I have led an interesting and challenging life. In my life’s journey to date, I have met interesting and inspiring people, visited many wonderful places both within Australia and overseas, and undertaken many diversified activities. My life to date has been “a journey.”
GROWING UP
I grew up in Wallsend, Newcastle. I attended Jubilee Road Primary School, now called Elermore Vale. My secondary education was first at Wallsend High, which has been Callaghan College for Year 7-10 since 2000. And then Hunter Girls, which is part of the Newcastle School of Performing Arts.
I grew up as an only child, which could be lonely without siblings. It taught me to be self- reliant. I enjoyed reading and writing. In year 6 in 1965, i did the Anzac Day address at the Wallsend Rotunda, the forerunner of my public speaking career. . I researched and wrote this speech.
I played competition netball, as a centre or goal attack, in the Newcastle competition .I also played hockey at school, and also enjoyed sprinting -100m, 200m and the long jump. I also did Scottish Country dancing, which I again hope to return to soon, as it is great exercise.
On the weekend, my father would drive the two- tone grey FB Holden car, which was purchased in May 1961. A picnic lunch was packed along with the thermos, and off we went for the day. We visited such places as Nelsons Bay and Shoal Bay, Raymond Terrace, Maitland, Hunter Valley, and Gosford amongst many other places. In some school holidays, we took a much longer trip – to Melbourne, to Brisbane, and the Snowy Mountains. I gained a great sense of adventure, along with a love of history from these trips. We sometimes visited Museums and old cemeteries along the way.( I visited an old cemetery in Edinburgh on one occasion -old habits die hard ) This sense of adventure has stayed with me all my life.
My university education was undertaken at Macquarie University, North Ryde and began in 1972. University was something of a culture shock after school –a “case of sink or swim” I liked Macquarie University with its flexible approach to subjects across degrees.
In 1980, I returned to Macquarie University to complete some non -degree Geography courses. In 1981, I decided to enrol in the Diploma of Urban Studies course, which simulated my interest in the urban environment and social history. I was fortunate to have lecturers, who were passionate about their subject. Dr Peter Spearritt, a social historian, inspired me in my writing of Moorefield Racecourse. I graduated with my Diploma of Urban Studies in May 1984.
I have not returned to the campus since a 25th Anniversary Dinner for the Urban Studies Department in the early 2000’s. I was invited to introduce the guest speakers for the evening.
WORKING LIFE
I was holidaying in New Zealand, when my parents received a notice of my placement – Figtree High School, Wollongong. I had met Maree Mc Keown, a neighbour at a restaurant in Queenstown .We travelled home on the same plane from Christchurch. I was forced to move from home in Ryde and to look after myself.
I was a support teacher at Figtree High School, Wollongong .I lived first in Dapto in a private home, then in a flat in Dapto, and later moved to a flat in Unanderra Heights. I would drive to school, in late 1976, from Unanderra Heights past open fields with cows grazing in them. This area has long been heavily built out.
I enjoyed my time in the Social Science Department at Figtree High School, Wollongong. My nickname in the staffroom was Gracie, after Gracie Fields. At St George Girls I was called Annie by my staff.
I met Harold on May 28 1976, at a Surf Club dance in Shellharbour. He was a keen soccer player and was involved with the Shellharbour Soccer Club, as a strapper. I got to know all the Wollongong soccer fields, as well as the scenic spots on the South Coast.
In February 1977, I had a Friday afternoon meeting with the Figtree High School Principal, Mr Brokenshire. This after- school meeting was to inform me of my transfer to St George Girls High School, Kogarah. I had not long taken a lease on a flat in Unanderra Heights, so I was in two minds as to what to do in relation to accommodation. I sometimes parked my yellow VW Wollongong train station and came by train to Kogarah: other times , I stayed with my parents in Ryde and drove to school .I was later able to purchase a home unit closer to school, so travelling to work was not a problem. I sold this in 1984, and moved closer to work.
When I arrived at St George Girls in Kogarah , wearing a brown pleated mini Fletcher Jones skirt and either a green or yellow Fletcher Jones top, and high heel brown shoes, I was met by the then Principal , Mrs Lyle Worde (1976-1984). I was appointed as a Social Science / Maths teacher, but soon left Maths behind and became Social Science full time I taught Commerce , Geography , General Studies and Legal Studies over most of my teaching career. At other times, there were a few other minor subjects, which I taught.
I served under Ms Jenny Rowse, Principal from 1985 -1992 and Mrs Kay Murray, 1993 –2002. Mrs Carole Knott replaced Kay in 2003, and was the School Principal until 2014. Jenny was a dynamic Principal, who was strict on school uniform. She was quite a “personality” ; she did yoga , loved travelling overseas , particularly to visit her friends, who lived at The Peak in Hong Kong , and was always beautifully dressed .Her shoes were much admired .
I recall Jenny attending the Special Mock Trial against Hurstville Boys High School, in mid-1991. It was held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the school. This was held in the Local Court in Kogarah- Jenny brought her own work to do, as she listened to the Court proceedings.
During my time at St George Girls, I looked after the Student Council for a few years, and I managed the School Mock Trial team for 17 years. Mr Richard Kitching, a Hurstville solicitor, was our loyal school coach for many years. During the last few decades of my teaching career, life had become more demanding due to my elderly parents. My mother passed away in the early 2000’s, after 8 years in a Nursing Home, and my father passed away 5 years later. Harold passed away from lung cancer in late September 2011.
During the period, 1986 until February 1998, I was involved in an administrative capacity with the Saturday School of Community Languages. Initially Greek, Macedonian, Italian and Chinese were held at St George. Macedonian, Chinese and Italian moved to Kogarah High, and St George retained Greek and Arabic.
In late 2011, I retired from St George Girls after 35 years of teaching. I was going to leave on my terms, not because a Principal put the required pink form in front of me. I wanted to move on to my next career –a writing career. That would happen after I completed my Southern Ocean expedition in April 2012.
My farewell speech to St George Girls High School is on my website: annefield.net.au
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
In 1985, I was a member of the International Youth Year Committee at Kogarah Council. And from 1985-1986,I was a member of the Bicentennial Committee at Kogarah Council .
In December 1985,I was appointed, along with Nancye McAloon, to the St George Hospital Board, as a community representative .We were the first 2 female appointments to the Board for over 40 years. Joe Orr was my first Chairman of the Board. It was my first experience working in a largely male- dominated environment. Rosemary Snodgrass was the Director of Nursing, and Audrey Cush was her Deputy Director of Nursing.
On June 23 2022, I saw Danny Robinson from St George Leagues Club, at a charity dinner. I reminded him of our time on the Hospital Board in our recent conversation. During 2020-ealy 2021, I had a rug hooked by a former Director of Nursing at Royal Newcastle Hospital ,who now volunteers with the Myall Community Art and Craft Centre ,Tea Gardens. She knew Rosemary Snodgrass well.
Joe Orr retired, and Keith Bagley, a solicitor became the next Chair. Leo Vineburg was my last Chairman. I recall that after our sacking, the Board had a farewell dinner at Escoffiers Restaurant, on the corner of Montgomery Street , Kogarah . Leo gave us each a bottle of wine with a cryptic political message on it.
A State election was held in March 1988, and the Greiner Liberal Government was elected for a 4 year term. The St George Hospital Board was then sacked soon after by the Greiner Government. I heard of the Board’s sacking on my car radio as I drove home from school. My termination letter was then placed under my front door. This letter can be found in the 100 year history of St George Hospital “The Healing Saint” by Lindsay Ritchie, a Leader journalist. It was finally published in 1998, after Lindsay’s passing. These were highly political times in health, but then what has changed.
I was then invited in October 1988 to join the Rockdale Community Mobile Nursing Service as a Board Member.
I was invited in July 1989, by the Rotary Club of Rockdale, to a club meeting at Rockdale RSL, to talk about the work of the Rockdale Community Mobile Nursing Service. I was later invited to join the Rotary Club of Rockdale in November 1989. Membership to Rotary is by invitation.
I became its first female Club President of the Rotary Club of Rockdale on June 25 1991 –possibly the first in Sydney. Some wives of Rockdale Rotary Club members did not like the idea of a female in the Club! I took over the Presidency from Bill York, who had been in the removal business. He had delivered the old Tote building from Moorefield Racecourse to Kogarah Golf Club. I did not know this fact until my Moorefield research many years later!
Since the early 2000’s, there have been many female Club Presidents, and District Governors. Women feature prominently in Rotary Clubs today. I joined the Rotary Club of Bexley in 1999, as a result of a change of Council, and became their first female Club President on June 27 2000. Kogarah Council met on a Monday night, so I had to move Rotary Clubs.
The Rotary Club of Bexley and Rockdale joined in possibly 2003, to become the Rotary Club of Rockdale City. I remained a member of this Club until early 2012, when I resigned after almost 23 years membership.
I had enjoyed my many years in Rotary, but it was time to move on.
POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT
In 1988, I ran as an independent candidate for Kogarah, gaining just over 9% of the vote. In 1991, I ran in Third Ward for Rockdale Council and was successful in winning election. It was a close result. I was re-elected in 1995 to represent Third Ward, Rockdale Council after a strongly fought campaign.
I recall well the male dominated environment. Elizabeth Daly was the only other female Councillor in my first term, and then Yvonne Bellamy and Liz Barlow joined me in 1995.
In my first term, a male Councillor, who will remain nameless, on occasions, used to move paper in front of his microphone when I rose to speak at a Council Meeting. Residents, who sitting in the public gallery, witnessed him do this. On another occasion, in a Committee Room when no one else was in attendance, he rubbed his hands up the side of my face. On a later occasion, he sent me a fax inviting me to a meeting to discuss Council at a local café in Rockdale. The fax requested me to wear my purple leather trousers .I ignored both the fax and the meeting.
I will recall stories verbally about my time at Rockdale Council.
In 1999, I crossed the Princes Highway and ran for Kogarah Council, as a representative for the Kogarah Bay Progress Association.
I had no choice but to cross the Princes Highway, which divides Rockdale and Kogarah Councils. I would have been preferenced out by some other Third Ward candidates, and it is likely that I would have lost re–election at the Council election. The decision about my political future was made promptly.
My father and I, were shopping in Woolworths, Kogarah late Saturday afternoon, January 9 1999, and the decision about my political future was made in amongst the shopping aisles. Stephen Blackadder, General Manager at Rockdale summed it up nicely in mid-1999, in his comment to me before a Council Meeting, “Congratulations Anne, you have trumped the boys at the ballot box . “
I was elected to represent North Ward on Kogarah Council at the September 1999 council election. This was a result, which was keenly followed by many people at the time. I was re-elected unopposed in 2004 to continue to represent North Ward, Kogarah Council. When I arrived at Kogarah Council I found it to be quite different from Rockdale Council. In addition, I was also in the political minority at Kogarah.
Yes, I was subjected to bullying at Kogarah Council. One Mayor’s behaviour, witnessed as well by the public gallery at Council meetings, was disgraceful towards me. I called him Napoleon Bonaparte. There were other examples.
I will recall stories verbally from my time at Kogarah Council.
When I left Kogarah Council after the September 2008 elections, a resident wrote me a lovely letter to say that “the Don Chipp (leader of Australian Democrats, who had died in 2006) of Kogarah politics was leaving us .”
My Community Profile for both Councils appears on my website: annefield.net.au.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Launched a School Kit June 1995 at Rockdale Council. A Committee of Public Relations Officer, local teachers, Council Staff and my self-produced this kit.
Awarded a Certificate of Commendation and Bronze Medallion by the National Trust of Australia (NSW Division) Presented by Barry O’Keefe AC QC 21 November 1998 at the National Trust AGM.
Late 1998 until 2008 the Patron of the St Georgians – the Old Girls from St George Girls.
Mid 2000 A Certificate of Commendation, SSROC Awards for the SSROC Heritage Forum. SSROC Awards Dinner.
September 2000-2001 awarded a Parliamentary Fellowship from the Federal Parliamentary Education Office in Canberra to acknowledge Federation.
August 2001 Kogarah Council School Kit was released. And in July 2002, the kit won the Publications Category in the NSW Public Libraries Promotions Award.
The 1897 Constitutional Role Play: “A Nation at Last” August 10 2001 at 7pm Kogarah School of Arts to honour the terms of my Parliamentary Fellowship.
October 2001, over 4000 images were erected on the lawns of Parliament House to reflect significant Australians, in the last major event to celebrate Federation. Thelma Pimm, from St George Art Society, Victoria Kitanov, a Council Officer, and I were involved in this interesting project.
Miss Peg Boundy, then almost 100, was a infants school teacher, and later a local Principal in her working life. She was also involved in a number of local community groups. Peg’s image represented Kogarah Council at this Federation event. I was able to visit Canberra on November 25, 2001 to see Peg’s image, on the Parliament House lawn.
September 18 2004 Guest Speaker at Hunter Girls High School, Old Girls dinner in Newcastle.
Awarded a Mayoral Minute May 8 2006 in recognition of the award of an EDNA by WEL (Women’s Electoral Lobby)
Mid 2006 entered an entry on the Sale of Moorefield Racecourse into the Inaugural Ron Rathbone Local History Awards. The presentation of the award and certificates took place at Lydham Hall on June 3 2006. I have submitted entries in subsequent years to this award: in 2009, Dwelling Unit Dunmore Street , Bexley and Bexley Shopping Centre; in 2017 , Race Dates at Moorefield Racecourse; in 2021 Lydham Hall . And in 2010, former students, Scarlett and Nicole Ng entered “A History of The Political Career of a Former Councillor, Anne Field.”
Awarded a Mayoral Minute August 14 2006 for my entry into the Inaugural Who’s Who of Australian Women.
September 2008 Thankyou gift from the Kogarah Bay Progress Association for my 9 years of service as their representative on Kogarah Council.
Late 2008 Thankyou gift for my Council service from Cherie Burton, MP for Kogarah.
“Volunteer Heroes” was launched in the forecourt of Kogarah Library on April 7 2009 .I had chaired this Committee, which met for the first time in late January 2008.
Mayoral Minute Kogarah Council February 27 2012 acknowledging my services to education and Council.
Mayoral Minute Rockdale Council March 27 2012 acknowledging my retirement from school and my community involvement.
NSW Parliament a Notice of Motion on March 29 2012 by the Hon Shaoquett Moselmane MLC acknowledging my services to education and to the community.
Mid-2013 website annefield.net.au published.
August 25 2013 Anne’s Adventure You Tube published. This is the story of my Message in a Bottle Adventure.
Mid -2014 website annefieldauthor.com published.
2015 “Diary of An Adventurous Australian Overseas Traveller” published online on Amazon.
July 14 2016 Launch of the History of Moorefield Racecourse Kogarah (1888-1951) Kogarah , Sydney, Australia at James Cook Boys Technology High School Kogarah, Sydney. My book was launched 23 years after the initial Moorefield research began in mid-1993.
2017 National Trust Awards -Moorefield Racecourse book entered.
August 20 2017 Moorefield Book is catalogued to the Cox Library, London. This is the world’s largest collection of horse racing books.
2018 The Bill Whittaker Award – Moorefield book entered.
2018 Entry into inaugural Kogarah Historical Society Local History Awards “A History of My Community Involvement “(1985-2018).
January 23 2019 Launch of 2 hour Moorefield Racecourse video at St Patricks Green Retirement Village Kogarah .Three former Moorefield jockeys attended- Ray Selkrig, Ted Mills and Cliff Clare, and wives of two deceased jockeys attended – Anne Munsie (Norm Munsie) and Colleen Rincheval . (John Rincheval).
2019 Moorefield Racecourse Video entered into the National Trust Awards.
Mid-2019 published Rockdale Wetlands You Tube.
MY LIFE: AFTER MY SCHOOL AND COUNCIL CAREERS.
I knew that when I left St George Girls High School in late 2011, that I would move on to my next career-that of working with the written word. I would also undertake some overseas travel, as well as some travel within Australia.
But first, I had to complete my Message in a Bottle Adventure. I flew to Perth to stay with a school friend, Anne for a few days. Then I flew on to Albany. I was to meet with Mark McRae, an experienced sailor, who would take me out to sea to commit my bottle into the Southern Ocean .We sailed out into the Southern Ocean on April 19 2012, 100 years to the day that my Scottish Grannie sailed past Albany, albeit much further south in the Roaring Forties. Grannie was en-route to Sydney to get married to my grandfather, who had arrived in 1909.
My YouTube, Anne’s Adventure tells the story, along with a twist in the story. The twist in the story resulted in my recommitting the bottle out of Eden on September 30 2012.
Mark had committed a bottle to the ocean in possibly 2009, when he and his crew were circumnavigating Cape Horn .The bottle landed, after 3 years in the ocean, on the beach at Millicent in South Australia. It was found by a man, whose daughter played cards with Mark’s Aunt, who also lived in Millicent. Mark had learned to sail as a young boy in an area 30kms from Millicent. Mark’s wine bottle was a Jacobs Creek sparkling wine, and Jacobs Creek winery was located close by. (Interview ABC Radio Great Southern Ocean June 18 2019).
Griffith House , a historic Victorian property on the St George Hospital campus, Kogarah was being threatened ,in late 2012, with demolition to make way for the new Emergency Services building. Some local residents formed a Committee to fight this issue . The Leader newspaper published many articles on Griffith House, which was located in Gray Street Kogarah. Griffith House was demolished in April 2013, but not until Shame had been painted on the covering on the scaffold. The sentiments of the local community were clear.
On May 16 2013, I flew Virgin Atlantic to Hong Kong, and then on to London for a week to visit friends and a relative. Then, I travelled north to Wakefield in Yorkshire, a city in which my great grandfather coincidentally had been born in the 1830’s. I was to attend a football celebration at Fryston Welfare Club on May 25, 2013 .I was representing Harold Ward (Archie), who had been the team’s capable goalkeeper. (Harold had died in September 2011) This was Harold’s old Football Club, and they were celebrating 50 years since they had won the West Riding County FA Challenge Cup on May 22 1963. On May 25 2013, Professor Dave Waddington’s book on the history of the Club was also launched.
After Wakefield, I travelled to Edinburgh for a few days .And then on to Glasgow, to catch up with my relatives. On Sunday, June 2 2013, I attended the Edinburgh Dog Show in Harrington. I recall getting off the train at the train station before Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, and then taking a 1.5 hour bus trip to near the English border. Cavaliers were being judged -a wonderful day.
I returned to London from Glasgow on June 4 for a few days, and then flew to Hong Kong on an evening flight, on June 6 2013. I caught up with two former students, who worked in Hong Kong .We enjoyed a day at Sha Tin Racecourse on Saturday June 8 2013. I returned to Sydney on June 11 2013.
I had to get moving with my Moorefield research, as I wanted to launch my book on the 65th anniversary of the last race meeting at Moorefield on July 14, 2016. I was on a deadline! Writing a book can be a long and stressful process. Once the book is written, it then has to be edited. Copyright material has to be thoroughly checked and material referenced, followed by the printing.
The next major event was my spinal operation in May 14 2015. My 4.5 hour operation was a spinal fusion and a disc replacement .The neurosurgeon did say to me after the procedure that “ he enjoyed doing my operation .” The neurosurgeon advised me to swim and to walk daily. So the speedos came out, and I began to enjoy the benefits of the pool.
On July 14 2016, 23 years of Moorefield work came to fruition with the well- attended launch of my book in James Cook Boys Technology High School, Kogarah. The school is located on the former racecourse. I had Moorefield material on display, and a lovely afternoon tea was held after the formalities concluded. On October 13 2016, another launch was held at Moorefield Bowling Club in French Street, Kogarah.
Since this time, I have undertaken many guest talks on Moorefield Racecourse, both across the St George area and the Shire. I have also spoken on my Message in a Bottle Adventure.
A Facebook site, Moorefield Racecourse was set up in late 2015. I have a Moorefield category on my website annefield.net.au and it has been read in over 20 overseas countries. As a result of this site, I have made two interesting racing connections, one of a horse trainer in Dubai (since April 3 2019) and one of a racing historian in India (since August 14, 2020).
On July 2 2017, some Moorefield Estate residents met in Civic Avenue, Kogarah to discuss the M6 –then called the F6. A Residents Committee was established from this meeting, and I was elected as the chair of a Committee of 5. The NSW State Government’s approved the M6 in December 2019.
On September 29 2019, I flew Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, where I stayed for a few days. I was able to take a day race tour On October 1 2019 to ShaTin Racecourse. I left Hong Kong on a Cathay Pacific flight to Amsterdam on October 4 2019, where I stayed for a few days.
I caught up in Amsterdam with an elderly Australian lady, Topsy. She had contacted me through a letter to Kogarah Historical Society –I finally received her card at Easter 2016. On October 9 2019, I then flew KLM to Glasgow. I joined a Collette 8 day tour of Scotland on October 14 2019. It was wonderful to be able to visit the Isle of Skye and the Orkneys- two of my bucket list items. I recall that when we left the hotel in Thurso, the entire Hotel staff came out to wave us goodbye- a lovely gesture.
I flew KLM from Edinburgh to Amsterdam, where I stayed a few days at a hotel near Schiphol Airport. Then the long haul flight, Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, where I stayed for a few days at the Airport Hotel. And back to Sydney, arriving October 28 2019 on a Cathay Pacific flight.
“Hong Kong, Amsterdam and Scotland –an Overseas Adventure” appears on my two websites.
Covid set in and travel came to a sudden halt in 2020. My trip to Perth and Monkey Mia in mid- 2020 was cancelled, as was the November 2020 trip to the Melbourne Cup.
I managed to undertake a few road trips when we were permitted by the State Government to travel within NSW. Those locations are listed: Port Macquarie September 2020, Mudgee November 2020, Tea Gardens November 2020, Tea Gardens April 2021, Scone Horse Stud Tour June 2021, Tea Gardens January 2022, and Orange in April 2022.
MY DOGS
My dogs have been my diamonds in my life for over 20 years. Each of my 8 Cavaliers have been different, and I have loved all of them .They all had their own personality and quirks.
I have a small pillow, a gift from Christine many years ago. The message on the pillow says “No Outfit is Complete without Dog Hair “- I am always carrying dog hair somewhere on an outfit!
I must acknowledge Rhonda and Kevin for the many years of looking after my dogs, when I was on holidays or in hospital, or when Harold passed away.
And my Cavaliers kept me company during the long hours of typing up my Moorefield History during 2016.The dulcet tones of their snoring was “music to my ears as I busily typed my Moorefield notes well into the early hours of the morning! “
Raine was a good looking dog, who was toffy- nosed. She knew what she wanted. William was a naughty boy -he was a scallywag, who loved the female dogs at Rhonda’s home when he was being minded. Anna was William’s favourite dog, and when she passed away, William looked after the puppies. Angus was a distinguished looking dog and a good tempered dog. I always felt like King Charles 11 when walking with him.
Marietta had a sweet nature .William and Marietta was close. On occasions, I saw William clean Marietta’s face, and they would often snuggle up together. They would walk together.
Lizzie was Miss Personality, who was only pint sized. She was mischievous, but adored having a belly rub. I called her Ditzy Lizzie. James was a perfect gentleman – a quiet soul, who had lived his entire life with Lizzie. Harry was a good looking dog, who had a great temperament.
Teddy is unique. He is a good looking dog, who adores pats and cuddles. Like all Cavaliers, he loves company. Teddy likes to take my shoes, glasses, speedos, goggles, swimming cap, toilet rolls and other unmentionables. I call him “shake, rattle and roll “as he loves to flap his ears. I should have a naughty dog’s corner just for him as “no” is my favourite word to him. Teddy is an excellent companion on road trips and has been to Tea Gardens, Scone and Orange with me since mid-2021.
Dates Relevant to My Dogs
Pepper, a cross between a terrier and a Cavalier, arrived on April 18 2000, and he passed away on August 21 2001.
Raine was born on April 8 2001, and entered my life in September 16 2001. Rhonda bred Raine. As she was born in April, with April Rain, Rhonda added an “e” to her name .She died on March 31 2013.
William, a Blenheim was born on November 2 2001. He arrived into my care on March 17 2002 and died on August 6 2012.
Angus McTavish, a tri –coloured Cavalier was born on March 7 2001, and joined the two Blenheims, Raine and William on December 5 2004. He passed away on July 4 2008.
Marietta was born on January 1 2001, was a tri coloured Cavalier, who joined Raine and William in late 2008 .She died on February 20, 2014.
Lizzie was born on April 4 2003 and James on November 6 2002. They came into my care on March 3 2014. Both passed on September 7 2018.
Harry was born on August 14, 2009 and came into my care in early October 2012. He passed away on September 30 2020.
Teddy, a Blenheim was born on May 5 2017, and came into my care on December 15 2020.
TRAVEL
I have travelled extensively throughout Australia : Perth , Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra , Adelaide , Hobart , Darwin , Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef , flown over Cape York and landed on an island in Torres Strait, Airlie Beach , Flinders Ranges , Uluru, country Victoria, country NSW , country Tasmania, Monkey Mia, Albany and Broome.
I travelled overseas for over 3 months when I was 20. I left Sydney on November 28 1974 returning in early March 1975.
I had the opportunity to do a one month coach tour of Europe , travel extensively, by train , around England and Scotland . I flew to Helsinki, Finland to catch up with my pen friend, Ismo and his family. I celebrated a special birthday in Glasgow.
I travelled to both islands of New Zealand on a small bus tour in January 1976.
January 1979 ???? One week trip to Wellington, and Christchurch South Island New Zealand
May 1979 one week in Fiji
In mid -December 1979 I returned to London, Scotland, Amsterdam and Paris. I bought my infamous purple leather trousers in Amsterdam in mid –January, 1980. My parents travelled in late December 1979 to a family reunion in Dunedin, New Zealand.
December 1980- January 17 1981 Harold and i travelled to New Zealand and visited both islands. We spent New Year’s Eve in the Town Hall in Christchurch.
I travelled overseas in December 1983 with Harold, his first trip to Yorkshire, England since he emigrated to Australia. He returned to Australia much earlier than I did after spending sometime in Yorkshire. I flew to Copenhagen for a few days, and then on to Helsinki in Finland to stay with friends for Xmas.
I returned to London to meet Harold. Harold and I, then flew from London to Paris where we enjoyed New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, we travelled by train to Lille in northern France. The next day we travelled by train to Ypres in Belgium, to see Menin Gate.
My father’s first cousin had his name recorded on Menin Gate, as he had been killed at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. We travelled from Lille back to Paris by train and then by plane from Paris to London. Harold and I travelled by train to Wakefield. I then travelled a few days later to Glasgow. In mid –January, I visited Dublin. I undertook more travel in England, and then I returned to Glasgow before returning home.
1990 I flew in January to Auckland, New Zealand and later attended the Commonwealth Games in Auckland .I attended the Opening Ceremony, as well as swimming, athletics and gymnastics events.
December 1995- January 1996 A week long coach tour around Europe, which I called “the pyjama tour.” I travelled within England and Scotland by train. I flew to New York in mid -January 1996 for an overnight stay. The next day, I flew to Baltimore, and then onto Salisbury in Maryland to catch up with a former Kogarah man, Bill Harris. Bill had lived in the USA for many years. He and his family left Marshall Street, Kogarah prior to World War 2.
I flew to San Francisco for a few days, and then on to Los Angeles to stay with a friend. The story of this trip “Around the World in 43 days “is on annefieldauthor.com –in the blog.
May 2013- June 2013 Visited Hong Kong, London, Portsmouth, Wakefield, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
September 29 – October 28 2019 Hong Kong , Amsterdam , Glasgow, and my Scottish tour The story of this trip “ Hong Kong, Amsterdam and Scotland – An Overseas Adventure” is on my website annefield.net.au- in the blog .
INTERESTING PEOPLE
Throughout my life i have met some interesting people who have inspired me. For privacy reasons I will verbally mention some people.
I have met some people on planes, trains, coach trips, and residents from my time on Council, family members, membership of Rotary, community organisations and at school.
CONCLUSION
My life has been a tapestry – a multi-dimensional story, which has come from my diversified and busy life experiences. My students loved my great stories in class –they added fun to what can at times be mundane lessons! I consider my life’s journey to be an ongoing learning curve .I hope that I have inspired others on my journey, as I have been inspired.
Melbourne Cup Day – 2015
