I have always been quick with formulating a response to comments thrown at me ; as well I have good wit. I have also included a few comments, which have been made by others, but directed at me.
F6 Matters
“My computer is tired of all of your F6 emails “ was regaled to me in a car en route to meeting with RMS at Bayside Council, Rockdale November 28 2018. Bob , one of Sydney’s leading criminal barristers , was telling me off ! My response to him “tough.”
School
“Miss Field do you realise that your cheeks match the colour of your lipstick”
(My students at St George Girls High School liked to tease me, and I blushed easily)
Renata from Year 12, 1983 reminding me at the late 2013 reunion, that one day I turned up to year 12 Geography class in mismatching black shoes. One student was brave enough to say something to me! I replied that “girls, it was dark in the wardrobe this morning. “
“I am a very good detective , don’t think that I won’t find out.”
“ I have a very good memory, I don’t forget”
“You are not a spring chicken anymore. But you are still looking good! “ 1989 Year 12 student Lisa on March 22 2019 when we chatted near St George Private Hospital
To the Head Of Social Science Department, Wes from 1997-2011
“My right hand and my left hand don’t talk to each other”
“I don’t reveal my sources”
“I go through the back door on occasions, to get to the front door “
“There is nothing nicer than seeing a man dressed in uniform”
“There is nothing more magnificent than seeing a Scotsman dressed in full regalia”
My Head of Department, Wes used to take great pleasure in repeating some of these back to me! It frustrated him that I would not divulge my sources.
“Girls if you don’t stop talking i will go and talk to the birds in the trees outside.”
To my Year 12 Geography class 1992
The girls decided to fix me, and bought me a beautiful green and gold budgie, which they named Thames. The budgie became Thames, as we were studying water management in the River Thames, London at the time.
I recall the day that the budgie arrived at school. The Head of the Social science Department , Bob came back to the Social Science Staffroom and said “It is downstairs-the budgie is in the Front Office.” My class gave Thames to me at Easter time rather than as a farewell present in September 1992.
Thames was a very chatty budgie ,who had a wonderful life . He was minded on occasions by Harold, by my father and by Christine . Thames coped well with Christine’s Scottish accent and Harold’s Yorkshire accent. It is a wonder that he was not confused! Thames sadly fell off his perch on April 11 2003 aged 11, and has a special burial place in my garden.
“The worst punishment would be sitting next to you on a Sydney to London flight, as you would not stop talking.”
Head of Social Science Department Bob , 1979-1996
“No, that would not be the case,as you always talk about interesting things!”
Head of Social Science Department Wes 1997-2011
Guest Talks
At the end of my one hour talk on September 11 2019 to Sans Souci Garden Club, an elderly lady said to me “Can i have what you have ?” I asked her what was that and she replied “ a good memory. You were able to talk about so many things, and you did not stop to catch breath. As you get older your memory goes, and you have a wonderful memory. I want your memory.”
Travel
I arrived at Queen Street Station, Glasgow from Edinburgh on May 29 2013, and got into a taxi to go to my hotel , Jurys Inn in Glasgow. The taxi driver said to me “you are a brave wee budgie coming all this way alone from Australia.” “No” I replied , “this brave we budgie has done it many times before. My first trip overseas was in late November 1974- late February 1975, and I have done it 4 times since then. My relatives call me The Cyclone, as I blow in and out of Glasgow on my visits.”
Council
There were a number, but they will have to wait for a future book. I will mention only a couple on this occasion.
“This must be your maiden speech” Alderman Denis Callaghan, in his gruff voice to me, the first time I spoke at Rockdale Council Meeting. I replied that “there will be plenty of more maidens” Approximately late November 1991
“Congratulations Anne, you have trumped the boys at the ballot box ‘ Stephen Blackadder, General Manager Rockdale Council , July 1999
“The Don Chipp of Kogarah politics is leaving us.” Ron, a Carss Park resident, approximately September 2008
“You may take the girl out of politics, but you will never take the politics out of the girl” Jeff , Carss Park resident, approximately September 2008
Medical
“I enjoyed doing your spinal operation yesterday. You are now 1 cm taller. Dr Ali, does that mean that i don’t need to wear high-heel shoes now?” May 2015
Dr Ali said to me in November 2018 “you should have been an ABC radio announcer with your speaking voice . I replied that “I would have put everyone to sleep.” (Check out “my ABC voice” on my new video, Rockdale Wetlands March 2019)
General
My girlfriend, Christine, who was born in Scotland, in my presence, asked Mel Gibson what he wore under his kilt in the movie Braveheart – released in mid – 1995. He was not fazed at this question. (I noticed his gorgeous eyes! ) Mel asked Christine “where in Scotland she came from.” “Ayrshire “ she replied “although I have lived in Edinburgh and Glasgow. “
Christine and I had been to the Australian Ballet and were enjoying supper at the Intercontinental Hotel, as was our after- ballet routine. I said to Christine “ Mel Gibson is over there”. She did not believe me so I said to her “let’s go over and speak to him and Steve Bisley” (Water Rats, TV programme) .
They were both friendly and happy to chat. My opening line was “I see that we have 2 leading actors here”. When we left them after about 10 minutes, we heard Steve ask Mel “what did you wear under your kilt?”
Our hearts fluttered all the way back to Kogarah ……….
Mel had been here in Sydney promoting his latest movie; I recall it being possibly around Anzac Day 2002.
Anne Field
July 12 2019
