GETTING OFF THE FENCE
I've been lurking here for a couple of years now so perhaps it is about time for me to come out.
It was 1977 when I first found scientology as a 17 year old. I had just been dismissed from my first job as a bank teller on account of smoking too much weed and getting my numbers mixed up. So having nothing to do I thought I would go into the city (Sydney).
I had just exited the railway station at central when I was met by the woman with huge breast and an engaging smile ( I later learned her name was Cathy Nitche) and she asked me if I would like to do a survey. I said "sure" and before long I was inside having my personality test marked.
The person who discussed my test results was a lady full of warmth and empathy by the name of Peggy. She seemed to take a real interest in me and a sister I have who has been mentally disabled for years. I would run into Peggy a few times in later days and I was amazed when she would remember our conversation and enquire how my sister was going. She never realised but the fact that she cared has always meant a great deal to me.
Well I was reg'ed for the comm course and introduced to the master of the comm course - Nick Cramey. He was the most amazing bull baiter I have ever met and his charm and gregarious nature just made it so much fun for all the participants. The way the RPF later destroyed his soul was criminal but that is another story.
Well before long I had signed up for Fdn staff thanks to some excellent salesmanship by Peter Bevan the HCO recruiting officer. There was also Graeme Barrat, the HCO Sec who was an engineer by trade but a better manager. He ran a tight ship.
I met up with Barbara Ovens (later Allsop) and we used to earn some money singing for supper at a restaurant and the Rocks. She worked in the Guardians Office and was in charge of Social Co-ordination at the time and reporting to Audrey Devlin - a lady who had "presence" by the bucket load.
During Fdn hours I was expediting and one of my first postings was as course admin to David Graham. On the first night of my posting I came dressed like a mafia hit man with a hat, dark glasses, pointy shoes and a very loud shirt. I sat at the desk and put my feet upon it. David gave me one of those "Oh Boy" type looks and you could just feel the thoughts of the students saying "Out Valence!" Well I did last long in the post and moved right along to treasury try to put by banking skills to good use. Terri Morriset was the Treasury Sec and very efficient she was too. She was married to an American name Les Morriset.
Barbara (Barbi) thought it would be good for her stats if we did some entertainment work by going round to nursing homes and cheering up the retirees there. We rounded up a travelling show with Chris Duffy (a fabulous banjo player), Jim Doone (an eccentric gentleman who would regale with old broadway standards) a lady named Harriet who could sing and do comedy plus Barbi and myself with the guitar. We seemed to do well for a while until there were other stats to push but it was fun while it lasted.
Just so you don't think that I liked everyone I came across there are a few that I'm happy never to see again (please forgive my spelling):- Phyll Stevens, Glen Bourne, Gwenda Bourne, Keiran O'Leary, Mark Whitta. There will be others who's names I just can't remember for now.
Anyway this is turning into a long post so I'll give you all a breather and come back later with part 2.
Cheers
I've been lurking here for a couple of years now so perhaps it is about time for me to come out.
It was 1977 when I first found scientology as a 17 year old. I had just been dismissed from my first job as a bank teller on account of smoking too much weed and getting my numbers mixed up. So having nothing to do I thought I would go into the city (Sydney).
I had just exited the railway station at central when I was met by the woman with huge breast and an engaging smile ( I later learned her name was Cathy Nitche) and she asked me if I would like to do a survey. I said "sure" and before long I was inside having my personality test marked.
The person who discussed my test results was a lady full of warmth and empathy by the name of Peggy. She seemed to take a real interest in me and a sister I have who has been mentally disabled for years. I would run into Peggy a few times in later days and I was amazed when she would remember our conversation and enquire how my sister was going. She never realised but the fact that she cared has always meant a great deal to me.
Well I was reg'ed for the comm course and introduced to the master of the comm course - Nick Cramey. He was the most amazing bull baiter I have ever met and his charm and gregarious nature just made it so much fun for all the participants. The way the RPF later destroyed his soul was criminal but that is another story.
Well before long I had signed up for Fdn staff thanks to some excellent salesmanship by Peter Bevan the HCO recruiting officer. There was also Graeme Barrat, the HCO Sec who was an engineer by trade but a better manager. He ran a tight ship.
I met up with Barbara Ovens (later Allsop) and we used to earn some money singing for supper at a restaurant and the Rocks. She worked in the Guardians Office and was in charge of Social Co-ordination at the time and reporting to Audrey Devlin - a lady who had "presence" by the bucket load.
During Fdn hours I was expediting and one of my first postings was as course admin to David Graham. On the first night of my posting I came dressed like a mafia hit man with a hat, dark glasses, pointy shoes and a very loud shirt. I sat at the desk and put my feet upon it. David gave me one of those "Oh Boy" type looks and you could just feel the thoughts of the students saying "Out Valence!" Well I did last long in the post and moved right along to treasury try to put by banking skills to good use. Terri Morriset was the Treasury Sec and very efficient she was too. She was married to an American name Les Morriset.
Barbara (Barbi) thought it would be good for her stats if we did some entertainment work by going round to nursing homes and cheering up the retirees there. We rounded up a travelling show with Chris Duffy (a fabulous banjo player), Jim Doone (an eccentric gentleman who would regale with old broadway standards) a lady named Harriet who could sing and do comedy plus Barbi and myself with the guitar. We seemed to do well for a while until there were other stats to push but it was fun while it lasted.
Just so you don't think that I liked everyone I came across there are a few that I'm happy never to see again (please forgive my spelling):- Phyll Stevens, Glen Bourne, Gwenda Bourne, Keiran O'Leary, Mark Whitta. There will be others who's names I just can't remember for now.
Anyway this is turning into a long post so I'll give you all a breather and come back later with part 2.
Cheers