Chapter 1: 1963

I was asked by my father a couple of times to give up my studies when I finished my Form Three, State Examination. He preferred me to study at college to become a teacher instead of studying for my Form Five. In those days, it was expected that a female need not be too educated. Daughters would be given away to another family, so it was seen to be a waste of money to educate them. Men preferred to be married to less educated women as they would be more "obedient" in their role as a wife, and men generally did not like to be questioned. There would not be many questions asked if women accepted their roles as good wives, mothers and daughters-in-law. I refused to comply with my father's request so I only hoped I would not have to face my father's music if I failed.

My form teacher did not give me much help or confidence in myself. She was a typical traditional teacher who demanded respect from her students at all times, even when she was wrong. When my form teacher was teaching there should be no sound and the students should not ask any questions, otherwise she'd see this as students having no respect for the teacher. Students had to stand up in class and wish their teacher "Good Morning" when they entered a class. Students could only sit when they were given permission to do so. In those days students were supposed to agree to their teachers and not argue or answer back. My form teacher did not like me from the day I answered her back, when she accused me of not paying attention to her in class. From that time on she punished me with failures on my monthly History tests.

I completed the Form Five examination. It was now only up to the Grace of God that I should pass. This examination was equivalent to the higher secondary school examination one has to pass before being considered for University entrance. I was glad that I could find solace in God and He gave me the strength to carry on with my education.

Some students in my year gave up their studies if they were considered a failure with no support from others or if they were not included in the intelligent clique in school. With reinforcement that they were failures from all corners of their life, student's self-esteem disintegrated with time. I was not included in the intelligent clique of my form comprised of rich and clever girls. However, I was motivated to do well in my final examinations because I wanted to show my form teacher that I could pass my examination even though she had been failing my History examinations throughout the year.

Looking back now I am glad that I was driven to study instead of walking out of school. I wanted to see how far my talents could go that were given to me by God, even though I had unfortunate circumstances in life at that time. My school life was bitter but I persevered until the end of my final school year. In fact, I was more determined to succeed and motivated to work hard. I burned many midnight candles during my school days. I also made my school terms shorter by frequently telling myself that I had not too long to go.

The wait for my Cambridge Examination result was three months. On the day results were released the girls in my Form were excited and could not wait for the results to be published in the newspapers. We went to the school office looking for our results.

"I passed, I passed". "Thank God I passed". I could not wait to inform my English teacher who had given me much support and extra coaching in my last year at school. My darling English teacher was excited for me so she took me to the teachers' staff room to inform my form teacher. My form teacher was at the office and was greatly surprised that I passed. She asked me what career I would study for. I informed her I had applied for nursing studies. My form teacher stated she hoped I would not have to look after her if she was sick as she thought I would not nurse her in a passionate way since I hated her. What a thing to come out from an adult's mouth who was supposed to be a model to the younger generations. What a mark her actions made on students' lives. To me some teachers were so selfish they only thought of their own ego and feelings and often disregarded their students' feelings. I am glad for my English teacher that all her coaching was not in vain. I am glad there were good teachers around to contradict the nasty, irresponsible teachers who only thought of themselves.

I passed the Cambridge Examinations but I could not be admitted to Form Six with my results. What could I do? The thought of going for short-hand, typing and secretarial work crossed my mind at the time. I could also apply for nursing and I felt that was the Lord's calling. Teaching and secretarial positions were predominantly positions for women in those days. Girls did not enter into jobs which were filled by men including engineering, medicine, or any other job that required a science background.

I boarded a BOAC Airline in Singapore. The few hours' flight was a terrible experience. I was air-sick, my eyes were red and I was sick in the stomach. I did not enjoy the flight at all. The emesis bag was nearly half full when I landed at Melbourne airport.

Would there be someone to meet me? With luggage in my arms I staggered out from customs. I looked strangely around and wondered if there would be someone waiting for me. What if there was no one? After leaving the customs area, I went through a door. As soon as I passed through the door a gentleman came towards me. “Are you Miss Lee?" he asked. I was relieved to hear somebody call me by name. I happily replied and acknowledged that I was Miss Lee and allowed him to assist me with my language. In those days Australia still had their White Australia Policy, thus it was easy to track a lone Chinese girl walking out of the customs.