This is a story  of a journey of change, growth and learning, a story that is ongoing, vibrant and alive.

Hello, I am Brendan, and I have just had my 49th birthday on September 8 2001. It is at times like this that I realise how lucky I am to have such wonderful friends ... no...... family around me.

I am the only child of Maria Josephine Walsh and George Young Vowles. 

Dad is one of six brothers and sisters, of Grace Lindley Black and William John Vowles, and like Mum was born in Dalby, Queensland. 

Mum, unlike Dad was an only child of Frances Mona (Dolly) Brindley and John Joseph (Joe) Walsh.

On Dad's side of the family, his only surviving sibling is Dorothy Mc Klennon age 94.

Click here to see our family tree.

This story, however, is not really about them, even though I acknowledge their importance in the complete picture.

On October 18 1999, my Dad passed into eternal life, at the age of 86. I was given the honor of becoming re-acquainted with this very gentle man in his last  four and a half years with us.

While I had been living at Coorparoo it had become apparent that Dad was beginning to fail in  health and I wanted to return home to be with him and offer him my support.

Being away from home gave me some necessary life skills, in which I had been lacking, which tends to happen if one lives with one's parents for thirty nine years. Living away from home was a real shock, but with the help of many people, I eventually found myself and established a healthy independence.

During this time, I met many wonderful people who helped me establish a direction in my life. 

On Saturday May 3 1997, I returned home.

To continue.......... click here