The Erickson Family Pages

ERICKSON NEWS - CHRISTMAS 2023

This is the twenty fourth year I have produced this little Christmas page, and it continues to be an enjoyable yearly exercise.

To all our friends, local and remote, we wish you a Christmas filled with peace and joy and hope that 2024 will be a year where the world moves closer together in unity, tolerance and mutual love and acceptance.

You can read the finer details in our Christmas letter: Our Christmas Letter

And now onto the usual annual collection of photos (more to come)


Ok, starting as usual with a couple of older photos. Here's the bridal party from our wedding in December 1978 in Merlynston. From left to right: My brother Terry, Lois's sister Bev, Lois, me, Jenny Kimpton and Dave Kenyon. What a good looking group!	And here are all the Melbourne based cousins (at that time) at our 1999 Christmas luncheon at Thornbury. Our 4 boys (Chris, Paul, Dave and Matt), Bev and Greg's daughters Nicole, Renee and Dannii and Neil and Jill's son Tom. They've all gone on to greater things.

Our cousin Sue was down from Darwin in March 2023 and we visited the Eltham Cemetery so she could see the ashes memorial plaque for her dad Terry	A few bushwalks for me this year. Here I am on top of Hanging Rock in May, checking out the scenery

I was lucky enough to see Matt playing at the Brunswick Music Festival in March, as part of Ajak Kwai's band. Warmup mode....	.. and on stage

We celebrated Annie's 10th birthday in April 2023 by going to dinner at La Porchetta Italian Restaurant in Niddrie	Back: Chris, Ollie, me and Christer from Sweden (who was out for our centurion walking race at Coburg) Front: Dave and Annie

Annie ice skating on her birthday	Whenever Chris and Amie and the kids come over, Lucy spends her time watching for cats. Here she has spied Smokey and is standing guard in case of an opportunity to pounce!

April 2023 - One minute until the start of the Coburg 24 Hour Carnival. Little did I realise at that time that it would be our last Coburg 24H.	And it was one of the wettest ever, with heavy rain for nearly 12 hours. Survival of the fittest!

I was in Canberra in March for some riding with old walking mate Andrew Jachno. Here we are about to head out for another gruelling session.	In May, the St Linus Kinder Refurbishment was officially opened. Here I am with local Victorian State Member Anthony Cianflone.

Chris and Amie enjoying a holiday in Vanuatu - all roped up for a treetop climb	Amie on a swing bridge in Vanuatu

Annie and Ollie did the occasional walk with Walkers Club during the year. This was in June. But their main sports were netball (Annie) and hockey and cricket (Ollie).	Annie and Ollie did the occasional walk with Walkers Club during the year. This was in June. But their main sports were netball (Annie) and hockey and cricket (Ollie).

Annie (on the right) in her U12 netball team. They are doing well!	Ollie after making 50 runs not out for Dennis Cricket Club U12 team in a recent match - great stuff!

Ollie and Annie attended a family day at the South Melbourne Fire Station in July. Here they are doing some tugawar	Our cousin Sue, down from Darwin, catches up with Paul in Canberra in December 2023

Amie hard at work in the home office with Lucy and house guest Roger getting in on the act	Ollie go-karting for his birthday in August

In August, I spent 3 weeks riding with old walking mate Harold van Beek in Luxembourg and Italy. Here's Harold cleaning the bikes in front of his place after one of our rides.	Harold and I spent a week in northern Italy challenging ourselves on some of the big Giro d'Italia climbs. This is at the top of the Gavia, 2652m. You can't get that high anywhere in Australia.

And this is the road we ascended (the call 'em switchbacks) to get to the top of the Stelvio Pass, the most famous climb in Italy.	At the top of the Passo dello Stelvio - it's the highest paved road in Italy, maxing out at 2758m.

And here's anothe big climb - the Cancano. Less well known than its famous counterparts but no easy ride.	And finally, at the top of the Passo del Mortirolo. Gavia, Stelvio and Mortirolo are the big 3 of Italian climbing and we were able to tick them all off. And I've now got a riding vest to display bragging rights!

An couple of shots with our Darwin based family. Diana headed off to Israel and Egypt in May for a big pilgrimage with her 2 sisters. They had a fantastic time and all went well. Here's Diana at the Pyramids.	And here's Diana with son Eric in March - Eric had been part of the Casuarina Cougars team which had just won the local Darwin Rugny Union final. They beat Palmerston Crocks 35-21.

In 2022, Paul was voted as one of The 10 Most Covertly Powerful People in Australia, as argued by the Financial Review. He came in third place, with his profile sky high after spearheading the Labor victory in the 2022 Federal Election.	And in the same article published a year later, in September 2023, he also made the list for The `0 Most Covertly Powerful People in Australia 2023

It's always wonderful to welcome a new member to the extended Erickson family. And here she is - Leona Florence Erickson, born 24/07/2023 in Darwin.	And here is Leona with mum Arianna and dad Tom in Darwin, having a formal photo to celebrate Father's Day

And here is Tim with Leona, taken during his trip to Darwin in December	Matt and Jess - December in Melbourne

Barney the Super Cat	Barney the Super Cat