Bryan Douglas - Words of Wisdom

This week I caught up with the lovely Bryan Douglas. A proud family man, Bryan assured us his cheeky days are well and truly over now.

Age: 85

Where and when were you born? Rylstone, NSW.

What are the most important lessons you've learned in life? Well I got married and had children, so I reckon being patient... very much so. *laughs*

What big world events were the most memorable while you were growing up? It would be Hiroshima, Mr Bass our school teacher gave us a lesson and ran through the procedures of manufacturing and the dropping of the bomb on Japan... I was only a little fella. After it all I was glad things were finished because my next-door neighbour, Keith Jones was coming home, he was in the army and we were really good friends.

What is your favourite childhood memory? I was only a little fella living in Rylstone and my Mother was looking for me and I purposefully hid from her, they had everyone out looking for me and I didn’t answer. I was hiding in a big rose bush... *smiles* when I did show up my Grandfather took to me with a stick… *giggles*

What was your naughtiest moment growing up? *laughs* Doing figure eights on the wet ground in the car that I had at the time. It was where Orange High School is now. It was just an open paddock until I tore it up. *laughs* Oh, I got into some trouble, my parents took the car off me. I had to walk everywhere.

What could you tell me that I would be surprised to learn about you? Ooh...*laughs* I was very, very quiet, I was on night work and I had to sleep of a daytime. I worked on the railway for 38 years. I really enjoyed the job, but I loved getting paid more. *laughs* I was working in the parcel’s office, cleaning and learning.

What did you want to be when you grew up? In my uncle’s footsteps, a train driver.

What are you most proud of? My daughter and my son, because they idolise me and look after me very much so. I am very proud of them and my grandchildren too.

What did you get up to when you were young? Cricket over the back fence, bike riding and movie matinee on a Saturday afternoon, there was a Theatre Orange then, there was always a Saturday afternoon special.

Who is the person who influenced your life the most? Why? My Father, he used to love us and he took care of us like a father should.

What is your favourite thing to do for fun now? I enjoy watching sport on television, I support the Parramatta Eels... I watched them play live a couple of years ago, I didn’t enjoy it... they lost!