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27 March 2012Hi
all,
It was
just a couple of years ago l had the pleasure of catching up with my old boss
at Moonee Valley Coaches, Ray Higgo and family. One of the best jobs l ever had.
I happened to be passing there new depot in Tullamarine in my KW and decided to
stop and say hi. As brief as it was, l got a coffee and a chat and a brief
lecture (from Garry) on why l should return to the reunions of ALDECC.
Got
me to thinking that if l was welcome l would certainly entertain the idea. I
had some great times in the early 90’s with my dad, John Blanch and would
probably still be a member if the Transport Business and Labour hire business l
started after l left the coach industry hadn’t needed so much of my time. Being
that l grew up in the industry there were a lot of people l knew reasonably
well or had partied with at mum and dads various parties in the 70’s.
I see
there are still a number of people l could tell stories about if l returned. I
would love to relive the memories of my dad with his old mates at the reunions. I
recently went through a divorce and in moving on from owning a pub for 3 years
in Churchill Gippsland with the ex, l met up with a mechanic friend. Young
bloke as he was, l picked him up on a rainy day walking home and so met his
mum. After a friendly thank you drink for dropping Thomas home we found we had
a bit in common. She
had been to my pub for a country night with Thomas as her chaperone, she loved
trucks, and then she asked if l had done anything other than trucks and pub. After
outlining my previous business ventures in the prior 15 years l mentioned l
drove express and long distance coach tours. Small
as the world is, it turns out her ex inlaws are the infamous Rae and Len Wright
of Wrights Tour Coaches (Beaumaris) of the 70’s and 80’s to which after l got
up off the floor, told of the time my dad worked there briefly in the 80’s. Well
we spent a bit of time chatting over the following weeks to which we found each
others company very comfortable.
We
are still together after 5 years and have built up a small truck fleet of 5
prime movers and 1 trailer trading as BTRANS P/L. Easy
to find the trucks as they are yellow and white with yellow Glen Camerons
Trailers on the back. In the course of being lovers of camping and deciding to
sell our camper trailer to upgrade, we decided to build a motorhome instead. We
purchased what was an Ex Sunbury Bus Lines 1970 Ford 38 foot V8 petrol bus to
do up. Now
complete, we will do some travelling around and so expect to see some of you on
the road in our travels. My partner
is a funloving girl and l expect she would fit right in to chats about the old
days around Wrights etc, so l would be very interested in rejoining Aldecc in
the near future. After
losing Dad in 2001, l wondered who was going to keep his legacy alive but time
got away and l was blamed by some bus industry piers for stuff that wasn’t true
which disheartened me towards the industry for a while, so l a chose a low
profile for a brief period, but being that l am 50 this year, l say stuff it l want
to live again.
ALDECC
would be a great start. Cheers
for now,
Craig Blanch and Jena Wright.
06 February 2012
G'Day Mary, Family and the ALDECC Committee. Thanks again for organising such a great reunion at Tocumwal. I know that the ALDECC Commitee would have a fit at the idea of having at least two reunions a year, but I think it would be a great idea. I would give me a chance to catch up with everyone more often. Don't worry about this idea as I am only joking. I thought the motel was great and the food was excellent. I am sure that ALDECC reunion should go in to the record books as the weekend with the most laughing in such a short time. The first weekend in February is already penciled on my ALDECC calender for the first weekend in February in 2013. If there are any other coach people out there that have done extended coach tours, and are reading this email, you should join ALDECC and come to one of our reunions and join in the friendship and memories that our members enjoy. When I left Melbourne on Monday morning it was 14 degrees, and I arrived in Cairns at 34 degrees, with about 80 percent humidity. Thank goodness it has cooled down a bit this evening. I look forward to seeing you all next year, if not before.
Regard Jamo
06 February 2012
2012 Aldecc Reunion What a great spot to spend a weekend with friends. You could tell we enjoyed the comforts of the rooms and a place where everyone could relax and be together. Great place!! Looking forward to next year!
Barb Conner
08 December 2011
There was a grand opening at our new office on the 28 Oct and any ALDECC members were welcome They are still welcome to call in if they are in the area and I will find them a cuppa or a beer. Address 6 Daniel Drive Carrum Downs DADS workshop.
Have a Merry and safe christmas and see you in Feb.
Nyrie Butterfield
20 March 2011
Fantastic start to get us old farts into cyberspace. Lets support it with pictures and stories while we all still remember! Best Wishes everyone,
Jo-Anne Wigg
17 Feb 2010 Well done. Hope to see you at the 2011 reunion or sooner. xx Dieter Sternberg
13 Feb 2010
Well done, About time we entered the 21st century.Keep it going and hope everyone sends lots of photo's
Garry Mathewson
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