Stephen D'Alton

I'm not very comfortable with lineal narrative so this is really bits and pieces, more a Gaudi mosaic.

Left Fort St. and was interned in the prison farm of NSBHS. Managed to survive the early years because of my sporting abilities but in the latter years honed my skills at snooker, pool and surfing rather than attending the farm. I was politely asked to leave the cadets for insubordination, another roll call avoided! Managed to scrape a matriculation, not helped by missing one exam because the surf was up.

Aided by two kind aunts I started an Economics degree at SU then got a scholarship and survived by playing pool for money (my early training came in handy), this income then augmented in my third year by a tutorship at UNSW. Finished the degree, got a tutorship at SU, began a Masters. After a year I sent my resignation from Singapore en route to England.

In England I taught Art in a blackboard jungle called Bow Boys in the East End (never teach academic subjects in a comprehensive). Had a short stint as a stunt man (High diving) and taught drama at The Marylebone Institute.

Returned to OZ, broke, and got a job as Market Research Director, Colgate Palmolive. Took up racing sports cars (Lotus Super Seven)with a syndicate. Unfortunately they all drowned at sea.

Finished the Masters and did a Ph.D. Got a job at UNSW. Tutor, Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Head of School.

Was initiated into the Siva cult in Mahabalipuram, was made a tribal/clan member in Beruwela, fled Tangiers.

Learnt stonemasonry, carpentry, glazing, plumbing and electrics and built a house on the waterfront in Cottage Point while living on a Halvorsen.

Sailed a Felucca from Cairo to Thebes, sailed a Barque Catalan from Port Vendres to Barcelona.

Was Professor at UCLA and Aix-en-Provence. Published a novel a few text books and too many articles.

Had art exhibitions at The Rocks, Collioure and Oxford... not very successful!

I now live on the Gold Coast with Angelique and have just finished a novel called 'Swimming'. I'm looking for a publisher. All offers welcome!

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