Teman Magazine - life+style - Winter 2023

esident
story
Our life together
The Tadmans | Ridge Estate by Teman
David was born in 1938 in Ryde NSW. He started
to learn the piano at 9 years old, however this only
lasted for a couple of years as he preferred to be
out on his bicycle with his friends. At 14 he came
back to music and decided he wanted to save for
an accordion. He earned his money by delivering
the local free newspaper and his mother agreed
to pay the balance as the cost of the accordion
was 79 guineas.
David left school at 15 years old and at 16 started
an engineering apprenticeship with Qantas at
Mascot. This included attending a tech college
course that took 4 years to complete. He became
a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer,
specializing in instrument and electrical systems.
As time passed his love for music returned and
he played the piano and accordion at churches,
nursing homes, and around hospital wards. At
Boys Brigade, David learned drumming and whilst
completing his National Service he became lead
drummer.
David’s engineering degree in aviation has meant
that he has worked for many companies including
DE-Haviland, Victa Aircraft at Bankstown, Maslings
at Cootamundra and East West Airlines at
Tamworth. After East West closed down he worked
at CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) and then
British Aerospace Systems at the Military college
at Tamworth for overseas students.
In 1963 David and Merle moved to Ballarat for
18 months where he set up a training centre
workshop for Missionary Aviation Fellowship. This
Centre was established for the purpose of training
pilots to deliver medical supplies to remote towns
and to places like PNG.
In 2003 after 50 years of working with aircraft
David retired.
Merle was born in Auburn NSW and at the age
of 12 her family moved to Ermington. Finishing
school at 15 years old, Merle got a job working in
the office at AWV (Amalgamated Wireless Valve
Co) Rydalmere. Later Merle was employed in the
office at Hillsdons for Holdens & Chevrolet at
Paramatta. Merle decided she needed to improve
her typing skills so completed a short course at
Paramatta Business College.
In 1958 Merle decided to go to Meadowbank
Tech College (now a TAFE centre) to complete
a dressmaking course. This came in handy
for making clothes for her family and later she
worked for her father’s upholstering business. His
shop was originally in Northmead but moved to
Dundas after a shop fire.
David and Merle met when Merle was 16
and David was 19 at a youth camp with their
local church. The weekend camp was held at
Yarramundi near Windsor. There was a flood that
weekend and while they were waiting for a bus
to come and rescue them, they started talking.
When Merle told her mother about David, she
wasn’t impressed with him at first as he rode a
motorcycle, but he managed to win her round
and they married a few years later in 1959 in
Ermington.
David and Merle became involved in Boys and
Girls Brigade whilst they were living in Castle Hill.
This is the same as Girl Guides or Scouts only
attached to a church. At Girls & Boys Brigade,
children have social opportunities in a safe, loving
nurturing community environment with good
role models. There are lots of fun and different
activities where they make friends and retain a
sense of belonging.
In 1982 when they moved to Tamworth because
of David’s work, involvement became a large part
of their lives. Merle was the captain of the Girls
Brigade. A Captains main role is to coordinate,
plan and lead the work of the company which
she did for 30 years teaching life skills to many
who wouldn’t have had the opportunity. David
also helped by driving the bus around Tamworth
picking up the youngster’s and taking them to
their church hall. Again, David’s musical talents
had a chance to shine and he played at Girl’s
Brigade sing- a- longs, beach missions, and kids
clubs.
David and Merle have had many enjoyable
holidays travelling around Australia, with Tasmania
being a favourite place for them both. They have
also been to the UK to check out David’s family
ties there. In October 2021 they moved to Ridge
Estate by Teman to be closer to their large family.
They have 5 children, 16 grandchildren and 18
great-grandchildren, an approx. total of 58 family
members. Since moving to Ridge Estate, they
have made many special friendships and really
enjoy living in the village.
This year they will celebrate 64 years of marriage.
12 | Winter 2023 Winter 2023 | 13