Father of the Bride
...ers; “they would not want to travel to Australia in case somebody might call in their absence and they would not be at home to welcome the visitor, feed them and look after them.” That’s what pure Irish grandmothers do, and they are good at it!! We envy L& A because they will have the opportunity to experience again that unique Irish welcome when they are in Ireland during the forthcoming weeks. 1.3 Also, there are many cousins, uncles and aunts. There is my brother James who lives in Western Australia who could not be with us due to work commitments. And there are many more. However, all of those who could not make it to the wedding they all send their love and good wishes to the happy couple, L&A. 1.4 There are a number of people here to day who were present at our wedding, in Oct 1974. [yes 30 years, and look at Mary, otherwise called “Tina”; I need to take some of her anti-ageing tablets”] My brothers, C from Adelaide and M from Sydney, were at our wedding [gesture to them]. The little flower girl on our wedding day – our niece, the lovely Michelle here with her baby son K; they have come all the way from Dunedin, NZ to be part of this wonderful celebration. Michelle is my sister P’s daughter, from Galway in Ireland. [those of us who have not been to Galway are missing an important experience – not fatal but serious!!] We are also fortunate to have another beautiful niece with us, A D; A my brother R’s & his wife P’s daughter from R, in Ireland. A has just returned from NZ, Figi, Uluru, Adelaide; “don’t move until I finish this speech, otherwise I will have to edit it again”!! We understand that she will be returning to Ireland in a couple of months. We have nobility & dignatory from all over the world including our great “braveheart” neighbours, the Scotts represented by Graeme , Joannes boyfriend; he is here because Billy Connolly and Sean Connery could not make it!! A hearty and warm WELCOME to all of you present & we recognise the thoughts and wishes of those who could not be here. [Propose a toast to all present and not present.] 2 I extend thanks to R and C and their extended family for the influences, great and small, that they have had on Adam throughout his life. A special thanks to C & R for the effort they have put into raising A physically from 6lbs 6ozs and 16 inches long to 226lbs 6ozs and 6ft 6inches long – tall!! and We acknowledge and appreciate the effort they have put into raising a fine young man 2.1 I am indeed proud to officially welcome A into our family. M and I could not be happier that this day has come and to know that L has chosen a life partner who will compliment her life and values as I’m sure she will complement his. 3 M, thank you sincerely for our beautiful daughter, L. Born in Adelaide and destined to be a unique and beautiful individual from the first day; L’s name has not appealed to her on some occasions over the years but we chose this name for her because it is as individual as she is; it is taken from the great architect and engineer, realist and scientist, Leonardo di Vichi. Visitors to the hospital in North Adelaide would request the nurses to have an opportunity to see L; A dear lady admired her so that much she knitted a blanket for L’s cot in the colours of the Irish flag; L came home with us in a basket on the back seat of a Volkswagon; she came with us to Tasmania, Thailand, Ireland and back to Australia. 3.1 At a young age, whether influenced by nature or by name, L became interested in the three most important factors that influence the modern world; Human health, Environmental conservation and Social justice. Human health; when L was only 4 years old she convinced me to give up cigarette smoking; had I continued I’m sure I would not be enjoying my current good health. She continues to be aware of this important real life issue. Environmental conservation; when L was about 6 years old, together we woul...