Here you all are in Melbourne at our 5th ANZ Military Brats of Singapore Reunion. As I look at the list I see usual annual attendee's, a few who we haven't seen for a while and quite a few first timers. As I write I'm imagining the reunion smiles on the faces of those who have waited all year since our last gathering in Christchurch, New Zealand and the look of mixed feelings on the faces of those experiencing their Reunion initiation. It's a lot to take in, isn't it, and the time is going way too fast. You are strangely comfortable even though you are surrounded by a lot of people you have not met before or you've not seen in many years. They have grown taller, aged a bit, they may now be parents, have careers and are respectful members of society (well most of us - ahem) but look and you will see they are all still Brats of Singapore, just as you are.
We have all experienced stepping onto the tarmac of Paya Lebar Airport for the first time, the humidity hitting you like a wall of thick hot air. The smell of heat mixed with moni drains, fresh fruit and hanging meat at the markets, the clean smell after the monsoon storms and steam rising from the asphelt. The sounds of busy traffic, noisy pole drivers as the new high rises were being built, Chinese chatter, prayers of 'ahh white bum' in the distant background morning, noon and night. Watching the old kampongs being pulled down with some sadness, the glare of the light bulbs loosely hanging over stalls at the night markets, the colour of the umberellas over the concrete tables at the camps swimming pool. The feeling of refreshing water in the pools where you spent many hours to cool down and tan up. The taste of sweet sugar cane juice and a great array of exotic foreign asian dishes. There are many more sights, sounds, tastes and feelings of Singapore locked in the memory of our senses, never to be forgotten, always to be shared.
In the 6 years since the Founding of our group, I think most memories have been unlocked with memory sharing of other brats as they find us (now nearing 600 members) but I think the memory which had the most profound reaction was the one about the Chinese tapping their seat before sitting. This was seen mostly on the public buses and was a practise to rid any evil spirits lurking about. I don't think I knew the reasoning behind this behaviour at the time, it was just something I had unconsciously taken in as one of the many unexplained and different things I'd seen in Singapore. When reminded of this memory, I suddenly realised that for many years I too tapped the surface of whereever I sat and had a little chuckle over the thought that I had taken something home from Singapore without knowing I had. Many brats had the same revelation over that one. I bet as you are reading this you are thinking "oh yeah! I'd forgotten that one!". You did it too didn't you, come on, admit it.
Our Grateful Thanks must go to Dawn who has worked hard to bring this reunion together, along with the help of Trev Hillier, to make it possible for everyone to talk of the above memories, and remember so many more. I know you will be enjoying every precious moment and will be thankful for this time together.
No doubt this weekend there will be talk of the up and coming Singapore Reunion Tour planned for October 2008, head of the push being our own Mike Ellis. Much excitment and anticipation awaits all for the ultimate event for Brats. Stay tuned for more news and information as it comes to hand.
Heres to another great annual Brat Reunion, smile till it hurts.
Happy Memories
Jo
Jo Rendle
Founder of ANZ Military Brats of Singapore
