Richard Noke, inducted at our general meeting on July 9, is a keen but unusual fisherman. He puts his kayak on his truck and launches from places like Werribee and Point Lonsdale into Port Philip Bay. He paddles back usually with a fishy haul -- flathead, pinkies, snapper, tailor, King George Whiting and occasionally a salmon. The pic shows him with an 8kg Southern Tuna he caught in deep waters off Cairns last September, but from a more sturdy boat than a kayak.
He's also a forever young skateboarder, skilled enough to do handstands as he rockets along.
He's retired from his self-employed northern Melbourne plumbing business. With a bit of googling he discovered our club's enticing activities. Within weeks he's been to two table tennis mornings, having his first hits for 20 years. He's keen for golf, walks, and whatever keep-fit things we offers like bike-riding. He's careful to lock up his bike as his previous one got pinched when he left it momentarily in Elizabeth St by Victoria Markets. He got a good video of the thief from shop cameras peering around and hastily riding off.
His partner Dina is still working as a personal assistant to an electrical company's managers. His son Jack has just finished an RMIT Master's degree in project management and works at Tullamarine. Younger son Oliver is in graphic design after finishing his RMIT degree last year.
Richard's slightly uncommon name "Noke" derives from oak-related workers on the Isle of Man. His Nokes arrived here two generations ago, with their own coat of arms."All the Nokes in the Melbourne phone book are related to us," he says.
You're sure to enjoy our club, Richard!
For pics from our July 9 meeting, click below
