Christmas in the Western world is traditionally a time for families to be together to celebrate love, joy and peace.

Of all the times in the year that loneliness may strike, Christmas Eve is particularly a hard time to be away from family. Yet this Christmas many of our family and friends at www.michaelhutchence.org are feeling the pain and sorrow of separation from loved ones. Some are separated by oceans, others by eternal passing. We like to think that all who regular visit here are part of a larger family of friends held together by a common bond of love, respect and admiration for the music and personhood of Michael Kelland Hutchence. We hope somehow that being part of this community will help you experience the warmth and love of family this Christmas and that you will enter into the true spirit of the season which is accepting the precious gift of Jesus.

Christmas is always a story of new hope and fresh beginnings, a time to be thankful for the gift of life in this world and faith for eternal keeping in the next.

We wish the adorable Tiger a special greeting this year and also to Susie and Rhett who are particularly needing our prayers at this time. Big hugs to you all!

Merry Christmas everyone from the team at www.michaelhutchence.org and we hope your Christmas cheer will, as Michael put it, “shine like it does into every heart” around you.

Mario, Jacqui and Ian

Today we pay homage to a wonderful person, Kelland Hutchence, Michael’s father who left us on 12th December, 2002.

His courage and determination were qualities all too rare in our present world. He could be tough and gentle at the same time. He was passionate about life and lived every second of it to make it count. He adored his wife and family, respected and honoured his friends, was a warrior for the exploited and abused and was never too busy to write off a letter or make a phone call to defend a human right. He loved people, loved the excitement of challenges, and despite growing older in years, Kell never lost a young heart. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, rejoiced over them, wept over them, celebrated them. He was generous and kind, warm hearted, light hearted. He travelled the world and by the time he left this world he had discovered spiritual truths that would guarantee him peace for eternity. So sadly missed, so fondly remembered. Love and peace to you Kell.

Michael’s passing seems as unbelievable as the day we all first heard the news. Six years on seems but six days.

Some of the most beautiful pieces of music remain unfinished. Torn from their creative flights of fancy by the fragility of life, many composers have come to untimely deaths leaving behind an unfinished work. Michael’s life has that kind of story. It is a sad story of final frontiers not reached, of visions almost realised, of new horizons almost attained. His death on 22nd November, 1997 broke the hearts of a generation of music lovers who had been moved by his extraordinary stage presence, his ability as a singer/songwriter, and his infectious personality. His new found freedom in solo writing and performance, though not to diminish the brilliance of his collaboration with the comparable Andrew Farris, was indeed an unfinished story for Michael. So was his acting career. And yet even more significant, by his own profession, was his most challenging role of all, exploring the joys of being a new Daddy. So unfinished symphonies remain just that, but it doesn’t diminish their poignant beauty and perpetual appeal.

This week as we honour Michael Hutchence’s memory, pray for little Tiger and the rest of his family that they will know God’s comfort, grace, love and peace. Tiger soldiers on and is living the life of a normal, healthy, little girl despite losing a Daddy, a Mummy, and last December, her Granddad with whom she so much enjoyed visits, and his cards and phone calls. This is our first anniversary without the adorable Kelland Hutchence. We love you Kell, and miss you profoundly.

Rhett is doing well and is very committed to a new creative venture, while Susie keeps busy to help pass the days that understandably must be hard and lonely. She sends her love and greetings to Michael’s friends and fans, and will be privately reflecting over the coming days leading up to the first anniversary of Kell’s departure. It will be the first year she has not attended Michael’s memorial gathering in Sydney, but she knows that Michael’s friends will understand the difficulties of these present days.

I know what Kell would tell you all to do this Saturday; “Listen to some of Michael’s music, let it lift you, and never, never give up on things.”

Love and peace,
Ian Patterson for the Hutchence family and all the team at MichaelHutchence.org
(Susie, Mario and Jackie)

Saturday, 22 November, 2003 at 3 pm
Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens, Delhi Road, North Ryde, Australia

This is an invitation to all of Michael’s friends and fans to gather in remembrance of our beloved Michael at 3 pm on Saturday, 22 November 2003, at Michael’s stone in the Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens, Delhi Road, North Ryde, Australia.

Afterwards, join us in a stroll along Milk Beach, Carrera Rd, Vaucluse on Sydney Harbour (opposite where Mike’s ashes were scattered on 22 January 1998) we will conclude the night at the Hard Rock Café where you can join us for drinks (or dinner) from around 8 pm. The Hard Rock Café is situated at 121 Crown Street, Darlinghurst.

This year we also remember Michael’s father, Mr Kelland Hutchence who was always so supportive of Michael’s fans in that he never missed a memorial gathering until he was too sick to do so. He was hospitalised last November but was thrilled to watch the memorial gathering via video recording. Kell sadly lost his battle with cancer on 12.12.02. May he rest in peace. He will always be remembered as true friend to many and a charming gentlemen!

Our thoughts and prayers will unite us all in spirit and especially with those who cannot be present!

Love & Peace
Ange Perou
President
for and behalf of the directors, Mario Ferrari and Ian Patterson
Official Michael Hutchence Fanclub

Michael’s birthday has become a special day for all of us as family and friends gather in various locations across the world.

It is sad that Kell is not with us to celebrate Michael’s birthday this year. But perhaps he and Michael are having their own celebration! I am spending his birthday in London with my two sons, writing to you all in an Internet cafe. I send love and greetings to you all and suggest you play some great music and have a drink for Michael.

Love to all

Ian

Come along and celebrate with us!

Date: Sat. 18 January 2003
Time: 8 pm
Place: Hard Rock Café
121 Crown Street,
Darlinghurst Sydney Australia 2010

Come along and have a meal or just call in, introduce yourself, and have a drink for Mike and this year, in honour and memory of our dear friend, Kell , (Michael’s father) who, attended annually in support of his dear son Michael.

All welcome… there will be INXS music and videos played throughout the night.

RSVP: Ange Perou
(For and on behalf of the Directors of Michael’s Official fanclub)
Ph: 0414 554 122

Look forward to seeing you there! A big thank you to everyone around Australia and around the world organising celebrations.

L & P
Ange

We wish to express our deepest condolences to the Gibb family after the sad loss of their brother, husband, dad, and son, Maurice Gibb. The funk style dance music that the Bee Gee’s helped pioneer in the 70’s was a significant influence on INXS who were destined to re-shaped dance music in the 80’s and 90’s. The Bee Gee’s were due to tour Australia in 2003 so for Australian fans who remember their TV and live appearances when they were growing up here in the 1960’s, it is particularly sad.

Once again, New York area fans will gather on the anniversary of Michael’s birth to celebrate his life and legacy. This year’s event will take place on Saturday January 18 at Barramundi, an Australian bar on Ludlow Street.

The party and music starts at 8pm, and a special guest will be flying in just for the party this year: Michael’s sister, Tina Hutchence.

In addition there will be a condolence/scrap book for Michael’s father Kell who passed away on December 12th that everyone can contribute to. If you’re going to the party, bring whatever you want to paste into the book (photo, poems, letters etc).

If you can not make the party but want to contribute to the book and for more information about the event please contact Kris at inxsive23@hotmail.com.

from everyone at MichaelHutchence.org. May 2003 be a great year for us all.