Keith
Graham
1973-1975, Years KB, 1K, 2B
Hard to believe that it was 30 years ago, but the memories
still remain strong. I remember the school, the bus ride with the escorts (ours
was a yellow bus), learning to swim, the local Hillside shops, Scout Rock, the
ferry to Butterworth, movies at the hostel, shopping at the NAAFI....the list
goes on.
We lived 25 Jalan Marie Pitchay. Across the road were the Komorowskis (spelling ???)and the Cunninghams, up the street were the Jefferies and the Cotterils. I also remember the Veals and some names from my classes : Stephen Fitzpatrick, William Merrick, Michael, Debra, Jennifer,Pamela and Sally White.
We really are a unique group to have experienced RAAF School. I feel privileged to have been part of something special although I never really appreciated how lucky I was at the time. I thought I was missing out on so much by leaving Australia but as time goes on I realised that I gained a lot more than I ever thought I had lost.
My dad left the RAAF on our return to Australia and due to this and my young age I did not stay in contact with any friends from Penang.
We settled in Brisbane and joined the civilian world, however the travel lifestyle of the RAAF was in my blood and I have been a regular traveller since. I studied to become a teacher and worked, lived and travelled through Europe as well as spending time in New Zealand, the US and Asia - although I never went back to Penang as I was afraid things would have changed so much that the magic would be gone and I would be disappointed. It was all another time and another place. Although eventually I think I will have to go back and see where I spent a significant part of my youth and share this with my wife.
I now live in Brisbane and am a deputy principal of a south side school. I am married to my Swiss wife who I met while on a ski trip to Switzerland 10 years ago. We live in Brisbane and travel regularly and try to get back to Switzerland once a year.
I would love to hear from anyone from my era who remembers me or whose path crossed mine all those years ago.