Kevin Cragg
1968 - 1970 Forms 2, 4
Email: cragg108@tpg.com.au
Our family arrived on the January charter in 1968,I can remember sitting on
the bus on the ferry and feeling very out of place. Penang seemed, noisy,
smelly and unbearably hot.
However,after a week or so to adjust I never looked back. The next two and a half years were undoubtedly the most memorable and enjoyable years of my youth.
We lived opposite the Chinese Swimming club in Tanjong Bungah rd. I can recall my after school routine would be to dump my school clothes for a pair of swimmers and run down to the beach through the coconut groves, along the beach to the Penang Swimming Club. Then spend a couple of hours diving off the boards with my school mates. The odd plate of fried rice or bowl of chips was ticked up on Dad's bill.
Like most, I was in scouts, I did the Bangkok trip in 1969 with the Doughty brothers and quite a few others. 28 hours on the train up through Thailand, hanging out the windows most of the way.
As for school, I don't think missed a day. School was part of the fun. We played red rover in the searing heat at lunch time and would come back to class soaked in the afternoon. Funny, I can't remember ever having homework or taking a bag to school.
I was lucky enough to get to the Penang Reunion last year 2005 with my own family. It was a fantastic experience, visiting the school and swimming club were the highlights for me. I left Penang knowing I'd have to come back again.
Over the years I've been in the RAAF (RadtechG), worked at Sydney Airport as a technician and for the last 22 years been in the computer industry. I'm married with two teenage sons,the oldest is also in the RAAF. We live in Newcastle NSW.