Robyn Farrell
1965-1967 Years 2P, 3M
Email: gingham@broad.net.au
I remember leaving from Sydney dressed up to the eyeballs in lacy dresses and hats to match (I guess we dressed up in those days!). Going on a Boeing - flying for the first time, crossing the equator etc. We spend a short time in Penang then crossed to live at Robina Park. My sister Roslyn and I enjoyed the lifestyle in Malaysia. We participated in the Butterworth Dolphin Swim Club, Brownies and loved going the distance on the school bus with our escorts, catching the ferry and 'on the road again' to school. What an adventure to get to school! I think we did a days work just getting up and out of bed to get to the bus in time. The weekends were spent playing badminton and I think the base had a picture theatre--(now aged 46 I can't quite remember if that is accurate).
The malaria tablets were yuk. I don't think I took the whole thing seriously. At age 7 of course they were smarties that tasted BAD! Needless to say when I was taken to the hospital and the young Doctors couldn't figure out why I was so sick and sent me home...MALARIA what else! BAck to hospital I went for several months. I didn't realise how serious it was all I cared about was that I didn't have to catch the bus, which I would wave to every morning from the Butterworth hospital.
I do remember a friend, very well from the 'good old days' and her name was Bronwyn Kirby. I don't ever know what happened to her and would dearly to find out her story over the years. Bronwyn had an older sister called Catherine and an even older brother called Chris. I remember having a sleep over at both our houses. Probably my first ever sleep over and my first ever best friend. The years I am referring to 1965-1967.
Teachers in those days were Miss Lynham, Miss Philips and Miss Morgan. Oh I can remember dreading to get Miss Morgan over the holidays and got her for year 3--but she was great!
Over the years I did come into contact with friends from Malaysia, all the names do not come to mind at present. One being the Feudoloffs (its not spelt correctly) but they were David, Rhonda, Cheryl and Jeff who I know live in Werribbe, Victoria. I met up with them when I went to Laverton HIgh school and at this writing (2004) I believe Cheryl is still in Werribee.
I think the person who developed this site is wonderful and I can't believe it took me so long to get to it.
Needless to say after leaving Malaysia, we went to Amberley, Qld where I went to Leichhardt State School for 18month. Then it was off to Laverton in Melbourne for 8 years. This was followed by the family being posted to Washington D.C. Had a ball in Washington. Stayed there for 12 years. FINALLY decided it was time to settle down...yes at 28 I thought I may have been getting a wee bit long in the tooth ...for whatever!
I settled on the Gold Coast, Queensland (Currumbin) and am now married with 2 children. My married name is INGHAM> I work at Trinity Lutheran Private school as a Library/Vocational Education Assistant and have been at the school for 10 years.
So if you happen to remember the mid 60s I would luv to hear from you. my email is gingham@broad.net.au.