TUESDAY, MARCH 3
WE ARE GRANDPARENTS!! A boy, Ethan William Ricketts. Mum, Channelle and baby are doing well. Lliam, the father, is extremely proud. We love the choice of names. William was my dad’s second name, and his dad’s first name. We return from Noosa today with our English friends. Morning tea at Kings Beach, Caloundra, then fish and chips at Morgan’s, Shorncliffe, where we buy Moreton Bay bugs for dinner. I take Cliff to Brothers Leagues for a beer with my mates. He is looking forward to getting back on the real ale in Derbyshire.
Ethan William Ricketts
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
After taking Cliff and Jane to the airport for their flight to Sydney, we visit Channelle and Ethan at the Mater Hospital. He is beautiful. Lliam has a Broncos poster on the wall, with the approval of the head sister, who is also a Broncos fan.
THURSDAY, MARCH 5
I attend DOK Kaden’s funeral in Lismore, via lunch at a Bangalow pattiserie. Doug, the eldest son, gives a nice, straight forward eulogy. No bullshit, just as his dad would have liked it. The wake is held at Lismore Heights Workers Club.
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
Meet Courier-Mail sports reporter, Paul Malone to discuss his latest book, ‘Iron Will’, the biography of recently retired Test back, Brent Tate.
Tonight I help Lliam, relatives and friends wet the head of baby Ethan – at Stattler and Waldorf in Caxton Street.
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
To BRL match at Emerson Park – Valleys v Wests – with Valleys getting up 40-28. Former Bronco and Manly-Warringah winger, Gideon Mzembe scores a try for Wests. Former Queensland firebrand, Johnny Payne is in the crowd with son-in-law, Paul Collins, a former teammate of mine at Norths in 1979. Paul’s brother, Peter was a workmate of mine at The Telegraph.
