Meet the Resident Jim attended East Maitland School until 3rd class before transferring to a small Catholic school in Tarro that had just two classrooms. He later continued his education at Marist Brothers High School. In his second year of high school, he left to begin an apprenticeship at the Cardiff railway workshops, where he trained as a fitter and machinist for five years. During his final year of apprenticeship, he also began national service training. Following in the footsteps of his older brothers, Jim joined the army after completing his training as an electrical engineer. He first went to sea on 25 January 1958. Jim later married his beloved wife Anne and together they built a loving family with four children Tony, Maria, Joanne, and Terry. His family has always been the centre of his life and one of his greatest sources of pride. Jim is known for his easy-going nature, dry sense of humour and his ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Over the years, Jim has enjoyed the simple things in life: a horse race, a good political discussion, and a stout beer but nothing, as he’ll tell you, compares to a hot cup of tea. Jim prefers to make his own as in his opinion no one else quite makes it correctly. He also enjoys getting out for lunch or dinner and having a little punt now and then. Reading has been a long-time interest, particularly Australian history, military stories, and comics such as Footrot Flats. His favourite films include The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, and The Shawshank Redemption. He still enjoys a good walk, often remarking with a smile, “even if the legs ain’t what they used to be.” Ice cream remains another simple pleasure he never turns down. Whether it’s a cone or a scoop in a bowl, it has always been one of life’s small joys for him. Today Jim continues to enjoy life at his own pace keeping up with current events, sharing stories from the past and enjoying the small things that have always mattered most to him. James (Jim)
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