[Dixielandjazz] The 80th Birthday celebration.

[Bill Haesler]

Dear DJML friends,
Thank you sincerely for the many birthday greetings.
For those interested, we celebrated the event at the loca Balmain [lawn] Bowling Club, which was also the venue for the earlier 50th, 60th and 70th birthdays.
Guests comprised an invited group of 140 comprising family, neighbours and dear friends. 
Musician friends and colleagues included Bob Barnard, John Bates, Graeme Bell, Tony Buckley, Geoff Bull, Viv Carter, Kate Dunbar, Richard Edser, Allan English, Dave Ferrier, Adrian Ford, Noel Foy, Paul Furniss, Bob Henderson, Geoff Holden, Eric Holroyd, Peter Johnson, Bridie King, Claire Kittel, John McCarthy, Phil O'Rourke, Cliff Parsons, Hugo Phandler, Dennis Quinlan, Trevor Rippingale, David Stevens, Tony Thomas, Ken Tratt, David Walsh and Jack Wiard.  
The DJML was represented by Anton Crouch, Adrian Ford, Phil O'Rourke and Jack Wiard with apologies from Ross Anderson, Jack Mitchell and Mick Potter. 
Other apologies were received from Bill Armstrong, Peter Cowden, Bill Davis, Bill Dudley, Terry Fowler, Dick Hughes, Iggy Kellaway, Peter Neubauer, Ian Orr, Pat Qua, Carol Ralph, John Roberts, Nevill Sherburn, Peter Strohkorb, Tony Standish and Barry Wratten.
A wonderful selection of close jazzmates from my 65-year involvement with Australian jazz.
Many of whom will be known to some of you.  
Plus good music and an excellent buffet, all washed down with fine wine and a few ales.
As usual, much more information than you probably needed to know from the mouldy old fig from downunder.
*>)
Very kind regards,
Bill.