My name is Russell Brodbeck, I am 92 years old. I live at Caringbah, but I am originally from Gunnedah where most of my family lived all of their lives.

Many thanks for running the story of Longfellows poetry. My niece, Robyn Hardy of Ballina, and her son, Chris, who lives in Gunnedah picked up on the article and contacted Fiona Bensley of Mittagong. I have written to Fiona to thank her for her efforts in tracing the book to its origins. I had not seen it since around the mid-70s. I think my ex-wife may have donated it to the Salvos or Vinnies after finding it among her stuff following our divorce.

I did treasure it as it was probably my one and only academic award during my schooldays with the Sisters of Mercy. In my class were some clever girls who always topped the class in exams etc. Best I could do was fifth or sixth. Jean McLeod and Doreen Armour are a couple of names I remember. At the time of the essay contest they were absent on some out of class activities. This allowed me to come through the field (Steve Bradbury like) and pick up the prize.

It kindled in me an interest in story telling in verse. I particularly liked early Australian works Henry Lawson, Banjo Patterson etc. I even wrote a few amateurish things myself. I have included a little poem about my uncle Billy Kelly. Older residents will remember him as he travelled everywhere on horseback. An early edition of the Gunnedah Advertiser told the story of Billy’s remarkable survival during the Gallipoli campaign. If you are doing any historical stories for the forthcoming Anzac Day, it might be of interest.

After leaving school at age 16, I joined the Commonwealth bank and worked in Hunter Valley branches for a few years. I returned to Gunnedah in my early 20s and worked in the local branch for a few years. I have lots of memories such as playing trumpet in the Musical Brass Band and local dance bands. At age 27 I married a local girl, Helen Enright, and we moved to Sydney. My career in the CBA continued for another 30 years in the field of computer operations and research.

Thanks again for running the story. It brought back a lot of great memories of my times in Gunnedah.

Kind regards.

Russell Brodbeck

Caringbah

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