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After leaving Leeuwin, I had the
mandatory draft to the Sydney. That must have been a long
time ago because I vaguely remember hammocks, rough weather,
having my 17th birthday on the first trip back and hundreds
of pongo's. However I survived and after 3 trips I did a
stint on the Melbourne
After finishing my course and waiting for
a posting I was lured into volunteering for boats with
promises of adventure, fame and fortune. Actually it was a
trip to the U.K., a white polar neck jumper and 25 cents a
day extra. So off I went, attached to the Royal Navy to
master the art of submarines. Having qualified I joined the
First Australian Submarine Squadron and spent the next 5
years at sea spending time on all 4 boats. So much for the
2 years sea billet followed by 2 years ashore. On the bright
side though I did get to taste life in the Far East and most
of the Pacific Islands. About
this time Labour came to power, abolished National service
and offered discharges to all serving members. Or was it
only me? However I thought the Navy was changing, rum issues
had ceased, duty free cigarettes abolished, life was just
not the same. I got out, still with my hook and dolphins
intact, 'disillusioned about all the sea time' so what did I
do, I went back to sea, this time working on a cray and
shark boat off the south coast of Kangaroo Island.
Met my wife, Di, and decided I had
better get a real job, so I went back to school and achieved
a diploma in catering. Joined Myer as part of their 'suit
brigade'. Worked for them for ten years in Melbourne then
moved to Adelaide to be closer to family. Managed to get a
job in the local supermarket and have been there ever
since. I was fortunate to have two lovely daughters (do
sailors ever have sons) and a wonderful wife who stood by
me.
Both the girls are married and left
home so it is just Di and I again. We fill our time in by
doing a bit of fishing and potter around in the garden. We
have a small tinny and a house by the sea. We do some
charity work, Di with meals on wheels and myself through the
local Lions club and generally enjoying life to the
fullest.
Looking forward to seeing you all in
the near future. Best Regards,
Tim Shannon |
