A Busy Week

It was a busy week at work for both of us. Here is Cathy relaxing under the Jacaranda whilst on-call. David had just finished installing his Christmas present, a rain gauge.

Necessity - the mother of invention

On call shifts got a bit busier this week and Cathy was called in on Wednesday night. The rain began to come down as she walked across to the hospital and was still falling when she wanted to get home to bed. The orderlies were too busy to drive her home so she and the medical student created raincoats out of rubbish bags - worked a treat!! Next time we'll remember shoe covers for walking through the muddy puddles.

Kids Program at Mowanjum

A group from ICV (Indigenous Community Volunteers) arrived in Derby last Monday to provide a program for the kids at Mowanjum community which is 10 km out of town. Cathy met with them and agreed to help out with some sewing. She took the first session on Wednesday and will do some more on Monday. Fortunately there will be more adults to supervise this week.



They invited me to their disco last night which the kids enjoyed very much. There was a bubble machine, dry ice and lighting to go with the loud music.

Lost track of days

This week began with Cathy getting back into her fitness routine with a run or a swim early morning - but now we don't know what day it is!
Tuesday lunchtime, Cathy had a sick baby needing transfer to Darwin. She quickly packed a bag saying "I need a change of knickers when I go to Darwin" (David not sure what that meant!) and raced back to the hospital. Unfortunately, all RFDS planes were out on other calls so she waited 10 hours ventilating a sick baby in Derby until the transport cot and nurse arrived ,then another 2 hours until getting airborne for the 3 hour flight. She finally got home to go to bed at 9am but couldn't sleep so went to the local pool to join in the program for the kids from Mowanjum community. Later in the day she helped run a sewing program for them, making little drawstring bags. It was chaotic but noone got hurt and the sewing machines need only minor repairs.
Meanwhile David was transfixed to the television all week watching cricket - Australia came from behind in a thriller.
PS. The little baby in Darwin is very sick but stable today.

Stormy Dinner

David eventually recovered from being "cooked" at the waterhole and we went for dinner at the new Thai Restaurant. We had a lovely dinner surrounded by amazing thunderstorms on all sides. Just before coffee a huge wind squall blew dust and chairs around the restaurant. It almost blew Cathy's dress off!!
We settled the account and went off to take some pictures. Cathy with her $200 camera resting against the spare wheel took the picture above. David with his $2000 camera and tripod took the picture below.


David is looking for a new hobby.

Cathy's Day Off

Cathy finally had a day off. After completing the house work (ironing, sweeping, cleaning the toilet and washing the dishes) we went for a walk near a waterhole Cathy had been told about. Unfortunately they didn't tell her exactly where it was, so we also had a nice drive!! Oh yeah, and it was 41 degrees and humid!!

Happy New Year 2010

We enjoyed a Curry night on New Year's Eve and welcomed in the New Year at Eastern Standard time!! We were going to share our first Derby Sunset for the year with you but it was so humid that our camera's fogged up!



We were sorry to miss Joel's 2nd birthday but saw the family photos mum sent. Happy Birthday Joel!!

Music on the Kid's ward - 30 Dec 2009

I've often wondered how we could make the time kids spend in Derby Hospital a bit more interesting and educational. I discovered that our locum radiographer's partner is a music teacher and invited her to run a session. Cassie had the kids make shakers and drums then had them all up dancing and singing along. Staff came from all over the hospital to see the happy faces. Thanks Cassie!!!