By John Harrison and Martin Foster
I’m writing these few paragraphs as our little group is making its way back to Sydney on a Dash 8 flight. We’ve just spent an enjoyable two weeks on Lord Howe. Steve Sia, of the Coral Cafe, suggested I write a short piece for his local publication. He came up with the idea of asking LHI’s regular visitors to contribute to the ‘Signal’ by giving forth a bit of their history.
So here goes … Name’s Johnno Harrison … been travelling to LH each year, around Christmas time for the last 27 years … a mere bagatelle compared to the visits of Martin and Eileen Foster who introduced me to the place … They’ve flown to LH for more than 50 years! I’m a retired professional musician who was a member of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra from 1967 till 2005 (one year’s experience thirty-nine times) … Clarinet and Bass Clarinet … Also worked as a graphic artist during that time … still do a bit of that stuff … Now living in Tasmania and seeing a lot of the state by putting myself about as a housesitter … Cheers to all LHI folk, Johnno. PS … That’s my 2019 fantasy portrait of Martin Foster.
My name’s Martin Foster, son of Eddie and Essie Foster who came to Lord Howe Island for their honeymoon in 1923 (there were no flying boats back then!). Wife Eileen and I have been coming to LHI since 1973 the year of birth of our daughter Adrienne who is now an LHI regular with her fella (Patrick) and 3 youngsters ….. and Eileen and I have come every year since 1973. I have a similar history to my family friend Johnno Harrison as I’m now a retired professional musician of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (on Bassoon and Contrabassoon). In 1967 Johnno Harrison and I were foundation members of the ABC’s National Training Orchestra and I retired from the SSO in 2002 after 35 years. I was president of the SSO during the turmoil of the separation of the orchestras from the ABC and likewise, Johnno was president of the QSO during this period of industrial mayhem.
Before taking serious music seriously, I was fully trained as a watch and clockmaker and thus it follows I am now the technical ‘caretaker’ of the beautiful LHI Museum wall clock.
