
Mandurah is a beautiful location. No longer is this a retirement location but a great place for families too. Great weather & on the coast. The railway runs between there & Perth making travel between these places cheap. Not that people need to go to the City with everything in the suburbs now.
I understand that Thailand is a nice place to live so you have chosen well. Get out of NSW.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Not sure about quotas either.
I have never been in a hospital in the Eastern States. They appear to be good in W.A. except for one which is constantly in the news for the wrong reasons.
Mandurah is a beautiful location. No longer is this a retirement location but a great place for families too. Great weather & on the coast. The railway runs between there & Perth making travel between these places cheap. Not that people need to go to the City with everything in the suburbs now.
I understand that Thailand is a nice place to live so you have chosen well. Get out of NSW.

Yes, Mandurah is beautiful. I was there in 1990 and very nearly bought a block of land with ocean views for a song. But instead purchased a townhouse in Belmont, which I lost in a divorce a couple of years later.
Thailand is good tho, I enjoy living here. The people are good, I can't say the same about the government tho, there is much corruption going on in the public service.

 

[Ezzy]

Yes, Mandurah is beautiful. I was there in 1990 and very nearly bought a block of land with ocean views for a song. But instead purchased a townhouse in Belmont, which I lost in a divorce a couple of years later.
Thailand is good tho, I enjoy living here. The people are good, I can't say the same about the government tho, there is much corruption going on in the public service.

You have had a bad run & it is not good luck. That block would have been a windfall but chances are you may have lost that instead of the townhouse. Seems as though corruption in governments in one way or another is widespread. My wife & l found Bali folk very accommodating on our holiday some years ago. I hope for the sake of you & your daughter that something good happens & you are able to purchase the dwelling you mentioned in Mandurah. You deserve a winning streak of some sort sooner rather than later.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

You have had a bad run & it is not good luck. That block would have been a windfall but chances are you may have lost that instead of the townhouse. Seems as though corruption in governments in one way or another is widespread. My wife & l found Bali folk very accommodating on our holiday some years ago. I hope for the sake of you & your daughter that something good happens & you are able to purchase the dwelling you mentioned in Mandurah. You deserve a winning streak of some sort sooner rather than later.

Ah, I haven't done too badly out of it all. I've managed to keep my head above water.
I have a wonderful Thai wife who treats me like a king, and three accomplished daughters in Australia and three grandkids.....yes, all girls.
No matter how hard I tried, I never got a boy. LOLOL. But the girls are great.

Never been to Bali, but it's on my bucket list

 

[Ezzy]

Ah, I haven't done too badly out of it all. I've managed to keep my head above water.
I have a wonderful Thai wife who treats me like a king, and three accomplished daughters in Australia and three grandkids.....yes, all girls.
No matter how hard I tried, I never got a boy. LOLOL. But the girls are great.

Never been to Bali, but it's on my bucket list

Glad to hear you still managed to accomplish something good from the other bits. You are a lucky man with a nice family it would appear.
Could never get a son either, 4 girls instead & all but 1 married & she is still living at home, 5 grandsons & 1 spoilt granddaughter (an only child). Just grateful they are all reasonably healthy.

Can't say l have ever made a bucket list but as l had to retire at age 47 guess l've had time to think about this. Perhaps l need to sit down with the boss & see if she has any ideas. We ask each other from time to time where we may like to go but nothing transpires. The daughter just came out with a tongue - in - cheek suggestion to travel to Queensland in February next year for The Tattoo. Alright for her she still works with a good income.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Glad to hear you still managed to accomplish something good from the other bits. You are a lucky man with a nice family it would appear.
Could never get a son either, 4 girls instead & all but 1 married & she is still living at home, 5 grandsons & 1 spoilt granddaughter (an only child). Just grateful they are all reasonably healthy.

Can't say l have ever made a bucket list but as l had to retire at age 47 guess l've had time to think about this. Perhaps l need to sit down with the boss & see if she has any ideas. We ask each other from time to time where we may like to go but nothing transpires. The daughter just came out with a tongue - in - cheek suggestion to travel to Queensland in February next year for The Tattoo. Alright for her she still works with a good income.

Why 47 retirement? Were you hurt or sick? I retired at 60.
You have a very large extended family mate, good on you. It's something of a rarity these days.
Two of my daughters are married and have their children, but no more on the way for them as they are in their 40's now. My youngest daughter is 32, unmarried, an accomplished party animal and works as a barista because she's too frightened or not really ready to take her first step involving work in the field of her Psychological Science degree. I keep telling her to apply as a case worker for the NDIS, but she just ums and ahs. She's now completing a post degree diploma in Art Therapy. Not really sure that will help her, as I found out from her older sister that getting a job in that field is pretty hard. LOL. But she has her dreams, and all I can do is give her advice sometimes. But one thing she has going for her, and that is her artwork. She is a brilliant artist, and worked for years decorating restaurants in the UK with murals. Her mother (my deceased wife) was an artist and taught April for many years at home. April turned out much better than her mothers art too.

 

[Ezzy]

Yes, work injuries while working for our Water Authority. Numerous, but the two that sealed it for me was first straining the right shoulder & then while on "light duties", strained the left. After leaving there & making application for a payout for 4 of those injuries through Arbitration l was also able to secure an operation for the right shoulder in 1985 or 1986. Since then l have had a further 3 ops to the right (last in Oct. last year) & 3 in total to the left shoulder.
Thank you for your statement re my family. Problems there too. The 2nd eldest was been divorced. Her ex told her he was having an affair just days before she delivered her 2nd son. With a toddler & a baby & no car, she scored our 2nd car. Her ex went on to do the same with the lady he was unfaithful with, 2 children, unfaithful & then divorce. Our daughter met a fellow, became pregnant & recently married him when her 3rd son was 16 y.o. Her eldest followed in his father's footsteps; no children but an affair just 4 months after marrying, now separated.
Third eldest has a good job as an accountant & the youngest works in an office part time.
The eldest, 42 this year lives at home & never to marry has a good job now. A bad experience when at high school has put her off marriage. She has a great relationship with our 16 y.o. granddaughter & normally organises our get togethers for birthdays etc., 15 or 16 of us which includes a married grandson & his wife. Organising is not a mean feat seeing as the grandson works shifts for a hotel chain.
April sounds like a very talented young lady having made her mark overseas & to do better than her mentor is a credit to her. [I would love to have a talent like that, but at 73 y.o. l have enough with mosaics & card making & a member on the committees of two social clubs without any more l think]. A Support Worker for NDIS would surely be a sought after field with not enough truly qualified people. As you say though just give support through advice. We supported our girls in their decisions & were there to pick them up if something went bad for them & give advice for the next step.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

I'm sorry to hear that you were injured at work, Ezzy.
But Work Safety has come a long way since the mid 1980's. Workcover fines frighten the hell out of most companies, so everyone makes sure their Workers Comp is paid up, lolol.
When I was a building consultant for 2 years at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Village, we only had two deaths for a huge building project like that. One carpenter was climbing a ladder and had a fatal heart attack, and another labourer was crushed to death when a pack of bricks fell on him on the ground floor of a residence under construction from the 1st floor over. Tragic, both of those deaths. There must have been other injuries, but I wasn't privy to them in my role of inspections etc etc.

We all have family problems mate, but we seem to overcome them with some effort.
Adultery is a wicked crime, and that is what happened to end my first marriage. My then wife had a lengthy affair with a co-worker, all while his own wife was in late stages of pregnancy and in hospital giving birth. Oh, I gave it a shot by forgiving and forgetting, but that only lasted 3 years, and then it got the better of me and I had to say bye bye.
It's unfortunate that some men and women think it's ok to go out and play around. It breaks up families.

I'm still at April to get involved with NDIS, she knows the manager in our city and her boyfriend is one of the NDIS caregivers, so she's already got her leg in. I will never force the issue with her, as she's kind of hot blooded like her mother was, the Irish in her blood coming out. So I try my best to be gently persuasive with her. But we'll see what happens when she's finished her Art Therapy Course. That should also give her an extra feather in the cap to be employed as a Disability Support Worker or further up the ranks.

My eldest Daughter Christie is Pyschologist who works at one of our NSW states main jails, she is one of the managers there, and loves her job, she is not married actually, but lives with her partner Lee. She is currently doing her Doctorate at the University of NSW and will be finished later this year. Lee, her partner has a day job supplying and fixing awnings to houses and units, and weekend evenings he is usually playing with his band at some club in Sydney, he is a very good guitar player. He goes to Tamworth Music Festival in NSW each year with three band to put in their two bobs worth. Here's the band he plays with, they are starting get pretty famous Lee is on the far left with a brown shirt and brown trousers playing guitar, he eventually strips down to a white singlet, then naked from the waste up. Christie and Lee have a daughter called Penny, she is 8.

My second daughter Cherylea, she is a Doctor of Medical Science and does research work on ear and balance problems and is a senior Anatomy tutor at the University of Western Sydney. She is married to Jarrod who works for the NDIS as a support worker. They have two children, Nara 7, and Juni 6 months.
Here's a YouTube that Cherylea makes sometimes to simplify anatomy to the public.

 

[Ezzy]

I'm sorry to hear that you were injured at work, Ezzy.
But Work Safety has come a long way since the mid 1980's. Workcover fines frighten the hell out of most companies, so everyone makes sure their Workers Comp is paid up, lolol.
When I was a building consultant for 2 years at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Village, we only had two deaths for a huge building project like that. One carpenter was climbing a ladder and had a fatal heart attack, and another labourer was crushed to death when a pack of bricks fell on him on the ground floor of a residence under construction from the 1st floor over. Tragic, both of those deaths. There must have been other injuries, but I wasn't privy to them in my role of inspections etc etc.

We all have family problems mate, but we seem to overcome them with some effort.
Adultery is a wicked crime, and that is what happened to end my first marriage. My then wife had a lengthy affair with a co-worker, all while his own wife was in late stages of pregnancy and in hospital giving birth. Oh, I gave it a shot by forgiving and forgetting, but that only lasted 3 years, and then it got the better of me and I had to say bye bye.
It's unfortunate that some men and women think it's ok to go out and play around. It breaks up families.

I'm still at April to get involved with NDIS, she knows the manager in our city and her boyfriend is one of the NDIS caregivers, so she's already got her leg in. I will never force the issue with her, as she's kind of hot blooded like her mother was, the Irish in her blood coming out. So I try my best to be gently persuasive with her. But we'll see what happens when she's finished her Art Therapy Course. That should also give her an extra feather in the cap to be employed as a Disability Support Worker or further up the ranks.

My eldest Daughter Christie is Pyschologist who works at one of our NSW states main jails, she is one of the managers there, and loves her job, she is not married actually, but lives with her partner Lee. She is currently doing her Doctorate at the University of NSW and will be finished later this year. Lee, her partner has a day job supplying and fixing awnings to houses and units, and weekend evenings he is usually playing with his band at some club in Sydney, he is a very good guitar player. He goes to Tamworth Music Festival in NSW each year with three band to put in their two bobs worth. Here's the band he plays with, they are starting get pretty famous Lee is on the far left with a brown shirt and brown trousers playing guitar, he eventually strips down to a white singlet, then naked from the waste up. Christie and Lee have a daughter called Penny, she is 8.

My second daughter Cherylea, she is a Doctor of Medical Science and does research work on ear and balance problems and is a senior Anatomy tutor at the University of Western Sydney. She is married to Jarrod who works for the NDIS as a support worker. They have two children, Nara 7, and Juni 6 months.
Here's a YouTube that Cherylea makes sometimes to simplify anatomy to the public.

Will reply to you tomorrow my friend. Have had two days of appointments etc.

 

[Ezzy]

Finally a chance for me to breath & catch up on correspondence.
The 3rd Thursday of the month is always busy for me. Cleaning at the club l attend twice a week in the morning, home & then return for a Committee meeting & then normally o.k. until Sat. afternoon. This week was different. Echo heart test Friday, volunteering Sat. morning @ the art exhibition for our local city council [runs for 9 days, 4 people per day except Sat. which is only until 1.00p.m.] & the council gives our club a substantial donation for this time, then off to mosaics at the club location. Today was a rest day. Will repeat yesterday again next Saturday.

Thankyou for your kind words on my work injuries. My very 1st injury there was while using a jack hammer. With no experience l was directed to take over from someone else. The pick deflected off the concrete & landed on my left foot just behind the 2nd toe, just missing the steel toe cap. Soft tissue damage & eventually orthotics initially paid for by worker's comp.

You have had an interesting job with the Olympic Village as a building consultant. Sad to hear about the two deaths. The job would have taken in many facets of the building construction industry l am sure.

I am sorry to hear you too for affected by adultery. Leaves a bitter taste in my mouth when l think of what he did to our daughter, but as stated earlier, he did the same thing to another woman & is now, l believe, going solo. A hard thing to stomach was that he had to attend his eldest son's wedding (the son who followed in his steps months after marriage). The good part was that was the last time l saw him. He had changed his name by deed pole but until the very last second on that day l addressed him by his given name. In those last seconds l addressed him by his new name. He was evil before & after the divorce & his 2nd wife was no better with my grandson's on their visitation weekends, even throwing toys they had taken with them into the rubbish bin.

All your daughters have done well in life with the exception of April who is still finding her niche. She certainly has a lot going for her with her knowledge & contacts in NDIS. Christie has a tough job in that area. I am sure she will do well in any field with the Doctorate behind her. I wish her well in her studies.
[I worked for almost 7 years in what was one of W.A.'s newest medium security prisons & was also a member of the Riot Squad. When a riot broke out in 1988, prison officers taken hostage, including the Prison Prosecutor & the division set on fire at W.A's oldest maximum prison, l was one of those who went in. The situation was very tense & no sleep for us. The Police Marksmen were involved & had the prisoners not surrendered when they did, there would have been much blood spilt. Traffic noise outside the walls couldn't be heard, it was so quiet. The end of that year l transferred to the Water Authority).

Lee is very talented too with his daily work & then music career. Had to laugh when you mentioned about stripping down to singlet & then naked from the waist up. The whole sequence from all the players was enjoyable. Was wondering about the ladies & then before my eyes the lady stripped to her bra. LOL the whole time. Did enjoy the antics with the dancing too. Thankyou for sharing this. I intend going over it again.

Cherylea is a very accomplished lady. The way she explains the different blood groups makes it all sound so simple & the illustration helps a lot. A pretty lady at that. Thankyou for sharing this too.

Apologies for rambling today.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Finally a chance for me to breath & catch up on correspondence.
The 3rd Thursday of the month is always busy for me. Cleaning at the club l attend twice a week in the morning, home & then return for a Committee meeting & then normally o.k. until Sat. afternoon. This week was different. Echo heart test Friday, volunteering Sat. morning @ the art exhibition for our local city council [runs for 9 days, 4 people per day except Sat. which is only until 1.00p.m.] & the council gives our club a substantial donation for this time, then off to mosaics at the club location. Today was a rest day. Will repeat yesterday again next Saturday.

Thankyou for your kind words on my work injuries. My very 1st injury there was while using a jack hammer. With no experience l was directed to take over from someone else. The pick deflected off the concrete & landed on my left foot just behind the 2nd toe, just missing the steel toe cap. Soft tissue damage & eventually orthotics initially paid for by worker's comp.

You have had an interesting job with the Olympic Village as a building consultant. Sad to hear about the two deaths. The job would have taken in many facets of the building construction industry l am sure.

I am sorry to hear you too for affected by adultery. Leaves a bitter taste in my mouth when l think of what he did to our daughter, but as stated earlier, he did the same thing to another woman & is now, l believe, going solo. A hard thing to stomach was that he had to attend his eldest son's wedding (the son who followed in his steps months after marriage). The good part was that was the last time l saw him. He had changed his name by deed pole but until the very last second on that day l addressed him by his given name. In those last seconds l addressed him by his new name. He was evil before & after the divorce & his 2nd wife was no better with my grandson's on their visitation weekends, even throwing toys they had taken with them into the rubbish bin.

All your daughters have done well in life with the exception of April who is still finding her niche. She certainly has a lot going for her with her knowledge & contacts in NDIS. Christie has a tough job in that area. I am sure she will do well in any field with the Doctorate behind her. I wish her well in her studies.
[I worked for almost 7 years in what was one of W.A.'s newest medium security prisons & was also a member of the Riot Squad. When a riot broke out in 1988, prison officers taken hostage, including the Prison Prosecutor & the division set on fire at W.A's oldest maximum prison, l was one of those who went in. The situation was very tense & no sleep for us. The Police Marksmen were involved & had the prisoners not surrendered when they did, there would have been much blood spilt. Traffic noise outside the walls couldn't be heard, it was so quiet. The end of that year l transferred to the Water Authority).

Lee is very talented too with his daily work & then music career. Had to laugh when you mentioned about stripping down to singlet & then naked from the waist up. The whole sequence from all the players was enjoyable. Was wondering about the ladies & then before my eyes the lady stripped to her bra. LOL the whole time. Did enjoy the antics with the dancing too. Thankyou for sharing this. I intend going over it again.

Cherylea is a very accomplished lady. The way she explains the different blood groups makes it all sound so simple & the illustration helps a lot. A pretty lady at that. Thankyou for sharing this too.

Apologies for rambling today.

Now it's my turn mate. LOL
Leaving on a jet plane tomorrow evening to Australia after a 6 hour drive to get to the airport.
I arrive Wednesday morning at 7am, and am off to a couple of doctors appointments., So will reply to your post as soon as I get time on Wednesday or Thursday.
Today I'm busy packing and tidying up last bits and pieces as the wife goes to visit her mum and the local Buddhist Temple where she goes to pray for my safe trip.
Catcha in a few days mate.

 

[Ezzy]

Now it's my turn mate. LOL
Leaving on a jet plane tomorrow evening to Australia after a 6 hour drive to get to the airport.
I arrive Wednesday morning at 7am, and am off to a couple of doctors appointments., So will reply to your post as soon as I get time on Wednesday or Thursday.
Today I'm busy packing and tidying up last bits and pieces as the wife goes to visit her mum and the local Buddhist Temple where she goes to pray for my safe trip.
Catcha in a few days mate.

Have a safe journey.