John
McConnell
1969-1971
Forms 2, 3, 4
Email: jmc12197@bigpond.net.au
1971
John McConnell
Aged 16
Dad joined the R.A.A.F in the U.K.and we came from Scotland to Australia in December 1965. I have an elder sister and a younger brother and sister. First port of call was Edinburgh in S.A.where Dad did his basic training, from there it was off to East Sale Vic. for a couple of years and then to Point Cook Vic.then in August 1969 "The Big One" Malaysia.
Because of the time of Dad's posting we didn't come on a charter flight, so it was Melbourne to Sydney and then off to Singapore.
I will always remember arriving in Singapore, it was late at night and it was in the days before air bridges from the aircraft to the terminal,when we walked off the aircraft it was like stepping into a wall of heat, it really took your breath away. From the airport it was off to the Hotel Singapura for the night and next day a flight to Penang.
The drive from the airport to the R.A.A.F Hostel was so strange, different scenery, smells,sounds and people (not to mention the heat), stayed at the hostel for a week or so until we got a house on Penang at 30 Jalan Azyze.It didn't take long to settle in as the Driver family (who we knew at Sale) lived only a few houses away, Steven and Jeff showed me the ropes which helped me settle into the new school fairly quickly and it was through Jeff that I met Alana Murray who has been a major contributor to this site.
The friends I made in Penang were terrific, as well as Steven, Jeff and Alana there was David and Neville Mitchell who became some of the closest mates I've ever had (and still stay in touch with), Michael Gray and Gerald Hallam.
The fun we had was unbelievable, hurtling down Mount Erskine on our bikes, camping at the Rock Pool (do you remember the red clay), we used to love sliding down the slope and getting covered in the clay and then climbing all the way back up to dive into the pool to wash it off and no matter how hot it was the water was always freezing.The trips home from Georgetown on the bus, one of our favourite things was to buy stink bombs in town, when the bus came to our stop whoever was in front would drop the bomb, the person following would stand on it, we would then watch the bus drive away with people hanging out the windows because of the smell (looking back it wasn't a very nice thing to do but at that age we thought it was pretty funny.
Climbing up to the Jap Forts, the good times at the pool, school socials, dances at the hostel, beach parties, wagging school and getting lost in the jungle (we managed to find our way out just in time for school finishing), the fun and adventures seemed to be endless. Penang really was a magnificent place to grow up especially as a teenager and it was a great privilege to have been to RSP.
What would the downside be?
Does everyone remember those horrible, vile, repulsive Chloroquine tablets we had to take as a safeguard against Malaria? Many a time mine ended up in the monsoon drain, I still shudder when I think of the taste.
Came back to Australia in Feb.1972 to Victoria and have lived here ever since, married in 1977 to my wife Sue, have two children Mark who is twenty seven and is a Police Officer, Lauren is twenty Five and is a Dental Nurse so the kids have done well,I am also the proud Grandfather of the most fantastic four year old little boy who holds my heart in his hands.We live in Lara just outside of Geelong and I am a Despatch Supervisor for a manufacturing company.
My son and I went to Scotland some years ago, on the way there we flew over Penang , but it was dark, on the way home it was daylight but I didn't have a window seat so I still missed it, maybe next time.
I would like to give a huge thanks to Cynthia for putting this site together she has done a magnificent job and has given people like myself the opportunity to relive those magical years.
Best Wishes to All,