30/8/2016 0 Comments Wedding AssistanceI had the pleasure in assisting my talented friend Mia from Eyeswide Imaging on 13th August at Jamie-Leigh and Dyllan's Wedding. It was a beautiful day for a wedding, and I got a few nice shots too. I was mainly videoing and assisting Mia. The photographer for the day was Karen from Photography by Red Sky. The three of us certainly worked great as a team, even though we had never worked together before. By the end of the day I was assistant to both Mia and Karen, and luved every minute of it, definitely something I truly enjoy and want to be able to experience on a higher level. Thank you Mia, Karen and of course the beautiful couple for allowing me accompany you on this day.
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16/8/2016 0 Comments A Toast to my dad, GrahamI said a praise toast speech on Monday 15th August at Toastmasters to my dad. Here is the speech below. Mr Toastmasters, Ladies & Gentlemen This evening I have two special guest present, my mum and dad, Elaine and Graham Volker. Tonight I would like to toast my father, Graham Volker born in a Queensland country town of Mackay, on December 6th 1941. I finally remember the year, as my dad now describes when he was born as a significant time in history the day before the Pearl Harbour Bombing, this was on 7th December 1941. My dad was in the military himself. He grew up in Proserpine with his mother, father, three brothers and one sister. He then joined the military the Royal Australian Airforce in 1959, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of September at the age of 17. He’s career was a huge accomplishment and he is very proud of, 25 years of service. Plus, another 12 years of Royal Australian Air Force Active Reserve and then another 6 years as Commanding Officer, for the North Queensland Squadron Air Training Corps a total of 43 years’ involvement. In 1967 he flew with the C138 Hercules as a flight lieutenant officer. He helped transport 18 soldiers who fought for us and lost their lives while battling in long tan Vietnam, bringing them back to their home country and families. When I hear this story, I feel he is very proud and he should be proud to have brought the soldiers back to their own home soil to lay to rest. While dad served in the RAAF he accomplished the Senior Officer rank of Squadron Leader, this is equivalent to a Major in Army terms for those that don’t know the Airforce. He then pasted on his experience and knowledge from being in the RAAF and became a Commanding Officer for the (NQAIRTC), North Queensland Air Training Corp. His career and military experience is a great achievement. Of course from my opinion I feel dad’s greatest accomplishment is when he met my mother, his beautiful wife Elaine. They first met in Sydney, after he moved to Wagga Wagga RAAF School of Technical Training. Meeting in Sydney in May 1960 at a blind date when attending a movie with friends. After spending a year of courtship they married on January 21st 1961 and have achieved 55 years of marriage. I can say that they would never have had a dull moment in this 55 years of marriage. AS…my dad Dad became a father for the first time in August 1961, with his first beautiful daughter Lynnette. He then became the father of 5 more beautiful daughters, with me being the 6th one. How lucky is he. :-) To me my dad’s best accomplishment is the one of family. This has now grown to 15 grandchildren. 10 grandsons and 5 granddaughters. And he also has 13 great grandchildren and one to be born in September. He has helped every one of us. Either by supporting his daughters and grandchildren of with their financial hardships or just being there, by attending their basketball games, their weddings and their graduation from school and university. He has supported us all in any way he possible can and for this we are grateful. Please raise your glasses and help me toast to my father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Graham Volker, to Graham. I would also like to take this opportunity to toast my mother, Elaine Volker. Dad wouldn’t have accomplished such a beautiful family without my mum. And she has been by my dad’s side through the rough times and the good times. To my mum, Elaine. (Cheers) Mr Toastmaster |