This is Part 1 of a 2-part program featuring the Life and Times story of Baby Boomer – Kath Holton.
Kath, who was born in 1955 was bought up in the then semi-rural and outer Melbourne suburb of Rosanna. Underdeveloped at this time it meant she and the neighbourhood kids had vast open spaces to play in all of which led to a happy and healthy childhood.
Coming from a very politically and union oriented family meant Kath was exposed to politics at a young age and far from finding it boring, she absorbed it all. However, this did mean she often felt a little isolated as it wasn’t a topic of discussion let alone interest with her young friends.
This development of a political and social conscience reared its head in the classroom when the class believed that they were being unfairly dealt with by a teacher. It was agreed that Kath would put the class position to the teacher and have the support of the class. When the time came and Kath spoke up, she quickly realised that in fact she was on her own.
She graduated from teachers college and after working off her debt, she and a girlfriend decided to go on an overseas holiday. In the belief that the closest country must be the cheapest they found themselves in New Guinea in the early 1970’s. Part of the adventure was that the country at that time really wasn’t a set up for tourism. This didn’t stop them having a wonderful and eye opening experience and really set Kath off on many years of travel overseas.
In fact on her return to Australia she took up relief teaching before heading off on a significant overseas trip filled with wonder and a fair share of scary moments. There were adventures working in hotels in the Swiss Alps.
There were many other adventures including having rocks thrown at her in Iran and being in a bush crash in Pakistan.
Click to hear – Kath Holton – Part 1Previous Listen To Older Voices Programs can be found in our archive, by clicking on one link or the other
– 2012 to 2016 
– 2016 onward 
[Listen To Older Voices receives funding from the Commonwealth Government
through the Commonwealth Home Support Program Program]
