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Meet Ken
Conversations with a super star
Ken is originally from Coventry, England and now loves living in Marks Point with his Australian wife.
Read about his family’s journey to get here, lifelong learning, and working in a great team. |
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“You never know where life will lead you.”
“My father Graham was a rear gunner with the Lancaster bombers in WW2, along with Australian born Bill who he admired as a brave and skillful pilot. They managed to survive the war and afterwards they returned to their home countries.
"Through their deep friendship, they made a special pact that whoever retired first would visit the other one."
"Many years later and soon after his retirement, Bill and his wife made the trip to England to visit my father and our family before touring Europe.”
“My father did not let him go and after three months with us they missed out on touring around the rest of Europe. Hence Bill and his wife planned another visit to Europe for the following year.”
“Tragically six months later my father and Bill’s wife died within two weeks of each other. However, Bill persisted with his planned trip back to Europe and came to visit my mum as his first stop. Instead of staying three months he stayed three years and married my mother. She was 59 and they decided to live in Australia.”
“My father Graham was a rear gunner with the Lancaster bombers in WW2, along with Australian born Bill who he admired as a brave and skillful pilot. They managed to survive the war and afterwards they returned to their home countries.
"Through their deep friendship, they made a special pact that whoever retired first would visit the other one."
"Many years later and soon after his retirement, Bill and his wife made the trip to England to visit my father and our family before touring Europe.”
“My father did not let him go and after three months with us they missed out on touring around the rest of Europe. Hence Bill and his wife planned another visit to Europe for the following year.”
“Tragically six months later my father and Bill’s wife died within two weeks of each other. However, Bill persisted with his planned trip back to Europe and came to visit my mum as his first stop. Instead of staying three months he stayed three years and married my mother. She was 59 and they decided to live in Australia.”
“As I had a young family and rugby and teaching careers at that time I did not emigrate to Australia until I was in my mid 40s. I was lucky to make it here as I was short on immigration points because of my age. For one year only, Australia gave extra points for secondary maths teachers points. Hence I had one chance to live in Australia and I took it.”
“Even though I love England, Australia and its people are the best. I’m fortunate to live in an area in of outstanding natural beauty.”
“I am motivated to actively play my part in protecting and caring for the local environment and for it to become more sustainable for future generations.”
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“I get considerable satisfaction from being a part of the Pelican Area Sustainable Neighbourhood group and I’m pleased to be part of a small dedicated and hard-working team.”
“We are from very different backgrounds but all like-minded and committed to making a difference. Through my involvement in our group and the networking with other local organisations both locally and across Lake Macquarie through the Alliance it is reassuring to know that we do not work in isolation because there is much good and creative work undertaken.” |
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“Also, I understand how much more there is learn and understand about the environment.”
Ken has been working with a new volunteer Keila on a ‘plastic free’ pilot project in Marks point. Together they have been liaising with local businesses to reduce single use plastics items in the neighbourhood.
“All the small businesses have been cooperative and supportive. There’s still a way to go, but we are thrilled to have had such a positive start to the project.”
“How good is it that a young person is so knowledgeable and passionate about these things and is prepared to put her words into action, step out of her comfort zone and to turn up at our group meeting ready for action.”
“What I do know through my work as a student teacher supervisor in local high schools, is that there are many more young people like Keila with the passion and commitment to change their future for the better. Our challenge is to give them a voice and to get them actively involved in Sustainable Neighbourhood groups.”
“In future I’d like to see Sustainable Neighbourhoods become the cornerstone of local environmental matters, and ultimately to embrace a and promote personal, community, national and international willingness to protect and care for the environment.”
