Merry Christmas from the Delbridge’s
Paul, Alison Henry & Claire
Donnybrook 2007

To family and friends of the Del,
this year’s addition to the sanctimonious institution of prose repeatedly ignored by higher acclaim; expunges again, the absorbing year held by the quartet of Delbridge’s on the fertile apple bearing soils of Donnybrook.
But first, greetings to all for Christmas - may your mains be giblet free, your pudding produce a penny worth spending and your overall consumptions not embarrass entire villages in Africa. Let your own reflections on 2007 be of success, dignity and integrity and perhaps not least; prosperity even if you have to pretend. This page has found your hand because you remain dear in our hearts or you are a relative……..who is also dear to the ticker.
It has been a busy year for the Delbridge’s of some acreage; one that has thrown up challenges in spades, rain in buckets and opportunities in narrowing amounts. But as in all things made good in the end, are not done without the presence of blood, sweat, perseverance and a little help from the good witches of the North and the East.
Henry’s year has been very strong. His academic ability is supreme for his age; he delights all who know him with his enthusiasm for soaking up knowledge. He has been quietly working away at Yr 2 work in class this year and doing very well at all aspects of that level, our frustration for Henry and the Education system is that Henry will begin Yr 1 next year. Auskick footy was Henry’s winter sport, not the best player to have pulled on a boot, but easily the most discerning as he needed reason to run after the wet ball from the coach, often during a game. Once given fair reasoning, perhaps backed up by threat, Henry was able to find the pill. His cricket has improved since last season, with the knowledge of 1st timers and younger kids in the group, his determination not to let those kids outplay him was Henry’s Super Play. All he needs is a reason! He has also found greater vocal acquisition this year; we are not sure how to put some of it back - his commentary, musings and incessant verbage is ever-present. Our home is dominated by his thoughts, news and questions all of which create a lively and entertaining din. The meaning of Henry is ‘Ruler of the House’. He can be guaranteed he shan’t be ruler in the next house because that’s gonna be his Daddy.
Claire is developing a strong but very different personality. A pennywise, street smart all-rounder is Claire, with movie star looks to melt hearts and minds. She has an acute sense of others feelings, is thoughtful, respectful and also the one most likely to be hiding behind the couch scoffing a biscuit. Claire has finished a double dose of Kindergarten this year and has been chosen as one of the 6 pre-primary students to share next year’s class with the yr 1’s. Fortunately not sharing Henry’s yr 1 class. Claire is very resourceful and can entertain herself for hours when stationed out at the block for a half day or longer, engaging in role plays with stick and stone friends and also by clocking up kilometers riding her bike up and down the driveway asserting band aids need only be put on the crash contusions that result in the micro spotting of blood.
Alison has had a hectic year, juggling kiddy, house, nursing and teaching dance, the latter increasing in its intensity as the year panned out. The Donnybrook Dance Academy, established by Alison, will become a major draw for youngsters after this year’s success. Alison teaches Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Acrobatics from tots to teens. An end of year concert was attended by over 200 people who were dazzled and impressed by the progress of the dancers, sharp costumes and stage set. Her solo performance was stunning and demonstrated to those who attended that Alison was no only the real deal but that their own girls were under the instruction of someone with whom their child could absolutely aspire to – in the dancing sense also. Alison is proving a most valuable asset to Donnybrook and will only get busier as the demand for her time on all fronts increases.
A final note on our year has been that dominated again by “house” however this year finally saw the emergence of it. While it is literally a stone castle complete with underground dungeon, 3 separate upstairs and over 1000sq meters of living under roof (1200 incl. verandas) it has been a lot of work. The rammed earth walls commenced in May, finished in September. 17 weeks to build the walls mostly in cold wet miserable conditions. A standard residence takes 4 – 5 weeks. It has been Donnybrooks wettest season in over a decade. Roof carpentry is well underway with tin sheeting already complete on garage and one wing of the house. The highest point from floor to ceiling in the central cathedral roof is 7.2 meters, requiring a long broom stick to get to those pesky cobwebs. The results are stunning so far and it will certainly be one of the more significant homes of the region. Perhaps lockable by April and moving in by the end of 2008 - no promises to potential squatters.
That is it for another year, hope to see some, most if not all of you in 2008, till then have a safe and joyful Christmas and should the New Year bring good fortune like an uplifting sinusoid pirouetting and rising to the top of the ASX indices chart for your chosen pony – then trust me - that’s a good thing.
Regards and love to all,
Paul, Alison, Henry and Claire XXxxOOoo