Southern Cross 4 November 1984

Ben Tirri is the president of the Committee for the San Pellegrino Festa. This is celebrated each year on the Australia Day week-end. And I mean week-end because it goes on through Saturday and Sunday. To give you some idea of its size and importance: our large church is filled to overflowing, literally! The procession stretches from Portrush Road to George Street (two big blocks); and by the time everyone is here to watch the final fireworks display we estimate some 20,000 have attended. So, it is no hole in the corner affair. In my eyes at least, it is big time. The members of the committee meet almost monthly throughout the year. All during January they come and work in century heat (according to the old scale, of course). In the past they have brought out from Italy a famous and very competent piano-accordionist. Last year they flew out from Italy a priest who really captured their hearts. Many competent and well known entertainers come to while away the hours.

As you may have gathered, it is a king sized undertaking and they manage it supremely well.

Now as you have already read in this my diary, I have taken up lessons on the recorder. This entails a fair amount of practice at all odd hours. It also elicits a variety of comments from those around me.

One of these is Ben Tirri. Some of his remarks are cryptic and knowing my limitations I often ask for some elucidation. One day I was painfully playing my recorder. I was trying hard to find, and hopefully distinguish, E and F. During a pause for air Ben asked me if I were free on January 28 and 29. I always check first with my diary. Yes. Why Ben? Because I want to book you to play for us on the feast of San Pellegrino.

Dear Lord, thanks for the sense of humour in my friends and for allowing me to enjoy myself when the joke is on me. Amen.