A birthday party, an induction and a big day at the office

6.30am – Up early so I’m ready for Vonda’s birthday celebration

7.20am – Start preparing ham and cheese croissants.  Ask Will to turn stove on – oops regulator not regulating.  Time to stir the coals in ‘Jimmy’ - the fire pit

8.00am – The crew is assembled around the fire pit; some croissants warmed nicely, others burnt nicely and a stunned Vonda.  Graham lead the singing of Happy Birthday

8.30am – Time to head to the Induction ceremony



Almost time to start the
 induction ceremony

9.15am – Mr Kenworth smiles cheekily ‘Hey Will I’ve got a deal for you.  Help me wash one hundred chairs by lunch time and you can keep the item I gave you yesterday.  Don’t help and I’ll reposes it!’ After some gentle ribbing and to and froing it was agreed Bill and Pete would help with the chair washing



Alice Springs Mayor

9.30am The mayor arrives, opens the ceremony and inductions begin.  Will’s friend was totally stunned when his name was announced and the biggest smile crept across his face as all his relatives let out their collective breath as they had been unsure if he would be excited or outraged.  The smile stayed in place all day as far as we could see.

10.30am Will and Pete start washing chairs, Kate starts final mop before big crowds head to the shed.



11.00am Induction ceremony finishes and guests wander to all corners of the museum, too many feet to mop around so Kate calls it quits

11.30pm Head home for a bite of lunch

12.30pm Head to kitchen, Will finds the sink a little low so uses a chair to sit on so he can wash while Kate dries for the next hour

1.30pm Time for a break before starting preparations for the pre-dinner drinks.  Kate chooses to head back to the van, Will catches up with his mates

2.45pm Preparations for evening begin – setting up bar, food tables, chairs, drinks on ice etc. etc.

4.15pm Time to kill before guests arrive

5.00pm Bus with officials arrive, bar opens, security guards arrive and nerve hits the very newly trained RSA permit holder

6.00pm VIP paying guests arrive and bar really fires up!  4 staff members and 300 thirsty customers – a busy time for everyone

8.00pm Guests head to Buntine Hall for dinner

8.10pm Bar staff sit down with very tired feet!



8.15pm Staff begin returning the bar to a museum

9.15pm Those with enough energy head to Jimmy, the fire pit, will others take time to look at the beautiful desert sky filled with stars before crashing out with a cup of tea

10.55pm Will climbs into bed



A very proud recipient - Merv

Who built this sink???
And who is that using it??