Colin KISH

Story

During WW 11 the Russians invaded and occupied Hungary. The Kish family, Dad as a MAV railway executive, fled from Erdely and the imminent communist terror.

We arrived as DPs on the ship SS Dundalk Bay in Fremantle W.A. We disembarked in Fremantle as we were all tired of the sea voyage. My brothers exclaimed – “They have a narrow gauge railway here”.

I wanted to eat apples.

We then were taken to the converted Army camp in Northam where, on the outskirts, after three years Dad bought a house for the family. Dad worked for the WAGR as Station Master at Grass Valley and communted from Northam using BSA motor bike.

The Kish family (originally known as KISS) in 1955 moved to Perth as Dad was promoted to Assistant Stationmaster at Bassendean and wished for us four boys to have a good education. On 6 January 1957 my brother Laci, a WAGR Station Relief Officer, died in a car accident at 2am Great Eastern Highway, Glen Forrest, on the way home from work at Grass Valley.

My Brother Ernest (Gyuri) and I, we were educated at Christian Brothers Highgate. Ernie later moved to Sydney where he was the Principal of Marsfield High School.

My other brother Frank was a Bank Officer at Koorda and served, as an officer, in the ARMY – CMF where he received a Commendation. He moved to Canberra with the Tax Office.

I became a Professional Civil Engineer in Perth. In 1973 went to Vienna where I worked as a structural engineer on United Nations projects – UNOcity. Married my Singalese bride and moved to Canberra with the Defence Department.

In 1997 I patented the AWAP (OPALA) fresh water from seawater production scheme. The proposal is intended to bring fresh drinking water, emulating the Libyan man-made river, to Jordan and other arid lands.

Where they lived – characteristics

In Northam and Perth – Highgate – 1970 to Canberra in ACT.

Main problems and successes

Living on the outskirts of Northam was most memorable – we had a farmlet with chickens, pigs and cats. The rooster flew to the top of the highest Almond tree. The pig swam to an island in the flooded Avon river. Dad coaxed it back into its stall.

Motivation

Dad always said “A normal person behaves in a normal way – always be sensible and honest”. Mum said “Son, bring fresh water to this arid land”.

Unusual experiences

In the Perth Hunyadi Hungarian Boy Scouts a Patrol of 12 year old boys got lost near Mundaring and did not return home before dark. Our Scoutmaster Rudolf Tasnady asked me to go out at 9pm in the night and find them. I found them, by whistling, making tea out of gum leaves.

Marriage and family

Dad and Mum – Nagyapa es Nagymama had seven grandchildren – 5 girls and 2 boys.

My daughter Perpetua Kish became a lawyer and in 2007 had our first Grandchild arrived.

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