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V36694 Sam & Barbara
Mackrill
Sam and Barbara joined the Dalrymple Drifters at the inaugural
rally in Jan 06. Sam (his nickname) was born in Tasmania fair
while ago and spent about 32 years in the Army in total. Most of
the time spent in the Eastern states with a couple of side trips
to Malaya and South Vietnam thrown in. Barbara is Victorian
born, they met in1962 married in 1965 and when Sam took his
discharge in Jul 1992 they hit the road in their Toyota Hi-ace
and spent the next 14yrs on the road.
The Hi-ace was literally home for about 10 of the 14yrs. Due to
circumstances beyond their control it was 1999 before they
completed the lap around the block even though they clocked up
more than 59000km in the mean time. There was quite a bit of
ground covered more than once and about half was using a troop
carrier and camper trailer. In Sep 07 they became the proud
owners of a Winnebago Adventurer on Fiat chassis. Barbara is
very pleased with the onboard facilities, while Sam says the
distance covered during his nocturnal treks is reduced
remarkably. They own a house on Bribie Island Qld and one in
Mowbray Tas (since 2001) and at the time of writing their time
is divide between the two, with visits to their children thrown
in where they can. They have two children and five grandchildren
all living in Northern Victoria. Neutral territory.
Barbara came from a rural background centered on sheep and wool
production and her hobbies include lapidary and silver work. Sam
was a bricklayer before his military service and since retiring
from it has been gainfully employed by said children on several
construction tasks for “somewhat less than award rates” but is
happy to be able to help.
The Victorian membership number arises from the fact that for
15yrs their postal address was care of their son in Nanneella
Vic, even though Sam was conscripted by the now Dalrymple
Drifters President and another CMCA member at the Launceston
RSL on Anzac Day 2004 shortly after the Rally at Quercus Park.
There are good times ahead, with Barry, Don, and co at Happy
Day, er, Hour.
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