Friends from Dan's year in Australia

Dan spent one year in Australia with his job.  He worked for LIGHTNIN Mixers at the time.  They have a sales office in Sydney, Australia. While he was there, he met many wonderful people, both at work and down at the local pub.  Here is a collection of pictures from that year, highlighting some of the great people of OZ.

Czech Petre... a close friend I met down at the General Bourke.  One of the most sincere guys you could ever run across. 

Dan, Paul and Steve.  This was taken at my farewell party.  Hey Steve.... How's ol' Ben Franklin??

DOC... what more can ya say??

Jamie... from Melbourne... Originally from Scottland.  A fabulous drummer who has actually performed with Sir Paul McCartney on his song Mull of Kintyre.

Dan and Shane.  Shane was a good friend who worked down at the restaurant connected to the General Bourke..."Annie's".

POMMIE John and Taxi... regulars at the Bourke...

Kiwi Wayne and his wife at the farewell party. 

Wild girl Michaela at the famous Halloween Party.

Here's Michaela and Paul ...handsome couple...don't ya think??!

Patrick...I met Patrick down at the Bourke...he was in town with Jamie from Mebourne to do some contract work... hey...looks like he's got a couple pints lined up!

Peter...what can I say.... Peter and his girl Vickie were two extremely close friends.... They hosted my farewell party, and we did so many fun things together.  Remember those Blues Festivals??

Here's Peter and Vickie at the Blues Fest in Lithgow.

Here's Simon putting on his "I've had enough" face!  One of the many hazy scenes from the farewell party!

Stu... another close friend... Up on the Beach at Coff's Harbour.  Stu was back-packing his way around OZ..when we met ...yes...down at the Bourke!

Here's Swannie!...

Vickie and Chech Petre with Irish Larry... what a group!!

Aileen with her mother, Ruby Langford.  Ruby is a Aboriginal activist... she gave me a copy of her book.. "Don't Take Your Love to Town".

Here's Petre and Tristen.... hmmm... looks like Petre is enjoying that!!

Another pic from that famous Halloween Party.  Here's Dan with Gilesie and his wife Katrina.  The dude with the red beard is BAZ. 

Ya never know what's gonna happen when people get a few beers under their belt!  Here's Greavsie and Adam.

Dan dressed up as a man caught in a typhoon.

....and the winner is...Pommie Stu as the Kings Cross back-packer!!

...and good mate Steve M. as Uncle Fester....he shaved his head for this party...is that psyched or WHAT!!!  (not that he had that much hair to shave....)

...and the winners are....

Gilesie and Katrina, Stu, and wolfman Peter.... man these Aussies got psyched up for a halloween party!

Every Thursday morning before work... this crew would get together for a quick 9 holes of golf.  There's Dan kneeling and in the top row l to r: Ian, Steve M., Mark J., Bowsie, Dan N., Greavsie, and Gilesie.

Here's Ann.... she was always very helpful... She's smart as a whip...and just a terrific person!

Here's Eldon.... he took my place on a permanent basis at LIGHTNIN, Australia.  He came from the US...and decided to stay ... he met a wonderful girl, got married, built a house and settled right in!...

Here's Ian.... He was the Managing Director of LMPL.  He and his wife Elin were wonderful!  They made me feel right at home and welcome in Sydney.  A top bloke!

And THIS....This is Steve and his lovely daughter Rhiannon.  What a great guy!... Steve befriended me right away... we went to footie games, down the pub, played golf and tennis.... top bloke!... and Rhiannon...well she's gotta be all grown up now and turned into a fine young lady!

...and here's Shelley.  She was a true Aussie lady!... So fun loving and what great times we had.

Here's Steve M. and Tony (far right)  with some Aussie Crickit Player.  They seemed to think it was awesome ...but I never heard of the bloke!

This is Jack B.  My boss when I was there.   What a great guy to work with.  So layed back...and he let you be as independant and autonomous as you wanted.  And he always got the job done.... Hell of a tennis player too...for an old guy!!!...heheheh Jack...just kidding!

Here's Gilesie...all dressed up nice for work.... He was our Sales Engineer...top bloke!.... a real sh*t Stirrer!

...sorry if I'm starting to sound redundant...but here's another couple of top blokes!! Simon and Bowsie.  Simon was an Application Engineer, and Bowsie was head of International Sales. 

Here's Mark and Pia.  Great couple...Mark was another AE at LMPL.  Smart guy.... and a hell of an athlete...great at golf and tennis..... kicked my butt all over the place!!!.... of course he's so much younger than me...(as if that was the only reason!).... super couple....

Here's Steve again in a current pickie (February, 2001).  He coaches Junior Rugby.   That's him on the far right>>> Thanks for keepin' in touch mate!