Charles Gaudoin

Story

Initially, we as a family were to immigrate to Canada but with the demise of my Father, Edward in 1965 and the simultaneous anguish with nostalgia by my eldest sister Barbara, in Perth, we decided to immigrate to Australia.

My mother Dulcie, two elder brothers Michael and Karl, elder sister Julie and I left Vepery, Madras to arrive in Perth on 9 May 1970.

We travelled by Air India but due to heavy fog in Perth our aircraft was diverted to Meekatharra some 400kms from Perth. However, eight hours later with the fog having settled we landed in Perth.

My initial observation was Perth, clean and beautiful. I was fascinated with the shopping centres, market places, music on radio, and the coverage of sport on TV.

Back in India, I had done my schooling at Doveton Corrie and later at St George\’s both in Madras. I played in most sport that was available at that time in Madras. However, I always had an affinity for hockey. I would play hockey at school and also socially in the evenings. I played interschool hockey at the junior and senior level. While still in school I played for the ‘Metal Box Company Social Club’ in the top grade.

At that time, India was at the helm in world hockey. I would look up to many of the Indian International and State players. At the time, Australia was knocking at the doors of world class hockey. Through the media I would closely follow the Australian team. I admired their ability, endurance and strength of mind to triumph.

In Australia, my first job was with WA Petroleum, I also studied geology part-time at TAFE. I had a few friends and acquaintances who emigrated a year or two earlier than me and was happy to meet them. Some of them I had played hockey with and against at inter-school tournaments in Madras. I also came to know many Anglo-Indian migrants from Calcutta who played excellent hockey.

I once again started playing competitive hockey and this was with the first ever Harlequin Hockey Team in 1970. The Harlequins Hockey Club in Perth is a club established and initially developed by Anglo-Indian migrants who migrated to Perth in the 60s.

On 5th Jan 1973, I married Marilyn Williams and we had 3 Sons, Jason (1973), Paul (1975), and Bradley (1978). All three Sons went to St Mary\’s Catholic College (Aranmore), Leederville. On leaving school, they went on to University.

As my sons grew up they played Aussie rules, cricket and hockey. Jason, at the age of 13 made the U15 WA team and that started a succession of State team representations. All three played in National teams U15, U18, U21 and for the State of Western Australia, Thunder sticks. I continued to play top Division Club Hockey and amazingly but unanticipated played alongside Jason & Paul on a few occasions.

Paul also had his beginnings with the Harlequins Hockey Club in Perth; He was something of a child prodigy at the game. At the early age of 14 he was playing for the State of Western Australia. In 1990 he made the Australian Institute of Sport squad while still at school. A year later, he made the Australian Team for the Champions Trophy. At the tender age of 17 he represented Australia at the World Cup. At 24 Paul was called upon to lead the Australian team, a team comprising mainly of youngsters in a five-match series against Germany, an experiment by the then coach Terry Walsh. On 30 April 2001 Paul was named as captain of the first post-Olympic Australian team under new coach Barry Dancer. Paul has played in two Olympics, winning Bronze Medals in Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. A skilful and creative midfielder, Paul\’s dominant game is his superb trapping and distribution of the Ball. In a career spanning 14 years Paul has played more than 239 hockey internationals.

I myself have been involved in coaching clubs and State Teams since 1989 and still coach at First Division level. I have been successful with a number of State teams with the U18s and U21s which I have been coaching for the last 14 years. I have also been a Selector for the Thunder sticks. .

It\’s great being able to discuss views about hockey with all the elite coaches that I now associate with. A lot of knowledge gets shared amongst this group.

Besides hockey, I work as Manager Administration, Business Services with the Community CPS Ltd My three sons are now married and have children. We have 4 grandchildren. We continue to enjoy the company of our children and grandchildren. The move to Australia has certainly benefited our family.

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