FB Group for friends and fans
I have been meaning to create ether a Facebook page or a Group for a long time now. One of the main reasons I have not gotten to it is whenever I’m doing things around the topic of Mum and Dad, it makes me sad. So, I avoid it … hence why no one hears much from me.
If you would like to go and check out the group or join, then click the image at the bottom of the page. Or click this link here Rick & Thel Facebook Group.
Today, is what would have been my younger sister’s 60th birthday, had she had the privilege of a longer life. Unfortunately, her life was a sad one, and she passed away about a month and a half before turning 15.
In this picture Susan is being held by Australian Country Music Legend Buddy Williams. It would have been when our two shows had crossed paths while on tour. I would most likely, have been in boarding school, at the time. Susan would have been around the age of 4 or 5, so it’s around 1964 or 1965.
From the age of 4 she suffered with quite severe seizures, and by the age of 7 was on the strongest adult dosages of anti-epileptic medications available at the time. They helped a bit, but didn’t stop them.
I believe her problem came about because my Mother was Rh negative, which can cause antibodies in the blood stream, after giving birth to the first baby (me) who is Rh positive.
These days, the mother is given an injection to stop the anti-bodies building up in the mother’s blood so that future babies won’t be affected. Back in those days, the way they dealt with the problem was wait for the second baby to arrive, and then determine if the baby needed a full blood transfusion.
They decided Susan didn’t.
I understand that this is also what caused the problem with Mum’s pregnancy with the baby boy at 8 months term. The placenta came away and she began to hemorrhage which consequently lead to the baby’s death and nearly killed Mum as well.
Tests Done on Susan
When Susan was around 13 the doctors did tests and determined she understood everything normally, but was not always able to get out her thoughts completely. She did communicate, but obviously, her outgoing communication was impaired. They also determined that her seizures were killing brain cells, which was totally not the usual situation with seizures, but this was because of the cause, I believe. The Rh negative issues.
She was a bit of a Larakin, and the medications made that worse. 🙂 She also used to love popping in to visit people and having a cup of tea. That’s likely what she was doing when she was visiting the Williams’ in the above picture.
I have some funny stories about her. I should tell them as her life was brief, and in a lot of ways unnoticed, except by a few.
She didn’t get the chance to live the life she wanted to live. In the last conversation I had with her over the phone, she expressed how she wanted to get married and have a baby. At the time I was married and had my eldest child who was just over a year old. She never got to meet him.
It was 1974, and I was living in Western Australia at the time, and Susan was living in a home for disabled children, and I was trying to arrange for her to move over to near me, so I could take her out on weekends and give her some family time.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t meant to be as she passed away before I had managed to sort it out.
I miss her, and I often wonder what might have been, had her life been different.
To commemorate her 60th, I’ve made a post on Facebook, but I’ve also created the Facebook Group that I’ve been meaning to do for years.
I have photos of Susan, but unfortunately, they are all packed away in storage so they are inaccessible at the moment.
Meanwhile, I’ve posted a favourite photo of Mum and Dad. It was taken for a photo shoot for a Hadley album “On Our Selection” I believe it was. 🙂
If you would like to join the Facebook Group, then please click the image below, and hit the join button. Also feel free to leave a comment below this post 🙂
Hey Lynne, I first remember your Mum and Dad from listening to Looking back to see and others my Dad used to play when I was only about 8 years old in 1958 or so. Then later in my life I was a very big Buddy Williams fan and still am and your Mum and Dad released the album ” Best of Buddies” with many Buddy songs on it. Thank you for bringing back all those memories to me. I also was a big fan of your Mum and Dad and still play a lot of there music today. Also thank you for sharing your story of your sister Susan. Take care, and Cheers, Danny
Hi Danny, My apologies for the delay in replying to your comment. I appreciate you taking the time and sharing your memories, and I’m pleased to hear you enjoy Mum and Dad’s music too. If you are on facebook, please request to join the group we have there, if you haven’t already. You take care too, all the best, Lynne
Hi Lynne you lived near me in Beaudesert for awhile. We went to piano classes with miss Richter.. you were staying i think with a family at end of our lane. Susan Patricia and Julie I think. I still have contact with lyn tortora she is an old school buddy. I remember you being so cute with your little fringe. My sister was Barbara reeves. Let me know if you remember.
Hi Diane, Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and bring back some memories. I do remember attending those piano classes for a while. As I remember it, it wasn’t for very long. I was living with the people you mentioned for a couple of years, and you got the girls’ names correct as well. 😊 Of course I remember Lyn as well. Both families were family friends (also another related family in Mackay). I can’t say I remember your sister’s name though sorry, but I was likely only 8 at the time. I do have a lot of memories of the time I spent living there. It’s interesting how others remember you (me in this case). It’s lovely to come across someone who has memories of those times. I also replied to your email, hopefully, it didn’t go to your spam. Thanks again for getting in touch. Lynne 😊
Ronald Sweeney hi Lynne I first saw your mum&Dad at the Armidale town hall in the mid 60s I went with my brother I also worked at a corner store where they used to display there tour posters and leave 2 complementary free tickets witch I acquired and I still have one of those I was wondering if you still have the wooden horse your dad rode across the stage I think the first show I went to Eddie Tapp was on tour at the time I now live in Hervey Bay Qld
Hi Ronald, Thank you for leaving a comment and sharing your memories about going to the show. The wooden horse was ‘Radish’ and he was given to the Museum in Tamworth some years back. Lynne 🙂
That’s great I have never been to that museum but next time I go there I will give this ticket to them Also The last time I saw your dad it was in the Tamworth town hall with you singing with him I think it was a show put on by Ray kernaghan around 2005 or there about what great reading this site is con grates to you cheers
Yes, we did do an appearance on Ray Kernaghan’s show, although I can’t exactly remember the year. Very glad you found the website. 🙂
When the show came to Dingo in Qld my family lived at the back of the Community Hall where they performed. Being a young teenager at the time I struck up many conversations with your Mum. What a lovely lady she was. I remember one time the clothes line broke while she was hanging washing. She was holding on to the broken line trying to stop the clothes falling on the ground and she was yelling for your father. When he didn’t hear her she yelled for (I think it was you) to go and get your father quick. After moving to Rockhampton for work I still went to the shows and I was thrilled that she still remembered me. On one occasion she was really upset and she told me she had just spent some time with your sister Susan and she didn’t want to leave her in care. Thank you for your memories of this wonderful talented couple.
Hi Valda, Thank you for sharing all that info. I think I have a vague memory of the clothes line story. The story about Mum being upset over my sister is actually upsetting for me even now. I’m wondering if that might have been in 1974? Would you happen to know the year? If so that was the year Susan passed away and I was just in the process of trying to organise to move her over to live near me in Western Australia (I’ve probably said all that in the above post. :). I wish I could have gotten to do that for her. I wanted to be able to take her out on weekends. Thanks again for taking the time to leave a comment. Lynne 🙂
Hi I’m sitting here at the moment with my mum reminiscing about the show that your parents used to put on we’re in a small town in Emerald Queensland and I remember quite well going to the shows with mum watching the Show my mum now is 92 I have such fond memories as a child going to the shows with mum I thank you so very Much Sharing your memories Sincerely Steve and Marie
Hi Steve and Marie, What a lovely picture that paints in my mind. Please give your Mum a hug for me. Do you have the videos we sell? Just thinking they would definitely bring back some memories. Thank you for taking the time to comment and for sharing your story. Lynne 🙂
Hey, Lynne,
I first met your parents at Ivanhoe in 1977 at the old tin shed we used for a. hall. Many more shows followed. Still have all their music including vinyl. As I was a community radio presenter for 27 years (now retired) I had the priviledge of interviewing Rick a few times, too.
Hi Nancy, I believe I have a bit of a memory of that ole tin shed hall … Thank you for taking the time to share. I don’t suppose you have any copies of those interviews you did? Meanwhile, thanks for commenting and sharing your memory. Lynne 🙂
I am a fan of Rick an thel. And have shared the stage with them at Boyup Brook they are sadly missed
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. Lynne 🙂
HI LYNNE, I GREW UP PRACTICALLY WITH YOUR MUM N DAD. WE WENT TO ALL THEIR CONCERTS WHENEVER THEY TOURED THROUGH OUR TINY TOWN OF CUE, WA, ALONG WITH SLIM DUSTY, BUDDY WILLIAMS ETC. I HAVE LOVED AND STILL LOVE THEIR MUSIC. SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR SISTER.
NOT TOO SURE IF YOU KNOW THE SONG, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND A SONG YOUR MOTHER SANG. SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SONG. IT WAS CALLED “WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT”. YOUR MUM SANG SONGS WITH PASSION AS DID YOUR DAD.
Hi Noala, Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. It’s lovely to know you have such good memories. That song, “When the Lights Go Out” is on the Album “On Tour! – The Rick & Thel Show” produced by Hadley. I think the song was also re-released on one of the Bellbird CD’s. I’m not sure if it is still available. Perhaps try using the Contact page here on the website to contact me and I will see if I can help further. Lynne 🙂
I HAVE THAT SONG I JUST LOVE IT
I came across a vinyl single of ‘Fast Train To Sydney’ last week and added it to my collection. Great song and my favourite of R&T.
I met them in the 1980’s through Pat and Joe Hoctor who they are related to as I married their daughter Roslyn.
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for taking the time to comment, I’ve sent you an email directly. It’s nice to know you enjoy some of Mum and Dad’s music. Lynne 🙂
That was nice to read about your sister but sad as well, Thank you for sharing.
Hi Darryl, Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, and I’m glad you liked the story. It is sad, but I’m glad I can share some details about her and her life. 🙂
Thanks for the information on your Sister Hun. Happy new Year.
Hi Brenda, You’re very welcome. Thanks for reading and commenting, and I wish you a very Happy New Year as well. 🙂
I’ve loved reading about your sister. Thanks for sharing.❤️
Thanks Jaybird, really nice of you to comment. 🙂