Annual Parliamentary Handbook Exchange - and Port November 2022

 It was a fine day, with bright sunshine and warm temperature. Rosa Crosby had been planning the menu for some time, and the ingredients were all in hand. The men arrived around 1230hrs, bearing Frankincense and Merr, and in Cookie's hand were hangover cures.

During pre-luncheon drinks it was resolved that there would be no office bearers nor formal constitution for the "Parliamentary Handbook / Port Exchange and Wuhan Waistcoat Society" voluntary associations, although debate ensued as to whether this provision was a fundamental law, or simply a resolution capable of amendment in the usual manner (50 + 1. With so many lawyers and no juridical authority, lack of final determination was inevitable.

Present: PAK, Rosa Crosby, Paul Cook, G Leigh Sealy (or Seely?), John Upcher, Michael 'Curtly' O'Farrell. Apologies received from T James Cousland, indisposed at home. A cheerful resolution of support and best wishes to James was passed with acclamation. 

Books were tendered:

1. 1984 M Hodgman autographed edition Parliamentary Handbook, tabled by Paul Cook. Property owned tenants in common GL Sealy and PA Kimber. - To PK.
2. 1984 edition Parliamentary Handbook gift edition PAK 60th birthday. Tabled by GL Sealy. Property owned by PAK. To RJU
3. Portfolio edition Spanish language "Bote" - gifted by GLS to Rosa Crosby for Harper Hogan. To Rosa.
4. Ian Callinan 'The Coroner's Conscience' 1999: by GLS tabled. Owned by said JRU. To MEO.
5. Parliamentary Handbook, 1951-1956, published 1957, autographed by Sir Reginald Wright, presented by JR Upcher - tabled. Property of JRU. To PJC.
   Image: PJC with Upcher's 1957 Parliamentary Handbook, and a genuine original copy of the Clockface clock.     
6. Kurton's Standard Speaker - tabled by ME O'Farrell - a splendid book. Propery held by MEO. To GLS.
7. GLS presented a number of gifts of 'Clockface Gunson' 30th year anniversary edition clocks for the members, grateful acknowledgement. Now, where to put them? 
   
   
   The table at large
   
   
   Rosa and Paul enjoying the seafood entree
   
   
   What more can be said? Quite a lot apparently
   
   
   'Yes, yes, quite right' say MEO and JR Upcher to G Leigh Sealy's authoritative version of the Clockface history
   
   
   Curtly O'Farrell was warmly welcomed to the crew, by our host Rosa Crosby
   
   
   Cook the Hangover Cure
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Sealy regaled the attendees with his version of the history of the Clockface G clock
   
   
   Chocolates presented by PJC for Rosa
   
   
   Despicable sacrilegious use of a Rolls Royce, Professor Hart of Broken Hill
   
   
   Pro Hart's 'The country races'
   
   
   Kimber's photo of the same 
   
   
   Kimber's daughter's work on him for her NIDA course. 'The transvestite'
   
   
   Groucho

ME (Curtly) O'Farrell was the last to join, claiming being held back still inevitably working on clearing workload of unfinished business left over from GL Sealy times at the Sol Gen office.

The afternoon and dining proceeded with pleasant discourse and courteous interchange until time ran out and energy was dissipated.

Gratitude expressed to Rosa for the menu, and our general good fortune was toasted with a glass of 'Cockburn's Port'. 1230hrs became 1700hrs and guests departed for their various city residences. 

Next meeting: August-Nov 2023.

E&OE