GRAEME O'BRIEN

Later start than the rest of you but eventually received a letter saying that I was approved to join the teaching service.

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Appointed as Science teacher to Wagga Wagga HS in March 1965. That didn’t last long! Transferred at Easter to Doonside HS to teach Science and Mathematics. Taught PE as well but mainly Mathematics.

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Married Susann 17/01/70. Happy wife, happy life!

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Transferred to Singleton HS as a Mathematics teacher, starting at the beginning of 1970.

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Completed Bachelor of Arts in the School of Mathematics and Physics in Macquarie University, having started at UNE in my second year at Wagga Wagga.

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Children, Sarah 1973, Garth 1977 and Andrew 1980 born while living at Reedy Creek.

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Enrolled in the Masters Degree programme in the University of Newcastle in 1984.

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Taught at Singleton until the end of 1985 when I was appointed Head Teacher Mathematics at Wallsend HS.

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Completed Master of Educational Studies in 1988.

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Transferred to Singleton HS as Mathematics Head Teacher, starting at the beginning of 1990.

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Grandchildren started to appear in this time: Olivia 2000, Sophie 2004, Hamish 2006, Elodie

2006, Nesha 2008, Nicolas 2008 and Grace 2011.

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Retired from teaching 19/09/2005. 40 years, 6 months and 5 days the Department letter said!

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I have led a very rewarding life in Singleton:

I joined the Rural Fire Service in May 1971, hold the rank of Group Officer and received the National Medal for Service in 2010.

There has been a long running interest in Rugby as a player, coach and administrator.

Rural interests include serving on the Northern Agricultural Association Committee.

I joined Rotary in 1990, am a past president and Paul Harris Fellow and am currently serving as the District Secretary.

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We had a Hereford cattle operation while at Reedy Creek but downsized and bought a property at Bulga where we still have cattle and a small vineyard growing muscat grapes.

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Fighting mine encroachment and noise and dust impacts on our village now consume much time. We never thought about being environmental activists at this stage of our life.

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Susann and I recognise how comfortable and lucky our life has been thus far – we really appreciate our lot and are grateful for our health, family and achievements.