The Astor Grill Welcomes the GFC

Conversation with the dog at noon on 29th October 2021: 

Me: "I'm just heading out to the GFC lunch at the private dining room at the Astor Grill. I'll be home by 3.30pm

Dog: "Bullshit. You'll be lucky to get home by 6pm. Merv will be there and he has no 'OFF' button"

And so it proved to be. The part-time members of the Wuhan Waistcoat Society (that is, anyone with a waistcoat, fob watch and associated accoutrement) - images here of the author, Merv Simmons and Max Reed - joined to combine to a total of 19 members of the GFC at Rocky Donaz's Astor Grill.

The rain poured down in what we remember as the wettest October in memory. Some said they don't remember it ever being that wet, yet were unable to say that was because they simply didn't remember or that it had not been that wet. Round and round went the discussion, as it can sometimes do with gentlemen.

 The window panes frosted over, snow was swirling around Mount Wellington.

Peter Larkey enjoyed his first pale ale of the day with Rob Fay - nunc pro tunc.

One of the 4 tables groaning under the strain of wine and food (or was it the conversation?). From left: Merv, Stephen Bourke, Peter Bowen Method, Max 'Blowing in the Wind' Reed, Stephen 'I'll carry your bags' Porter, and Marcus 'loose change' Taylor

 A wider angle view of the room specially set aside for the GFC.

We were blessed with the presence of a few guests:

Doug Alexander, introduced by Marshall Kimber joined us, travelling down from the top end of Davey Street.

Len Cuff was introduced by Peter Larkey, and was warmly welcomed, having missed the previous engagement at the Ball and Chain.

Guest and speaker Hayden Peck from Knight Frank showed the sypathetic side of the business environment, and many of those present commented on his eloquence and generosity of spirit - perceived accuracy of information, and his ability to draw in the social and economic factors of commercial property ownership, a topic either dear to the heart of most members, or outside our reach - 

Image: a grainy rendition of Hayden Peck - somewhat surreal. 

Chris Cunningham reported on the recent sale of his yacht, and his desire to move into a 'stink boat' - for ease of management and maintenance. So, cashed up, he should be good for a tap on the shoulder if any members find themselves with a touch of the shorts.

Alan Haig reported on his continuing working part time and espoused the theory that he 'enjoyed it'. We think he might be overstating it, or confusing what he was doing with what he was enjoying.

Roger Kimber took away the Best Dressed Award. Wearing the Campbell of Argyle neck tie, Roger initiated considerable debate regarding the Battle of Culloden of 1746 and the Massacre at Glencoe of 1692.

We welcomed back Barry Rumbold, who has been somewhat itinerant of recent times. Barry mentioned he is looking forward to the summer session around Larkey's pool. The coordinating committee will take on board the desire for this pool session for late November/early December, and we will return with details.

On a separate issue of Club Therapy, friends may be interested to know we have formed an unofficial Sandy Bay Chess Club (without, however, geographic or cultural barriers) - Any one interested in joining in, for improving your game, and to be notified of chess related events, contact the author on phillip.kimber@gmail.com or 0419 434 665.  Regular Thursday evening at 6pm gatherings of chess aficionados occur at the Duke of Wellington Hotel - matches with friends or previously unknown punters are very enjoyable, refreshing for the mind, and the pub puts on (at reasonable cost) some tasty craft beer and pizza and calamari  dishes. Generally a couple of hours is sufficient -

Something for the kiddies:

Graeme Lynch was also welcomed back after a reasonable absence, during which time he has been attending to corporate governance matters. A number of members asked Graeme to speak on issues associated with heart disease, healthy lifestyle etc, whilst another sizeable group asked that he not speak on those subjects whilst we were enjoying our lunch, food and wine....

Stephen Bourke reported that he has a significant leg hold on the progress of development of the Telegraph Hotel - and that workers were on site, starting with electricals and plumbing, whilst the major project development application was wending its way through Council processes. It was apparent from groans around the room, that we all live in the shadow of the blunt criminal instrument of development freeze via Council delay, inaction, procrastination, undue formality, and blatant bureaucratic mischief and uncertainty.

Tony Kozlow kindly agreed to give us a personal and professional scientific review of the contemporary issues being addressed at the climate change conference in Glasgow this week. My impression is that he confirmed our views that there is a fair bit of obfuscation going on from the Australian delegation. Whilst this was being debated, almost simultaneously the Supreme Court was dealing with an application for health professionals to NOT be precluded from attending work if unvaccinated. The consensus is that we didn't know how stupid people are.

Meanwhile the wine flowed unmercifully, and as the dog told me at noon "most unlikely you will get out of the Astor before 5pm". She was right.

Finally, anyone lost a cat?

So that about wraps it up for November.