This time last year those of us who attended the reunion in Brisbane were itching for the next coming together of Brats. It couldn't come quick enough. The weekend was indescribable, just as our days in Singapore were, to those who didn't experience it. I have come to accept that to try to explain those Singapore days and the feelings of the reunions will always fall on deaf ears and be met with blank stares, still, it’s such a special thing that you feel compelled to share it, so I guess I will always try.
The Sydney Dream Team (Steve,Wendy, Miles and Gina) especially encapsulate all that makes a Brat so special, as have their reunion predecessors (Gill and Wanda) because they are the ones who work so hard to bring us all together in the same place. I am so, so lucky to be the one who walks each step along side these organisers, even if sometimes they don't realise I am, and I can tell you that so much heart and dedication goes into their work to make it all come together for everyone. Yet another special quality of Brats, especially these Brats. Thank you all for carrying the torch and continuing the dream.
To meet face to face after many exchanges of emails or chats in our chatroom, or messages on the message board, the gathering of Brats is the ultimate feeling. Some of you have experienced it before and know what I am talking about, some of you are experiencing it for the first time this weekend and I challenge you to put the feeling into words… I just don't think it can be done. Look around the room at your fellow Brats, see the smile on their faces. Give a smile to a person you have never known or seen before, because they were 'there' at a different time, and they will acknowledge your smile with a their smile that says it all. It says, 'I know'. I know and acknowledge all of your smiles and feelings, respect and encourage them... it is who we are. Just as you left Singapore very different to the young person you were when you arrived, I guarantee you will not leave Sydney unaffected by what you have experienced.
At the end of this weekend we will say now is the hour (when we must say goodbye) and the torch will be handed over to Lorie-Jean Millar to be taken back over the sea to our kiwi cousins where we will find them waiting for us all to get together again in Christchurch 2006.
Happy Memories,
Jo
Jo-Anne Rendle
Manager
ANZ Military Brats of Singapore
