Christmas Letter 2025 from Margaret and Stephen

This time last year, we decided to end our international travel – it was too much like hard work. Consequently, we have had to endure a full Melbourne winter, which is not a barrel of laughs. During our time of travelling, we visited about 25 different countries, which was great, but we are comfortable with our decision.

We can still see our overseas family every few years when they visit here. This year, Philip, Bev and Jeremy visited for about three weeks. We saw them many times, which was fantastic. We had one dinner with all of our children in attendance and four of our grandchildren!

Our children continue to do well.

Beth and Mark are in the process of building a house on a block of land that they purchased in Kilmore, just around the corner from their second son, Cameron. They are still at the negotiating stage with the builder, but hope that construction will start early in the new year.

Michelle and David have completed their house renovation. Their kitchen, bathroom and laundry look great. They have also been travelling with their caravan. Recently, they spent a month away, mainly in South Australia.

Catherine has received a new appointment. She is still a Salvation Army officer, but has been moved from her work in the Social Department to an appointment overseeing a group of Corps in the Western Suburbs. She will work with the officers in the Corps to improve the Christian and social outreach in the area. We will likely see more of her as one of her corps is Werribee.

Philip continues to work at British Aerospace, redesigning planes. Phil and Bev have also recently completed a major renovation of their house in Preston, England. The photos of the house look great.

Margaret and Stephen continue to live happily in our Retirement Village. Margaret is a leading light in the Craft group, producing many soft toys, some of which are sold in the Village Craft shop, and others are sent to local charities. She is also the treasurer of the Craft Group. Stephen is Secretary of the Residents Committee and also works in the bar and the Village Shop, all of which keep him busy.

Recently we purchased a new Car – the latest version of our CX5. We received an excellent deal, with a reduced price and a good trade-in. The car has many improved safety features and is a pleasure to drive. We had considered buying an electric car, with the aim of charging it from our rooftop solar and using the battery to run the house, but we purchased a household battery, so the second objective was less important.

Wishing you a happy and safe Christmas, and all the best for 2026, 

                                    from Margaret and Stephen

Margaret and Stephen's 2024 Christmas Letter

We now have four great-grandchildren! The first child was Mia Lester the daughter of Hayley and Richard. The second was Austin Creasey, Joshua and Lizzie’s son. We told you about them in the last letter; two more have been born this year. Chase, Cameron and Kaitlyn’s son and Joshua and Lizzie’s second child, a daughter, Isabella who was born a few days ago.

Hayley and Mia

Richard and Mia

Mark, Austin and Chase	Kaitlyn and Chase
Beth Mark and Isabella	Isabella

We have continued our travelling this year. The highlight was a trip to New Zealand with Catherine and her son Spencer. We are Lord of the Rings (LOTR) fans so we visited some LOTR sites including the Hobbiton outdoor movie set.

A drink in the Green Dragon Inn

Margaret and Stephen and a Hobbit Hole

We also went on a fantastic night walk.

No trip to New Zealand would be complete without a visit to Rototua geothermal

Philip and Bev continue to live in Preston in the UK. Philip continues to work in the Aerospace industry and Bev in hospice care. Living in the UK means that there are many nearby holiday destinations, in Europe and the UK.

Phil and Bev visiting Totnes in Devon

Bike riding in Germany

In last year’s letter we reported that Mark, Beth’s husband had a very serious medical diagnosis – multiple myeloma. He has had some aggressive treatment. Mark continues to battle this very serious disease. Beth changed jobs from HR in the police to a similar position at the Austin Hospital. She is enjoying this new challenging position.

They found time though for some travelling.

The Truck

Driving in the Flinders Ranges

Michelle and David have retired and are doing a lot of travelling with their caravan. They are also renovating their kitchen and bathroom, which has become a very large project.

Lunch in the Bush

Paradise Falls

Catherine continues to work in Salvation Army social services. She and Spencer live very close to Lygon St with all its restaurants and shops, which is an ideal location for them. Catherine continues with her artistic pursuits.

We continue to live in our retirement village. Margaret is very active with the craft group and Stephen has taken up a role serving at the village bar. We are both enjoying our life here. One of the fun events for the year was the Halloween party where we won prizes for our costumes.

Wishing you a great Christmas, and all the best for 2025, from Margaret and Stephen

Christmas Letter 2024 from Margaret and Stephen

We now have four great-grandchildren! The first child was Mia Lester the daughter of Hayley and Richard. The second was Austin Creasey, Joshua and Lizzie’s son. We told you about them in the last letter; two more have been born this year. Chase, Cameron and Kaitlyn’s son and Joshua and Lizzie’s second child, a daughter, Isabella who was born a few days ago.

Hayley and Mia

Richard and Mia

Mark Austin and Chase	Kaitlyn abd Chase
Beth Mark and Isabella	Isabella

We have continued our travelling this year. The highlight was a trip to New Zealand with Catherine and her son Spencer. We are Lord of the Rings (LOTR) fans so we visited some LOTR sites including the Hobbiton outdoor movie set.

A drink in the Green Dragon Inn

Margaret and Stephen and a Hobbit Hole

We also went on a fantastic night walk.

No trip to New Zealand would be conmplete without a visit to Rototua geothermal

Philip and Bev continue to live in Preston in the UK. Philip continues to work in the Aerospace industry and Bev in hospice care. Living in the UK means that there are many nearby holiday destinations, in Europe and the UK.

Phil and Bev visiting Totnes in Devon

Bike riding in Germany

In last year’s letter we reported that Mark, Beth’s husband had a very serious medical diagnosis – multiple myeloma. He has had some aggressive treatment. Mark continues to battle this very serious disease. Beth changed jobs from HR in the police to a similar position at the Austin Hospital. She is enjoying this new challenging position.

They found time though for some travelling.

The Truck

Driving in the Flinders Ranges

Michelle and David have retired and are doing a lot of travelling with their caravan. They are also renovating their kitchen and bathroom, which has become a very large project.

Lunch in the Bush

Paradise Falls

Catherine continues to work in Salvation Army social services. She and Spencer live very close to Lygon St with all its restaurants and shops, which is an ideal location for them. Catherine continues with her artistic pursuits.

We continue to live in our retirement village. Margaret is very active with the craft group and Stephen has taken up a role serving at the village bar. We are both enjoying our life here. One of the fun events for the year was the Halloween party where we won prizes for our costumes.

Wishing you a great Christmas, and all the best for 2025, from Margaret and Stephen

Christmas Letter 2024

We now have four great-grandchildren! The first child was Mia Lester the daughter of Hayley and Richard. The second was Austin Creasey, Joshua and Lizzie’s son. We told you about them in the last letter; two more have been born this year. Chase, Cameron and Kaitlyn’s son and Joshua and Lizzie’s second child, a daughter, Isabella who was born a few days ago.

Hayley and Mia

Richard and Mia

Mark Austin and Chase	Kaitlyn abd Chase
Beth Mark and Isabella	Isabella

We have continued our travelling this year. The highlight was a trip to New Zealand with Catherine and her son Spencer. We are Lord of the Rings (LOTR) fans so we visited some LOTR sites including the Hobbiton outdoor movie set.

A drink in the Green Dragon Inn

Margaret and Stephen and a Hobbit Hole

We also went on a fantastic night walk.

No trip to New Zealand would be conmplete without a visit to Rototua geothermal

Philip and Bev continue to live in Preston in the UK. Philip continues to work in the Aerospace industry and Bev in hospice care. Living in the UK means that there are many nearby holiday destinations, in Europe and the UK.

Phil and Bev visiting Totnes in Devon

Bike riding in Germahy

In last year’s letter we reported that Mark, Beth’s husband had a very serious medical diagnosis – multiple myeloma. He has had some aggressive treatment. Mark continues to battle this very serious disease. Beth changed jobs from HR in the police to a similar position at the Austin Hospital. She is enjoying this new challenging position.

They found time though for some travelling.

The Truck

Driving in the Flinders Ranges

Michelle and David have retired and are doing a lot of travelling with their caravan. They are also renovating their kitchen and bathroom, which has become a very large project.

Lunch in the Bush

Paradise Falls

Catherine continues to work in Salvation Army social services. She and Spencer live very close to Lygon St with all its restaurants and shops, which is an ideal location for them. Catherine continues with her artistic pursuits.

We continue to live in our retirement village. Margaret is very active with the craft group and Stephen has taken up a role serving at the village bar. We are both enjoying our life here.

Wishing you a great Christmas, and all the best for 2025, from Margaret and Stephen