Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Life Story so far of – Trevor Evans
Born on 24th January in 1947 at Wondai in Queensland to parents Edward and Gloria, I grew up on a small Dairy and Crop farm of 120 acres at Tingoora near Wondai. By age six, I, along with my brother Lester who was four, was responsible for milking a small dairy herd before and after school each day. Looking back this was a dangerous situation as the machinery had unprotected belts and pulleys – Occupational Health and Safety hadn’t been invented in those days! By age ten I was driving a tractor, helping out with the farm work in between State school, which I attended at Tingoora, riding a bicycle in all weather for 2 miles each way from the farm. Even on Christmas day the cows had to be milked – those cows hated Christmas as we were eager to open the few presents which were on a real pine tree which was procured from the farm. By age twelve the contract harvesting and farm was not financially viable and my parents sold and took over a General Store in Tingoora where I continued to work seven days a week in between High school at Kingaroy, some 15 miles away by bus.

In 1961 we moved again to Noosa Heads where my parents ran the Noosa Inn at the National Park – another seven day a week job in between High school, which I attended at Cooroy. By 1963 at age 16, my parents could not afford for me to not have a job, so I was bundled off to Moorooka in Brisbane, where I boarded with some people my parents knew from calling in at the Inn. Within a couple of weeks, I had a job at English Electric on Evans Road at Rocklea as a mail boy. I quickly progressed through the Time and Pay Offices and eventually made it to the Accounts Office. For some years I studied Accountancy and Law at QUT in Brisbane until in 1968 I was called up for National Service for two years. Basic training was at Singleton and in late 1968 I was told that I was off to Vietnam. Before going I wanted to improve myself and make the most of the Army and undertook a Signals course at Ingleburn near Sydney and managed to be top of the class of 30 odd.
In 1969 I arrived in Vietnam as an infantry signaller. It was then I realized that the Signals course I had undertaken may not have been a good idea as I had to carry a 14 kg radio as well as all the other infantry gear and rifle and every time, I hit the deck the radio would give me a belt behind the head. By 1970 I was back in Townsville at Lavarack Barracks where I saw out the remainder of my National Service working behind the bar in the Sergeants Mess. The legacy of the service has made me uncomfortable with crowds and queues and untrustworthy of any strangers. Also, I am unable to cope with loud sudden noise. Desley also had to defend herself in the early days, when I had bad dreams and beat up an imaginary assailant.

After leaving the Army in mid 1970 I returned to my job at English Electric where I was employed as a Management Accountant and later a Cost Accountant responsible for major contracts. English Electric made Diesel Electric Locomotives for QR as well as Transformers for Power Stations and Distribution Transformers. Switchgear and large Electric Motors were made there also along with large Valves for Dams. There was a General Engineering and Sheet Metal and Boiler Making shop on the premises. At one point the company employed 1500 people at Rocklea.

During 1970 my father died of cancer aged 48. In 1971 I married Desley and we rented my parents small house at Greenbank which wasn’t connected to electricity. Quite a shock for Desley! By 1972 we had built our house at Greenbank which we still live in today. The house cost $11,750 and the 2 acres of land was $1500.We have three children – Debbie, Darren and Glen.

During 1983 I participated in a university programme which was hosted by my employer. The programme helped real inventors get started with their invention. Our group was involved with Prop Scan which was an invention which calibrated the angle of boat propellers which was previously carried out by chalk and string in a foundry. We actually won the Queensland titles for the programme and went to Canberra for the National Titles for which we made third place.

I stayed with the one Employer at Rocklea for 39 years, until 2002 when I retired at 55 years of age. In 2004, I became a member of the Southern Cross Caravan Club of Qld. in which I held the Treasurer’s position for four of six years and President for four years. In the last decade I became a member of a different Club - The Australian Caravan Club Bushtrekkers branch, in which I held the position of Treasurer. Many enjoyable times have been had with the Clubs and we have seen a lot of Australia as well.

What would I have changed if I had my time over?
I would have spent more time with our children in their formative years, instead of working 12-to-14-hour days and many weekends as well.
I would have taken more holidays.
I would have liked a life in the country on the land.
What is my philosophy on life?
To be honest, trustworthy, genuine at all times and responsible for my actions.
“Just do it” (preferably yesterday!)
To ask what can I do for my Country - not what can my Country do for me?
Never say never – go down fighting.
To do the best of my ability on any task.
Learn by doing.
What have I achieved in life?
Own my own home.
Successful marriage raising three children to responsible adulthood.
Obtained and maintained a good job.
Never had a speeding fine.
Retired comfortably at 55.
8th April 2023