David Mead
This is NOT an obituary, but a brief bio.
On leaving NSBH I wanted to continue my education at University doing a science based degree. Unfortunately as University education was not free, my father asked me to go to work.
I joined the RAAF as a cadet, going to the RAAF Academy at Point Cook because of my good education at NSBH and started doing a Science degree, majoring in Physics. The Academy is affiliated with the Melbourne University.
After 2 years at the Academy I spent 1 year learning to fly. I was discharged from the RAAF and was in limbo until the company I was working for decided to computerise. They needed staff to go to IBM and learn the computer language Assembler. I was one of two selected to learn how to program. So in 1964 I became a computer programmer. My career blossomed from here as this profession was the one I was destined for.
I continued my career in computers, working on many different machines and languages. After the company I had worked for (Now as the National EDP Manager) was sold and broken up, I continued to work as a Computer Consultant to 2 of the companies that were affected by the breakup. These were the best years of my working life, being the sole person looking after 2 different company’s systems (In Newcastle and Sydney) and doing it from a desk at home. Nowadays working from home is common.
I retired at 60. I have been in the Marine Rescue NSW (Central Coast Branch) for over 20 years. So if you are a boatie logging on to Marine Rescue, you will probably have heard my dulcet voice. I am happily married to my fantastic wife Colleen (Col). Our 55th wedding anniversary comes up in February this year. Col and I have done a lot of travel , both in Australia and overseas.
I have 2 boys, both living on the Central Coast and therefore have enjoyed being an active Pa to 5 grandkids.
I have been reading all the emails that Ron has received and sent over the years, keeping in touch that way. I am sorry that I have not been at any of the reunions at The Oaks.
The one thing I have learnt , now I am 80 is that good health and family is everything and wealth is not the means to happiness.