Memoirs Series

The 1950's ushered in a tremendous time of change as Australia emerged from the post World War 2 years and began rebuilding for the future. As the decade rolled on, outer western Sydney gradually changed from its rural setting and steadily became urbanised. Some very early recollections of my childhood and then a description of my home town Smithfield sets the mood for the rich variety of events that unfold; as I grew from early childhood into my teenage years. 'The 1950's - A Time To Grow' is based on recollections of incidents in my life; growing up in Smithfield, in what was then a rural area in outer western Sydney, Australia. The Smithfield of today is vastly different to the Smithfield of the 1950's. All the events depicted in these memoirs certainly added spice and variety to my childhood; such things as: as playing in the bush, our pets, the bad condition of roads in the area and growing our own vegetables. Other activities included going to Sunday School on a bus, picking blackberries and mushrooms, swimming in a local dam and building a fort in the bush. Then there were scouting days as a Boy Scout, driving my friend’s micro midget speedcar and being present at a cave in. Come along with me and enjoy the journey.

The 1960's was a decade of change not only in Australia but worldwide. The race began to put men on the Moon. The 'Cold War' was in full swing between the Western powers and the Soviet Union. Australia committed troops to the war in Vietnam causing anti-conscription and anti-Vietnam war demonstrations. Australia began casting off the shackles of 'Mother England' as American culture began to pervade Australian society in a big way. The 'Baby Boomer' generation enjoyed a more carefree, idyllic lifestyle, particularly in the major cities of Australia. This was the decade I journeyed through adolescence into manhood.

The 1970's brought about numerous changes in Australian society. A change of government in Canberra the nation's capital brought rapid changes in Commonwealth Government reforms and legislation. Wage increases and soaring inflation pushed up the cost of commodities and basic items such as food and petrol. As interest rates began to climb; employers began to lay off workers in an endeavour to contain ever rising costs. Vietnam War issues came to a head during the decade. The political scene in Canberra seemed like an ongoing soap opera. We tuned in daily for another 'exciting' episode. Early in the decade I moved interstate and began a new life in Queensland, Australia. Different careers with jobs that had steep learning curves and greater responsibility were ahead of me. As the decade moved on I found fulfilment on the personal level when I fell in love, married my beautiful fiancée and we later had two sons. However, it was also a time of personal and national economic pressures as costs continued to rise and showed no signs of slowing down.

Have you wondered why different events happen to you in your life as if the event was meant to happen? This book is about my life and how different events forced me to travel in a certain direction. It's facinating when analysing each event, after it happened, how did it happen. In many ways I was saved and learnt a valueable lesson on life. I think that I had a Dream Angel.

John McMullen knew what he wanted to do at 17 years of age. His deep desire to be a harness racing driver. His desires bubbled to a point when he achieved his dream to drive against the best drivers in the world. How did he do it? This is a story of personal strength; tenacity; heartache; and inspiration with the will to succeed.

Every adversity carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit. ≈ Napoleon Hill ≈ Courage, determination, independence are some of the words to describe George Burtenshaw. His passing, aged one hundred and two years and a half truly showed inspiration with such self-determination, willpower and a ‘what he wanted attitude’ combined with a deep love for his huge family. Born in 1911 at Newport Wales at seven years old his home destroyed by bombs at the close of World War 1. His family taken. He with his sister Lou taken to a Children's Home. Alone with only his sister, he had no knowledge where his brothers and parents were. His life in a Children's Home proceeded until his fifteenth birthday when he applied through Church of England, Council of Empire Settlement to go to Canada. Instead he ended up in Australia. His arrival in Australia with four shillings to begin a new life, a job with a place to live in a new country and close to the town Gympie. His work ethics proved how important his life became. Aged eighteen years old, beginning of the Great Depression, he travelled by train to Rockhampton to seek work. Unable to find work he purchased a bicycle for seven shillings and sixpence leaving him little money. Four days riding along the beach, sleeping under a sheet of canvas returned to Kia Ora to be welcomed. George worked for his old boss when a family arrived to share farm the property. Must had been 'love at first sight' because this family's daughter Eva caught George's eye. Eva later became his wife and they celebrated their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary before she sadly passed aged ninety-six years old. Having worked his apprecenticeship at a dairy farm he purchased a motor cycle journeyed west to find work. By 1942 World War 11 exploded across the globe. George enlisted. Before going to war he married Eva. Twelve months after leaving Australian shores for Mayala Japanese invaded Singapore. He became a Prisoner-of-War and incarcerated in Changi Prison until World War 11 ended. He recorded a daily record in a series of war diaries. If his captors found these diaries he would have been decapitated. He concealed them in plastic and safe from the enemy. When reading this portion of the book one cannot help but wonder at the suffering and atrocities Prisoners-of-War suffered at the hands of their enemy. After such an horrific time in his life, he returned to Australia. Eva nursed him back to health. George went on to live a life worth living. At 10am on Thursday 13 September 2007 George attended a DEDICATION OF COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE to recognise the sacrifice and service of the members of 2/10th Australian Field Regiment 8th Division, Australian Imperial Force conducted at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra when at last he was recognised for his time as a Prisoner Of War. George has certainly proven the words spoken by Napoleon Hill - Every adversity carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit. This is truly an inspirational story of survival mixed with self-determination with his life worth living.