I buried my old mate today, funny how the undertakers had a "vacancy", stranger still how the coroner concluded "no suspiscious circumstances" and released the body very quickly, D.V.A. supplied barely enough to cover costs, anybody would think he was a damn cat, we slung the hat round and gave him a damn good sendoff

we rounded up 30 people who wanted to farewell "wilfy" I managed to get the boys who practice with the bagpipes down at our footy oval to play at his graveside, all in all a very solemn and stately affair

I have read the comments on the other thread and taken on board all that was said, 

thank you for the support through emails and comments and I will answer you all in the fullness of time,

I will use my "break" to revisit my life and it's complexitys, however it is not a simple affair to simply stop the crisis phone counseling, the last time I had a break 2 people commited suicide simply because they couldnt "talk to Dave" the world didnt stop for most but for a couple of good misguided folk it  "hiccuped" a bit

these people buildup a repor with a certain person and they will speak with no-one else, 

I will not cease helping the travellers of this world who drop in with a breakdown, and my son's not going anywhere!!

but this is not the forum's concern, I will consider my future direction with the forum over a bit of medication that my quack has prescribed in the coming days ( the black dog has returned!!) that's the trouble with having a doctor as one of one's freinds, he's alway's watching, he knew I was crook before I did

whatever I decide, the forum is now in good hands without me, provided you keep the "knowall's" out and keep the banter freindly and informative, leave the rubbish to the other forum's, keep this one as an island in amongst the garbage of forum's

to those who are in constant contact with me that will cetainly continue, no change there

look after my "soapbox" chris, it get's a fair bit of a hammering from a lot of folk

Basil, behave yourself 

to the "solo's" alway's keep the horizon in your vision, close enough to strive for but too far to ever acheive, keep your chin up and dont let "the knocker's" hold you back, the world is your's as much as any man's, stand your ground!!!

do not waste a moment of your life with the  "whinger's" of this world, they waste YOUR time which is far more valuable than their's, 

grab life by the throat and live every day as if it is your last, for a lot of people it will be!!

anyway, give a stranger a smile, you never know he may be your next best freind!!!

so it's "oorroo" from the "guru"!!!.................... I  hope I have helped a few along the way!!!

Take care friend, hope to see you back here soon.
John

Sorry to hear of your  recent troubles.  As for those unfortunates that took the easy way out  DON, T carry their baggage  as they say "****  Happens".  I was of the opinion that those who call in and those who answer the call should remain  anonymous  to each other  and neither party should take on  repeated contacts with the same person.  I know that's hard in a small community  where everyone knows  everyone. 

I though DVA had upped the contributions to $9500.00 to cover the dispatch cost of old diggers,  I'm not going until I've recovered all my tax payments  and then some  so I'm good till 2050 at least


-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Wednesday 20th of May 2009 07:31:49 PM

Hey Dave
ditto Pawsoz comments.
if you ever reach the eastern state a camp spot is always available here.


JohnW

-- Edited by jandas fun on Wednesday 20th of May 2009 07:48:19 PM

Your soapbox is safe with me Dave. The Grey Nomads Forum could be your therapist. Keep on eye on us anyway. You can't carry the world, although I do respect your efforts to try. As you already know, people are responsible for their own actions and behaviour. Sometimes the middle-man just delays the inevitable. Who counsels the counsellor? Make the most of your down time. Thinkin' of ya. Cheers Chris

Dear Dave and family,
Sorry to hear that you are taking a break BUT can understand your need at this time.
Mourn your friend, spend time with your family and remember all the friends that you have on this forum.
Barb

Take care Dave and family. We'll all be with you in spirit. Cheers, xina.

Have only been on the forum a short time but will sorely miss you Dave. Take your time out and look after yourself also always remember you are not on your own you have a heap of friends here on the forum all of which are willing to help if you should need it Helena.

Gunna miss you.....who the hell am I gunna annoy now??...stay safe friend...best wishes to your family. Dave

Dave, I'll miss you. You contribute so much to this forum you always seem to be the voice of reason when us rednecks get going.
Mate my condolences on the loss of your mate, I have gone thru that a few times and it is more stressful than we admit.
Take a deep breath, have a daily massage - and pop back in just to keep us in line. 

Dave, ditto to all comments made by others. You were the first to greet me when I first joined this forum. Although I havent been a major contributor, whatever I have posted you have always made a reply - especially about the bunnies (hee hee). None of us is without problems, some of us cope better than others. I continue to try to keep my other half out of the hands of the Black Dog, thankfully I think I am succeeding.
Keep well and safe, and kind regards to you and your family, and thanks for your reply to my posts
xxxxx Colleen

Hi Dave,
I'm out on the track in the Tardis - actually I'm in the middle of the Northern NSW rain and wind and floods - and I just got onto the forum and read everyone saying nice things about you and a lot of goodbyes. I don't know what's going on but I get the general idea. So from me too, thanks for greeting me, helping me, advising me and being an incredible support and font of knowledge for all of us. Whatever you are facing, I wish you well and a lighter brighter time ahead. Cheers Mate.

Geez, Dave I only missed a couple of days and look what happens! Please look after yourself and "look in" occasionally.
You are certainly in my thoughts.....Sue

.. being a 'newby' still, I hadn't got around to knowing you Dave .. but you've left a lotta 'postings' for me to follow ..

IF I hadn't procrastinated over taking this step to being a GN for so long .. would have been proud to know you !

be happy .. Jon

Get well soon Dave, hope the break does you some good. I endorse the previous comments here and wish you well, sorry to hear about your friend Wilfy.

Berg
(Ex Crisis Counsellor and Ambulance Communications)

-- Edited by Bergholt on Saturday 23rd of May 2009 01:44:25 PM

Wombat 280 wrote:

---

Sorry to hear of your  recent troubles.  As for those unfortunates that took the easy way out  DON, T carry their baggage  as they say "****  Happens".  I was of the opinion that those who call in and those who answer the call should remain  anonymous  to each other  and neither party should take on  repeated contacts with the same person.  I know that's hard in a small community  where everyone knows  everyone. 

I though DVA had upped the contributions to $9500.00 to cover the dispatch cost of old diggers,  I'm not going until I've recovered all my tax payments  and then some  so I'm good till 2050 at least


-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Wednesday 20th of May 2009 07:31:49 PM

---

DVA have upped the Bereavement payment. Of course you need a degree in pure math and irrational logic to calculate the amount payable.

 This is the full story;
http://www.dva.gov.au/factsheets/documents/BR02%20Payments%20after%20Bereavement.htm?ID=1098677070687

in brief;

How is the amount of bereavement payment calculated?

The calculation of bereavement payment depends on whether the person was single or a member of a couple at the time of their death.

 

If the pensioner was single

The bereavement payment for the estate of a single person is based on:

·        the daily rate of pension payable before death, multiplied by 14 days.

 

Example 1

Assuming the bereavement payment is processed on the eighth day following the bereavement:

·        daily rate of pension payable before death = $39.06

·        multiplied by 14 days = $546.80

·        less 7 days of pension already paid after the death = $273.42

·        lump sum bereavement payment totals $273.42.

 

How is the amount of bereavement payment calculated?   continued

 

If the pensioner was a member of a couple

The bereavement payment for the surviving partner is based on:

·        the difference between the daily combined rate of pension of each member of the couple less the daily rate of pension payable following death, multiplied by 98 days.

 

Example 2

Assuming the bereavement payment isprocessed on the fifteenth day following the bereavement:

·        daily combined rate of pension payable before death = $65.26

·        multiplied by 98 days = $6,395.48

·        less 14 days of pension already paid after the death = $913.64

·        totals $5,481.84, (98-14 = 84 days multiplied by $65.26)

·        daily rate of pension payable after death = $39.06

·        multiplied by 84 days = $3,281.04

·        $5,481.84 less $3,281.04 = $2,200.80

·        lump sum payment totals $2,200.80. 

 

Funeral benifits are also available;

http://www.dva.gov.au/factsheets/documents/BR01%20Funeral%20Benefits.htm?ID=1098677365203

in brief;

How much funeral benefit payment is payable?

The following amounts are payable:

·         Up to $2000 if the veteran or dependant died on or after 1 July 2007

·         Up to $1000 if the veteran or dependant died between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2007 (inclusive)

·         Up to $572 if the veteran died on or before 30 June 2004.

 

The maximum amount is payable if your expenses were equal to or in excess of that figure.

Hi Dave Sorry to hear of your need to take a break and thanks once again for your help in getting us on the right track with our battery problems before we even managed to get started on our trip. We're now in Kunnunurra and on our way across to explore the 'other side'. All the best Ken & Marge