Brisbane, QLD


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

WHEN I WAS A CEO

In 1962 My brother and I were both studying at ASOPA (Australian School of Pacific Administration) in Mosman , Sydney. He was doing the Patrol Officer's "long course" and I was doing a Cadet Education Officer's course.(Which meant a teacher training course for the Australian Territory of Papua New Guinea and the Northern Territory.)  It is funny now to think I used to be a CEO, it sort of means something different now. During that first year I shared an apartment with my brother (David) and sister in law (Ann) because my home was too far away on the southern side of Sydney to travel every day. In October Ann gave birth to Michael.
My parents and brother have passed away. Ann still lives in their family home in London but spends many months in St Lucia in the Caribbean where Michael lives.
At this time I was studying for end of year exams but managed to squeeze in loads of fun with other students. We participated in parties, sports events, puting on a review and all the other high jinx that students get up to. At the end of the year most students went to their far flung homes but I went to Queensland's famous Gold Coast for another holiday like I did the summer before.
Helen, Pam and Ron at a lookout on the Gold Coast in Dec1962

This time I went with Helen and Pam. Us three girls were offered a lift from another student, Ron, whose home was in Queensland. He had a VW Beetle. We all squashed in with our luggage and we drove all the way from Sydney to the Gold Coast on one day. It seemed to take forever but we had lots of laughs on the way.

The view from the lookout of the Gold Coast in 62.

Ron went to his parents place and we had booked a hotel. We spent days sunbaking, swimming, surfing and exploring other beaches.

 One day we went on a tour offered by the hotel, it was to Stradbroke Island. We went by launch but when we got there we had fun in a speed boat.

 We also had water ski lessons.

 And the hotel staff made us a barbecue lunch. We couldn't believe the size of the steaks.

Some days we had lunch by the pool at the hotel. It was so warm and casual there but at night we used to get dressed up for dinner, a concert and dancing. One evening a young boy band entertained us. There were eight year old twins, Robin and Maurice and their older brother, Barry. They were very good, any wonder as they grew up to become the famous Bee Gees.
Pam, me and Helen


Some nights were theme nights, hence the Hawaiian outfit.

All too soon it was time to squash into Ron's beetle and drive back to Sydney where I spent time with my parents before returning to college. But first I had to find a new place to live closer to ASOPA because David and Ann were returning to TPNG (Territory of Papua and New Guinea.)

24 comments:

  1. Oh Diane you have lead such a colourful lovely full life. Wow love the look of fun in your eyes. Life is wonderful. Hug B

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  2. Mum, I love that shot of you on the water!! And I can't get over how much the Gold Coast has changed since 1962!

    Let me get this straight- you drove from Sydeny to the Gold Coast in a 60's beetle?! That must have been a....bouncy ride :)

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  3. What a fun time of remembering. Boy that coastline sure did change alot from the time you were a CEO. Very cool shots Diane

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  4. you have lived such a very interesting life.. i love all the photos of you especially the speed boat and hula outfit

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  5. Wow, what a change in the coast line from the '60's. Grant had a blue beetle in the late 60's. You were a stunning CEO, Diane.

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  6. What great memories. You must have been quite into photography then because you've taken some terrific photos.

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  7. Hi CEO..... Cute post... You had some great times back then, didn't you? Love seeing all of the old photos...

    Very cold here this morning--minus 10. It's as cold as it is HOT there, huh??? ha ha

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  8. you are SO cute and such an adventurous soul - even today. :)

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  9. I enjoy reading your memoirs...your daughters look so much like you.

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  10. What a wonderful post Diane! Extraordinary photos of the 60's Gold Coast!! Great memories for you!
    Fond wishes
    Rose

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  11. What fun pictures! And you haven't changed at all.

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  12. Thanks Roe but I'm about twice as heavy.

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  13. Diane, what a great post. You look so cute in all the photos. And the Gold coast sure has changed over the years. Awesome photos, thanks for sharing.

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  14. Great fun. I'm not very familiar with the Gold Coast. I wonder if any of the original house owners refused to sell their single storey houses, as towers went up around them.

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  15. I've heard that CEOs have a pretty good life, and it looks like that was the case for CEOs in Australia as well. You certainly had a wonderful place to spend your holiday.

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  16. I love reading about your life Diane. You were and still are a beautiful lady. Fantastic photos!

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  17. Amazing how that place has changed. I see the 'outhouses' in the older photo.
    You certainly have a good time, well it appears so, and lucky to have a camera to record your holidays.

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  18. The Gold Coast shot is a gem.

    The transition to colour photography is also fascinating.

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  19. I always knew you were a smart cookie ... and I was quite prepared to believe you were a CEO - even by the current definition!! Love the pix!!

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  20. I prefered the view in 62 to the view now days, who would had thought the old Bettle would still be around today and just as popular

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  21. What fun memories ! I remember that we went with the VW beetle 1200 km in one shot to Italy ! I still wonder how we managed that ???

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  23. oh, dear diane, you have lead such a wonderful successful full life! love reading about it.
    and your daughters look so much like you my dear!

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