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Post by Franklin1 on Dec 28, 2013 8:51:29 GMT 10
Today's Illawarra Mercury newspaper carries a feature story about Norm Jenkins retiring in April 2014. Read all about it here |
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Dec 28, 2013 9:59:33 GMT 10
hi all thanks for that link al. we're all going to miss norm after he's gone. all of us who went to coledale will remember norm for many years and how he was always ready for a bit of a joke and a laugh. he was always a very helpful bloke who didn't mind going that extra mile to make sure we had a good time while we were down there. most of you wouldn't be aware of the amount of effort norm put in to make sure our "coledale weekend" was accommodated, even to the point where he would re-arrange "everyday campers" so we could have the park to ourselves when our numbers warranted it. he did retire from the job a year or so ago, but came back when they contacted him after the interim caretaker moved on, but he told us last october that his april move would be the real thing, so he could spend more time with his family. the article in the mercury mentioned "the table of knowledge". "He's got his table of knowledge here. All the men sit there in the morning with a cup of tea, have a bit of a chat and discuss the ways of the world."  that was the result of the days back in 2008 during "lady madonna's travels", when norm, daggsey and a semi local ray (seen at the table with norm and daggsey in daggsey's reply) would meet every morning after sunrise for a cup of coffee and a bit of a chin wag and help solve the problems of the world, so daggsey made the sign up and screwed it to the table frame. coledale won't be the same without norm but we wish him all the best and hope that he enjoys the time with his family. geoff 'n jude |
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Post by sutcac on Dec 28, 2013 10:15:56 GMT 10
Hi Geoff and Jude. Yep.Not all of us appreciated the effort Norm went to accommodating us all at Coledale One of the quiet achievers of this world and a gentleman to boot. And a Queenslander!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  |
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Post by cobber on Dec 28, 2013 14:49:37 GMT 10
Boy oh boy will that man be missed by we vintage caravan campers. Always happy and eager to join us in whatever was going on... even if we were "pushing the envelope" as often happened... like the great Billy cart races down the grass slope at the cul-de-sac which would have freaked out the OH&S rules I bet  Like the night my Aussie flag was 'stolen'... I reported it to Norm, he was shocked and dismayed that any local would do such a thing  When it was discovered attached to Reddo's van by 'persons unknown'  he had a good laugh and thought it was typical of the sort of fun we had. Always interested in what we thought was important ( our old caravans ) and anything else we wanted to talk about. Every morning the toilets and BBQ plates were cleaned before most of us were out of bed..... nothing was ever too much trouble for Norm to make sure we had an enjoyable hassle free time at Coledale. Gee, he will be missed, one of natures gentlemen for certain sure  I hope retirement is kind to him , he certainly deserves it  Cobber. |
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Post by Daggsey on Dec 28, 2013 17:10:52 GMT 10
Obviously anyone who hasn't been to Coledale possibly wouldn't appreciate the esteem in which this man is held amongst those of us who have been fortunate enough to meet Norm. I can certainly personally attest to the deep and meaningfuls that were discussed at the "Table of Knowledge" during that summer of 2008, but of course, the old adage of "What is discussed on tour, stays on tour"  should naturally apply here......(unless of course I write a biography  ) Could I respectfully suggest to our moderators that as Norm was a great friend to so many and played such a pivotal role in the Vintage Caravan Coledale event over many years, that consideration be given to this thread being transferred to the Vintage Vanners Hall of Fame. Onya Norm and I sincerely hope that our paths cross again when you are yourself on the road.  Daggsey |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2013 18:58:31 GMT 10
Yup... The place aint gunna be the same without Norm running the show... Can just imagine asking the caretaker that's taking over if it would be Ok to light a campfire amongst all the canvas and plywood in a howling southerly... or any weather for that matter. During this years effort at resurrecting ( for want of a better word) the Coledale weekend I seen and heard Norm turn away at least half a dozen campers that just wanted somewhere to crash for the night.... Some of em had been on the road quite a while and where "bushed"..Left me wandering where they where going to put their head down that night??? There was plenty of room down in the Cul de sac but Norm simply said the place was full... The northern end of the park was chockers... but everything once you turn right at the bottom of the ramp through to the SLSC was ours. It will never happen that way again. Best we can do is when we are thinking of the good times we had at Coledale ... is think of the man that worked behind the scenes with Geoff and Jude to make things as pleasant for us as he possibly could. Gunna miss him Reddo |
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Post by 1954homemade on Jan 17, 2014 10:16:51 GMT 10
Yes I think everyone has already hit the nail on the head.
Norm is a lovely man, a gent in so many ways and always looked after us Vint Vanners.
Let's hope we catch up with him on the road one day.
Regards
Di
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he had a good laugh and thought it was typical of the sort of fun we had. 
)