And WHAT an odd couple. The combination has done so much good in Australia, the Brain Institute at University of Queensland, plus the Translational Centre on the Southside and the Nanotechnology Centre. And then QIMR. The odd couple have literally saved the
lives of so many sisters and mothers and cousins and uncles, real people with fears who were suffering. I think Ken without realising it did achieve his dream of helping others. So he is "a great man" as is his old buddy Chuck.
So true -- Chuck's money and Ken's foresight have saved many, many lives. e.g. he built two high-rise buildings for the Queensland Institute of Medical Research which since then has had 1,000 scientists working on our ills and making lives better: which is what Chuck wanted to do before he died -- which he did last year.
There are many, many more details about Chuck and Ken's relationship in my book "The Great Fletch".
What a wonderful story of two men so different but had similar goals. Together they certainly achieved a lot for humanity. The story about Couran Cove brought back memories of when I went there for a work conference. It was so exciting, starting with getting there by water Taxi and then the accommodation and the natural surroundings were beautiful. Even remember a snake slithering up a Palm tree. Hugh, Ken and Chuck have been fortunate they have someone like you tell their marvellous stories in a very understanding way.
The things that happen out of sight of the public. It's good to hear about them even after it's too late to say "Thank you" in person.
When you got to the "Queensland Tennis Centre" I perked up. Tennyson was 'home' from 1950 to 1963. Watched the power station being built, and was well gone before it was pulled down. So I went to a satellite view. What a difference. The Bentley house on Curzon St is still there. (The City Council website has an article on it.) They had an orchard on the south side, then came our place. Then Tom McGrath on the corner - he delivered milk in Annerley in the 1940's. Small world.
Yes Graham, it was certainly done "out of sight of the public". I wrote the full story in a book -- but, as authors say, "wed hide things in books. Meanwhile the media concentrate on politics -- something which I hope readers notice, I avoid.
Hugh
PS: remember when it was called "the Tennyson Showerhouse" because of the amount of pollution that came out of chimneys.
A 1,500 gallon rain water tank, which quit delivering water to the laundry under the house. Got the screen out of the opening and dad lowered me in, with a bucket and a small shovel. Over five inches of fly ash in the bottom. If the wind was from the north-east, forget hanging washing out. Stirs up memories.
1970, when my wife (American) first saw the laundry. "What???" A concrete tub and an electric 'copper'. We'd come up some, it used to be a wood fired copper in the yard in the early 50's.
Politics today - not like the old days. 1995, I was driving from Brisbane to Melbourne via Canberra. Radio on, parliament in session. "If the hairy-chested gentleman from across the aisle would care to step outside..." I came close to running off the road laughing.
Mum used a copper, stirring the clothes with a huge stick. Clothes line was hoisted using "clothes props" -- branches with forks in the end cut from trees.
Interesting to read that Chuck always flew economy and Ken liked to fly business class. I can understand though as a sportsman who has to perform at the highest level on arrival, Ken would have been in better shape physically after a long haul flight than if he was restricted to sitting in economy 'cattle class' seating on planes.
That's a good point that I'd never thought of Peter. I know when I worked for Reuters, the British newsagency, we flew economy --- but out American opposition AP got to fly first class if the trip was more than 8 hours!
Ulp. Didn’t know KF had crossed the Great Divide. Came as a shock. Is Jim Egeroff (sp?) still on deck?
Yes, Jim Egoroff is still on deck, but poor Kenny died in 2006 (see my book The Great Fletch).
Typically, his death hardly rated a mention from our media. I guess they are all "moving forward" away from us.
Hugh
We get a bit too attached to your characters and feel quite gutted when they turn up their toes..
Yes. one of the worst things about getting old is losing your friends. I lost my first close friend, Rod Lesina, at 33.
As a writer I'm pleased a reader can feel gutted when the person I described dies.
Hugh
And WHAT an odd couple. The combination has done so much good in Australia, the Brain Institute at University of Queensland, plus the Translational Centre on the Southside and the Nanotechnology Centre. And then QIMR. The odd couple have literally saved the
lives of so many sisters and mothers and cousins and uncles, real people with fears who were suffering. I think Ken without realising it did achieve his dream of helping others. So he is "a great man" as is his old buddy Chuck.
So true -- Chuck's money and Ken's foresight have saved many, many lives. e.g. he built two high-rise buildings for the Queensland Institute of Medical Research which since then has had 1,000 scientists working on our ills and making lives better: which is what Chuck wanted to do before he died -- which he did last year.
There are many, many more details about Chuck and Ken's relationship in my book "The Great Fletch".
It's why I wrote it.
Hugh
What a wonderful story of two men so different but had similar goals. Together they certainly achieved a lot for humanity. The story about Couran Cove brought back memories of when I went there for a work conference. It was so exciting, starting with getting there by water Taxi and then the accommodation and the natural surroundings were beautiful. Even remember a snake slithering up a Palm tree. Hugh, Ken and Chuck have been fortunate they have someone like you tell their marvellous stories in a very understanding way.
Well Sheryl, someone had to tell their story -- our media certainly barely touched it.
I loved your summary "two men o different but who had similiar goals"
Couldn't have put it better myself!
The things that happen out of sight of the public. It's good to hear about them even after it's too late to say "Thank you" in person.
When you got to the "Queensland Tennis Centre" I perked up. Tennyson was 'home' from 1950 to 1963. Watched the power station being built, and was well gone before it was pulled down. So I went to a satellite view. What a difference. The Bentley house on Curzon St is still there. (The City Council website has an article on it.) They had an orchard on the south side, then came our place. Then Tom McGrath on the corner - he delivered milk in Annerley in the 1940's. Small world.
Yes Graham, it was certainly done "out of sight of the public". I wrote the full story in a book -- but, as authors say, "wed hide things in books. Meanwhile the media concentrate on politics -- something which I hope readers notice, I avoid.
Hugh
PS: remember when it was called "the Tennyson Showerhouse" because of the amount of pollution that came out of chimneys.
Never heard that expression but:
A 1,500 gallon rain water tank, which quit delivering water to the laundry under the house. Got the screen out of the opening and dad lowered me in, with a bucket and a small shovel. Over five inches of fly ash in the bottom. If the wind was from the north-east, forget hanging washing out. Stirs up memories.
1970, when my wife (American) first saw the laundry. "What???" A concrete tub and an electric 'copper'. We'd come up some, it used to be a wood fired copper in the yard in the early 50's.
Politics today - not like the old days. 1995, I was driving from Brisbane to Melbourne via Canberra. Radio on, parliament in session. "If the hairy-chested gentleman from across the aisle would care to step outside..." I came close to running off the road laughing.
Good one Graham!
Mum used a copper, stirring the clothes with a huge stick. Clothes line was hoisted using "clothes props" -- branches with forks in the end cut from trees.
Interesting to read that Chuck always flew economy and Ken liked to fly business class. I can understand though as a sportsman who has to perform at the highest level on arrival, Ken would have been in better shape physically after a long haul flight than if he was restricted to sitting in economy 'cattle class' seating on planes.
That's a good point that I'd never thought of Peter. I know when I worked for Reuters, the British newsagency, we flew economy --- but out American opposition AP got to fly first class if the trip was more than 8 hours!