Hi from Margaret Wright
Hello everyone.After leaving Mayfield West Public School, I attended Wickham Girls High between1964-1967. From there I walked into an apprenticeship as a Tailoress at Rundles.
I married and had five kids, 3 girls and 2 boys. They are now 41-32 and I am the proud Grandma/ Oma of 15 grandkids; 8 boys and 7 girls. My three girls Lee-anne, Jennie and Rosalie, Lee-anne is a Mental Health Nurse, Jennie is a NSW Food Safety Authority Auditor. Rosalie is a Aged Care nurse. My two boys Mark and Rob played sport. Mark went as far as NSW level in Track and Field, while Rob went onto Australian level in Track and Field. Rob took out Australian Records in the 100m and 200m sprint in 1994. Both boys played with the Newcastle Knights but Rob went onto play for the break away team the Hunter Mariners. Rob still runs 10kms a day. where Mark has had to give it all away due to too many back injuries. After my husband passed away unexpectedly in 1987, I continued working at the Royal as a commercial cleaner up until the Earthquake in 1989. I left the Royal to recover from work injuries.
I returned to work in 1992 as commerical cleaner at Newcastle Workers Club. I stayed there for 15yrs until a forced retirement 4 yrs ago due to many work related injuries and also the restructuring of job classifications within the club played a part in my decision to retire. Four years before I retired I became an assistant to the Function Manager, at Newcastle Panthers which was the old Newcastle Workers Club. I was also the OH&S officer in the workplace.
I took up the task of helping Lesley Holdstock and Phil Wratten to once again organize another school reunion. The decison to hold another reunion was over 18 months ago and for me, this is a challenge which is a rewarding experience. Further, I am a hands on person and like to work and organize with plenty of lead time.
So what do I bring to the table for this reunion; experience as an function organizer in hospitality to do with function set-ups before, during and after events. I am using my hospitality industry knowledge and skills to bring the room to life for this reunion. With the help and input of Glenda Phillips and Lesley, I am creating the atmosphere and the ambience for the night; table centres etc.
With the reunion now just over twelve weeks away, my main focus as part of the committee, along with the duty mentioned previously, has been to research and to track all pupils who attended Mayfield West School in 1963 - 5th and 6th classes. To date I have an 85% success rate; I am still in search mode of the 15% that are missing! The challenge of finding people after 46yrs has been great. I have spent time travelling to the State Library in Sydney and I have met people who were doing the same thing as me; searching for old school friends for a reunion
The best part for me to the lead up to this reunion has been the re-connection with old school friends and the research and history of our old school; not has been documented about its history.
I cannot wait to see the reunion come together. The night will be memorable! The help from the Committee members - Lesley Holdstock, Glenda Phillips, Mavis Shearman, Clay Campbell, Russell Williams and Phil Wratten has been tremendous.
In finishing, I would like this opportunity of saying Thank You for coming forward to be apart of this reunion on the 5th June. I cannot wait to see you all again.
Cheers
Margaret Gayler (Wright)
