Photo taken 4 days before Dad's 92nd Birthday.
21st August 2022 - taken at Lukey's home.
Me, Dad, Lukey.
Marg, Jodi, Carol, Mase, Mont and Reef the Cat.
Unfortunately, Jay, Bec and Declan couldn't make it as Jay was CoVid positive.
Photo taken 4 days before Dad's 92nd Birthday.
21st August 2022 - taken at Lukey's home.
Me, Dad, Lukey and Mase.
Unfortunately, Jay and Declan couldn't make it as Jay was CoVid positive.
6th Sept 2015.
Mum and Dad with my side of the family.
Mason, Luke, Jay, Me
Jodi, Bec, Marg
Dad, Montannah, Mum.
20th October 2019.
Me, Marg, Carol and Dad
Dad through the 1930s.
I didn't know they had cameras back then!!
1. 1930 ish.
?, Pappy, Dad, Nanny, ?, Bill.
Bill is Dad's brother.
2. 1930. Dad.
3. 1931. Dad.
His clothing is a bit suss.
4. Bill, Joan, Pappy, ?, ?, ?, Dad, Nanny.
Joan is Dad's sister.
Dad through the 1940s.
5. Dad on the stairs of Pappy's shed.
6. Dad with his new bike.
7. Dad sitting on the edge of their fish pond.
The fish pond was still there in the 70s. With fish.
8. Bill served in WW2.
Dad was too young.
9. During the WW2 war years, Dad sold the Herald,
on the corner of Glenhuntly & Hawthorn Rds, Sth Caulfield.
10. Dad was a member of the Glenhuntly Amateur Athletic Club.
He ran against John Landy once, in a 1500m and LOST. Shock, horror.
Top row 2nd from left.
11. Dad's 1st car.
12. Dad's 1st job was working for DCA - Dept of Civil Aviation.
Dad is in the middle of the photo. 3rd from left.
Dad through the 1950s.
13. Love birds.
14. 1952 I have arrived.
15.
16. In the kitchen at 94 Haydens Rd.
17.
18. Dad and I - mid 50s.
19. Dad and I.
20. Picnic on Phillip Is.
21. Camping with Peggy and Warwick Smith.
Dad, Peggy, Mum, Sue, Liz, Warwick and me.
22. Enough of that.
23. About 1957.
24. Dad and his mate, Ron.
25.
26. Pappy's FX and Dad's Nash.
Mum and Dad's parties
through the 1950s & 60s.
27. Dad enjoying himself, Pat Whycoat, ?, ?.
Did Dad drink all those? maybe...
Mum told me years ago that she took the photos.
28. Dad enjoying himself with Peter Schofield.
One of his close mates.
Peter played VFL footy from 1951-60.
29. Dad enjoying himself
Mum took the photo.
30. Mum, Dad and I drove to Sydney to pick up Nanny and Pappy
after they visited their daughter and her family in USA.
31. 1958 Dad with Rusty.
We had 4 dogs in 50 years.
Dad through the 1960s.
32. Mum, Ron, Carol and Dad.
Dad has known Carol for over 60 years.
33. Leeann's First Communion.
34. Down on Phillip Island.
35. Waiting for the Mr Universe competition.
36. Mum and Dad holidayed at Surfers nearly every year from 50s to end of 60s.
37. Mum and Dad and Ron and Carol, we often camped at San Remo.
38. Typical day at the beach.
39. We often rented holiday houses on the Mornington Peninsula.
40. Nanny and Pappy often came to the beach with us.
Notice pappy is wearing a suit to the beach.
41. A different beach.
Still in a suit.
42. Early 60s, another picnic.
43. The motel we stayed at in 1964.
44. Dad's new Fairlane.
45. Washing our 2nd Labrador.. Sultan.
Dad through the 1970s.
46. My 21st Party.
47. My 21st Party.
48. My 21st Party.
Kevin Lovelock on the right.
49. My 21st Party.
Dad, Jackie Newman, Rolly Newman and Mum.
50. Feb 1977
Our engagement party.
51. 17th August 1977.
Our wedding.
52. 9th Feb 1979.
Leeann's wedding.
Dad through the 1980s.
53. 1981 - Mum and Dad's 1st grandchild - Jason.
54. 1984 - Xmas Day at Mum and Dads.
55. Dad's typical Xmas arvo sleep after Chrissy Lunch.
Dad through the 1990s.
56. Love Birds.
57. Mum and Dad with their 4 grandkids.
Matty, Jay, Britt and Lukey.
58. Mum and Dad with their 4 grandkids.
Matty, Britt, Lukey and Jay.
59. 1997 - In England.
Dad through the 2000s.
60. Bill (brother), Joan (sister) and Dad
Mum and Bill's wife Joyce.
61. 2006 Xmas at Mum and Dad
Lukey (22yo) and Jay (25yo).
60th Anniversary.
62. Mum and Dad's 60th Wedding Anniversary.
22nd January 1952.
63. Mum, Me, Leeann and Dad.
64. Happy couple after 60 years married.
Mum and Dad's last photo together.
65. Mum and Dad's last photo together at Matty and Katie's wedding.
15th October 2016.
Mum died on 29th June 2017.
Dad and Carol.
photos taken at our Unit in Labrador in Sept 2019.
66. Dad and Carol doing their daily walk.
67. Dad and Carol.
68. Grandpa Keith and Mase.
69. Me, Marg, Carol and Dad.
70. The Frost boys as at Sept 2019.
Me, Dad, Lukey, Mase and Jay.
Dad appears to on the smaller size compared to me and my 2 'little' boys.
Mase has got no chance, I think he will be a big man.
71. Carol, Mase, Mont and Dad.
Dad's Yachting and cycling days.
72. Dad's Official Yachting Results
1963 Brisbane and 1973 Sydney both 2nd.
73. 1960 - Dad, Jimmy Kinder and John Jenkins.
74. 1960 Dad and his Heavyweight Sharpie - Patience V79.
75. 1963 Brisbane Aussie Titles - 2nd Overall
Lightweight Sharpie - Omega V50.
76. 1970 Brisbane Aussie Titles - 19th Overall
Dad and his V123 Omega.
77. 1972 Adelaide Aussie Titles - 7th Overall
Going out through the 'shore break' at Grange Sailing Club.
78. 1973 Sydney Aussie Titles - 2nd Overall
Dad, Rolly Newman and Alan Williams.
79. Sep 2019 - Dad on The Spit when he visited us.
80. Sep 2019 - Dad on The Spit when he visited us.
81. Feb 2021 - Dad out cycling resting at Black Rock Life Saving Club.
Dad's fall - 17th March 2025.
Dad fell and ruptured an artery in his bum, which was bad enough, to eventually have him admitted to an Old Aged Care home and he wont be returning to his home or Carol's home, as he now needs 24/7 care and no way, can he or Carol care for him, so we had no other option but to put him in an Old Aged Care home with 24/7 care etc.
Below is the timeline of Dad's fall and outcomes.
Monday 17th March
Dad had a fall and was taken to Sandy Hospital Emergency Dept.
The Fall caused a large hematoma on his bum, Sandy hospital was monitoring it, it ruptured an artery and was bleeding internally, so they rushed him to Alfred ED.
Monday evening
Dad was in Alfred ED to have corrective surgery.
Tuesday to Thursday
Dad was left in ED.
Friday arvo
Alfred ED transferred him to Alfred Rehab in Caulfield, to the Dementia and Brain Injury Ward. We don't know why it was this particular ward?
The doctors assured Phil(Brother in Law), Leeann(Sister) and Carol(Dad's Friend) that Dad was in the best place for 24/7 monitoring and care. Both Phil and Leeann wanted to get him discharged to another Rehab/Hospital. Due to the environment, where unattended patients were free to roam the locked ward, which meant the patients could go anywhere in the ward and a couple of them seriously upset Dad by coming into his room and being scary (touching his face, eyeballing him etc).
Friday evening
Alfred Rehab rang my sister to say that Keith had fallen in the bathroom and further damaged his hematoma and split his head open. (We believe the accident was caused by the medical staff leaving him unattended, to visit the toilet, usually they assist the patient). His bed had a "FALL ALERT" sign attached to it.
Leeann and Phil, tried to have him discharged, as he was very agitated, so they tried to get him out of the ward BUT as Leeann and I only had JOINT Power of Attorney for Finance and Personal. Keith was trapped. The Alfred said without MEDICAL power of attorney, that we had NO CONTROL.
Leeann rang me about 6pm and was quite upset, so I dropped everything and bought a ticket to Melbourne.
Saturday 22nd March
I flew down from Qld and stayed with Leeann and Phil. We visited Dad and he was very pleased to see me.
Later Saturday evening
Dad was scanned again, and his bruising had spread from his bum, to halfway up his back and halfway down his right thigh and most of his right arm. It looks awful.
Around Sunday 23rd midnight
Alfred Rehab staff sent him back to Alfred ED.
Monday 24th late morning
The 4 of us (Phil, Leeann, Carol and I) visited him, he was as normal as could be expected but still had pain. The doctors had put a coil in his artery.
Tuesday 25th
Leeann, Phil, Carol and I visited Dad, he still had pain.
Wednesday 26th
Leeann, Carol and I visited Dad today. The doctor was pleased with his bruising etc.
Thursday 27th
Phil, Leeann, Carol and I visited a couple of Respite/Aged Care accommodation in Mornington. Mornington is 10 minutes from Carol's home and 20 minutes from Leeann and Phil's and I don't enter into it, as I live in Qld. The four of us were more than happy with Regis Mornington.
Friday 28th
Carol and I visited Dad today.
Phil had been working unbelievably hard and had nearly finalised Respite and Aged Care for Dad.
Saturday 29th
I flew back to Qld. As Dad was scheduled to be moved to Regis Mornington on Tuesday.
Tuesday 1st April.
Dad was taken to Regis Mornington.
It appeared a nice place but it had a couple of staffing issues, so after a couple of weeks, we searched for another Aged Care home.
Thurday 1st May.
Phil, Leeann and Carol picked Dad up and drove him to Mt Eliza Gardens Aged Care home closer to Carol.
82. 23rd March - In Alfred ED.
83. 23rd March - In Alfred ED.
84. 23rd March - Dad and I at Alfred Rehab.
85. 23rd March - Leeann, Dad and I at Alfred Rehab.
86. 26th March - Dad and I back at Alfred ED.
87. 28th March - Dad's bruises went from mid back to right ankle.
88. 28th March - Alfred ED.
1st May 2025
Dad moves to another Aged Care.
We were not happy at Dad's last Aged Care Home, so we move him to Mt Eliza Gardens Aged Care, which is about 3kms from Carol's home.
It is near brand new, opened in 2024.
Below is the timeline of Dad's fall and outcomes.
Thurday 1st May.
Phil, Leeann and Carol picked Dad up and drove him to Mt Eliza Gardens Aged Care home, closer to Carol.
He was settling in and starting to like the place, until he fell again on Monday 12th May and was sent back to the Alfred ED by ambulance.
Monday 12th May evening
He was diagnosed with a break in his right wrist and bleeding on the brain, from hitting his head as he fell.
The doctors put a brace on his wrist and were monitoring the bleeding. It didn't appear to be serious enough to operate.
Tuesday to Thursday
Dad was left in ED.
Friday arvo
Alfred ED transferred him from ED to a 2 bed Ward, still in the Alfred, so they could continue to monitor him.
Friday arvo to Sunday
Dad stayed in the 2 bed Ward and was continuously monitored.
Monday 19th May around 8pm.
Dad was taken back to Mt Eliza Gardens.
Tuesday 20th May.
Dad is back and settling in at Mt Eliza Gardens.
Tuesday 20th May - 12th June.
Dad is enjoying life at M.E.G. the best he can.
Friday 13th June.
I did a surprise visit to see Dad.
88. 28th March - Alfred ED.
89. Mt Eliza Gardens Aged Care.
90. Mt Eliza Gardens Aged Care.
91. Mt Eliza Gardens Aged Care.
11th-14th June 2025
I made a surprise visit to Dad.
Below is the timeline of my visit.
Wednesday 11th June.
I bought my flight, car parking and Skybus tickets about 2 weeks ago.
I left home at 8:30am, and drove our "truck" (Nissan Navara) to the Gold Coast Long Term Parking. Arrived at approx. 9:30am for my 11:55am departure. I like to get to the airport early and wait there, hence getting there with over 2 hours of waiting.
Parked the truck, checked in my 1 bag and carried my laptop in its bag with me. Went through security (no drama), sat in a corridor and watched the world walk pass. About an hour to go, I walked upto gate 20 and sat and waited. Boarded on time, sat in 26C, being 192cm my knees were hard against the seat in front. But I put up with it for 2.5 hours. Landed on time, got my bag and walked over to the Skybus pickup area, the bus arrived, the driver scanned my electronic ticket and ticked where I was getting off, which was Chelsea (Leeann and Phil live in Aspendale). Usually, the bus has stops along the Nepean Hwy, but as noone on board wanted to get off between St Kilda and Mentone, the driver drove along Beach Rd, which was magic, the bay was a 'mill pond' glassy as ever with no waves or wind. Arrived at 4:30pm at Chelsea, where Phil picked me up, on the way back to Phils, we bought fish'n'chips for tea, they were beautiful.
I was staying at Leeann and Phils for the 3 nights.
It was great to see Leeann and Phil.
After 6.5 years living in Labrador on the Gold Coast, I had forgotten how cold Melbourne can get.
After a big day, I went to bed about 7:30pm. I wore long leg and sleeve jammies. It was cold overnight.
Thursday 12th June.
Woke up about 6am. I was cool in bed, so tonight I will be organised.
Today, Leeann and I had financial matters to do for Dad, which took quite awhile. As Marg knew we were going to Southland, she asked me to get her some hair products, which we did.
For tea, we thought a counter tea at The Bridge Hotel, Mordy would be good, so we did. Arrived about 5:30pm, Phil and I had Parmas, while Leeann had Roast Beef and a drink each. It was a great experience, food and atmosphere were great.
I went to bed about 8:30pm, but I was ready for the cold, I wore my tracksuit pants and top, wore a beanie and long woollen socks and put the electric blanket on 'M'. It was magnificent. I may have looked 'a dick' but I was warm as and slept like a log. How quickly you forget the Melbourne cold, at Labrador I wear a nightshirt and a sheet, if it's cool, I had a light blanket.
Friday 13th June.
Today was the best day, I saw Dad.
Woke up about 6:30am, slept like a log.
Leeann and I had a relaxing morning at home, then after lunch Leeann drove me to visit Dad.
We arrived at Mt Eliza Gardens about 1:15pm, parked in the underground carpark, signed in and went to Dad's room.. It was empty.
Now bearing in mind, that it was just after when lunch had finished, Dad could be anywhere. So Leeann lead me around the building and I loved seeing all the various rooms for the 'oldies'. As it turned out, Dad had finished lunch in the dining room and went for a walk around the building with his walker. He went the opposite way to us but we found him in a lounge room near his room. Leeann found him and when he saw me, his face lite up, which was great to see.
Dad was sitting, so I gave him a long cuddle and a kiss, he responded the same. Leeann, Dad and I were the only people in this lounge area. We chatted about many things, but unfortunately, his memory is pretty 'shithouse' and he forgets many things and repeats himself many times.. The joys of approaching 95yo in August.
Carol arrived about 30 minutes before we left. It was great to catch with Dad and Carol. I got Leeann to take a photo of Dad and I. Leeann and I then headed home.
Early to bed for an early departure tomorrow morning.
Saturday 14th June.
I slept like a log again, my bed attire was the same as last night. Phil and I were both up at 6am, as Phil was dropping me off at the Skybus Stop at Chelsea.
We arrived at Chelsea Skybus Stop at 6:45am for the 7am bus to Tulla airport. It was still dark when the bus arrived about 7:05am. I got on, the driver scanned my electronic ticket, I stacked my luggage in the racks and parked my bum near the back of the bus and relaxed. I expected this bus to stop at every Skybus Stop on the way to Tulla. There is 10 stops between Chelsea and Tulla. The trip was great, with me staring out the window all the time. As we were driving North along King St, the traffic heading South was unbelieveable. It was 4 lanes wide and approx a kilometer long and not going anywhere. There was no prang and it was about 8am on a Saturday morning. UNREAL.
We arrived at Tulla about 8:45am, my plane was leaving at 11:10am.
I walked up to the 'Check In Baggage' area. I used my 'old fart' attitude and walked up to the "Specialist Assistance" desk.. Ohhh, I forgot to say that I am wearing a "Big Freeze #11" beanie. So I walk up to the "Specialist Assistance" desk. The lady noticed my Big Freeze beanie and as there was noone behind me, we chatted. She is involved with Neale Daniher's Big Freeze. As an aside, I am booked into seat 26C, the same seat that I had coming down. While having a quick talk, she asked how I found 26C, I told her that my knees were hard up against the seat in front. She said do you want an upgrade to seat 3C. I asked how much and she said "No Cost". So I agreed to the upgrade. All this as I had a connection with her through the Big Freeze. I thanked her so much and continued off to the Security check in.
I went through Security without any drama. As I was walking to Gate 9, I saw Biggie Smalls cafe. I ordered a coffee and a egg and bacon burger. The burger was absolutely yumma. With about an hour to takeoff, I walked upto Gate 9, but they had changed my plane to Gate 4, so I walked to Gate 4 and waited.
Boarding time came, so I queued up and nearly 'died' when I saw seat 3C. The legroom was unbelieveable. See the photos below. UNBELIEVEABLE.
I landed at Gold Coast Airport, got my bag, walked back to the Truck, drove home, kissed and hugged Marg.
In summary, it was great to see Dad, Leeann and Phil.
92. Dad and me - Friday 13th June @ 1:37pm.
93. The Truck - Wednesday 11th @ 9:30am.
94. Gold Coast Airport - Wed 11th June @ 11:40.
95. In Seat 26C - Wed 11th @ 11:55am.
96. Marg didn't want me to forget what our Sunsets and Sunrises look like.
97. Me - ready for Bed.
98. Waiting for the Skybus at Chelsea - Sat 14th June @ 6:57am.
99. Skybus views.
100. Me - ready to fly home.
101. At Tulla waiting for my flight home.
102. Leg room - Unreal.
103. A great view. I was watching the Pilot. Waiting for him to call me to takeover.
104. My Boarding Passes.
105. Welcome Home.
Sunday 15th June @ 8:53am.