Message from Melitta (full version)

Hello Everybody from Defence Central Registry

I am sorry I am unable to come to the reunion. I would have loved to come along and re-kindle friendships with those I knew who I have lost contact with and catch up with those that I see occasionally. I have lost contact with a lot of people which is a great shame, as I have many fond memories of those days and the wonderful people I met and shared good times with.

My life at that time (1980-1982) was busy and stressful and there were times I was difficult to be around “yes I will admit that.” My life as an extremely young single mother was tough, but I survived and eventually my daughter and I grew up. My daughter Michelle is now 28 years old. I am a happy and hope and think that I am a reasonably well adjusted sane adult.

My life thus far has been eventful and there is a lot to tell. I will not write it all down, as it would resemble war and peace and would not be of interest to those who did not know me. But in short, I have been a lot of places, lived lots of experiences and am truly honoured and fortunate to have the sometimes complicated, often eventful, mostly happy, sometimes sad, usually healthy and comparatively wealthy life I have.

I left Canberra in early 1992 and lived in Melbourne for 12 years; mostly as a single woman enjoying the music, restaurant, pub and theatre scene with my many friends. I lived mostly in Brighton and just before I left I brought a flat in St Kilda East. Melbourne brought great challenge to my life and gave me the environment and freedom to become the woman I am today.

I have travelled extensively, in Europe, Scandinavia, the UK, some Pacific Islands, nearly every country in Southeast Asia, some in North Asia and America (even up to Alaska), and Canada. Travel is one of my passions and one of my dreams is to join the Century Club.

In 2002 I fell in love with my partner and in 2004 I returned to Canberra. That same year, we left Canberra and were posted overseas to Cambodia. I cannot come to the reunion as we are still overseas. It has been a three year posting which finishes just the week after the reunion but due to uplift and other timing issues, I cannot come home early.

For those that would be interested, I did not have any more children. I also never married. My partner and I spend our time and money travelling the world and experiencing as much of life as we can. I was never settled and enjoy moving around and experiencing new people and places. I am living the life I love, with someone I love who loves me.

I suppose that one day we will settle down in one place, but that day is not yet. My partner and I will be in Canberra for only 4 months, before we embark on our next posting to Brazil which will be for another 2-3 years.

I wish each and every one of you happiness and hope that you have a really terrific night. I would like to be there to raise my glass with those of you I knew and remember absent friends and the good times we shared.

Happy Days and “Cheers”

Melitta Sterling (previously known as Melitta Sturesteps)