The following received from long-time Spectator supporter and former local, Stephen Giles, is self-explanatory.
IN 2014 you ran a front page story about my late mum, Pat, and her planned overseas visit to Cambodia.
Mum, my daughter Alanah and I (pictured) visited a school for very poor rural families near Siem Reap in Cambodia.
The plan was to teach English in the local school for a week as part of the program set up by Growing Cambodia, an organisation set up by a great friend of mine, Stephen Davie. See www.growingcambodia.org.au
We also raised a bit of money for school books and other student requirements.
Some of this money was raised from the Hamilton community via an afternoon tea at mum’s Gray Street house.
As an amusing aside, mum expected about 20 people to participate, and planned to cater accordingly.
When I called Jenny and Harry Edwards to express my concern at mum’s conservative estimate I was reassured that they had it well and truly covered.
Sure enough they did, and the event was a big success, with around 300 people turning up.
I am not sure what surprised mum the most – the number of people, or their generosity.
Over $3,000 was raised, including a generous donation from mum’s local church.
THIS was mum’s first substantial overseas trip and, at age 87, we travelled to Cambodia, stopping off in Singapore in part to visit the Changi Prison, where dad spent some time as “guest of the Emperor” after Singapore fell to the Japanese.
His subsequent guest accommodation was in the Japanese port city of Kobe for around three years.
Mum was quite a hit in Cambodia – the locals had never seen anyone mum’s age, let alone someone with her vitality.
She spent most of the time chatting to local mothers at the back of the school sessions, with the driver I had hired to transport us acting as interpreter.
The happiness of the Cambodian people notwithstanding their simple and challenging circumstances made a big impression on mum.
She added them to her small list of charities, and avidly followed the stories in the Growing Cambodia newsletter, as they often featured teachers and families she had met.
And in typical fashion mum could actually remember their names, and where she had met them.
SO when she passed I thought it would be nice to leave an ongoing legacy.
Covid has meant a few years delay, but earlier this year we donated funds to build a new school as part of a small village of Beng, near Siem Reap.
Alanah and I, and a few friends, are travelling to Cambodia on December 10 to open the school.
A picture of the current state of construction is set herewith.
We have another school planned for a village nearby.
Mum would not want much fuss, but we are getting a photo of mum with the locals framed and appropriately protected from the elements as a small permanent reminder.
I know many of the locals still take an interest in Cambodia.
We have the funds covered, but if anyone does wish to donate to Growing Cambodia they can do so via the website.
This is a genuine grass roots charity, and all money donated goes to these educational activities in Cambodia.
Similarly there is an opportunity to volunteer to help teach English in the schools for a week or so – a very rewarding experience, and you can also experience the features of Siem Reap including the famous Angkor Wat temple complex.
TRIVY NIGHT QUIRKY
WITH the state election now in full swing here’s a teaser for those who take their politics seriously.
Who were the two Labor members who made it to the national stage – and big time indeed – and once lived in Hamilton as neighbours, separated by the local secretary of the Hamilton branch of their party.
This was post WW1.
The names of both featured prominently in national public affairs for many decades thereafter.
One has the family name on a street sign here, the other’s pops up constantly in court proceedings usually representing the union movement.
Full details next week.
