Lae-Markham reunion T-shirts

Mary Carn (neé Breakspear): Congratulations on your site, it will give a lot of people some very happy memories of growing up in a situation not many people had the chance to experience. I am one of Mr. Breakspear's three daughters, the middle one! My younger sister Barbara was shown a site (one of the forums I think) by my younger brother, and although she was not born until our return to Australia late in the '50's, she was concerned about what she read and wanted me to pass her message on to you, with the hope that you would print it.

Barbara Andrews (nee Breakspear): I am the youngest child (daughter) of Mrs and Mr. Breakspear, Headmaster of Lae Primary School in the 1950's. I was the last of 6 children. The brother before me, being born in Lae, pointed me towards this web site. My Dad died when I was 29 - 20 years ago. He was a scary man, I admit - but surely someone can say something nice about him. My brothers too got their share of "the cuts", even when in school in Australia, if their behaviour warranted it. Although fearful of my hardworking Dad, we respected and loved him and have, I think, grown up to be good, honest and hardworking people, loving parents and grandparents.

My Dad scared "shit" out of me, but he taught me respect, good manners and the need to work hard to achieve your goals. He introduced me to Child Care 25 years ago. I have learned from his era, but his era has also given me the cue to change fear to caring. Even so, the "cuts" would only have been given by Dad if the kids' behaviour put them in any danger to themselves or others or if total lack of respect for their teachers or classmates was involved. Although hard, he was also fair.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to understand where my Dad's ex-pupils are coming from and also for them to learn more about him and hopefully teach others that he wasn't so bad and deeply cared for the time he spent in PNG. He also cared deeply for his students and wanted each and every one to succeed to the best of their potential.

Addendum by Mary Carn: I too know Dad cared for his time in the Territory; being older than Barb I can recognise some of the names of the people writing, especially names like Strachan, Duggan, Peggy Byron, plus names not mentioned like George Toohey and Fr. John Tra, both of whom visited us on our return to Australia. George Toohey actually attended my wedding in 1972. Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to let you know we still exist.

Anthony, who was born in Lae, went back there to live for several years and now returns on business trips with his company, that's how we found your site. Mum died in 1997 and Dad in 1986.