John Dawes

From the past:

Lyndon, Unfortunately you reminded me of an excursion or two that I also made down that long corridor behind Goldie. I am not so sure about the room corners, but it's more than likely that I also spent some time there. Good to know that someone else appreciates God's country, ie Central Coast. I'm at Booker Bay near Rip Bridge, and have been for last 19 years. No recent photos, but I'll be the bloke with the John Howard hair style, ie silver blonde "parted" wide down the middle. Any other contenders for that award?

2004

Born in Bondi, with trams rattling past the front door in Curlewis St, we moved to Campsie in 1951(most people spoke English there in those days), before moving to West Pymble mid 1958. Attended Gordon West for 18 months then off to ABHS, via Hornsby Tech. From all the references about Jacquie Weaver, you would have thought that she was Miss Universe. For those who attended Gordon West, you have lousy memories of the frumpy little ball that she was in 6th class. If you don’t believe me, I have the photo to prove it. She did obviously improve dramatically whilst at HGH, and those who caught the afternoon bus home from Gordon station would have been shattered when Brian Davies started picking her up in his red 3.8 Jag. Remember?? I like to think that I had better taste, as Stig will have to agree, because I had a pre-pubity crush on his wife Anne.

Fearing a failure at the LC, which subsequently proved correct, I decided to get a job before the results came out and started in the insurance industry. Still there 40 years on! Went to night school and obtained matriculation but was too lazy, and poor, to do anything with it. No HECS in those days.

Missed out in the lottery in ‘67 and whilst disappointed at the time, no regrets now. Both of my wife’s brothers were there as lead scouts for their respective units, and their recollections are not pretty. Good on you for those of us who did go, and I am glad you are here to reminiscence.

Having always had an interest in things nautical, I specialised in Marine Insurance claims, a move that has taken me to various parts of the globe. Left United Insurance in 1971 and joined UK brokering firm Bain Dawes. No, it was not a family company, and more often than not I was referred to as the bane of Bain Dawes and not the Dawes of the company.

In 1973 I was transferred to their London office and spent the next year and a bit creating havoc amongst the pin-striped brigade on the floor of Lloyds. It was a great time for pommy bashing (when isn’t), with Lillee and Thommo creating chaos, Boycott too gutless to tour, and Australia making the final 16 of the World Soccer Cup in Germany and England didn’t! Great times. I actually got across to Germany to watch Australia get beat, and hope to repeat the experience in 2006, hopefully with a better result.

While in the UK, I played League for Ealing (won John Player Challenge Cup) and had a season playing cricket in Surrey. Had a ball and lived with some pretty “ugly” Aussies. Even entertained Willie Jephcott and the Gordon Rugby Club players when they were on tour at one of our notorious house parties. As Bruce Morgan correctly recalls, we did catch up briefly in London. I think you were working for BA then?

Came back via Russia, Japan and Manila in late 1974 after being chased in Red Square at 3am one morning after a few errant snowballs came too close to the guards at Lenin’s tomb. Totally sober of course, but I would not suggest a repeat especially when you do not have your passport/visa on you.

Was only back in Aus for 3 months and was transferred to Port Moresby for 5 months to relieve manager (maybe they heard about the snowballs?). Got out just before they gained independence and respectfully declined a return visit for another 2 years.

Met my wife Irene in 1976 when she gatecrashed a party I held for some old mates who had returned from UK. Got married 12 months later and am coming up for our 27th anniversary (you only get 12 years for murder!). Have 2 great kids, Jeffrey who is making a 6 years Civil /Enviromental course at UTS into a lifetime task, and Cassandra (alias Candy) who is a trainee supervisor at Star City. Neither married and no grandkids thank goodness.

Changed jobs when I got married and spent the next 11 years in the Marine Underwiting Agency field. Co-started a couple of agencies, however these were eventually gobbled up by larger concerns, as was the norm during the eighties. Decided in 1988 to get back to a more stable existence without working 60/70 hours per week, and joined MMI which is now Allianz Australia. Have been here 16 years and presently no sign of retrenchment, unfortunately.

I have subsequently had the opportunity to return to UK with work, as well as USA, numerous trips to NZ and various Pacific Islands. In September I am off again to Dublin to present a paper at an international conference, and from there off to Washington where we are defending a matter in the US Supreme Court.

Have been actively involved in numerous salvage operations around Australian coastline and also NZ. Somehow or other ships tend to come to grief in freezing cold winter locations without any consideration for the poor individuals who have to try and salve them!

Since leaving ABHS in ‘64, I did not keep in contact with too many of you. I occasionally ran into a few of the West Pymble guys and played soccer and cricket with the likes of Randal, Johnny Jephcott, Pete Verrills and, to a much greater degree, Nev Ray.

Nev and I were very close. I introduced him to his wife, was best man at his wedding, as he was at mine. Not many knew that Nev had battled the curse of cancer from his early days at Asquith, and in spite of regular screening, was taken all too quickly from us in 1978. I am still in regular contact with his parents, Ennis and May, who are currently in a nursing home in Yamba.

Continued to play cricket for West Pymble until 1980, but gave it away after 18 seasons when my body said “enough”.

Moved to the Central Coast 19 years ago to offer my young kids a better lifestyle and have never regretted doing so. Whilst the first couple of years were the best, ie golf/fishing at leisure, the next 15 were spent as the sporting taxi driver for my kids, transporting them all over the state for surf canivals, cricket, netball etc. Was also heavily involved in Scouting (Group Leader at 1st Ettalong) but made sure there were no shirtlifters amongst my leaders. My wife and I were just about “camped out” by the time we gave it away, with about 80 Cub/Scout/Venturer encampments under our belts.

I have only just got my weekends back and have rejoined Gosford Golf Club. My handicap was 11 when I gave it away, and it certainly is not that now, however I am working on it.

Still commuting from Booker Bay to Sydney CBD every day, although it is not getting any easier as time goes by.

I am still juggling commitments, but I am truly hopeful of being able to catch up with most of you at Avondale on 31st.