Days of Old (continued)
Weekends became a different scene. Friday night became the RAF lads night out. This is when the "marrieds" slipped the leash for the night and us singles tried to return them home rather the worst for wear. Saturday mornings (after the swim) was soccer training, then lunch (plus refreshments), then dhobi, swimming, and then getting ready for the evening's activity, which nine times out of ten was a Barbie/Party at one of the RAF, ex Pats or Aussie compatriots married quarters. The trouble was the RAF lads took every thing to excess and inevitably would finish the party just in time for the soccer match on Sunday morning. Those playing would stagger onto the pitch and spend the next 1/2 an hour sobering up, whilst the spectators would "party on" on the the bylines. Surprisingly in my 2 1/2 years at Woomera, the ATU Rovers hardly ever got beaten, although we did once have our inside right and inside left sent off for fighting (amongst themselves!!!).
Post match refreshments followed then by a relaxing afternoon at the swimming pool.
It was on one of these afternoons that I gravitated towards the Woomera Lawn Bowls Club, now admittedly the initial lure could have been the Club House Bar, but in reality the verdant oasis of green in a barren landscape and the genteel atmosphere, made it feel like home. It is at this this stage I must thank Duggie Mcfarlane and his lovely family (Mrs Mac and Irene and baby Anne) for giving me a love of the game that still burns brightly today (I even have my original set of woods that I purchased at that club).
After about six months, I had settled into this weekly routine, but soon became more and more intrigued with the tales and stories regarding Evetts Field. I made my mind up, if I was going to spend 2 1/2 years at the "Woomera Rocket Range" I might at least see the odd rocket being launched. After a lot of whinging at Alan Cooper (allegedly us poms are good at that!!) my wish was granted and I was transferred to Evetts. Here I was welcomed with open arms (It appears I was the missing link!), not in an anthropological sense, but in the fact I was the missing tradesman in forming an all RAF/British team Jindi launch team.
Once again I settled into the routine and thoroughly enjoyed the whole atmosphere of the Evetts experience and the anticipation that comes with every Jindi launch (i.e. was it ever going to come back).
Regards
Ed Chapman
E-mail: edchapman571@hotmail.com
(2 January 2003)
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Memories of Woomera |
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