My son, Callum. I no longer communicate with Callum - it's not my choice, but that's the way it is. It hurts, but I hope that may change one day. I was always very impressed with Callum's school results - he did very well. He did very well at nearly everything because he is a 'trier' and I particularly like triers, even when they don't succeed.

When Callum was only about 10 years old, he came home from school one day to tell me that the school swimming carnival was coming up, and that he had entered into it. I asked him what events he had entered, and he said Freestyle, Breast-stroke and Back-stroke. Hmmmmm, back-stroke I thought to myself - that could be a bit challenging for one so young. But the day came, and off he went - all over the pool and finished last. It didn't seem to worry him, and Debra and I, and the staff at the school praised him for participating and making the distance. When the next year's carnival came up, to my surprise, Callum put his name down for back-stroke again. And once again, he didn't do particularly well. By his last year at primary school, he managed to finish the race in a fairly straight line, and there were swimmers behind him. This was my first insight into Callum as being one who was not afraid to try.

My daughter, Madeline. Like Callum, I no longer communicate with Madeline, but would dearly love to - maybe one day. For many years, it appeared that Madeline lived in the shadow of Callum, and that was a hard act to follow, as they say. But in her early days at school, Madeline was a lot like me - very disruptive to other students. I think school bored her a little, and Debra and I used to say that Madeline only goes to school for social interaction. Basically, if it wasn't fun, Madeline wouldn't do it. But, I hear on the grapevine, that things have changed more recently and that Madeline is doing very well at school. Well done Madeline.

When Madeline was only 2 years old, I broke her arm!! SEE PHOTO! I couldn't believe it, but we were going for a walk and Madeline was pulling at my hand, as I was attempting to lock the front door behind us. Her grip slipped and she fell off the front porch only about a 30 cm drop onto the grass. I locked the door, picked her up and off we went on our walk, without any knowledge that anything had happened. About 3 days later, Debra noticed that when she was crawling, she was favoring her right arm. It had become so apparent, that we decided to take her to the hospital, where they diagnosed a broken arm. After putting Debra through the third degree about how it happened - they have to determine whether there was any child abuse, Madeline's arm was put in a plaster cast. Madeline of course, was not very keen on this and devised a way to use the upright rails on her cot to wedge the cast, and pull her arm free. She did this a few times, so we ended up having to take her back to hospital to get a more experienced 'plasterer' to put a tighter fitting one on.

Not having any communication with my children though, hurts me. I have no choice other than to respect their wishes. Obviously though, I love you both very much, and hope you achieve whatever you seek. I enjoyed your company, and I hope we might be able to rekindle that again one day. There isn't a day that passes that I don't think of you both.

My sister, Joanne. Joanne left home when I was 13, so I don't have many childhood memories of her. For many years though, she lived in Essendon at the same address, so as my Navy career brought me in and out of Melbourne, I always took the chance to 'bludge' some free accommodation and catch up with her and her family. Joanne is a Primary School Teacher (well, a Principal now for several years), and many years ago I told her that I felt that she had the most important job on the planet. As a primary teacher, she is responsible for preparing young children (educationally, and socially to a certain degree) for the rest of their lives. I still think this is very important and Joanne does a great job at it.

It was my pleasure indeed to attend your marriage to David in January 2010. You and David seem very happy together and I wish you well of course.

My sister, Jenny. Jenny probably doesn't know this, but without her intervention and help, I would never have been selected for officer training in the Navy way back in 1985. Jenny is a mathematics teacher, and when I was about to start year 10, Jenny started teaching at the school I attended. I had been assessed as not having the aptitude to do advanced mathematics in my senior years and had been placed in a 'terminating' maths class. The problem was, Jenny was to teach that class, and she didn't particularly want to teach me. She went to the Principal and asked that I be put up into the advanced maths stream (there was no lower stream....lol) The Principal agreed after Jenny assured her that she thought I would be capable, and, in the event I needed assistance, she would tutor me. So, that is what happened, and I passed (with Jenny's frequent tutoring). When I then joined the Navy as a Junior Recruit, and commenced my training, I was put into an advanced maths stream and completed two maths subjects which qualified as the standard necessary to transfer to officer. Later, in Darwin, I went to night school and completed year 11 maths 1 and 2, and year 12 English and Economics. I was selected for officer training the same year - thanks Jen. I would not have been able to do that without you.

My sister, Cyndy. In her teens, Cyndy did ballroom dancing both at competition and medal levels. She came home one day and suggested I might like to go along and give it a try because there was a girl there who was looking for a dance partner about my age. Well, I did, and I danced for a few years - competition and medals also. I loved it, and still do, although the opportunities to dance over the last several years have been limited.

Cyndy is a teacher also, like my other two sisters, and she devotes an inordinate amount of time and effort in this capacity. I think her students just don't know how lucky they are to have such a devoted teacher. For many years though, Cyndy moved out of teaching and worked in Quality Management. She, like me, is a 'stickler' for dotting the i's and crossing the t's. She is very thorough and very competent, and has been the source of valuable advice and assistance in my life. Thanks Cyndy.

My brother, Geoff. Geoff was a large influence in my earlier years. He was my older brother and I idolised him. He joined the Navy, so I joined the Navy. He liked Jaguar cars, and so do I. He likes sailing, and so do I. Many years ago though, Geoff drifted off the family radar when he moved to Cairns. I only recently caught up with him again at Joanne and David's wedding. I met his partner, Vergie for the first time though they have been together for many years. It was great to catch up with him again after so many years, and to also meet Vergie, who is a lovely lady.

My brother, Mark. My younger brother Mark is very supportive of me and our family, even when he himself had marital and relationship issues. I'm very proud of Mark, and I enjoy his company. He lived in Japan for about 19 years and I hardly saw him during this period, but now we both live in Bangkok and are able to spend a bit more time together. Mark's wife, Ana is also very nice. They are about to start a family and I wish them both well.

My mother and father. Mum and Dad have supported me in everything I have ever done in my life, and I'm very appreciative of that. I love you both. Although I find it hard to live with you (hey - I am nearly 50!), and we disagree on some issues, I know you always have my interests at heart. It was great catching up with you both Christmas 2009.

Mum and Madeline Canberra 1995

Me and Dad Canberra 1995

Aunty Mary and Callum Floriade 1996

My estranged wife Rhea. You mean't so much to me and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. I miss you a lot.