The Star Malaysia

Don on a mission

- twomey@monash.edu.

Prof Christina Twomey is searching for Malaysians who knew Australian service personnel and their families who lived and served in Malaysia between 1945 and 1988.

GEORGE TOWN: They lived among Penangites and in subtle ways, some of their culture rubbed off on the locals.

The Australian presence in Penang spanned decades. When the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) had a base in Butterwort­h, they had their own radio station, which locals could tune in to.

Radio RAAF Butterwort­h was just one of the many things that Australian­s had here which helped shape Penang’s society, and a historian wants to uncover the depth of that influence.

Prof Christina Twomey is searching for Malaysians who knew Australian service personnel and their families who lived and served in Malaysia between 1945 and 1988.

She is studying the social impact of the 100,000-odd Australian­s’ time in Penang, Melaka, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong.

She said most of the air force personnel lived in Penang while army personnel were in Melaka.

Twomey said their lives remains a historical mystery to most.

“I conducted a survey with former Australian military personnel who described their memories.

“Now I wish to locate Malaysians who came into contact with them, to assist me in the study,” she said.

She is a history professor and head of the School of Philosophi­cal, Historical and Internatio­nal Studies at Monash University.

Her research is entitled “Australia’s Asian garrisons and regional engagement: Overseas military communitie­s and regional engagement, 1945-1988.”

She said she would like to get the Malaysian perspectiv­e on how Australian­s may have impacted their lives.

“I’m looking for anyone who worked for the military communitie­s, such as amahs or civilians who did business with them, people who worked at the RAAF base or school, or who got to know the Australian­s at social clubs or engaged in voluntary work,” she said.

Twomey said the project will expand and reinterpre­t the history of Australia’s engagement with Asia.

“I cannot wait to meet these Malaysians and get their side of the story,” she said excitedly.

She remembers staying in Penang’s Vale of Tempe, called Lembah Permai today, when she was 11, while her dad served with the RAAF in Butterwort­h from 1979 to 1981.

“A Chinese amah, whom I only knew as Sai, used to work for us, and I would be happy if I can get in touch with her again,” she said, adding that she would come back to Penang next month.

Those who can help Twomey can e-mail her at christina.

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 ??  ?? Those were the days: Twomey showing a photograph of her family with Sai.
Those were the days: Twomey showing a photograph of her family with Sai.

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