Alan Campbell’s Story

Peta Jones explained some of the story about how Alan Campbell from our year disappeared and was missing for many years. Eventually his bones were discovered at Shelly Beach. The cause of death has remained uncertain.

I also learnt at the reunion that Alan was a brilliant archer and lived self sufficiently from the land for several months. He was also a champion cyclist.

On the Friday before the reunion I finally tracked down Robert and Alan’s father in Perth and we talked for about 20 minutes. Clive was excited and I also felt his sorrow. Alan’s brother Robert now lives n Geneva Switzerland.

Here is part of an email Robert sent me…
A great surprise to hear from you after all these eons of time. I much appreciate all the effort you have gone to to reach me. Of course, with a little more warning I would have put everything on hold and instantly jetted over there for such a prestigious event, but unfortunately, as it is tomorrow, I will sadly be unable to attend! Seriously though, it would have been great to catch up with everybody again, and I am disappointed that I won't be able to see you all. What is it, 20 years since we left that hallowed institution?

I met my wife Cathy travelling in New Guinea in '96, and she dragged me back to Geneva as a souvenir. She is not only beautiful, charming and intelligent, but also tolerant and patient enough to put up with me (8 years now), so I'm very lucky. I'm working over here as a vet, in French, enjoying the culture, the cuisine, the travelling opportunities, but less-so the weather, and missing the beach/sea, the cricket, and friends.

We have 3 children, all girls, identical twins of 5, Lara and Cecilia, and Ella, who is 7. All primarily francophone and French in nature, and haven't a clue what cricket is except that it's something papa spends a lot of time watching on tv, and that he seems to very often come home slightly drunk after playing. We just bought a house here a couple of years ago, so now looks as though we will probably be here "for ever", or at least until we retire, which, given the rapidity with which the last 20 years have disappeared, may not be so far away.

How did we all get so old? We have now all spent more time out of school than in it, something which scarcely seemed possible back then, when a day could last forever and a school term was the adolescent equivalent of eternity. Nothing like a school reunion to get one reminiscing... strange, 'cause I was just thinking about certain people from school last night, and wandering where they could be, and what they might be doing... must have been your thoughts travelling across the ether...

It's lovely that Peta will be mentioning Al tomorrow night, and that he is still fondly remembered and thought of. You can be sure that if he had been there, he would have partied hard, had a great time, and downed a few beers. The school years, in retrospect, were the happiest of Al's life, quite ironic for someone who hated school so much at the time! But that's probably something that's true for a lot of us...

Anyway, would have loved to have been there. Have a great night, and say g'day to everyone for me, and please keep in touch from time to time.

Regards,

Rob Campbell