Convention Highlights -- 21st to 23rd October
Q8 here! Well, Shirley "Welcome" (our Welcome Shirley for the Brisbane Belles) and I were roommates at the Carlton Crest -- sweeping views of Darling Harbour and Paddy's market. We arrived on Friday morning and launched into some serious shopping -- as I had to buy a frock for Saturday night. The
outfit I brought with me was a SHOCKER (more of that anon).
Love Sydney to death and had a MARVELLOUS time walking about along those crazy winding streets. So threw on my purple satin pants
and a top, met up with all the girls, and thus began Convention #3, evening #1. It was lovely to catch up with friends again, and no-one looks a day
older. Also, had to admire the great decorations -- well done, NSW Shirleys!! The buffet was excellent, and the entertainment and dancing great! Collapsed into bed at about 11.30pm.
Shirley "Welcome" and I walked briskly about Darling Harbour before breakfast. We all appeared in our new jacaranda shirts and white slacks ready for food
and photos (in that order). I tried not to spill anything on my top -- as I usually do! Photos, photos, more photos. Lunch was scrumptious and then it was
Convention business and skits. V1 announced her retirement as Leader of the Victorian Shirleys (after 6 years, mind you!) and her place is being taken
by my special friend of Convention #1. The skits were great and well-rehearsed (except for the Brisbane one -- gulp!!) The NSW Shirleys did "I Still
Call Australia Home", and obviously went to a great deal of trouble. So did the Gold Coast Shirls ("We're Happy Little Vegemites"). Must be a popular
jingle as the ACT Shirleys went with that theme too! There were flowers and Spanish dancers ...... Very entertaining.
Now -- the SHOCKER! Should have garbaged my stupid outfit (picture below) -- but it came in handy when the Brisbane Belles (at the 11th hour) decided on
performing a skit after all. I paid a considerable amount of money to stop said SHOCKER from appearing on the DVD .......
Saturday night -- we all frocked-up and I must say, we are a handsome group of girls, even if a bit long in the tooth. You can see from the photos below
of Shirley "Welcome" and myself that no stone was left unturned to present ourselves in the best Shirley style. The food was to die for, and there were some
really beaut prizes for the raffle -- DVD, TV etc. Not to mention Q8's prize -- the Best of Breed -- I won the Shirley tartan rug which was lovingly
crocheted by a lovely Shirley (N1 introduced us). Can't tell you how chuffed I am with that prize! Thanks to all concerned.
By the way, some of us visited the Chinese Friendship Gardens on Saturday afternoon -- very special and something I won't forget. The English lassies
in Chinese costume and the various bridal parties -- a truly memorable visit.
Sunday. My roommate and I swam in the pool (heated to 32 degrees Celcius). We are still trying to make out the photo of us taken by a "helpful" Yank -- thanks, Luv (not!) Then breakfast and wander down to Kings St Wharf to embark on MV John Cadman II. I don't need to write any more of that .... just
indulge yourself on the photos! Truly sumptuous!
It was warming to sing "We'll Meet Again" on the deck, and then goodbyes. "See you all in 2007!!" Shirley "Welcome" and I embarked on the Jet Ski
and that was a BLAST!! Then I trundled off to spend 2 hours in the Maritime Museum, and then off in the bus to the airport.
Look forward to reading and publishing more Shirley 2005 memories. Love from Q8/GC88. (PS - last photo is a REAL memory of Convention #2, just
in case you needed a refresher.
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