Geller News from Down Under
January 2007 edition

It’s been almost a year since our last update.  Time is flying…

The girls just finished the school year:  Molly graduated from Parkerville Primary School (Year 7) and was awarded ‘Dux’, (valedictorian); Emily finished her second year at Governor Stirling Senior High School (Year 9) in the Academically Talented Program, continuing to excel.  Molly will join Emily next year at Govo, also in ATP (Hurray, both girls are at the same school again!)

Molly has continued to write, shoot and edit video and study drama.  She’s been in two plays and done several smaller impromptu performances this year.  She made a stunning video of our Shark Bay trip and has figured out how to send video by email.

Emily continues to study violin and did quite well on her first official exam in the formal international system. She participates in the band and orchestra at school and performed in three plays this year.  Her social life has taken off. She just got certified as a SCUBA diver and has proven herself a natural at it.

Nanette continues to sell real estate locally in the forested hills above Perth.  The properties are very diverse and the people friendly so it remains interesting and satisfying.  She still volunteers at school when the opportunities arise though not to the level in California.

Rusty has been busy this year with voice-over jobs, Steadicam (including shooting the U2 concerts in Melbourne), writing projects, and a new hi-def underwater video system. For volunteering, he’s become quite involved with a group trying to keep high-density developments out the Perth Hills – sustainable development is their goal.  For fun and exercise he still rides mountain bikes, cuts all our firewood and runs our boat.

Thanks to Grandma, we had a go at Pony Club this year. We appreciate that the girls have reached a certain competence on horseback and look forward to pleasure riding whenever possible.  We get out to the farm about one weekend a month and the girls ride Grandma’s Arabians while Rusty rides his aggie-dirtbike.

We continue to love our home here in the bush.  All the beautiful native animals keep us company and entertain us.  Watching the seasons in such a natural place becomes a pastime in itself. We never tire of admiring the kangaroos, bandicoots, black cockatoos, kookaburras, gallahs, ring-neck parrots, magpies and nectar eaters…it’s MAGIC! This year we’ve seen several duck families appear and grow before our eyes on our brook, we even rescued a baby magpie.  We kept our sheep fat and happy, had two clutches of baby chicks ourselves and struggle to outsmart the goannas (3’ monitor lizards) stealing eggs!  Our dog, Lucky, has been with us almost two years now and we love him dearly – he’s a constant companion and a lot of fun. He even brings us our morning paper!

 Highlights of this year were:

• Rusty’s trip over to California in February to visit Uncle Sol & Aunt Dorothy
• Brother Derek’s trip here in March and subsequent exploration & wine tasting
• Becoming Australian Citizens (dual with the U.S.)
• Our Shark Bay trip in April with the boat, Grandma, Chauncey & Fiona (dove coral reefs and saw manatees, mantas, dolphins)
• The birth of Mackenzie to Ele & Scott, and the birth of Shane to Fiona & Chauncey
• Nanette & the girls’ U.S. trip in July to see Dudad & Critter, Mackenzie, et al
• Eva’s trip over in October and subsequent exploration & wine tasting
• Emily’s completion of SCUBA certification
• AND, a visit by the Scheer family to celebrate the holidays with us, see us into the New Year and subsequent exploration & wine tasting!!

So, we hope this finds you well and enjoying the holidays and wish you the very best in the 2007.

The Gellers