Sticks Willington

I have been blogging now for more than ten years and in that time I have always been careful not to write about people that others might know. This is a matter of respecting privacy, I'm sure you understand. There are exceptions where I do take liberty, say when I feel whoever it is would not mind, and in some cases actually be pleased.

Today I write about Sticks Willington, not knowing if he would mind or not, but I'm confident in that I mean no harm, and in fact my intent is to pay the man my respect and admiration.

I first recall meeting John in the 1980's when he was an electrician working for Ray Cross Electrics, contractors in Pakenham. As an aside Ray Cross was on the bench as a young man in St. Kilda's 1966 premiership team.* His firm installed underground three phase electricity to our pump site on the dam adjacent the creek which crosses the bottom corner of our property. Prior to that we had a rotary engine petrol pump which was high maintenance due to a variety of mechanical problems. The idea of flicking a switch without going down the hill to get water was seductive, despite the considerable cost in borrowed money to get a new electric system set up. I had to grovel at the bank and eventually change banks to get the money.

John lived in Emerald and began working for himself soon after our pump job and it was only natural that we'd call him if we had any problem with the pump system he was most familiar with and he has been our electrician since for all our needs. Over time we have talked about many things including bees and honey, football and cricket, politics, the environment and religion.. He loved a yarn, and was interested in the world around him. He's been a regular honey customer for decades, his favourite honey being ironbark which I did not often have. He was spot on there, I have always felt ironbark honey was excellent and although it could vary a bit from type and district I have clear memory of Vickers Frost's magnificent ironbark honey from the Killawarra forest west of Wangaratta.

My friend Will Marshall knew John well and told me his nickname was 'Sticks', due to his long legs and lofty stature. Sticks and Will as tradesmen often had a drink at the Paradise Hotel after work, the pub being a get together point for the local tradies as well as a watering hole and much business was organized from there. The 0.5 law and the advent of mobile phones has changed this culture. I think it was Willy who told me but it may have been someone else, that Sticks was a real brawler before he married and settled down. He loved a good fight and looked for them in the pubs and lanes in Dandenong, just for entertainment, and he didn't lose. This surprised me as John was always cogenial and gave the impression of mild mannered reason.

Some years ago John's discussions became more philosophical, but it was still a surprise when we learned he'd become a Jehovah's Witness. I didn't see him often but when he came to the farm to buy honey he was not backward in giving his religious views to Elvie and Meredith and whoever else might be there. He retired a few years ago from his electrical and I'd sometimes see his trademark green Landrover wagon with conduit still on the roof parked outside the JW's house in Launching Place Road. They'd meet there every second Thursday before going out on their door knocking missions. As recently as a couple of months ago I saw John in his suit with another man leaving the farmhouse next to Marguerita's when I was going there. Jod told me that John had told him most people were polite but once when he was door knocking a bloke was abusive and threatening and John said it was all he could do to stop himself from dragging the bloke out and giving him a hiding. I had to laugh loudly with Jod as he told me this. Can you just imagine it?

A few weeks ago in all our pre Christmas busyness Elvie said to me she had some sad news. John Willington had rang, telling her it had been found he had advanced pancreatic cancer. It was inoperable and he was not expected to live more than a number of weeks. Apparently he was quite accepting of this fate, I guess there's no choice, and said he knew he was going to a better place.

Last Friday I had to catch the fruit shop and the bank before they closed so I left Gord whippering at the farm and went up the street. I had a little time up my sleeve before going back for Gord so I went round to John's to wish him well, not for Christmas as JW's don't celebrate it, but in general given his circumstance. He was in the backyard with his grand daughter showing her his lush produce. He showed me the Herb Robert he's taking as a self medication to attempt to kill the cancer. He told me he starts Chemo on January 8 and radition to follow. He seemed quite upbeat despite the bleak prognosis. I told him to ring me if he needed a hand in the garden or with anything if he gets too crook. I gave him a jar of honey, redgum, I had no ironbark. He likes redgum too.

I said Gord said if the worst comes to be he won't be forgotten. Some years ago a lady gave me a rock crystal with a light in it that she had brought with her when she migrated from France. It didn't work as the connections inside had rusted as the crystal condenses moisture in cold weather. I gave it to John and he rewired it. We use it every night after I have gone to bed. Gord has it on as I complain about him staying up with the lights on so he sits at his computer with the lovely low watt orange light illuminating.

* (8 Jan 18)  I have discovered I was wrong Ray Cross was not part of the historic 1966 Premiership, he was sidelined with a knee injury , but he did play in the losing '65 team which went down to Essendon.

OK Let's Move On

I was bemused yesterday at the celebratory scenes as the SSM bill was passed in parliament. I'm troubled to understand the demonstrative euphoria shown by our political representatives. I've seen nothing like it before.

I chose not to participate in the debate or the plebiscite vote. In my view of the world there was no need for any of it. I did not like the tone of either the 'Yes' or 'No' camps and their attack on each other. I would not want to take the side of either. I discussed this with my mate RR a few months ago and we agreed it was a total waste of money to hold an unneccessary public vote. The law of the land is made in parliament by our elected reps but for some raeson that escapes me they lacked the fortitude to do it.

From a moral viewpoint nothing has changed for me. Same sex relationships were commonplace before the legislation, and will remain so. Many heterosexual relationships do not involve marriage, not before, and now, even those producing and raising children. It's not for me to make moral judgement. The relationships of other people are not my business.

I have no beef with same sex relationships having the same legal standing as traditional marriage. I have no trouble accepting that the law that now says same sex couples can be married. I have no understanding of the physical attraction some people have to the same sex but I love many people in different ways. I like kindness and decency to fellow human beings. I dislike violence and prejudice.

To me marriage was and is between a man and a woman but I respect the rights of others to have a different view.

The euphoric scenes in parliament as the weak bastards clamoured for kudos baffle me. Much ado about nothing. I wish they could show the same enthusiasm for human rights issues around the world and solving our own problems like the plight of the indigenous and homelessness.

I'm just glad it's over.