Sydney trip for Nigel & Merilyn's Wedding

It's amazing how fast time has passed since Nigel & Merilyn's wedding, April 2005, over 2 and a half years ago, Unfortunately I haven't got any wedding photos to post on the blog but hopefully Rowey could send some to me so I can share them with you all. It was a wonderful day and the setting for the reception was breathtaking, it almost makes you want to take up golf. It was fantastic and probably the last time that we were all together at the same time. It was the first time that Cathy and I left the boys with Nanna and Diddi, and the first night we spent away from our boys, we survived but it wasn't easy. But now the Rowes are an old married couple like us, not there is anything wrong with that, just means we are all getting old. A more suited couple I am yet to discover, they looked very happy on the day, we need more of our mates to tie the knot so we can all get together. Cathy and I feel like the really old married couple as we have just celebrated our ninth anniversary, and have been together for fifteen years. Next year is the big tenth anniversary which I think is clay or paper mache or HSV, not sure hopefully the later. Anyway congratulations to Nigel & Merilyn, and the photo accompanying this spiel was taken at the airport on our arrival home from Sydney after 2 nights away. Notice the boys are holding on tight and not letting go..

Coming Soon - Under construction

Stay tuned for the most awaited entry on Dazza's Mates, a number of photos need to be scanned and published, some of the highlights will be as follows:

1. Nigel & Merilyns Wedding


2. Simon & Elisabeth's Wedding


3. The Fellas


4. 28th September Birthday phenomonom Me, Merilyn & Shirley.


5. Matt's upcoming nuptials


6. Photos from when we were young, dumb and had lots of hair


7. holiday snaps eg Tintinarra, QLD, Singapore.
   
8. The Adventures of Harry & Jack.

Stay tuned and stay awake Dazz

Peter Brock

Coming up to Bathurst is always an emotional time for Holden fans let alone Peter Brock fans. With the passing of a Motoring legend Peter Brock hitting even harder on the one year anniversary of his untimely death we need to take time to reflect on other losses from within the motor sport arena. Bazza, or Barry Sheene, even though he chose to ride the two wheeled donor cycle to victory I would still consider him a legend, the job he did as a commentator and ambassador for the V8 supercars was outstanding. And he always gave a wave and acknowledged the crowd when they shouted Bazza, or the monotone repetitive drone from the fans on pit straight 'Barry, Barry, Barry, Barry'. We loved Barry even though we were taking the piss, he deserves to be remembered on Dazza's Mates Blog.

I suppose I should also mention the mad men of dog box gear boxes, broken suspension, dust, gravel, mud and snow. The men who spent a good proportion of their lives extremely sideways. I speak of course of the legendary Rally drivers who have met with an untimely death Possum Bourn, and Colin McRae. Both losing their lives in tragic circumstances resulting in an expansive void in the world of Rally.

I have been a fan of Peter Brock for as long as a can remember, Back in primary school, Maitland Area school to be precise. I remember we had a fancy dress day, people went as animals, super heroes, fairies, or a table (my sister), I mean why would you go as a table with a box around your neck plates stuck to the top of the box, a bread basket on your head and a long table cloth, anyway a digress. My costume was by far the most outstanding, blue pants, denim shirt, blue bomber jacket, and my blue open face motorcycle helmet and a 05 sticker on the back. People kept asking are you a parachutist, evil kenevil etc, etc. I would turn to them stare coldly into their eyes and mutter three words 'I AM BROCKY'. A wave of calm, idyllic recognition and familiarity would wash over them, and they would smile and nod knowingly, wink pat me on the shoulder and say. "Of course you are mate, good job". This was just the beginning of my journey as a loyal fan of Peter Brock.

To this day the Peter Brock die-cast model of his 1997 VS touring car remains sealed and unopened as the day it was created, which coincides with the last time Peter Brock drove around the legendary Mallala track, which I witnessed with Cathy & Rowey, unforgettable. And the poster of Peter signed by the man himself takes pride of place in my shed, with four words etched on the surface for ever, 'DARREN, CHEERS, PETER BROCK', need I say anymore..

Dazza's Family

Introducing the John's family, Dazza's clan. This photo was taken at Dads 60th birthday, you can tell he is very proud of his brood. Dazza's family has had many celebrations in the last 5 to 10 years. Starting with the oldies, well Dad retired and turned 60 two pretty big milestones. Dad bought his beloved Toyota Prado and Caravan and he and Mum have circumnavigated this wide brown land quite a few times already. Even when Cathy, Me and the boys set off on our three month tour of SA it was great that Nanna and Diddi could travel to meet us at Coffin Bay and Port Lincoln. They also met up with us at Robe along with Cathy's parents and then all the John's (& McIver's) spent Christmas 2005 in Port Hughes. Mum and Dad have also done some renovating as they have decided to stay in Wattle park. A new bathroom and second loo for the two of them, even after surviving 15 years with all five of us with one toilet. Dad has put in another pool and turned my old 'room' into a gym and play room for the kids. Dad has spent a lot of time working with Roger, so much you could almost say he needs to give back his retirement presents. Mum has been very busy working almost as many hours as Dad in the capacity of Nanna, yet still finding time for cross-stitching and sketching portraits, two such portraits (of Harry & Jack) are quite spectacular and are hanging pride of place in our Dinning room.

Tanya and Roger have had three children Cameron (8) Lachlan (6) Sarah (4) 2 nephews and a niece, I asked Tanya to name Sarah Denise but she declined (you know Denise daNiece). Roger's business is keeping them very busy, and Tanya has started working part time in a nursing home. They have also been busy wheeling and dealing and renovating houses and briefly had a beach house at Moonta but unfortunately after three different sports and other weekend activities they could never find the time to use it so they sold it, but Roger still has his boat.

Pete & Georgie, bought a three bedroom townhouse in Payneham South very nice everything is modern and new, and Pete has his media centre downstairs and his Poker parlour upstairs. The biggest milestone for them however was their wedding, for which I was privileged enough to be one of the Groomsmen and little Harry was the page boy with his cousin Sarah as the flower girl. The ceremony took place at Montifiorie hill (spelt wrong) you know up there with Colonel Light. Then the reception took place in the Dinning room at Adelaide oval, a wonderful day. Then they spent their honeymoon in Las Vegas and Hawaii. This coming Christmas Pete & Georgie will be travelling again, spending Christmas in San Fransisco and New Year's Eve in Las Vegas (their 4th visit to Las Vegas).

Also in the photo is My beautiful wife Cathy and our 2 little boys Harry (5) and Jack, Other places in this blog you will find many stories about my 2 little mates.

Don't Fret we Love you Brett

I must say it is good to have Brett back on home soil after an extended time away in Bangladesh. It seems like only yesterday that we were sitting outside Pam's filling an empty stubbie with beer bottle lids. Or celebrating the new Millennium in Blanch Harbour with our nearest and dearest, drinking, boating HA, and watching a beta version of 'The Money Pit'. Not to mention foraging for the heaviest firewood possible in the backyards of Beachport and attempting to teach each other a lesson, for which Brett you are still my student. I am happy to see that you are enjoying your new job, because it is amazing what you can find on the Internet, like this photo. I look forward to picking up where we left off on Australia Day, and hope to catch up soon. Brett Mahoney welcome to Dazza's Mates Blogger.

Hoops Holiday House

Following a recent discussion with Mr Marc Hooper it was revealed that Marc has recently acquired a pretty sweet looking house in Jarvis Bay, (or Jervis Bay depending how you google it). It looks awesome, somewhere he could easily escape the stress associated with everyday life. That was until he told me about it, he may have to contend with a summer time invasion of Dazza's Clan, reminiscent of a 1987 John Candy movie I think it was called "Summer Holiday", or "The Beach", I can't remember. Just joking, but it sure does look like a top spot, enjoy it mate. I hope there is a mature, well aged port barrel nestled somewhere on the premises just waiting for a couple mates and a couple of port pipes to allow us to sit, sip and enjoy the view.

Welcome to Dazza's Mates

Greetings and welcome to the first post of this brand new blog. After spending far too long not communicating with any of my friends I thought it was time to reach out and touch somebody. This I think could be an entertaining way to keep in touch and share with each other the important events taking place in our lives. I know we are all busy and can't seem to find the time to do the day to day stuff let alone try and find time to ring someone when you don't know if there working or away or if the kid's are sleeping, this I hope will make things easier.