Toast From Bendigo to Etihad - Rabbit58's Journey

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Rabbit58 said:
Okay, fellow Saint Supporters
Here is my story
I have tried to post this earlier today but 2 tries have ended up somewhere in the internet cloud of lost things
Being of a certain age I love Monty Python and this scene (Fingers crossed that it works) of dying always appealed to me.

Being chased by bikini bottom wearing, bare breasted young women (apologies for sounding like a misogynist) into my grave on the beach seemed like a good way to go. My wife has walked past and said that if that's the way I want to go she will make it happen for me. She is also holding a knife that she is using to cut up fruit to make me a smoothie. My wife is also a fine Scottish woman and I can deduce from her smile and the twinkle in my eye I can have my 'dream death' although my appendage will be smaller than it already is.
I also like Spike Milligan's epitaph on his gravestone...I told you I was sick
I will post my stories over the next few days and I hope I make you laugh, make you cry...damned dust, make you f**king angry and maybe find some peace in your lives.
This would have been posted sooner but I got stooged by my Specialist (who I love in a bromance kind of way) who told me I would be staying in hospital over night, but I stayed 5 extra nights. I needed to go to hospital on Tuesday and was going home on Wednesday but no, I needed to stay an extra night. There won't be a third time of going to hospital and just staying a short period of time.
I also cannot thank George and gringo enough for their help and support in getting this thread up and running.
Click to expand...

You are a legend mate. Love Python. Can't wait to hear your stories.
 
Rabbit58 said:
Okay, fellow Saint Supporters
Here is my story
I have tried to post this earlier today but 2 tries have ended up somewhere in the internet cloud of lost things
Being of a certain age I love Monty Python and this scene (Fingers crossed that it works) of dying always appealed to me.

Being chased by bikini bottom wearing, bare breasted young women (apologies for sounding like a misogynist) into my grave on the beach seemed like a good way to go. My wife has walked past and said that if that's the way I want to go she will make it happen for me. She is also holding a knife that she is using to cut up fruit to make me a smoothie. My wife is also a fine Scottish woman and I can deduce from her smile and the twinkle in my eye I can have my 'dream death' although my appendage will be smaller than it already is.
I also like Spike Milligan's epitaph on his gravestone...I told you I was sick
I will post my stories over the next few days and I hope I make you laugh, make you cry...damned dust, make you f**king angry and maybe find some peace in your lives.
This would have been posted sooner but I got stooged by my Specialist (who I love in a bromance kind of way) who told me I would be staying in hospital over night, but I stayed 5 extra nights. I needed to go to hospital on Tuesday and was going home on Wednesday but no, I needed to stay an extra night. There won't be a third time of going to hospital and just staying a short period of time.
I also cannot thank George and gringo enough for their help and support in getting this thread up and running.
Click to expand...


Good read already Rabbs. I look forward to the next installment

Got a feeling I'm gonna cry like a baby! :'(
 
This is a letter from my son, he is supposed to say nice things about me. My dad was a bully and treated me really badly. Every day I would look at myself in the mirror snd say, "I am not my father." i worked hard at having a good relationship with my son.

My Dad is the greatest man I have ever known.

Now I know it is every son’s job to think that about his Dad. But Neill Jones is a class above and I am happy to share some stories with you.
For those we have the privilege of knowing my Dad they he will know that he is one of the most caring, gentle and thoughtful people to walk this Earth. He is the definition of a family man and the lengths he will go to, to put his loved ones before himself, knows no bounds.
A lot of my cherished memories are things that he has done with me has been conjured up by his amazing imagination. These memories pop into my head all of the time and can be triggered by a song, the smell of incense that my Dad and I like to burn (although my step-mum and girl friend think of it as burning paper…they are not fans) and the sound of a cricket chirping. I don’t have enough pages to list all of my favourite memories but I will share a few to give you an idea about my Dad.

When I was in school I would brag to my mates that I never had a birthday party I would have a birthday quest. Instead of getting my presents, my birthday card would have a clue that I needed to find or a riddle to solve that would take me to my next present and another part of my quest. I would be given the name of a singer and have to listen to a song and find a particular lyric. There were always two parts of my quests that I’m sure that Dad laughed at when he wrote them down. One was a clue tied to a rock at the bottom of our pool, which was sometimes very chilly, and the other was a spiky tree, which grew through our fence from our neighbour’s property. One of my tasks was to cut out the spiky branches to get my next clue.
Dad and my Lynn affectionately called it ‘Thomas’ Birthday Tree’

As well as big events like this I remember some of the sillier things that Dad used to do that makes me happy to remember.
Dad and I would make nachos for tea with red and green capsicum on top. Dad would tell me that eating the red capsicum would make me invisible and green capsicum would make me visible again. So I would eat the red capsicum and he would pretend not to see me until I’d eaten some green capsicum.
Years later I realized that this was his way to get me to eat vegetables. Then Lynn, my step-mum came into our lives and I really learnt what vegetables were. It was about then that Dad got himself a lifetime ban from the kitchen.

My Dad and I used to love playing Crash Bandicoot on the Playstation 1 and he helped me change (slowly) from a sore loser to a gracious loser and a better player when I won games. When I was older we played Call of Duty but I ended up having to shoot my Dad and leave him behind because he was pretty bad at playing the game.

As I said previously there are just so many special memories to list so I will finish with our love of the St Kilda Football Club.
I was born and raised as a Saint’s supporter by my Dad. 24 years of unconditional support which will never end (although unlike my Dad I am hoping for a premiership soon and not wait 50 odd years like my Dad.) We’ve had some amazing times and fabulous players and had some bad years as well. Our commitment to the Saints has never waivered and it will never will. We are always hopeful that next year will be our year and are optimistic about the club’s future. I want to thank the St Kilda Football Club for the joy that it has brought my Dad,
I would love to write down all of the reasons my Dad is incredible but I will just finish here by saying my name is Thomas Jones. I have tried but cannot really put into words how proud I am to say that Neill Jones is my Dad.

He will forever be my hero and an inspiration to me. If I grow up to be half the man he is it will be a mighty achievement.
I will miss my Dad. Every Single Day. It will hurt not to see him there when I get married or to see him hold his grandchild or open Christmas and Birthday presents with his grandchildren.

I will cherish every day that I still have with him.
 

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Rabbit58 said:
This is a letter from my son, he is supposed to say nice things about me. My dad was a bully and treated me really badly. Every day I would look at myself in the mirror snd say, "I am not my father." i worked hard at having a good relationship with my son.

My Dad is the greatest man I have ever known.

Now I know it is every son’s job to think that about his Dad. But Neill Jones is a class above and I am happy to share some stories with you.
For those we have the privilege of knowing my Dad they he will know that he is one of the most caring, gentle and thoughtful people to walk this Earth. He is the definition of a family man and the lengths he will go to, to put his loved ones before himself, knows no bounds.
A lot of my cherished memories are things that he has done with me has been conjured up by his amazing imagination. These memories pop into my head all of the time and can be triggered by a song, the smell of incense that my Dad and I like to burn (although my step-mum and girl friend think of it as burning paper…they are not fans) and the sound of a cricket chirping. I don’t have enough pages to list all of my favourite memories but I will share a few to give you an idea about my Dad.

When I was in school I would brag to my mates that I never had a birthday party I would have a birthday quest. Instead of getting my presents, my birthday card would have a clue that I needed to find or a riddle to solve that would take me to my next present and another part of my quest. I would be given the name of a singer and have to listen to a song and find a particular lyric. There were always two parts of my quests that I’m sure that Dad laughed at when he wrote them down. One was a clue tied to a rock at the bottom of our pool, which was sometimes very chilly, and the other was a spiky tree, which grew through our fence from our neighbour’s property. One of my tasks was to cut out the spiky branches to get my next clue.
Dad and my Lynn affectionately called it ‘Thomas’ Birthday Tree’

As well as big events like this I remember some of the sillier things that Dad used to do that makes me happy to remember.
Dad and I would make nachos for tea with red and green capsicum on top. Dad would tell me that eating the red capsicum would make me invisible and green capsicum would make me visible again. So I would eat the red capsicum and he would pretend not to see me until I’d eaten some green capsicum.
Years later I realized that this was his way to get me to eat vegetables. Then Lynn, my step-mum came into our lives and I really learnt what vegetables were. It was about then that Dad got himself a lifetime ban from the kitchen.

My Dad and I used to love playing Crash Bandicoot on the Playstation 1 and he helped me change (slowly) from a sore loser to a gracious loser and a better player when I won games. When I was older we played Call of Duty but I ended up having to shoot my Dad and leave him behind because he was pretty bad at playing the game.

As I said previously there are just so many special memories to list so I will finish with our love of the St Kilda Football Club.
I was born and raised as a Saint’s supporter by my Dad. 24 years of unconditional support which will never end (although unlike my Dad I am hoping for a premiership soon and not wait 50 odd years like my Dad.) We’ve had some amazing times and fabulous players and had some bad years as well. Our commitment to the Saints has never waivered and it will never will. We are always hopeful that next year will be our year and are optimistic about the club’s future. I want to thank the St Kilda Football Club for the joy that it has brought my Dad,
I would love to write down all of the reasons my Dad is incredible but I will just finish here by saying my name is Thomas Jones. I have tried but cannot really put into words how proud I am to say that Neill Jones is my Dad.

He will forever be my hero and an inspiration to me. If I grow up to be half the man he is it will be a mighty achievement.
I will miss my Dad. Every Single Day. It will hurt not to see him there when I get married or to see him hold his grandchild or open Christmas and Birthday presents with his grandchildren.

I will cherish every day that I still have with him.
Click to expand...

That's a bittersweet letter Neil. I read that with a lump in my throat.
 
Rabbit58 said:
This is a letter from my son, he is supposed to say nice things about me. My dad was a bully and treated me really badly. Every day I would look at myself in the mirror snd say, "I am not my father." i worked hard at having a good relationship with my son.

My Dad is the greatest man I have ever known.

Now I know it is every son’s job to think that about his Dad. But Neill Jones is a class above and I am happy to share some stories with you.
For those we have the privilege of knowing my Dad they he will know that he is one of the most caring, gentle and thoughtful people to walk this Earth. He is the definition of a family man and the lengths he will go to, to put his loved ones before himself, knows no bounds.
A lot of my cherished memories are things that he has done with me has been conjured up by his amazing imagination. These memories pop into my head all of the time and can be triggered by a song, the smell of incense that my Dad and I like to burn (although my step-mum and girl friend think of it as burning paper…they are not fans) and the sound of a cricket chirping. I don’t have enough pages to list all of my favourite memories but I will share a few to give you an idea about my Dad.

When I was in school I would brag to my mates that I never had a birthday party I would have a birthday quest. Instead of getting my presents, my birthday card would have a clue that I needed to find or a riddle to solve that would take me to my next present and another part of my quest. I would be given the name of a singer and have to listen to a song and find a particular lyric. There were always two parts of my quests that I’m sure that Dad laughed at when he wrote them down. One was a clue tied to a rock at the bottom of our pool, which was sometimes very chilly, and the other was a spiky tree, which grew through our fence from our neighbour’s property. One of my tasks was to cut out the spiky branches to get my next clue.
Dad and my Lynn affectionately called it ‘Thomas’ Birthday Tree’

As well as big events like this I remember some of the sillier things that Dad used to do that makes me happy to remember.
Dad and I would make nachos for tea with red and green capsicum on top. Dad would tell me that eating the red capsicum would make me invisible and green capsicum would make me visible again. So I would eat the red capsicum and he would pretend not to see me until I’d eaten some green capsicum.
Years later I realized that this was his way to get me to eat vegetables. Then Lynn, my step-mum came into our lives and I really learnt what vegetables were. It was about then that Dad got himself a lifetime ban from the kitchen.

My Dad and I used to love playing Crash Bandicoot on the Playstation 1 and he helped me change (slowly) from a sore loser to a gracious loser and a better player when I won games. When I was older we played Call of Duty but I ended up having to shoot my Dad and leave him behind because he was pretty bad at playing the game.

As I said previously there are just so many special memories to list so I will finish with our love of the St Kilda Football Club.
I was born and raised as a Saint’s supporter by my Dad. 24 years of unconditional support which will never end (although unlike my Dad I am hoping for a premiership soon and not wait 50 odd years like my Dad.) We’ve had some amazing times and fabulous players and had some bad years as well. Our commitment to the Saints has never waivered and it will never will. We are always hopeful that next year will be our year and are optimistic about the club’s future. I want to thank the St Kilda Football Club for the joy that it has brought my Dad,
I would love to write down all of the reasons my Dad is incredible but I will just finish here by saying my name is Thomas Jones. I have tried but cannot really put into words how proud I am to say that Neill Jones is my Dad.

He will forever be my hero and an inspiration to me. If I grow up to be half the man he is it will be a mighty achievement.
I will miss my Dad. Every Single Day. It will hurt not to see him there when I get married or to see him hold his grandchild or open Christmas and Birthday presents with his grandchildren.

I will cherish every day that I still have with him.
Click to expand...
That was hard to read Neill. It sounds like you have raised a very level headed young man.
All the best to you and I hope you all have a great time next week against the Roos mate.
Love to you and your family. Go Saints.

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app
 
Rabbit58 said:
This is a letter from my son, he is supposed to say nice things about me. My dad was a bully and treated me really badly. Every day I would look at myself in the mirror snd say, "I am not my father." i worked hard at having a good relationship with my son.

My Dad is the greatest man I have ever known.

Now I know it is every son’s job to think that about his Dad. But Neill Jones is a class above and I am happy to share some stories with you.
For those we have the privilege of knowing my Dad they he will know that he is one of the most caring, gentle and thoughtful people to walk this Earth. He is the definition of a family man and the lengths he will go to, to put his loved ones before himself, knows no bounds.
A lot of my cherished memories are things that he has done with me has been conjured up by his amazing imagination. These memories pop into my head all of the time and can be triggered by a song, the smell of incense that my Dad and I like to burn (although my step-mum and girl friend think of it as burning paper…they are not fans) and the sound of a cricket chirping. I don’t have enough pages to list all of my favourite memories but I will share a few to give you an idea about my Dad.

When I was in school I would brag to my mates that I never had a birthday party I would have a birthday quest. Instead of getting my presents, my birthday card would have a clue that I needed to find or a riddle to solve that would take me to my next present and another part of my quest. I would be given the name of a singer and have to listen to a song and find a particular lyric. There were always two parts of my quests that I’m sure that Dad laughed at when he wrote them down. One was a clue tied to a rock at the bottom of our pool, which was sometimes very chilly, and the other was a spiky tree, which grew through our fence from our neighbour’s property. One of my tasks was to cut out the spiky branches to get my next clue.
Dad and my Lynn affectionately called it ‘Thomas’ Birthday Tree’

As well as big events like this I remember some of the sillier things that Dad used to do that makes me happy to remember.
Dad and I would make nachos for tea with red and green capsicum on top. Dad would tell me that eating the red capsicum would make me invisible and green capsicum would make me visible again. So I would eat the red capsicum and he would pretend not to see me until I’d eaten some green capsicum.
Years later I realized that this was his way to get me to eat vegetables. Then Lynn, my step-mum came into our lives and I really learnt what vegetables were. It was about then that Dad got himself a lifetime ban from the kitchen.

My Dad and I used to love playing Crash Bandicoot on the Playstation 1 and he helped me change (slowly) from a sore loser to a gracious loser and a better player when I won games. When I was older we played Call of Duty but I ended up having to shoot my Dad and leave him behind because he was pretty bad at playing the game.

As I said previously there are just so many special memories to list so I will finish with our love of the St Kilda Football Club.
I was born and raised as a Saint’s supporter by my Dad. 24 years of unconditional support which will never end (although unlike my Dad I am hoping for a premiership soon and not wait 50 odd years like my Dad.) We’ve had some amazing times and fabulous players and had some bad years as well. Our commitment to the Saints has never waivered and it will never will. We are always hopeful that next year will be our year and are optimistic about the club’s future. I want to thank the St Kilda Football Club for the joy that it has brought my Dad,
I would love to write down all of the reasons my Dad is incredible but I will just finish here by saying my name is Thomas Jones. I have tried but cannot really put into words how proud I am to say that Neill Jones is my Dad.

He will forever be my hero and an inspiration to me. If I grow up to be half the man he is it will be a mighty achievement.
I will miss my Dad. Every Single Day. It will hurt not to see him there when I get married or to see him hold his grandchild or open Christmas and Birthday presents with his grandchildren.

I will cherish every day that I still have with him.
Click to expand...

Dear Neill,

I have a strong belief that we have a duty to leave this world in better shape than we find it.

It's all about legacy. And there is no greater measure of a man's success than the legacy he leaves his family.

I think we may share a common thread in terms of our fathers and there is no way i could ever write a letter like this about mine.

It is a testament to you good sir. Congratulations.

The true measure of a parent is the children they raise in my opinion. Be proud that you will leave this world a better place, and you enjoy every last day surrounded by the ones you love... And a Saints victory nect week of course ;)

God bless you and your family.
 
Well I broke down reading that Neill..

Post more. Lol.

You are a star mate.

I lost my old man when I was 23...and now 28, I have a better appreciation for those I love and life in general.

Sometimes it's good to post these things. I let it out too and felt better for it.

Love you mate
 
Rabbit58 said:
This is a letter from my son, he is supposed to say nice things about me. My dad was a bully and treated me really badly. Every day I would look at myself in the mirror snd say, "I am not my father." i worked hard at having a good relationship with my son.

My Dad is the greatest man I have ever known.

Now I know it is every son’s job to think that about his Dad. But Neill Jones is a class above and I am happy to share some stories with you.
For those we have the privilege of knowing my Dad they he will know that he is one of the most caring, gentle and thoughtful people to walk this Earth. He is the definition of a family man and the lengths he will go to, to put his loved ones before himself, knows no bounds.
A lot of my cherished memories are things that he has done with me has been conjured up by his amazing imagination. These memories pop into my head all of the time and can be triggered by a song, the smell of incense that my Dad and I like to burn (although my step-mum and girl friend think of it as burning paper…they are not fans) and the sound of a cricket chirping. I don’t have enough pages to list all of my favourite memories but I will share a few to give you an idea about my Dad.

When I was in school I would brag to my mates that I never had a birthday party I would have a birthday quest. Instead of getting my presents, my birthday card would have a clue that I needed to find or a riddle to solve that would take me to my next present and another part of my quest. I would be given the name of a singer and have to listen to a song and find a particular lyric. There were always two parts of my quests that I’m sure that Dad laughed at when he wrote them down. One was a clue tied to a rock at the bottom of our pool, which was sometimes very chilly, and the other was a spiky tree, which grew through our fence from our neighbour’s property. One of my tasks was to cut out the spiky branches to get my next clue.
Dad and my Lynn affectionately called it ‘Thomas’ Birthday Tree’

As well as big events like this I remember some of the sillier things that Dad used to do that makes me happy to remember.
Dad and I would make nachos for tea with red and green capsicum on top. Dad would tell me that eating the red capsicum would make me invisible and green capsicum would make me visible again. So I would eat the red capsicum and he would pretend not to see me until I’d eaten some green capsicum.
Years later I realized that this was his way to get me to eat vegetables. Then Lynn, my step-mum came into our lives and I really learnt what vegetables were. It was about then that Dad got himself a lifetime ban from the kitchen.

My Dad and I used to love playing Crash Bandicoot on the Playstation 1 and he helped me change (slowly) from a sore loser to a gracious loser and a better player when I won games. When I was older we played Call of Duty but I ended up having to shoot my Dad and leave him behind because he was pretty bad at playing the game.

As I said previously there are just so many special memories to list so I will finish with our love of the St Kilda Football Club.
I was born and raised as a Saint’s supporter by my Dad. 24 years of unconditional support which will never end (although unlike my Dad I am hoping for a premiership soon and not wait 50 odd years like my Dad.) We’ve had some amazing times and fabulous players and had some bad years as well. Our commitment to the Saints has never waivered and it will never will. We are always hopeful that next year will be our year and are optimistic about the club’s future. I want to thank the St Kilda Football Club for the joy that it has brought my Dad,
I would love to write down all of the reasons my Dad is incredible but I will just finish here by saying my name is Thomas Jones. I have tried but cannot really put into words how proud I am to say that Neill Jones is my Dad.

He will forever be my hero and an inspiration to me. If I grow up to be half the man he is it will be a mighty achievement.
I will miss my Dad. Every Single Day. It will hurt not to see him there when I get married or to see him hold his grandchild or open Christmas and Birthday presents with his grandchildren.

I will cherish every day that I still have with him.
Click to expand...

Such beautiful words Neill. You should be proud of having raised wonderful children. As others have said, our legacy is the children we raise, and clearly you're leaving a fantastic legacy.

Have a great time next week.
 
Growing up as a teenager in the 70's and early on in my 20's barracking for St Kilda was hard. There were years when we would win 2 games. Emotionally Checked Out? Nah, there was always next week. Barker might soar to take a big mark, Frawley was tough (real tough, not this year's definition of tough) Plugger would kick a bag and Robbie might just take out his mouth guard and that was a sign that the fireworks would commence.
Two stories for your amusement.
I was working as an emergency teacher and living in Coburg with a couple of mates. I pulled into a service station in Sydney Road and was putting petrol in the car and some kid came up and asked for my autograph. I said, "Me, you want an autograph from me?"
He said, "I've got your football card and was wondering if you could sign it."
He pulls out a football card of Jimmy Buckley.
I played football against Jimmy Buckley in the Under 18's competition in the Bendigo Football League. There was all of us players, daylight and then Jimmy Buckley. Not talking about anything other than football ability. So I said, No, sorry, I'm not Buckley, I'm not signing the card.
I walked out of the shop after paying and there is the kid, his dad and two of his brothers (way bigger than me) and I'm being told how I was crushing some kids dream....me being his favourite player
So I signed it. In a prized box of football memorabilia is a signed Jimmy Buckley football card. I hope he doesn't try to collect on it.
The other story is how mixed marriages don't work. (might not)
I had been chatting up a student teacher and convinced her to go out on a 'date'. My football team in the country had a bye so we were off to the football. Round 17 1980 at Waverley Park and I was feeling pretty good at 1/4 time. Adding 2 points in the second quarter wasn't good but surely we could go on and make it a contest? Nope, we were thrashed 32.19 to 16.11 and we kicked 7 goals in the first quarter
The drive back from Waverley Park was before the freeway and it took about 90 minutes. 90 minutes of listening to how good her team was and how rubbish my team was.
I dropped her off at her home and resisted the offer of coming in for something to eat. I would have had no problems having a Greek girlfriend but a Greek Collingwood girlfriend was a bridge too far
 
You dodged a bullet there Rabbit! Well played..Instinct was on the money.......;)

Lovely stories mate...Keep em coming..Your bravery and strength is inspiring and humbling!

Tis so true about the J Buckley legend back in Bendigo in those days!

Your Son sounds like a fine young man...Credit to your good self....Keep on...Keeping on...:peace:
 

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My daughter Aimee wrote this for me because she wanted to share with you a bit more about our family
Seventeen years ago my Mum Lynn, a primary school teacher married a fellow teacher Neill. He had a five you old son Thomas upon who he doted. At the time I was nineteen and wasn’t at a point in my life were I felt I needed a Dad. I had made it this long without one. Don’t get me wrong, Neill seemed like a lovely guy, but as long as Mum was happy and treated well, that was good enough for me. Fast forward seventeen years and Lynn and Neill are inseparable. Literally! In that time I can count on one hand the times I have seen one without the other.

Thomas is also no longer the awkward little kid I first met and now thinks he is the Hulk, so If you meet Thomas please refer to him as I fondly do, He is known as Bum Head.

For those 17 years Neill has continued to treat my Mum like she was made of china. He runs her a bubble bath every morning and makes her a Latte to wake her up for the day ahead. In her school bag there is a diary of inspirational messages and a packet of Cheezels to help her get through the day. She doesn’t carry a thing, doesn’t know where the power points in the house are because he does the vacuuming and cleaning and always opens doors for her.

Neill was always a highly involved and supportive Dad to his son Thomas. Every photo we have of them shows Neill’s face lighting up with joy just looking at him. In 2016 Neill and Thomas attended a St Kilda event where Thomas got to have a photo taken with the team. Neill was invited to join in with Thomas, and he would have loved to have been in the photo but he said no because he wanted to Thomas to enjoy the moment for himself.

When we played Geelong for the 2009 Grand Final, Neill’s mate of 43 years was able to obtain two tickets. He is also Thomas’ Godfather. I know Neill would have loved to attend, he instead gave his ticket to his son Thomas and told his mate to take Thomas and barrack hard for the Saints.

He is a well read and thoughtful man. He sends flowers to his Mum on his birthday to say thank you for everything she has done for him. He loves movies and collects movie posters. He is a comic geek and has filled the house with every Marvel and DC character/figurine, statue and book you can think of.

Neill was a teacher for 35 years. For 26 of these he worked at a western suburbs school. For 12 years Neill was a sports teacher and worked hard to get kids involved and to develop a love of sport. He would organise letters or autographs for kids who showed an aptitude for a particular event. Whilst I love the West, this particular area is notoriously tough. Many of the kids my parents taught faced complex family dynamics including drug and alcohol abuse, verbal and physical violence, as well as neglect and instances of sexual abuse.

Both Lynn and Neill worked hard to provide their students with a disciplined but caring environment. This was often a great challenge especially, with an engrained self-belief that they would be nothing, amount to nothing and had no chance to change the outcome of their lives. Some kids would come to school with filthy clothes which my parents would attempt to replace with clean ones from lost property. Upon realising that some kids were tired in the morning because they hadn’t eaten, my parents would bring food in to make sure they had something to eat.

Mum and Neill started an all boys class to combat some of the anger and violence issues experienced within the school. Neill would conduct ‘ Rock and Water’ training to help the boys channel their anger and communicate their feelings. He has worked tirelessly in an often thankless career to change the lives of hundreds of kids.

Since retirement Neill has started writing children’s books. He still strongly believes that kids need to be taught to love reading. That Dads should be involved in modelling for their sons and that reading can be a masculine activity. He has always been passionate about children’s education, making learning fun, and getting them involved in sport as much as possible, especially for boys whose only success will be on a sporting field.

As he posted on the bigfooty website something like… Choosing to emotionally check out for the season is fine but for some of us, our time is now. In the 2019 draft the club might pick up a player just as good as Tony Lockett, but if you get a tap on the shoulder and told that all the sand in your hour glass has been used up you won’t to get to see the player put on our jumper.

Last week a port was surgically implanted in his chest and he commenced what will be an intense and aggressive course of chemotherapy. This will not cure his cancer but will hopefully prolong the time we have with him.

Whilst we have been bombarded with a new language of medical jargon, and overwhelming sense of grief and frustration regarding an inevitable outcome, I keep thinking one thing. I want Neill to enjoy whatever time he has left and to be able to do the things that he is physically able to do and that make him happy.

Neill has always been addicted to sports. He played football, cricket and ran marathons until a plethora of injuries slowed him down. Regardless of whether or not he could participate, one thing that has never wavered is his love for Saint Kilda Football club. He has been a Saints supporter for the last 50 years.

Since Neill and Lynn have been together our family would go to games all together. I have many happy memories of us attending games together over the last seventeen years.

The plethora of surgeries and medical expenses have placed financial pressure on or family. Time off work without pay and having to recently retire has further compounded these issues. Regardless of this each year Neill signs our family up for our annual memberships.
Even though when signing up each year, Neill doesn’t know how his health issues will impact our ability to attend the live games, he does sign up regardless. There have been years we have only made it to one live game. Neill however believes it important to show support to the club and do his part to contribute to the team. He also keeps his Foxtel subscription going so that we never miss a match, even if we cant make it to the ground. He is a proud and unwavering supporter of the team.

During his last hospital stay my Mum, Lynn came from to pack a bag of fresh cloths to take back to the hospital. She has been staying with him at the hospital and sleeping on a window ledge, as I said, inseparable. They were expecting an overnight stay and have ended up being there for a week. As we packed the bags, I looked around the house for things to be placed in his room that I knew would lift his spirits. I found two things. First, a picture of Lynn and Neill smiling and looking as happy as ever. The second was Neill’s St Kilda scarf. Besides his kids, these items represented two of the things he loves the most.

17 years ago I didn’t think I needed a Dad. It turns out I ended up with one of the best. He has supported me through tough times, personal and health related issues. He has supported me financially and emotionally. He has stood up for me and proven time and time again that he will always be there for me. I can’t imagine life without him. Whilst I don’t want to imagine that, it has become a reality. All I want to do now is find something I can do to return the favour, in some way to show even just a fraction of my appreciation for the love and care that he has provided to our family.

The St Kilda Football club has been an important part of our family. Tickets to the Medallion Club for the last game of the year and perhaps meeting some of the players after the game will be greatly appreciated. I will make sure that we keep a pictorial journal of the day and share his day with all the Bigfooty Sainters.
 
Rabbit58 said:
I have 2 wonderful children
I feel loved
Click to expand...

I have just been reading your posts and have been extremely moved by the letters from your children!
My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I hope you have an incredible Saints experience next week, and look forward to reading all about it.
 
Rabbit58
Your posts and those of your children are so heartfelt and inspiring and are such an important reminder that absolutely nothing in the world is more important than family and good health.

While you are all obviously going through an extremely difficult time you must be getting so much comfort from the fact that you are all so close and that you have brought your children up to be “mensches”, a highly complimentary Yiddish word, which although losing something in the translation, means “really good people.”

Please continue posting Neill, your extended Saints family on here are happy to support you in your journey.

Kind Regards x
 
Rabbit58 said:
I have 2 wonderful children
I feel loved
Click to expand...


You sound like a fantastic dad and a great guy Neil. Anyway I don't want to sound like I'm stepping over a line but see if you can get yourself a Go Fund Me page up and get it linked on here. I'm sure some people might be able to chip something in to help out. See if your daughter can set it up and post a link. It might help a little bit.

https://au.gofundme.com
 
Fast becoming my favourite thread.

Whilst I can imagine your posts are therapeutic for you in a way Neill, i think i can speak for many of us to say that they are life affirming for us too

Keep em coming!
 
Spike Milligan has on his gravestone..."I told you I was sick."
This is where my story turns sad.
I had recently retired from full time teaching and had worked as an emergency teacher. I had one child who was sent to the assistant principal because there was a suggestion that he was smoking in the toilets. When asked he stood up, reached into his pocket and pulled out his packet of cigarettes and said, "Where are my manners, would you like one?"
I had also tried the secondary system and had a Year 10 boy tell me that I was his favourite teacher. Feeling a bit chuffed about being able to make a connection I came back to earth with a thud when he said, "When I bring a gun to school to shoot everyone, I'm going to shoot you last." Seeing the look on my face he said, "I'm only joking."
I didn't go back and teach there again...just in case.
With some time on my hands I set myself the task of riding a bike (exercise) around Australia and in May this year(took me 2 years) I completed 16351 kilometres. But my ability to ride distances got shorter and shorter. 60 kilometres, then 50, 40 and finally 20 kilometres.
I had a pain in my side and the longer I rode the more I hurt.
My chiropractor had told me I had a hernia. I told my doctor and nothing happened.
My doctor suggested that it was kidney stones. I said, "It isn't kidney stones, I've had 3 kidney stones and the pain is way more intense.
So I got sent off to do a test for kidney stones...side note...women who have had kidney stones and been through child birth will always choose child birth over kidney stones. Not for the squeamish but imagine a 30 centimetre stent being removed from your body through the tip of your penis. Now google the tool that they use to remove it.
No kidney stones but elevated blood level in my urine.
My wife said, We need to send Neill off for a scan. So I had the scan done and turned up to get my results. No results. I rang the scan place the next week and they hadn't typed up the results. So they did that and I made sure that the results were sent to my doctor. Can I get my results? No, you will need to make an appointment.
We turned up to the doctors and she has pulled up my scan results. The results showed that I had a growth on my appendix that needed to be removed immediately. *I will come back to this
I was booked into hospital and met my Specialist who told me that he just does weight reduction/lap band surgery but has passed me on to another Specialist who will remove it.
Tumour removed and in I.C.U and I have a wonderful nurse who despite her attention and care manages to kick my catheter bag, hip check me into a chair and drop my pain relief button onto my wound. Great nurse, just a bit clumsy. Having my catheter removed was no fun at all.
Anyway, that was the night the Saints got up against Gold Coast and for me it was bloody brilliant.
Home recovering and we beat Melbourne and I am on top of the moon.
My world got shattered a few days later with my Specialist telling me, "I am sorry, I am just so sorry."
The tumour was cancerous. My prognosis? Terminal
 
*I had copies of my medical reports because I thought I could claim through my insurance that I had been paying for over 30 years.
The irony was the day that I got back from finding out that I had terminal cancer my insurer has sent me a letter rejecting my claim because of my good health. My income protection claim was rejected because I didn't work enough days. I rang to query this and was told that I hadn't worked enough days. I said, "Pretty sure I worked 3-4 days per week, I have enough days."
I was told that the insurer based their year on a calendar year, not a school year. I said that the schools are closed on the holidays, I can't work at the schools when they are closed. His response?
"You should have worked harder, should have worked more days."
Deep breath
*Back to my medical records. I had kidney stones removed in 2010. The scan that they did showed that I had a growth attached to my appendix. Surgery to get it removed should be considered.
I had a kidney stone removed in 2015. The scan that they did showed that the growth attached to my kidney was now a lot larger. I should have surgery straight away to get it removed.
In 2018 the growth is now 15cm x 8cm x6cm and it now needs to be removed immediately.
Unfortunately it is too late. I start my 3rd round of aggressive chemo tomorrow and get the chemo bottle that I have to wear for 46 hours around my neck removed on Friday so that I can be fit and ready for the game against North when I watch my fantastic Sainters play for the last time.
 
Rabbit58 said:
*I had copies of my medical reports because I thought I could claim through my insurance that I had been paying for over 30 years.
The irony was the day that I got back from finding out that I had terminal cancer my insurer has sent me a letter rejecting my claim because of my good health. My income protection claim was rejected because I didn't work enough days. I rang to query this and was told that I hadn't worked enough days. I said, "Pretty sure I worked 3-4 days per week, I have enough days."
I was told that the insurer based their year on a calendar year, not a school year. I said that the schools are closed on the holidays, I can't work at the schools when they are closed. His response?
"You should have worked harder, should have worked more days."
Deep breath
*Back to my medical records. I had kidney stones removed in 2010. The scan that they did showed that I had a growth attached to my appendix. Surgery to get it removed should be considered.
I had a kidney stone removed in 2015. The scan that they did showed that the growth attached to my kidney was now a lot larger. I should have surgery straight away to get it removed.
In 2018 the growth is now 15cm x 8cm x6cm and it now needs to be removed immediately.
Unfortunately it is too late. I start my 3rd round of aggressive chemo tomorrow and get the chemo bottle that I have to wear for 46 hours around my neck removed on Friday so that I can be fit and ready for the game against North when I watch my fantastic Sainters play for the last time.
Click to expand...


I hate liking these posts, gut wrenching to read Neil.
 
This is a fun one
In the 80’s I was a P.E. Teacher at a Western Suburbs school. I had the strut just about right, enjoyed teaching the kids skills and couldn’t believe I was being paid to do something I loved.
My first year I had to organise the buses for the teams to play against each other in the round robin competition. A school rang me to ask about the bus that was picking up their kids to come and play our school.
“Yes, is there a problem?” I asked
He said that there was just one small problem. He told me to walk outside and look over the railway line at the person waving and then go back to the phone.
“Did you see the person waving? That was me, our schools are 200 metres apart and we walk the kids between our schools.”
I had to redo all of the bus timetable after that and lost a little bit of strut.
Youth and enthusiasm are good but sometimes experience is worth its weight in gold
 
Working at the same school I got stitched up by my Principal
He told me that as a disadvantaged school we could write to the VFL (pre AFL days) and get tickets to 6 games. Four free adults and 20 children’s tickets. He said that he was a bit of a Collingwood man and he knew I was a Saints supporter could I write to the VFL to get 6 games...St Kilda v Collingwood twice and 4 Collingwood games...him being the Principal
So I wrote and the tickets arrived
One weekend we had a fete at the school and most teachers were going BUT not the Principal. Passing the Vice Principal one day I asked why the Principal wasn’t coming
Off to the football to see Collingwood v Carlton. I told him that I hadn’t asked for that game....and then the penny dropped. I had asked for 6 games as the P.E. Teacher using our postal address. He had asked for 6 games as the Principal using our post office box address
The one good thing from the tickets?
Got to go to the Victoria Park game and saw Nicky Winmar lift his jumper
Experience wise? Never assume that the people in authority are doing things for you (generally speaking)
One game I did take 20 kids to the football at the MCG. Got to the ground and counted them in...18 kids
I ran up and down the stairs and was a physical and mental wreck by the time 15 minutes later when my name was called to come and collect 2 kids who had wandered off to buy a program
Last game that I took kids too.
 
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