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Eulogy for Elsje
by Cathryn
Clift
Geoff has
asked us for a few words. I’d love to say I jumped at the
opportunity but it wouldn’t be so, as my face usually
freezes in front of a crowd. But I thought of Elsje making
her 60th birthday speech and my being able to read for her
when her tears came.
So for you
Elsh, the letter I didn’t get around to
writing, or sending.
Do you
remember our meeting in 1964, first year of High School,
with Judith? The three of us, the beginning of a lifetime
of friendship even though our contacts were intermittent.
The school
days - more importantly the weekends - when we’d head with
Judith to Lara for horse riding lessons, goat farming, PFA
country dances and of course Summer days at the Lara
Swimming Pool.
Or to my
place at Lovely Banks for cats and kittens, poddy calves in
need of a feed, a pony, hay rides and harvesting, creamed
teas, and cows to milk.
But then
to your place, the Pillikers in Corio, for a taste of town
life. Elsh, you had the big brothers: Henk with his groovy
music band, and Yoke with his hot cars; then Marianne an
older sister for us all, leading the way in fashion and
boyfriends!!
We had
sleep-overs and were introduced to all kinds of Dutch
delicacies - salt licorice, brewed coffee, yoghurt with
Dutch rusks, liverwurst and apple cake. Not to mention
rollmops and ‘olle bolles’ for New Year’s Eve.
What about
the holidays to Daylesford - Lake Jubilee, the blackberry
picking, the swims in the lake, and your saintly parents
tolerating teenage girls belting out Dutch ditties. Fond
memories Elsh!
But then
you were off to explore the ‘real’ cities - Melbourne, then
Sydney where you became wife, mother and partner to the men
in your life.
We shared
some fun times with you round the pool at St Ives, ‘weeding
out’ a mystery murderer over a great meal. We’ve followed
your artistic career, and then your concern for ailing
wombats in the bush, with interest.
More
recently your birthday rendezvous at the top of Canberra’s
Telstra Tower.
A party
girl with a zest for life, gone all too soon!
Thank you
for sharing and being a special part of my life.
I’ll miss
you Elsh.
Your weird
praying friend . . .
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