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NOEL SKILLICORN - THE REMARKABLE
Noel is my younger brother, by 5 years, and one I really never got to know until both of us had reached "retirement". It so happened, that, in the days of my youth and because of the "depression" of the thirties, when, like many other families, our's was in real financial difficulties, Noel and I were parted.
Our father, Ernest Philip Skillicorn, of the ISLE-OF-MAN SKILLICORN CLAN was an Estate Agent and Property Evaluator who, because of his Christian compassion, found it virtually impossible to serve a "Notice to Quit", on house tenants who were too impoverished, due to unemployment, to pay the rent. This had an adverse effect on the economic viability of his business which he jointly operated with his aunt. To help our family, financially, my paternal grandmother offered to take me in as a guest to attend school which was close by. This meant that, for all the week, I saw little of Noel and, during the weekends, because we had girl friends who lived at a distance, we saw little of each other during non school days..
Then came the war, with myself away with the ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE (RAAF) for four years, working on a variety of aircraft as an electrical fitter, following which I had a further four years in College, and, after that, 31 years abroad in India and Bangladesh. When did Noel and I get a chance to really know each other as brothers and to share our mutual passion for model aeroplanes in relation to which Noel became quite an expert enthusiast, and, when it comes to "ROUND THE POLE" ELECTRICALLY POWERED MODEL AIRCRAFT, he is quite an authority.
One of the persons most qualified to comment on the dynamic nature of my brother, Noel, is Anthea Spiker - his confidante, soul-mate and comrade, who glowingly toasted him on the occasion of his 70th. Birthday, celebrated in Adelaide. :-
"He (Noel) has been my singing partner, my listening ear, and has the doubtful honour of being the only one who can stir up an argument with me in under two minutes.
Eighteen years ago - I was 28 (a young chick) and Noel, 51 (old Geezer) . I knew all about him - his likes and dislikes, moods ( ! ), talents etc..
We had been drawn together by the concept of "Leisure Time", a teamwork which lasted for over 15 years and evolved because of Noel's ability to make friends and his desire to get people together and enjoy friendship and music.
We clicked as a team and provided hundreds of people with a monthly program of music over those years during which we sang together over 1800 songs in more than 170 programs.
During that time, Noel has always been a caring person and when we first met him, was actually involved in the Strathmore Church of Christ, ( Melbourne ) both in pastoral work and Sunday School.
Always the "pusher" and "mover" ( !!! ) - enthusiastic optimist - one either moves with Noel or dies by the wayside !
Noel has three children and his one desire for them has always been that they follow a good path in life. Whatever has happened over the years, Noel has remained a constant father to them all.
Cancer, suffered by Noel, is a bad memory. Seven years ago, Marsha ( my daughter) turned 16 years in the weekend Noel found out he had cancer. We were all devastated but Noel took a positive attitude throughout his operation .. I visited him next day and was expecting misery, but he had only been quiet through the operation. Even under anaesthetic, he was talking !
Noel has a passion for life and people. We, as a family, have benefited in his generosity, his time and his love. If Noel has a fault, its his desire to have the last word and this has caused trouble over the years ! - also a lousy house cleaner - tea towels in the shower etc. etc !!
He has many talents - except for learning the organ - but his singing is first, and even at the age of 70, can still make his peers turn down their hearing aids. I admire his ability to make friends through his out-stretched hand and ready smile, even to strangers. We all hope to make lasting friendships over the years but some fall by the wayside through circumstances, some wither and die because distance separates us and some just don't get nurtured enough to move on to high places and experiences.
This friendship (between Noel and the Spiker family) has stood the test of circumstances, time and the widening of our lives here in Adelaide, to include other people, such as yourselves here tonight. Perhaps friendships can be summed up in the simple words :-
I looked for my soul, but my soul I could not see,
I looked for my God but my God eluded me,
I looked for a friend and then I found all three.
Noel, thank you for being the warm person that you are; may you have many more birthdays.
( ** By Anthea Spiker ** )
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BEEHIVE HOCKEY PHOTOS OF WORLD WAR 2 AIRCRAFT
This is a good site, specially for those who have served in the Air Forces of Britain, Australia, U.S. etc..
PHOTOS OF ALL THE WORLD'S MAJOR AIRCRAFT
Here you will find the full series of Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed etc.
ROUND-THE-POLE FLYING OF ELECTRIC-POWERED MODEL AIRCRAFT
This is a site of my brother, Noel Skillicorn - crazy about model aircraft.
MODEL AIRCRAFT PLANS AND KITS - "D & J DESIGNS"
At the above site, access The Model Aircraft RING. Meet lots of enthusiasts. Join the Ring if you wish.
RADIO-CONTROLLED MODEL AIRCRAFT - LOTS OF PHOTOS
You can spend hours at the above site just looking at the pictures.
BUY YOUR HISTORIC MODEL AIRPLANE KITS HERE ON LINE
At the above site you can buy World War 1 and 2 models from Skunkworks.
RUBBER-BAND-POWERED MODEL AIRCRAFT
All you need to know about building and flying these models.
ELECTRIC-POWERED MODEL AIRCRAFT - CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS
At the above site you'll find many links to the electronics of model flying. Lots of info. about batteries.
MODEL AIRCRAFT FLYING IN AUSTRALIA - ALL TYPES
The above site is particularly interesting for fliers living "down-under" in good old Aussie.
SKILLICORN FAMILY MINISTRIES
INDIA - THE LAND OF OUR ADOPTION
FORUM ON LEPROSY
OUR DRUG AWARENESS SITE
INDEX OF ALL OUR PERSONAL WEB-SITES
Send E-Mail to: keithskilli@ozemail.com.au
Copyright © 2007 Keith Skillicorn. All Rights Reserved