Sport Boy goes to Melbourne

999

2006-03-27T20:12:00.000+11:00

The next person to visit Sport Boy goes to Melbourne will be the 1000th visitor, pretty cool for a web page set up with the idea of telling our story of the Games.

Whoever you are, leave a comment!

Somewhere in Melbourne

2006-03-26T04:26:00.000+11:00

Melbourne landmarks

2006-03-26T04:22:00.000+11:00

Outside the MCG, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Rod Laver Arena and Vodaphone Arena

Interesting things to find in Melbourne

2006-03-26T04:17:00.000+11:00

More of my growing collection of photos of public art, in and around Melbourne

Chris

2006-03-26T04:07:00.000+11:00

Chris Helm, the chaplain at Box Forest, my main contact and liaison person throughout all of the planning and preparation for the trip. He did a great job arranging all the details , getting resources organised for us including beds, food, keys, computer, transport and more. I am much indebted to him for his support and assistance, the trip would not have been possible without his help and the hospitality of the school.

Uncle Trevor

2006-03-26T04:03:00.000+11:00

On the first night, Sport Boy and Jordan stayed with their uncle Trevor and Auntie Anne, and had a good time with their cousin Josh.

Elaine about to be nabbed

2006-03-26T04:00:00.000+11:00

while waiting for the Queen to arrive so we could cross the road and get to our first event, the table tennis. The first thing a policeman needs is a sense of humour, this one did.

The Urban Dream

2006-03-26T03:55:00.000+11:00

4 characters who have been living in Myer's front window for the duration of the Games. They have a kitchen, bedroom, living room and bathroom including glass shower with just enough of the door blocked out to protect their modesty. They interact with the watching crowd, communicating via handheld whiteboards and are very entertaining.

The Royal Arcade off Little Collins St

2006-03-26T03:51:00.000+11:00

which is where I got the engraved plaque for the Jetty photo we gave to Box Forest. It is famous for being the home of Gog and Magog, the bell ringers. Gog and Magog are characters from the Bible whose lineage can be traced to modern day Russia.

Scenes from South Bank

2006-03-26T03:45:00.000+11:00

and Burke and Wills statue , corner of Swanston and Collins Streets

Elaine and the year 12's enjoying the athletics on Tuesday night.

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Renae

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This very helpful volunteer helped me to get Craig Nottram's autograph after the 5000m once he'd finished his post-race interview with Karl Langdon.

Not everything worked smoothly at the Games

2006-03-26T03:32:00.000+11:00

One of the escalators in the MCG Members section malfunctioned.

Mucking around in the members lift at the MCG

2006-03-26T03:30:00.000+11:00

Coming home late Tuesday night after the athletics

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Ella fell over for no apparent reason, then fell about laughing. Was this when Shari hurt her ankle?

Flinders St Station from Federation Square

2006-03-26T03:24:00.000+11:00

The Commonwealth Games Trip Crew

2006-03-26T03:20:00.000+11:00

Erin, ?, Ella, Cassie, Marcus, Rachel, Ella, Georgia, Alissa, Hayley, Caitlin, Elaine, Shari, Sport Boy and Jordan.

Trolley Girl

2006-03-26T03:17:00.000+11:00

The day Shari hurt her ankle a shopping trolley came in very handy.

Horrible luck

2006-03-25T22:18:00.000+11:00

How bad was the 1500m? Can't believe Craig Mottram's bad luck!

A selection of tiles decorated by children adorning the walls inside the MCG

2006-03-25T02:25:00.000+11:00

Two Melbourne icons, The Yarra River and the MCG

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The MCG

2006-03-25T01:45:00.000+11:00

The Melbourne Cricket Ground, Spiritual home of Australian sport, affectionately known as "The G", venue for the Boxing Day Test match, the 1956 Olympics, and home of the biggest event on the Australian sporting calendar-the AFL Grand Final, for two more days, the centrepiece of the 18th Commonwealth Games. The last notes of the closing ceremony will have barely subsided before work will begin to dismantle the running track and transform the G once again in readiness for the footy season. The first AFL game it will host this season will be the ANZAC Day game between essendon and Collingwood on April 25. There aren't many better places to be than the MCG with a big crowd roaring their support for their teams and their heroes. Monday night, with 79,000 people there was a very special experience and the roar that accompanied the 5000m and Craig Mottram's silver medal winning performance was spine tingling. The only other thing I can compare it with was Stadium Australia the night Cathy Freeman won gold in the 400m.
Leo Barry's premiership winning mark in the dying seconds of the 2005 Grand Final was another incredible moment but the difference was only half the crowd were elated, the other hather were deflated by the same act, whereas at the Games, the whole crowd rose and roared as one. I love big sporting events and have been lucky enough to attend several over the years and the Commonwealth Games ranks right up there as one of the best things I've seen and been to. Melbourne is abuzz, the city is on a high, there is a special atmosphere permeating the whole city. It will be quiite a let down when it finishes. It's just as well the footy season is about to start so all the sports mad Melbournians will have something to turn their attention to after the Games have finished.
All the kids were sad to leave and talked about wanting to stay, or come back to Melbourne again. It is a great place, with a "live" feeling that other Australian cities just don't have. Perth, for all it's beauty is quiet by comparison, and Busselton is positively funereal!
Don't get me wrong, I love living in Busselton, but it was nice to be where the action is for the last couple of weeks.

The Many Faces of Sport Boy Part 4

2006-03-24T18:32:00.000+11:00

The Many Faces of Sport Boy Part 3

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The Many More Faces of Sport Boy Part 2

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The many faces of Sport Boy Pt 1

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Do you think they were tired on the way home?

2006-03-24T04:00:00.000+11:00

We're back home in Busselton. I wonder how many of the crew will make it to school in the morning?

Robert, one of the Box Forest parents who drove us to the airport this afternoon

2006-03-24T03:52:00.000+11:00

Our departure was not without a final twist of drama. I went down the street to get a couple of things and some rolls for lunch, confident that the cleaning and packing was done and we had plenty of time. Upon my return we had some lunch. The Box Forest crew had arrived to drive us to the airport. I was cleaning up the kitchen for the last time when Elaine came in and said they were getting anxious about leaving. I looked at my watch which read 1.00pm and said we still had half an hour up our sleeve, only to be told the disconcerting truth that it was 1.30 already!!! My watch had stopped!! Or lost half an hour anyway!! I couldn't believe it! Of all the times and dates for my watch to malfunction!! Mild panic gripped me as I hurriedly packed the last few things away and retrieved Jordan from the computer room, jumped in the car and we set off. I was still looking at my watch and shaking my head in disbelief when we arrived at Tullamarine. The good news we checked in in plenty of time and all went well on the flight home!

Sport Boy says goodbye to George

2006-03-24T03:50:00.000+11:00

George the caretaker is a lovely man who made us feel welcome and relaxed and had a lovely attitude toward Sport Boy and all the kids. He invited us back any time.

Pillow Fight Mayhem and Madness on the last night in Melbourne

2006-03-24T03:42:00.000+11:00

Happy Birthday Hayley

2006-03-24T03:36:00.000+11:00

Caitlinz Goodbye............. :P

2006-03-23T13:08:00.000+11:00

Sport Boy goes to Melbourne
Coming to the games in Melbourne has been the most amazing experience of my life......... I've learnt many values that I reckon ill use throughout my life and have met some of the coolest people ever........!! I've gotten to know all of the girls who came so much better and have become real good friends I love them all heaps..... And ill never forget the great times we had together like the Fiji man falling of his bike, pillow fights at 2 in the morning, dancing with the telstra guys and anyone else who felt like joining in..................., Ella at the all you can eat buffet , THE MUFFIN MAN!! With liss hahaha, and alrighty then.........., trolley wars, the man stealing the cookie at rod laver and we musnt forget Dan and Steve at the aths hahaha funniest time Eva scrubbing of those tats....... and central, eastside and westside ( which they just don't do it like they do in W.A) It's real sad to leave we've had so many great times and to think that we are just leaving that all behind is a bit of a bummer I cant wait to see my family those who I miss heaps....... Melbourne is officially one of the best places ever and ill never forget it or what a brilliant time I had. A real high light for me was definitely the opening ceremony to be in the MCG with all of those people shouting and cheering for there country was just amazing it made me realize how important support is for things like this and how lucky I am to live in such a fortunate country, and the festival that was a big highlight also, it maybe one of the best nights ever.......... I would really like to say a very big thankyou though to Marcus and Elaine for making it all possible......... We all had the best time thanks to you guys and we love yaz heaps anyhow Georgia is verbally abusing me so I must go....... xoxoox

Ella and caitlins goodbyes!!!!!

2006-03-23T12:33:00.000+11:00

how i wish i didn't have to go home i love it here in melbourne!!!!we told them we were athletes but then we confessed and we are still friends haha
and the guys at the athletics Steve and Daniel (eastside westside central) probably some of

Oh all the good times we had!!!

meeting all our new friends like the family at the hockey or the hot english guys at the festival who danced with us because the funniest guys i've ever met! putting on tatoos with beer changing the national anthem good times. the best event that we went to was the rugby and the basketball the had a great atmosphere i loved it!!!

Our last night was brilliant!!!!! we stayed up till around 1 having pillow fights and trolley races and bumpercars!!! and jumping on mrs o'brian attacking her with pillows!!!!
then having hot chocolates and playing spicks and specks substitute!!!
BRILLIANT!!!!
i miss it here already luvluvluv

WHAT AN AWSOME EXPERIENCE

Hi, Elaine here. Melbourne has been absolutely awsome, the 10 Busselton Senior High School Students we brought away, along with Paul and Jordon have been fantastic. The excitement they have shown at every event and momentus Melbourne occassion has been overwhelming. We have had a sensational time, so many great memories, from the tri-athlon, rugby, athletics, swimming, basketball, table tennis, boxing, weigh lifting, to the trendy Melbourne cafe's and sensational shopping. It was really difficult for me to come to Melbourne leaving behind my two little girls, I have missed them sooooooo much, but I knew it was a once in a life time opportunity not to be missed. Seeing such great athletes, in our home nation, it won't happen again in my life time. Every time an athlete stood up for a medal or worked so hard to achieve their personal best I was awstruck by the feeling it gave me., I certainly hope my children one day get to experience the amazing opportunity that these students have had.

I must say, the student that came to the Commonwealth games are an absolute credit to their parents, I felt so proud to be with them and to see the way they interacted with the Melbourne community. They will all go along way in life.

Tbanks Marcus for arranging an amazing trip, it is one which I will have sketched in my memory forever.

Hayley erin and georgias good byes!!!

2006-03-23T11:58:00.000+11:00

Hayley!!!! Omg i have had the time of my life!! swimming, rugby, tabletennis, boxing,weightlifting, athletics, gymnastics, basketball and the hockey were all my favorite events!!! (thats everything) next commonweath games all the girls are thinking of starting a new sport PILE ON PILLOW FIGHT!!! anyway ive meet soo many new people had the best time and im definetly coming back! melbournes AWSOME!!
GO box forest thanks heaps for letting us stay!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO
Georgia!!!! this has been the greatest time ever! staying with all our friends in melbourne. we have met so many cool people fonz, liam, luke,steve,dan(east side west side central) the family we met at the hockey you guys were so cool.all the events we went to were so great we had so much fun i thing the best time we hav had in a group was our big pillow fight we had last night and playing spicks and specks and drinking hot chocolate.Thanks heaps box forest for letting us stay we had the best time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ERIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ahh what can i say this trip has been the best thing a have ever done the events were great nothing bored me except mabey squash. all the girls were great and i made new friends with the year 12s and better friends with some of the year 10s everyday was a laugh something funny or embarrasing always happened whiach sent us in to histerics cant spell. we meet heaps of new people including some really hot english guys fonz and liam. and something else i will always remember our mass pillow fight and trolley races only just got over the concusion i got from sharie sitting on my head.

Good night and God Bless You

2006-03-23T01:48:00.000+11:00

I am grateful and pleased for the way the trip has gone. The kids have been great and have loved their time in Melbourne. Sport Boy and Jordy have had a ball.
Thank you to Cheryl and Chris and George and all the people from Box Forest who made us so welcome.
Thank you Elaine for your support and assistance, your good company and enthusiasm, your care for the kids and for looking out for my two boys; thanks for the work you've done to make the trip so smooth and enjoyable and the way you've connected with the girls. It wouldn't have been possible without you and the girls wouldn't have had as good a time if you weren't here.

And thank you God, for giving me the idea to bring a group to the Commonwealth Games, for opening the doors to make it all happen, and for blessing us with good health, good fun, safety and protection while we've been here.

Busselton here we come!

ETA in Busso, between 8.30 and 9.00pm (Midnight our time!)

PS Happy Birthday Sophie and Hayley for Friday.

Our Thank You gift to Box Forest

2006-03-23T01:36:00.000+11:00

We presented Cheryl, the Box Forest Principal, a framed photograph of Busselton's best known icon, the Jetty, with a plaque attached that reads:
To Box Forest SC Thank you so much for your warm hospitality during the Commonwealth Games, Melbourne 2006, from the staff and students of Busselton SHS.

Lovely people who have been generous and helpful in a multitude of ways. Chris Helm the chaplain was returning from Brisbane tonight so couldn't make it for the dinner but his help and assistance has made the whole thing work and we are very appreciative of all he's done on our behalf.

Thank you Box Forest.

George and Cheryl cooking and serving us a yummy BBQ dinner on our last night at Box Forest

2006-03-23T01:34:00.000+11:00

Full circle in the boxing ring

2006-03-23T01:24:00.000+11:00

We met these two Scottish kids on the first day, kicking a soccer ball beside the Yarra. They were here to cheer on their uncle, Craig McEwen in the boxing. That's him in the blue, fighting an Aussie. I just happened to spot his name on the big screen as we walked through Federation Square this afternoon. The Aussie was well ahead on points.

A Famous Act of Sportsmanship

2006-03-23T01:22:00.000+11:00

This statue, outside Olympic Park, recognises John Landy's act of chivalry in going back to help fallen runner Ron Clarke before resuming, and winning, the 1500 m race in 1956! Ron Clarke handed John Landy the Queen's Baton at the end of the relay at the opening ceremony. Landy is now Governor of Victoria.

The carnival is over (for this little bunch of vegemites)

2006-03-23T01:14:00.000+11:00

The game was finished, the players were gone, the ushers were ushering us toward the exit, this was our final farewell to Melbourne 2006 the Commonwealth Games. It's been fabulous.
Thank you Melbourne!

Sport Boy flying the flag for the Aussie men's basketball team

2006-03-23T01:12:00.000+11:00

The Boomers beat the Poms in the semi-final to advance to the gold medal game

2006-03-23T01:07:00.000+11:00

Australia comfortably defeated England in the semi to advance to the gold medal game. It's not apparent at first but the basketball was played in the same venue as the cycling!!! Grandstands have been erected on and around the track and the stadium transformed for basketball. There was a pretty good atmosphere, as always happens when an Aussie team is playing. The warm-up guy who got the crowd singing, "OOOOOOO Baby, I wanna know, oooh, aaah, will you be my girl?" did a great job. I got CJ Bruton's autograph on our tickets before we were moved on by some more zealous volunteers. One bloke, Leon, was reasonable and helpful though and took some group pictures for us before the heavies upstairs gave us our marching orders.

The women's basketball 7 v 8 play-off

2006-03-23T00:51:00.000+11:00

We were barracking for Malta against Malaysia in honour of George, the caretaker at Box Forest who is from Malta. They lost in a thrilling finish.

Quiz Question. Whose flag is that? (The funny looking three legged one in the middle!)

2006-03-23T00:44:00.000+11:00

The one on the left is Kenya, the next one is Jamaica, but what about the one in the middle? A prize awaits the first person with the correct answer.

PS. Answer to previous quiz question:Which famous Scottish athlete is this? Alan Wells, winner of the gold medal in the 100m sprint at the Moscow Olympics in 1980.

Shari woke up with a very sore ankle this morning

2006-03-23T00:32:00.000+11:00

We don't know the reason, she didn't fall over or injure it anywhere, but she was finding it very painful to walk. Getting from the school to Glenroy was easy if undignified, she rode in a shopping trolley! Once at Glenroy we hired a pair of crutches for her to get around on for the princely sum of $1.10 a day!

Getting the full Commonwealth Games service

2006-03-23T00:24:00.000+11:00

Once we got to the basketball Elaine got an ambulance officer to provide a wheel chair, and then the entourage went up in the lift. Shari didn't enjoy all the extra attention!

The Changing of the (Security) Guards

2006-03-23T00:21:00.000+11:00

Not quite up to the standard the Queen is accustomed to!

The two coolest kids in Melbourne

2006-03-23T00:13:00.000+11:00

They've both had a fantastic time and I've really enjoyed bringing them to such a big and special event. Having said that, it's definitely time to go home, to family, friends, our own beds and routines. Tiredness is starting to take it's toll. Sport Boy had a headache and was teary tonight and Jordy said he was looking forward to seeing his friends again.

On our way to the Basketball, our last event of the Games

2006-03-23T00:09:00.000+11:00

Bye bye Melbourne

Sport Boy goes to Melbourne

2006-03-22T22:41:00.000+11:00

Sport Boy goes to Melbourne
It's our last night in Melbourne! While everyone will enjoy coming home, there is a certain level of sadness about leaving what has been a brilliant 9 days in the sports/shopping capital of Australia! The girls have all said how much they'd like to stay and how much fun they've had. There will be a bit of a let down once all the excitement and activity is over and Busselton will seem comatose compared with Melbourne!
Just as well they've got so many new outfits, so many gifts to give out and so many pictures and souvenirs to help them prolong the enjoyment. We had a lovely BBQ dinner with George, and Cheryl Baulch the Box Forest principal tonight. They catered wonderfully for us all and enjoyed hearing some stories and meeting the kids. Cheryl has read a lot of the blog so was pretty well informed about our adventures. We gave the school a framed picture of the Busso jetty as a thank you gift for all their hospitality. The kids gave Elaine and I some terrific Commonwealth Games gear as thank you gifts too.
We leave here at 1.30 tomorrow arvo and fly out at 3.10 so the morning will not be too hectic, just packing and cleaning up (a sizeable job admittedly). The girls are going to have a bit of a challenge packing all the extra stuff they bought!
I'll blog for a while tonight but the photo loader is not being very cooperative again!

Messages for Box Forest

2006-03-22T22:01:00.000+11:00

Unsolicited thanks

2006-03-22T21:58:00.000+11:00

I found these written on the whiteboard in the computer room a couple of nights ago.

Pasta ala Cadbury

2006-03-22T03:18:00.000+11:00

Pasta ala Cadbury

2006-03-22T03:08:00.000+11:00

Elaine and the girls came home after the hockey while we went to the markets. They did a wonderful job cooking pasta for us all to take to athletics with us tonight, except for one minor oversight, that chocolate when stored next to hot pasta (or any other hot food for that matter) melts! As per the picture! Apparently it still tasted good!

The Decathlon

2006-03-22T03:00:00.000+11:00

Jason Dudley went into the 10th and final event of the decathlon in the lead but sadly the 1500 is not one of his strong disciplines and he was relegated into 3rd place. He seemed pretty happy with bronze. I got his autograph after the race and had a quick chat and he seemed like a good bloke. The winner was Dean Macey from England (in the funny hat) who also signed my ticket. He asked if I'd been cheering. I said yes, but not for him! He smiled and thanked me for my honest answer!

Whignell from Jamaica wins the 110m hurdles

2006-03-22T02:54:00.000+11:00

Packing up the hurdles after the race was a beautifully choreographed affair. We had fantastic seats tonight, in the MCC members section, directly above the finish line. The crowd was much smaller than last night for some inexplicable reason. We still had a good time.

3 good looking blokes at the MCG tonight

2006-03-22T02:50:00.000+11:00

Sport Boy goes to Melbourne

A Brush with Power!!!

2006-03-22T02:28:00.000+11:00

I stood next to the President of the English Bowling Association and the Past President, along with their wives, on the train to Jolimont today. They're loving Australia and were headed for Northcote and the lawn bowls. Northcote holds a special place in my heart as it was where my Nan and Pa lived most of their lives.

Normal blogging will resume shortly

2006-03-22T02:19:00.000+11:00

Sophie, do you like any of these dresses? Let me know because we've only got one more chance to go to the markets before we come home!

Part 2 of the haircut episode

2006-03-22T02:10:00.000+11:00

One of the reasons I wanted Jordy to get his haircut was so I could get his portrait done at the markets. That gives us three of the kid's portraits, with just Sophie to do to complete the set. The girls were so impressed they decided to get their caricatures done and one thing led to another so that in the end all 6 of us got our pictures drawn. Everyone agrees that they bear a striking resemblance to the subject. Oh to have such talent!

Some dodgy looking netball fans and a couple of old friends.

2006-03-22T02:02:00.000+11:00

I bumped into Graham and Freda Carslake from Perth after the hockey, they were on their way to netball.

Silver medallist Craig Mottram signed my ticket after the 5000m last night

2006-03-22T02:00:00.000+11:00

All medallists at the games are also presented with a bouquet of Australian native wildflowers. Last night, several of the male recipients threw their bouquets into the crowd, prompting a frenzied pack marking scramble worthy of and bridesmaid scrum I've ever seen. Craig kept his.I was rapt to get his autograph. As I said last night, the race was fantastic and the atmosphere in the stadium was super-charged.

Is there Kookaburra Gold at the end of the Royal Park Rainbow?

2006-03-22T01:49:00.000+11:00

Sport boy with a couple of the Australian Hockey players after today's game. The one on the right is Aaron Hopkins who also hails from Busselton. Elaine and several of the girls met him and had their pictures taken, as well as chatting with his mum and dad who came to their defense when a zealous volunteer tried to get everyone to leave before the players had finished signing autographs and having pictures taken. The volunteers have done a great job but every now and then the power goes to someone's head! Elaine was particularly stoked to get a picture with Aaron who is a mate of John Duthie's and is held in very high regard by the PE staff at Busso. I got his autograph and a couple of other players on my ticket.

The early start catches up with Ella

2006-03-22T01:38:00.000+11:00

Aussie Aussie Aussie oi! Wake up.

Hatching plans for successful penalty corners

2006-03-22T01:35:00.000+11:00

The trek out to Royal Park was worth it. One group left early to see the first game between malaysia and South Africa, the second group got there just in time to see Australia play.

Australia 5 England 1

2006-03-22T01:30:00.000+11:00

The pictures and the score tell the story of the Kookaburras dominance against England at Royal Park this morning.

Sport Boy goes to Melbourne

2006-03-22T00:44:00.000+11:00

Sport Boy goes to Melbourne
Message for Carolyn:
The amounts from Paypal were 32c and 35c.

Normal blogging will resume shortly.

A night of colour and passion at the MCG

2006-03-21T01:55:00.000+11:00

We saw the 100m semi-finals and finals, 400m semis, decathlon (High jump, shot put and 400m) hammer throw, EAD 100m finals, and the 5000m.

The highlight of the night was the 5000m

2006-03-21T01:41:00.000+11:00

Although Craig Mottram was beaten by the kenyan runner and got silver rather than gold, the race was unbelievably exciting with the crowd going wild. When Craig made his move with three laps to go the walls started shaking from the roar. Sadly he had nothing left at the end when the Kenyan kicked with about 200 to go. It was a brilliant spectacle, exciting, dramatic, heart-breaking and moving. The medal ceremony was the last event of the night and many people had left but there was still a mighty roar when he mounted the podium to receive the silver.
The highlight for me was that just after I took this picture I managed to get him to autograph my ticket! Straight to the pool room!

The start of the Men's 100m final

2006-03-21T01:37:00.000+11:00

Aussie, Patrick Johnstone was in the field but he and everyone else were outclassed and left in the wake of world record holder Asapha Powell from Jamaica. He won comfortably in 10.03 (I think) giving Jamaica the sprint double in the mens and womens.

Aussie Gold in the Hammer Throw

2006-03-21T01:32:00.000+11:00

Brooke Krueger celebrating her gold medal in the hammer throw where she also set a new Commonwealth Games record of 67.29m (I think)

No Explanation Required

2006-03-21T01:24:00.000+11:00

Sport Boy knows class when he sees it.

A Bronzed Aussie

2006-03-21T01:19:00.000+11:00

Sorry, I don't know who she is, I just spotted her in the crowd and whipped out the camera!

Erin in shock!

2006-03-21T01:16:00.000+11:00

Probably more to do with something the boys behind her said than anything to do with the athletics. There was a lot of head turning and chatting and laughter! I'm not sure how much of the athletics the girls took in!

There were 79000 people at the athletics tonight, 14 of us were from Busselton.

2006-03-21T01:12:00.000+11:00

There's nothing better than the excitment and roar of the MCG crowd at a big event, (Like when Leo Barry took that brilliant mark to save the game and win the Grand Final for Sydney)
The G was rocking tonight.

An interesting gate in Bridge Road Richmond

2006-03-21T01:09:00.000+11:00

I succumbed to the shopping bug today and bought a few gifts for Carolyn and Sophie, most of which met with the girl's approval.

It's been a traumatic day for Jordan

2006-03-21T01:07:00.000+11:00

A haircut he didn't want, and doesn't like! Thankfully the girls all like it and told him he looked good which softened the blow. He'll get used to it, (I hope!) Can you tell he didn't like it? I felt terrible for him but the girl's comments (unsolicited) helped ease the pain.

Our first view of the MCG from our seats tonight

2006-03-21T01:03:00.000+11:00

Even from the third back row it was still awesome, the atmosphere was fantastic and the view superb. The noise the crowd made during the 5000m was comparable to Sydney 2000.

My 4th attempt to post this montage of colour sound light and music on the Yarra.

2006-03-20T09:10:00.000+11:00

A Flower Horse by the Yarra under Princes Bridge

2006-03-20T09:09:00.000+11:00

The Festival was good but not good enough to keep Sport Boy awaketill the end

2006-03-20T09:07:00.000+11:00

Guess who piggy backed him home?

Sport Boy and Karak, both tired out after another big day at the Commonwealth Games

2006-03-20T09:05:00.000+11:00

Shari's ball dress

2006-03-20T09:03:00.000+11:00

Message to Shari's mum, you don't need to get the movie out, this is what it looks like! The girls all agree it's beautiful.

The sound and light show on the Yarra

2006-03-20T08:55:00.000+11:00

On the hour each night the fish from the opening ceremony put on a beautiful show with water and light set to the music from the opening ceremony. Under the Milky Way Tonight has never sounded so good.

Jacqui and Sport Boy

2006-03-20T08:53:00.000+11:00

We ran into our friend Jacqui at the festival, the boys were excited to see her. We sat together to watch the music on trapeze show at 10.15. By the end of it SB was asleep!

The Canadian Band at Biarrang Marr

2006-03-20T08:50:00.000+11:00

Tonight was our first taste of one of the LIVE sites at the Festival of Melbourne, the cultural accompaniment of the Games, and the girls loved it. This band really got the crowd moving.

The man with the glass eye

2006-03-20T08:42:00.000+11:00

Sport Boy was fascinated by the man sitting in front of us and his ability to remove his eye ball! Not that he did it for us but SB was impressed none-the-less. They were very friendly and chatty, just as everyone else in Melbourne has been. As I hoped and anticipated, there is a wonderful party atmosphere in Melbourne, people smile and chat and talk to one another on the trams and trains and there are huge crowds going to events, hanging out at the festival, soaking up the Games feeling

Gold is a Breeze for Wales

2006-03-20T08:39:00.000+11:00

Michaela Breeze lifting 121kg in the clean and jerk to win gold for wales. Canada took silver and bronze

Going for gold in the team shopping event at DFO

2006-03-20T08:37:00.000+11:00

Down but not out

2006-03-20T08:31:00.000+11:00

Sport Boy took a tumble on the steps outside the weightlifting and hurt his arm but he recovered ok and will lift again! A bit of TLC from Georgia helped.

The boys on the tram

2006-03-20T08:29:00.000+11:00

They were a little wary and "too cool" for us at first but eventually warmed up and started chatting more freely, asking the girls questions etc. They weren't that interested in the Games.

Carry That Weight

2006-03-20T08:26:00.000+11:00

Michaela Breeze from Wales winning gold and adding 13kg to the Commonwealth games record in the women's 63 kg division

Is this kind lady the worst driver in Melbourne?

2006-03-20T08:24:00.000+11:00

The story without pictures

2006-03-20T02:55:00.000+11:00

Sport Boy goes to Melbourne
Still no go on the picture situation! I can't upload anything at present using any of the usual methods! Don't you just love that about computers, how you can do something the same way time after time then one day it just won't work!

A quick run down of the day without pics will have to do for now I'm afraid.

Left for DFO at 1.00.

Took the train to Essendon, the 59 tram as close as it went and walked the rest of the way.
The girls bought lots of stuff.
Jordan got a pair of shoes and Sport Boy got a pair of shorts. I bought some bath towels.
Looked for clothes for Carolyn and Sophie but couldn't find anything I liked and could afford, not hard to find things in one or other of those categories, but not both!
It's Sophie's birthday the day after we get home so I need to get her something. I think the girls are going to give me a hand, they seem to know what they are doing!!!

Took the tram all the way into town and chatted to 3 young African-Australian boys.

Went to the weightlifting at the Exhibition Centre, a good event with the Commonwealth Record being smashed.

Chatted to the people in front of us and Sport Boy was fascinated because the man had a glass eye. He claimed he used to take it out to scare his wife. SB asked me if I would do the same if I had a glass eye and I replied, "Every chance I got!"

Walked along the promenade to the Festival site at Biarrang Marr intending to see the Box Forest kids perform at the Big Top Hop but there was too big a crowd and we missed out.

Went to the live site and danced along with a Canadian band with fiddles, trombones, a double bass and some pretty nifty stomp-style dancing.
The girls were surrounded by the now regular admirers and well wishers all presuming they were Aussie athletes. The latest story has us being the synchronised diving team, with me the coach! The girls are loving the notoriety!

Watched the beautiful sound and light show with the fish on the Yarra. Under the milky way tonight has never sounded so good.

Watched a performance by the flying band (Name escapes me) who combine playing guitar and violin with acrobatic aerial stunts and a trapeze show.

Walked back to Flinders St and as we crossed Princes Bridge Elaine totally didn't see an older man in front of her taking a photo and walked straight into the back of him as she was chanting Aussie Aussie Aussie! Thankfully he wasn't hurt though he must have gotten a heck of a shock! We all laughed till we cried!

Caught the 11.29 Broadmeadows train and got home to Box Forest about 12.15.

Thankfully tomorrow is a quiet day so we can sleep in. Our only tickets are for the athletics at 6.30 at the MCG. We'll be able to sleep in then try and catch the Big Top Hop show at the festival. Not too much shopping on the agenda tomorrow believe it or not!

Carry That Weight

2006-03-20T02:18:00.000+11:00

Sport Boy goes to Melbourne

We went to the weightlifting tonight, the women's 63 kg division. It was good fun and everyone seemed to enjoy it. Michaela Breeze from Wales won the gold medal and smashed the Commonwealth Games Record by 13kg. She was pretty pumped about it too. Two Canadian women won silver and bronze.

DFO

2006-03-20T02:02:00.000+11:00

The 200m freestyle? The 100m sprint? The triathlon? The Kieran? The 5ooom? What was the most anticipated event at Melbourne 2006? If the girls from Busso are any indicator, it was the visit to DFO for some competitive shopping! We finally made it there today and they emerged triumphant, bags of goodies aplenty!

Unfortunately something is playing up with the computer and I can't upload any pictures at the moment which is pretty frustrating. I'll keep trying but for the time being just imagine 10 girls and 50 plastic bags full of merchandise to accompany this post!

Getting there is half the fun!

2006-03-20T01:51:00.000+11:00

Sport Boy goes to Melbourne
Sport Boy was finding it hard on the long walk to DFO, the much anticipated Direct Factory Outlet shopping centre at Essendon airport so he lay down on the footpath for a rest. The rest of the group continued on ahead of us, the scent of a shopping centre in their nostrils, not even a fallen comrade was going to stop them from doing what they do best, shop! I wasn't in a hurry so I was sitting waiting for Sport Boy to recover when two old ladies pulled up asking for directions to DFO. I said I'd direct them if they could give us a lift to the same place. Unfortunately they agreed to my request. I say unfortunately because it was a hair-raising ride. If there is a worse driver in Melbourne I'll walk home to WA! I could not believe how bad her driving was! The trip only lasted 5 minutes but that was long enough for several other drivers to beep their horns at her as she crawled up then across a major three lane road with no idea where she was going or what she should do when she got there! Her navigation of the carpark was equally fraught, forcing other drivers to back out of the way to escape. I asked her to drop us off at the door and had to bite my tongue when she offered us a lift back if we needed it! They had somehow made it all the way from Kew to Essendon but I had serious doubts they could make it back again. I appreciated their help and generosity but was very relieved to get out of the car in one piece.

A sleepy Sunday morning at Box Forest

2006-03-19T12:14:00.000+11:00

Sport Boy goes to Melbourne
We all got to sleep in and take it easy this morning after the hectic pace of the last few days. We're watching the marathon on the TV. Some of the girls have gone to buy groceries for lunch and breakfasts. I'm blogging!

We are going to the weightlifting tonight at the exhibition centre, it doesn't start till 6.30 so it's a really cruisy day. I suspect the girls will find a way to turn it into another shopping expedition.

Tonight we're going to watch some students from Box Forest perform in a festival show at Biarrang Marr on the south bank of the Yarra. I hope we'll be able to say g'day to them afterwards and thank them for the school's hospitality.

Staying at Box Forest is working out brilliantly, everything we need, freedom to come and go, access to resources like this computer, and the group are doing a good job looking after themselves, making breakfasts and lunches, doing their washing etc. We wash the trip shirts each night so we've always got a fresh one to wear.

Jordan is fitting in pretty well although it's a bit strange for him being the only teenage boy amongst 10 girls. He's pretty happy with all his new music and using the computer a bit.
He enjoyed being able to shop yesterday and got some sunnies, and a USB cable for his phone to download music onto it.

Sport Boy is very happy because he's been asking me to get him a Karak toy, the black cockatoo mascot of the Games. I compromised and bought him a Karak towel (Much more practical than a stuffed toy! We're on a tight budget!) On the way home with Elaine and the girls last night he found a Karak toy under a seat at the train station!! Now everybody's happy!

I'm still celebrating the Cats win in the pre-season Grand Final, they played really well and came back from 17 points down in the last quarter when the Crows looked like they were going to win. The only negative was an injury to Cameron Ling which looked innocuous but I have a horrible feeling may be more serious. 43 years without a trophy is a long time! It's good to break that duck at least. The real challenge is to win the premiership! There was a fair crowd in the Sports Bar at Crown last night, (they had 3 huge screens and half a dozen big screens telecasting the footy, the rugby, the cricket and the Commonwealth Games) but the majority of the crowd were there for the footy and were clearly barracking for Geelong because there was a lot of noise and cheering for every goal by the they kicked. Go Cats.
(Thanks for the congrats Rach!)

Without Doubt the sporting highlight of the day was the Cats beating the Crows in Adelaide to win the NAB Cup

2006-03-19T02:22:00.000+11:00

Go Cats

Dinner at the second attempt

2006-03-19T02:10:00.000+11:00

We couldn't go to the first restaurant because it was inside the casino and thus out of bounds to under 18's. We went to Sante for a buffet dinner which was more expensive than we'd been told but the girls were keen and made the most of the opportunity to eat more than home made chicken rolls and takeaways. They seemed especially partial to the vast range of desserts on offer and particularly enjoyed the fast action soft serve machine!