Des Naylor

From the past:

"this guy that lived opposite was harassing my sister Fran – I got rid of him however – much to my sister’s disappointment as the guy was Mel Gibson – sis still has not forgiven me, … From ’81 through to ’88 I was a single man again and turned into a real male tart – must have a talk to Jerry – think I’ve used up all my pellets...."

2004:

I was born on the 3 rd July 1948 ( I believe that makes me the baby of the cohort) at the Mater hospital North Sydney. I lived at Narrabeen for the first 3 years of life and then during this time Dad

was building a house at weekends at Mt Kuring-gai. The expressway now passes through that house andMum and Dad moved to Forster where Mum still lives – Dad passed away early this year . I have an olderbrother Phil ( he went to Normo – school captain- Stig has had some recent dealings with Phil ) , a younger brother Chris ( also went to Asquith 4 years behind us – he teaches at Barker ) , a sister Fran (Asquith Girls ) and another brother Rick ( Asquith about 12 years after us ). As there was no school at Mt Kuring-gai I went to a newly formed school at Mt. Colah. I don’t know how I did it but I seemed to miss a year at primary school – think I told them a white lie about my age.

It was at this school I was introduced to the game of Soccer and this was my passion in life until I realized the importance of females. Had some great early years with the Mt. Colah Soccer club.

Arrived at High School at the old burnt out buildings at Hornsby Tech. and I think I was the smallest kid in the year but I also think I was the first to get the cane as I had a dispute with the really tall guy who looked like Alfalfa with his centre-part – I think he grew to huge heights – I feel bad about that incident now – I didn’t at the time however. I found out that I had to learn how to fight because I was small and the subject of a bit of bullying - however I recall getting a fair bit of protection from the bush boys (i.e those north of Asquith ).

Can’t remember too much about those early days at the Tech. but I do remember us all lined up for our medical and the nurse putting her cold hand ( I think it was gloved ) on our nuts to see the reaction when we coughed. I also think at one stage I held the record from Goldie for the most number of cuts in term one – we were having some form of competition to see who could get the most - masochistic tendencies starting to be revealed. I loved the sport at High school – all the competition - Soccer , Cricket , Athletics , Cross country but did not excel at the swimming caper. I thought I was house captain of Myall house but I would not like to dispute that fact with my captain David . Being a prefect on the Northern line certainly brought out the corruption in prefecture – I think all the kids from up north smoked and it cost them to do so – I developed that bad habit unfortunately.

The year of 1964 did not seem like it was our final year at school – there were no others before us to tell us what it was all about – studying that is – for me it was a year of sport and sheilas . Greg “Hand on Cock” however taught me study skills and I used them the following year 1965 when I, like Jerry and a few others repeated the LC. 1A and 5B’s could only get me a primary teacher’s scholarship and so I went back and did it again and blitzed it getting enough marks to get into Medicine at Sydney University but family finances ( no HECS then ) prevented me from doing that and I accepted a scholarship to become a Maths teacher – to become just like Ellis Reynolds . University was a very interesting time and one learned how to squeeze the max. out of a dollar – told many chicks fibs – couldn’t tell them that I was studying to be a teacher – it was a fun time but as you can imagine I didn’t last long with any of them when they found out that I was a pauper. I had a great job whilst I worked through Uni. at the old Hornsby Hotel - even had a room there when needed – too far to go to Mt. Kuring-gai by foot.

During the Dip. Ed year I went back to the old ABHS for a prac. under the mentorship of Ellis Reynolds – a really intelligent and a humble man - that experience was fabulous . Also had a prac. teaching experience at Asquith Girls High - not so rewarding but incredibly interesting– however taught a very beautiful young lady there who became Danny Beecroft’s wife – she was stunningly gorgeous. Meanwhile my marble had come out of the bag and I was off to National Service. Unlike Peter Verrills any injuries were not bad enough – even after failing my superannuation medical for teaching the Army still wanted me – Dad must have paid them to take me away – I was drinking a lot of piss at that stage – I think he thought it would straighten me out. Had a bit of a holiday at the Gold Coast before going into the army and met this chick that I really wanted to spend some time with and and as a result of doing so I reported to duty two days late and spent the first few days with the Military Police – in the boob to start off with – not a really good start heh !. After the preliminaries became part of the Educational Corps in the Army destined for New Guinea but ended up conducting a research project for the Army for about a year of my time and basically that kept me on home shores and kept me in contact with the girl I met before going into the service . Had a great job and my bosses in the Army nearly talked me into staying on in the Army but also could have done retraining programs and I could have gone back and had my chance again to study Medicine then but I felt I needed to get out into the schools and educate the nation – so I stuck with the teaching option.

Some regrets financially but not really in hindsight because I more than likely would have been struck off the list for some surgical malpractice. Got out of Nashos early when Gough made a decision - had about 6 weeks to go where I spent at Turramurra High circa. Shane Gould time as a supernumerary. Whilst I was in Nasho’s the Hornsby RSL used to pick up the tab for flights and expenses as I was endeavouring to get back to Sydney every weekend in winter to play Soccer for them. One weekend on leave I was visiting my parents home and this guy that lived opposite was harassing my sister Fran – I got rid of him however – much to my sister’s disappointment as the guy was Mel Gibson – sis still has not forgiven me and that was over 30 years ago.

My first real appointment was at Narrabeen Boy’s High in 1972. Also got married in 1972 to that girl (Mandy ) and bought a little one bedroom home unit at Hornsby. Caught up with Dick Coates one day – looked out the window from our second story unit and saw Dick on the opposite side of the street – vague now but I think we took to the drink for a pretty big session as he told me about his Nanny experiences in Spain – this time must have been about 10 years after we had finished school. I got heavily involved with the Hornsby RSL Soccer club and took on the role of Captain-coach and led them to KDSA cup victory . Got heavily involved in Soccer coaching at school and converted some of them to Soccer ( John Gibbs was my goalie then ). Became Chairman of the All-age Soccer in KDSA and and then went on to captain the district side. We had a lot of publicity then as the giantkillers in the Rothmans cup – had the privilege of playing against the nation’s best without being in their class. Injuries hit toward the end of ‘ 75 and Eric Worthington ( the National Director of Soccer Coaching in Oz ) offered me the opportunity of joining the ranks of a scheme that he had in place.

However a baby was on the way and Mandy had a gutful of Soccer so I turned the offer down . About the same time Narrabeen Boys High was becoming co-ed and with the baby on the way took a transfer to Grafton at the end of ’75. Kate was born in ’75 ( 29 soon ) and Bec was born in ’78 . Bought a great old house in Grafton - huge - with huge verandahs . Danny Beecroft came and did some exotic brickwork at this house . Tried to be a father and husband but failed at the latter and the marriage broke up in ’81. Had this big empty house – soon became like a male refuge centre in Grafton - all the guys who had been separating seemed to find time there before they got back on their feet.. Got back into Soccer coaching at schoolboy level ( Garry Phillips , Adam Gilchrist – wasn’t a bad soccer player either ) but hated the politics and gave it away .

Found relaxation with a touch football team – although nearly all of us divorced. Got involved in the bookmaking industry with a very good mate of mine Max McPhillips ( he was the Head Teacher English ) – developed a great little business until we decided to get big and take on the big punters where we lost more in six weeks than six years of our gross annual salary in teaching at the time .

After a divorce and then going broke I was eating the dates off a calendar but still had the teaching to fall back on. From ’81 through to ’88 I was a single man again and turned into a real male tart – must have a talk to Jerry – think I’ve used up all my pellets. Max , my partner passed away and with the advent of pub-tab and telephone betting got out of the business – returned to it again in the late 90’s but no longer – sometimes I miss the adrenalin rush – but no fun losing – big punters too smart for little bookie.

In ’88 things changed – met this wonderful lady Sharman – and had a 15 year courtship – did not want to rush into things again. Sharman has this nice homely house at lake Wooloweyah near Angourie via Yamba – a very peaceful and tranquil setting . Sharman and I married this year in January after dating for nearly 16 years. We have a house in Grafton where I reside usually for 3 nights a week and the other 4 at the lake house – 50 mins between houses. The arrangement seems to work out well and in a few years time when I give the teaching caper the puff I will retire at our humble lakeside residence.

Regarding my two kids – Kate is soon to be 29 – has lived most of her life since Uni. in Europe chasing European flesh. She is now settled with her boyfriend Toby at Moonbi ( out of Tamworth – her mother lives in the same area ) . Kate is teaching Art and Photography at Tamworth Tafe - she is a late developer as far as finding her feet – she will be off again soon on another adventure. Bec is in Berlin doing bar work and modeling but is over 25 and that’s getting old in the modeling caper – so who knows what is next for her ! No grandkids however from my two.

With the recent marriage I now have 5 kids and 6 grandkids who call me Dada Des – it is very rewarding - now have Stephen 34 (airforce ) ; Renee 27 ( in Japan teaching ) and Sam 25 (boatbuilder in Brisbane ) as stepchildren.

Had a health hiccup in Jan 2002 - a bit of a heart attack – that resulted in first class air ambulance to Royal North Shore for a bit of surgery and then back to normal – well not quite – slowed down a little bit. No more cigs. , very little brown ale but have developed a passion for reds under the strict guidance of the cardiologist.

Looking forward to Stig’s selection of reds on Sat. night. Being a Head Teacher Mathematics is becoming a big challenge as time goes on - quality personnel especially males are not taking on the profession . For me only a few years to go and then to the lake house where I will be able to fish , paddle the canoe , surf etc. providing the old ticker holds out and doing a bit of travel seeing all the grandkids.

30/7/04:

I could not make the whole of school anniversary in 2000 as we were holidaying at Norfolk at the time - I have not seen most of you guys since 1964 - with a few exceptions Ted Otton came looking for me on a racetrack at Grafton about 5 years ago Danny Beecroft came to my 40th birthday and came and did some fantastic brickwork for me in the early 80's - see Danny about once every 5 years Errol Trimingham - keep in touch with - see Errol about once a year Probably saw Pete Verrills in late 60's , early 70's playing Soccer Pete Ryall saw him at Uni in late 60's - any other contacts are a bit vague Oh no! - Geoff Fuller was working in Grafton in the late 70's and had several dinner parties with him - distinctly recall his wine bottle opener. George John Berne - found him in his Port Macquarie Dental practice operating on a patient with a broken arm that he had just obtained after an unfortunate rally driving experience - that was about 20 years ago. There probably have been other contacts in the last 40 years but not too many - Pete Comerford , Leigh Scott-Kemmis after he came back from Vietnam Well I better get on and tell you all what has happened in the last 40 years in the life of yours truly I will attach it as a word file [have you still got it, Des?] . I'm heading out for the big smoke this arvo - really looking forward to it all.

Really looking forward to Sat . night and really appreciate the efforts that Stig has made in coordinating the occasion,