Fellowship meeting- Alan Pettit, Member behind the badge
Alan was born in Chelsea, England in 1935. His father was a grocer. Alan recalls the start of Britain’s involvement in World War 2 in 1939. His family lived near an airport which was a target for bombing by Germany. Alan’s father was called up in 1940 and Alan had to become “the man about the house” at a very young age. He was evacuated twice during the war and separated from this mother and sister. Alan’s father felt like a stranger when he was demobbed at the end of the war, and they clashed. Alan’s mother was diagnosed with TB in 1948 and was in and out of hospital until her death 14 years later.
Alan’s father wanted him to be a carpenter, but Alan took up a scholarship to learn typing, shorthand and office skills, which proved to be valuable later in life. Later, he got an apprenticeship as a carpenter.
At age 18, he was conscripted into national service. His duties included being in the national guard of honour for the 1953 coronation. Alan worked as an airframe fitter in the RAF. While on leave, he met a friend of his sister, Hazel, who became his life partner. They married in 1958.
After leaving the RAF, Alan completed his apprenticeship and started a joinery business.
Alan first became acquainted with Rotary as a boy by seeing a Rotary plaque. He thought that Rotary was an elderly cycling club! However, as an adult he had his first association with Rotary when he saw an advertisement in the paper from the Rotary Club of Box Hill offering to sponsor migrants. He was selected to migrate in 1967 and sailed on the ship Canberra in 1968. The Rotarians from Box Hill had arranged a furnished house for him and his family and provided an initial supply of food. They also tried to help him find a job. He easily found work, with his first working day having a temperature of 111 degrees Fahrenheit, which was quite a change from England. Hazel was trained as a dress maker and was able to use her skills to get work.
Alan and Hazel bought a house at Nunawading. He started his own business in 1970. Alan became friends with a local Rotarian and became a member of the RC of Nunawading in 1976. He immediately hosted an exchange student from India, with whom he and Hazel have continued to have a close friendship. Alan has held many positions at the Club and District level, including Club President.
A highlight of Alan’s Rotary work was going on a team to PNG to complete a bush hospital. He was also closely involved in raising money for an ambulance station, which he was privileged to open.
Alan moved to the RC of Essendon North, which was more convenient. He became very involved in building work at Camp Getaway. He was also involved in raising $14K from organizing a team to clean the Commonwealth Games Village in 2006. Hazel was made a Paul Harris Fellow in acknowledgment of her major contribution to this.
After 56 years, Alan needed a break from Rotary, but is now keen to get involved again. In describing what Rotary means to him, Alan said it was his religion and his family, and that it had changed his life. He said that Rotary takes ordinary men and women and gives them extraordinary opportunities.