2nd September also marks the 5th Death anniversary of our good friend Peter Lui whom I met soon after landing in Sydney in 1976.
Fleeting memories of Peter and Sandra that I shared with their Son John Lui
Dr. Terry Linsell knew my sister Dr Sharmila when she worked at New Castle Hospital in 1973. In 1975 Terry holidays in India with two lady doctors and came and stayed with us for ten days. The girls stayed in a hotel.
So when I came to Sydney in July 1976 Terry picked me up at Sydney airport and I stayed in Cremorne with Terry, Michael Pugh and Bob. This was a Thursday night. Michael organized a big party on friday night. On Saturday all three flat mates went out. It was pouring cats and dogs. There was a knock on the back kitchen door. It had frosted glass. So I could not see the face. They said they were John and Margaret and Michael's friends. I told them I did not have the key to let them is and to come around so I could open the main door. We became good friends instantly.
The following weekend John and Margaret came again with Peter and Sandra and Barbara. Pete was at NSW Uni and Sandra Pete's GF a Kindy teacher. 43 years ago.
I always leaned on Pete when doing my comp science assignments. They lived in a flat at Earlwood with Pete's parents. By Nov 1976 I bought Bob's fathers Holden HD sedan and became mobile. At least once a month I visited Pete and Sandra and had lunch cooked by his Dad.
I always took Timtams for them. We loved playing 500 or Canasta. I met aunty Mithu in 1977.
In 1980 immigration law was that all overseas students had to return and apply for residence two years later. I had not planned to settle in Australia but Mithu aunty said she did not want to go back with me to India as she was born and brought up in Malaysia. So we gave up and were applying for jobs in Canada and Singapore. I was offered a job at Singapore University but our friends did not want us to leave Sydney.
One evening Michael and Sandra came home. None of us were married then. Michael had a plan. He would marry Mithu and Sandra would marry me all on paper so Mithu and I could live in Oz. That is how close we were. I said love you both but cannot do wrong things as marriage is something very special.
Any way Bob Hawke gave amnesty to 64000 illegal migrants. I applied to prove a point even though I was not an illegal. At the interview the immigration officer who was also incharge of students and I had met him a few times for visa renewals agreed with me that it was unfair to ask me to go back to India when all the people who broke the rules were given PR. He then gave me an address to write to PM himself. I did and not long after I received a letter from PM Bob Hawkes office to submit my passport for my PR.
Your mom and dad got married in aunty Quendas place and moved to Amsterdam soon after and then on to Hong Kong. After that we met once every trip they made to Sydney.
Michael met Pete through John and Margaret who have now moved to Bega for good. They are now going through a bad period as daughter Genevieves partner has breast cancer and their daughter Hanna has Brain tumour that was removed but has come back again.
At the end of the day all we are left with are sweet memories of yesteryear thinking "Those were the Days my friend".
God knows why Pete had to die so young. He was ten years younger than me. He was very reserved sort of chap always.
May his Soul Rest in Peace.
