From Sailing to Sheep

JOHN Paul Young was the Australia Day Ambassador in Merriwa yesterday and recalled his first Australia Day after moving from Scotland and what being Australian means to him.

“It was 55 years ago today, on the morning of the 26th of January at about 5:30am that we sailed through the heads of Sydney and it will stick with me forever,” said John Paul Young.

“This country has given my family everything, they have given us direction, they have given us employment, families, it is just a brilliant place; it is the best country in the world, we all know that,” he laughed.

John Paul Young- image courtesy of Teamwork Productions

“My dad was working three jobs in Glasgow and he still wasn’t getting ahead; he actually wanted to go to Canada back in 1957 but my mother stopped him, she said it was too cold, so he eventually got his way ten years later,” he said.

“I can’t believe how fortunate I am to be honest,” John Paul Young said.

While John feels Australia made a profound difference to his family we asked what he hopes to be remembered for contributing.

“Hopefully something you can sing along to, tap your toe to or dance to,” said John Paul Young.

“I’m forever woven into the fabric of Australia music which is a lovely compliment,” he said.

Of his time in Merriwa he said that while he has passed through on his way to Dubbo many times, this was the first time he was able to stop in the town famous for its history with merino sheep.

“It is lovely, like all little towns in Australia I have a very soft spot and a lot of respect for the small towns in this country, when you think back to when they were first formed my God what a tough time they all had, it’s a fantastic tale of survival,” John Paul Young sad.