Tom had been in the Bureau for 8 years before we were posted to Lord Howe in 1977, for a 3 year tenure. How excited we were about the prospect. As a family, these were the best days of our lives together. So many wonderful memories of this precious jewel of an Island and its beautiful people. Our young boys, Simon and Tony, and I can’t forget Fred, our Labrador, loved the freedom that the Island offered, often going into the bush behind the Met houses with the other 6 Met kids with snacks and drinks to make a cubby and have fun; walk around the rock pools and discover; ride their bikes; swim and kids birthday parties. Our little Morris Minor vehicle was ideal. Often Bach (Ray Morton’s dog from next door) would be seen on the roof of that car . Quite the tourist attraction!!!
In a remote place like Lord Howe there are many adaptations you have to make. Unfortunately, our first encounter was with a non-Islander who said to us, “Here’s some good advice, don’t mix with the Islanders!” Of course we didn’t listen to that!! Tom and I had always loved being involved in community. The Met community included the Wassell’s, the Devaney’s and the Bluett’s who were great support.
‘Have A Chat’(Tom’s Island nickname) enjoyed playing pool with Big Dave and the weekly competition with the guys at the various guest houses; talking with Gower Wilson; diving with Johnny Green; going fishing with Kevin Wilson and Maurie Rayward and bringing home some great fresh Kingy’s (talking of Kingfish we loved the Milky Way Fish Fry); a beer with the boys, Kenny Simpson and bowls at the Bowlo; helping out wherever he could, including the lighters when the ship came in (that was exciting for us all) and helping in the rebreeding program of our beautiful woodhens, as he climbed Mt Gower with the Park Rangers, and last but not least, of course working at the Middle Beach Met Office and having tourists watch the balloon release. Sometimes you could forget what you were here for…. with all the beautiful flora and fauna around you in such a relaxed setting. Life was amazing!!
Simon started school in the School Centenary year, 1979, with a great teacher, Narelle Sloan, and Bob Spencer was the Principal. As he was the youngest student, he planted a ceremonial Kentia Palm with Sir Roden Cutler (Governor of NSW). I have never found that palm on subsequent visits???
I found the Island a bit isolating at first but quickly learned what you needed to do to survive. Get to know people and get involved, so I did. Marj Rayward was a great help. She and Beth Wilson taught me how to make my own bread, which I continued for years after we left the Island. We loved Lorhiti and its homely feel. I made the kids clothes and used my knitting machine to make items for the residents. I worked at the Post Office with Gary Petherick. We grew some vegies (a treat was the Dignam’s veggie patch day) and had some chooks.
I started a weekly playgroup where the Mums and I got together with our pre-schoolers (which was great for my son Tony), and played scrabble at my place…lots of chatting there! I played tennis and basketball and taught gymnastics at the school.
I attended Joyce Petherick’s weekly Know Your Bible group, where I made the best decision in my life…to become a Christian.
Tom and I would have a ‘romantic dinner’ out at Pinetrees as a treat sometimes, where Gai Wilson babysat for us. My favourite community activity was as a radio announcer on Radio LHI. The best radio announcer view in the world I’d say!! Tom became the Station Manager as well. Oh, those were the days…..
Now some 45 years later, I am still so fortunate to come back to Lord Howe regularly. We came twice more as a couple before Tom passed with liver cancer in June, 2019, and one of those was in April of that year with the family. He was very thankful for that visit and I remember he had tears in his eyes when we flew out. He is now in Heavenly Paradise with some of those precious people I have mentioned in this memoir.
Life goes on. My family of 11 now, including 6 grandchildren (aged 5-20yrs), have been back three times over the last six years and stay with Kathy at Earls Anchorage, where I have been able to share with them much of what we did. We have just revisited again in April, 2025.
Last year I brought a small group over from my village at Port Stephens and stayed at Somerset with Gai and Carol, where I met up with some of the Bowlo boys; caught up with Noelle Hoffman; went to Church; chatted to Clive Wilson and Chris at the Museum and renewed contact with others I remembered. Word travels…..My village has asked me to do another group visit in 2026!!??
Yes, things have changed. There are restaurants, Benny’s Fish Truck, the Gin experience and solar panels and now an upcoming automated weather station. I don’t know how much longer I can visit and bring others to experience paradise here. I still travel the world, but nothing compares to Lord Howe.
God Bless Lord Howe Island and its people… thank you!
