Memoir Monday #44 (1/6-1/12) - Answer these questions to paint us a picture of your high school years.

Did you know your current love in high school?
No, not even a girl friend, it all just seemed way to complicated to me back then.

What type of car did you drive?
None of us were old enough to have cars or drivers licences before we graduated high school because my school was more trade orientated and ended at year 11. I may have had a learners licence and been practicing in my dads 1978 Toyota corona wagon.

What kind of work did you do?
I started work early and used to hold down 3 casual part time jobs from 14 years old. catering, landscape labouring, super market assistant.

Where did you live?
Syndal about 25km East of Melbourne, Australia.

Were you popular?
Some what, it was a big school, I kept a low profile but was pretty well known because of the sporting teams I was in.

Were you in band or choir?
No, I do not seem to have any music talent at all, I even struggled with the compulsory recorder in year 7.

What did you do after your graduation ceremony?
No graduation ceremony, holiday or party, I was too busy working.

Ever get suspended?
No I never got caught doing anything wrong.

If you could go back, what experience would you relive?
There was lots of good sporting times but I should have been more involved in other school activities.

Did you ever skip school?
Lots, I was still passing all the tests and subjects but have lots of time off. I covered most of it up with fake letters from my parents until an officially letter came from the education department about my lack of attendance. I had to stop skipping off after that.

Did you attend football games?
I played in a few inter school Australian Rules football matches but it was not a serious competition, like in the America. Athletics and cross country was bigger and I did pretty well.

What was your favorite subject?
Physical Education, I would even skip other classes to play more sport.

Do you still have your yearbook(s)?
Not the originals but I was able to download a few online from other people that shared theirs.

Did you follow your intended career path?
Yes started an electrical apprenticeship straight after school pretty much continued that trade all the way to an early retirement.

Do you still have your high school ring?
We did not have rings or any mementos

Who was your favorite teacher?
Mr McBain Science and in charge of the cross country team.

What was your hairstyle?
I only got it cut when they made me.

What were your favorite shoes?
Anything I could run in.

What was your favorite food?
Sausage Roll in a Hot Dog bun with plenty of tomato sauce.

Who was your favorite singer?
Bruce Springsteen and ACDC.

How old were you when you graduated?
17

Did you have any nicknames?
None that stuck or that I can remember.

What high school did you attend?
Syndal Technical School now demolished except for the gymnasium and turned into a housing estate.

What year did you graduate?
1983

What’s changed the most about the world since you graduated?
Work and technology.

How have you changed since high school?
I have stopped wasting money on wants instead of needs.