Dudley & family Littlewood
| First name | Dudley & family |
|---|---|
| Last name | Littlewood |
| Country of Origin | India |
| Date of Birth | 5/25/1949 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1982 |
| Submitted by | Hazel Littlewood |
Story
Dudley and Hazel, along with daughters, Karen (9 yrs) and Stephanie (6 yrs) arrived in Sydney on the 18th of November 1982. We arrived from Calcutta, India, on Thai Airways. This was our first ever travel by Air Ð it was exciting, but mostly heart-wrenching, as we were leaving our families and friends, and everything familiar behind to begin a new life in Australia.
I will always remember the day we arrived in Australia. As the plane circled over Sydney before landing, the Pilot asked the passengers to look out of the window for our first glimpse of Sydney – the sun shining, the blue sky, the plane skimming over the sparkling water Ð scaring us into thinking it was going to land in the harbour, seeing the Harbour Bridge and Opera House for the very first time. It was beautiful!
Our very good friends Jean and Beverly Martin (who had provided us with accommodation guarantee) were at the Airport with Beverly\’s sister Sandra and her husband Michael, to meet us. They helped us to settle into life in Sydney.
Prior to coming to Australia, Dudley worked as a Security Officer for St James\’ School in Calcutta. He had also worked as a Salesman for a Tobacco Company. I worked in Avery India for 14 _ years as a secretary Ð it was my first and last job in India. Dudley and I met in a little Railway colony called Khurda Road, when I had gone there to visit my aunt and uncle. We married in 1972 and after 10 years decided we wanted to move to Australia as we felt Australia would offer us much more in the way of opportunities, especially for our children.
Dudley started his first job with Ajax Chemicals 4 days after landing in Australia, where he worked for 18 years, after which he joined the NSW Fire Brigade. Hazel joined Air India in Sydney and worked there for 3 years before joining the Public Service in NSW and has completed 21 years\’ service.
We first lived in Bankstown for a year and a half after which we moved to our own place in the NSW suburb of St Clair and have lived there ever since.
Karen and Stephanie attended primary school in St Brendan\’s in Bankstown and then Our Lady of the Rosary in St. Marys. Karen completed her secondary education from St Agnes School, Rooty Hill, and years 11 and 12 from John Paul II in Marayong. She then studied for and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Ð Communications Degree from the University of Western Sydney. In 2001 Karen married Anthony Bongaards-Van Leeuwin and has a daughter, Charlotte, born on 4 September 2001. Charlotte started primary school this year and is studying in Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in West Pymble.
Stephanie completed her secondary education from Emmaus Catholic College, Erskine Park and then went on to complete a Bachelor of Science Degree from Macquarie University. She married Scott Rowell in 2001 and lives in North Sydney.
We have been in Australia nearly 25 years and have never regretted coming to this wonderful country. We have made many friends and travelled to quite a few places in this beautiful country. We have had the opportunity to visit other countries as well but miss Australia when we are away and always look forward eagerly to returning home to Australia.