| The Brat Story A longing to re-live a wonderful, magical time of my growing up prompted the search for anything remotely connected to Australian or New Zealand Defence Force dependants who lived in Singapore. With my computer, an important tool in this mission, a search on the internet proved fruitless but for a few Brit Brat web sites who were welcoming and supportive of each other as they shared their precious ‘Far East’ stories. There had to be something out there for brats like me who wanted to do the same, I am Australian and attended the New Zealand Services School, Woodlands. And so...ANZ Military Brats of Singapore was born in June of 2001. Now the space is filled and when a curious Brat seeks us out through their own longing, we can be found. Having an impetuous, impatient nature, it hasn’t been easy to learn to crawl before i walked, but through this ever so slow growth of ‘ANZ Brats’, i have learned much and been rewarded plenty. Dreams have been exceeded as we have pieced this amazing ANZ Brat Story together. New members sharing their knowledge, memories and adventures. The enthusiasm and endearment of a unique time and place not forgotten, has formed a bond measured on the comfort of knowing we are alone with our memories no longer.
As Military Brats we were used to adapting to new places and situations as we moved around from state to state, island to island, with our Fathers postings, but Singapore was especially challanging for it was a whole new country and very different from anything we'd ever known. Singapore for every Brat was exotic, exciting and educational. We were young primary and high school students, for us it was an impressionable time of our lives, that is why it is so special to us. We spent 2 wonderful years surrounded by such diverse cultures...in times before multi-culturalism became a known word. Two nationalities, Australian and New Zealand, each having 3 Defence Forces serving in Singapore which was populated by 3 main cultures, Chinese, Malay and Indian which happily succeeded in sharing this small island harmoniously.
It is hoped that this renewed bond will last as it was always meant to along with Reunions across Australia and New Zealand, to help bring together ANZ Brats scattered across each corner of their countries, and indeed the world. Jo-Anne Rendle
Manager
ANZ Military Brats of Singapore© |
