Thought it was about time I added my tuppence to the wonderfully varied and rich group of people and memories so readily evoked by a 10 minute visit to this site (well, it was going to be 10 minutes - I'm at hour 3 now and counting!)

We arrived in early 1971 (Dad, Mum, me and younger brother Dean). We lived in an amazing house at 1H Jalan Bunga Hinai - the weekly street parties at a different house in the street each time were just AMAZING. When our time came to leave later on in 1973, I had experienced so much and agree with a a comment I see many times in here - they certainly were the best school days of my life.

It paid to make friends quickly - kids came and went with scary regularity. I wish I had been a little older when I left so I could have fostered the discipline I needed to remain in contact with so many great, great people I met there. But as we all know, there was always a new school to attend and new friends to make. Ahhhh, the trials and tribulations of being a RAAF brat.

The school, the milk, the smells, the sport, the teachers (not half as scary now when I think about them), the bus trips (those students that were unfortunate enough to travel on the 88 bus will have their own traumatic memories to deal with), the amahs, the food, the Saturday comic seller..... So many memories have come flooding back. Almost too many to control!

Great neighbours (the Robinson's to start with (Michael, Michelle and Brett)) and then the Murray's (Stephen and Penny) made time away from school so much fun. Dad played cricket with the school teachers team (hmmm....couldn't even get away from the teachers on the weekends in summer!). Mini basketball competitions with other schools in the state (Sam Hayes - you were just a sporting MACHINE) - we very nearly won the state championship - had to settle for silver in the end.

Left Penang to go to Canberra (in August mind you - was a bit of a climate adjustment going on). Finally ended up in Perth and have been in WA ever since. Now living in Carnarvon, 900km north of Perth. After years of being single I have met a wonderful girl, Yvonne, who I am now engaged to. She is from Northern Ireland and we will be together and married as soon as we sort out the red tape involved.

So much more to talk about, but I don't want to bore you with ALL my specific memories. If you know or remember me, send me an email - always happy to talk with people from sucha special time in my past.

Cheers

Wayne Stewart
3 March 2005