Brisbane November 2008
Anna's Registration as Solicitor
Our daughter, Anna Rose Hitchcock completed a combined Science/Law degree at ANU in the 1990's but had interrupted her career to get married and have a child. In 2007 she began working for Tony, a Solicitor in Gladstone. He encouraged her to complete her studies to qualify her to practise as a Solicitor as his Practice was expanding and he needed an extra professional. She completed her units online through Griffith University and graduated in June 2008. She delayed the legal ceremony until we returned from overseas so that we could be there. It was held in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday, 3rd November. We travelled to Brisbane the previous day and stayed with close friends, Ray and Adele Siebuhr in Petrie on the northern side. On Sunday night they had a family gathering where we met up with anna and Tom who were staying with Leonie (Siebuhr) and her husband Mark and their two sons. Mark Siebuhr and his wife Julie also came over with their children. It was a terrific evening. We hadn't seen the family for many years. The next morning Ray and Adele accompanied us to the ceremony and we took the train into the city. Tony flew down to move that Anna be admitted. Anna drove down with her son Tomas. Her husband Matt was sick and couldn't come. It was a very simple but dignified ceremony.
With friends Ray and Adele Siebuhr outside the Banco Court waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Maria, Anna with Certificate and Don outside the Banco Court after the ceremony.
Outside the Supreme Court Building in front of the Scales of Justice
After the ceremony we had lunch then Anna, Tom, Adele and I went to a toyshop to buy something special for Tom. Ray and Don found a papershop and immersed themselves in the latest news. The next morning we said goodbye to Ray and Adele and drove into the city to pick up Stefanie (Nanni) Braun from Germany. Nanni is a friend of my cousin's son, Thomas and his wife Alex Braun. They share the same name but are not related. I had spoken to Nanni while we were in Germany and invited her to stay with us. We picked her up at 9.00 am in Roma St. and decided to take her to the Gold Coast and Currumbin Sanctuary so she could see some Australian Wildlife. The Sanctuary has shows throughout the day which are excellent. She also fed the kangaroos and got to hold a small crocodile.
We left the sanctuary in the late afternoon and drove home. It was a good trip and we arrived about 11.00 pm. Nanni stayed with us for a few weeks, helping with the garden and in the house.