Stitch
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Thus spåke the blue alienHi All
I have really enjoyed reading this section of the forum and meeting in virtual terms the great diversity of steam enthusiasts out there.
Since introducing oneself seems to be the flavour of the week, I thought I would follow the trend. My name is Shaun and I live in Newcastle, Australia. I am a New Zealander and have spent the past 7 years in Australia. Before Newcastle, I was in Sydney and then Perth.
I am 35 years old and work as a university lecturer. I have two step-children and a very tolerant partner. Apart from steam, my interests are electronics, amateur radio and astronomy.
Have always been around collectors. My parents collect antiques and I grew up visiting antique shops and spent a lot of time looking at livesteam engines and visiting museums. My parents were interested in New Zealand’s industrial heritage and we spent a lot of time travelling around looking at old engines etc. Have been looking at and reading about model steam for some time now. For some reason, I never thought of collecting them until recently.
In a past life I was a historian and undertook a lot of research into the development of the colonial engineering industry and those who worked in it. One of my life highlights was time spent in Manchester in 2004 looking around old industrial sites and visiting museums.
The name “Stitch” comes from a collecting past. Used to have a huge collection of Stitch stuff, but this has been traded in for steam.
Started collecting engines in August last year. As well as Mamods I also collect SEL stationaries and have spent the past 6 months collecting engines from my country of birth. I have a variety of David Auld, Brian Moss (BriMo) and Cranko engines. I am also researching the history of Auld and BriMo engines..
I am also a dreamer and live in hope of winning lotto and finding an elusive Cranko steam launch, vertical and stationary engine. My aim for this year is to finally get around to adding a Mamod SE3 to the collection!
Spent quite a few months viewing the forums before joining. Wish I had joined earlier and I might have known to solder the leak in my SE1a from the inside! Although I have only been a member for a short while, I have learnt so much and I check the site on a daily basis. Congratulations to the founders and those who moderate and administer the forum. Unlike other forums I belong to, the d*ckhead factor seems to be absent and members are really friendly and helpful. This is great resource!
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tmuir
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Glad to finally put a 'face' behind that blue mask Stitch.
With all the recnt members joining from OZ we will son outnumber those based in UK. 
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IndianaRog
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Welcome Shaun,
As Tony says, the OZ contingent is growing fast, maybe you WILL outnumber the UK types one of these days!
Glad you are happy as a forum member. Being a mod, I can vouch for the fact we try to keep this a friendly and informative yet family like place. As you do, I check it daily...sometimes several times a day. We easily have 75-100 posts daily, so miss a day and the backlog of info seems huge.
Again, welcome to the forums...I have a warm spot for NZ and Aust. having once visited both. Spent a very rainy few days in Christ Church as I recall, but that was a few years back. I still have a nice Sheep Skin rug from that visit. I will probably get chided for buying such a thing by our admin., a young lad who seems to really like raising lambs and showing them...but not sending them to market 
cheers Shaun,
Roger
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Mamodman123
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Glad to have you here Stitch!
Really glad you are enjoying it! and collecting all those Auzzie engines
MM
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Graham-Jilly
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Glad to read your story Shaun and a big welcome.
I'm also a ham radio fanatic call sign VK4GBS
Listen out for me some time
Cheers Graham and Jilly
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MTA
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Welcome Stitch! Your input is valued here. Can you do the Stitch voice though? I can just about
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Stitch
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| MTA wrote: | | Welcome Stitch! Your input is valued here. Can you do the Stitch voice though? I can just about |
Funnily enogh, after 6 months of practice (and driving my partner mad) I can 
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Stitch
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| tmuir wrote: | Glad to finally put a 'face' behind that blue mask Stitch.
With all the recnt members joining from OZ we will son outnumber those based in UK. |
oops, you almost let the cat out of the bag. 
I think it is still a bit too early to announce the coup 
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Stitch
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| Graham-Jilly wrote: | Glad to read your story Shaun and a big welcome.
Im also a ham radio fanatic calsign VK4GBS
Listen out for me some time
Cheers Graham and Jilly |
Thanks G-J. Mine is VK2FSRA. Have moved in a new place and not yet been able to get up a suitable antenna. Once i do I will be sure to look out for you on the air.
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Stitch
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| IndianaRog wrote: | Welcome Shaun,
As Tony says, the OZ contingent is growing fast, maybe you WILL outnumber the UK types one of these days!
Again, welcome to the forums...I have a warm spot for NZ and Aust. having once visited both. Spent a very rainy few days in Christ Church as I recall, but that was a few years back. I still have a nice Sheep Skin rug from that visit. I will probably get chided for buying such a thing by our admin., a young lad who seems to really like raising lambs and showing them...but not sending them to market
cheers Shaun,
Roger |
Cheers Rog.
Yes, the OZ members are quietly infiltrating the site and waiting for the moment to quickly strike and launch our coup
I am hoping to get to the US early next year and if I can make it where you are would love to visit with you.
As a younger lad I also had lambs and it was years before I could enjoy the taste of lamb.
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Wallace
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Great to read about you stitch 
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Sandman
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Welcome Stitch.
The Oz contingent can't get too big.
The fascinating things we've learned about how our cultures differ, but still hold many of the same values intrigues me.
Do look up Rog if you're anywhere near. I can assure you of a memorable meeting and the making of a solid friendship. 
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Graham-Jilly
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| Stitch wrote: | | Graham-Jilly wrote: | Glad to read your story Shaun and a big welcome.
Im also a ham radio fanatic calsign VK4GBS
Listen out for me some time
Cheers Graham and Jilly |
Thanks G-J. Mine is VK2FSRA. Have moved in a new place and not yet been able to get up a suitable antenna. Once i do I will be sure to look out for you on the air. |
wont have antenna at new place utill I can move the 10mtr mast 
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James
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Great to hear Shaun!
Aus people RULE!
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James
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Great to hear Shaun!
Aus people RULE!
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flywheel61
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I'm a little late again, but welcome Shaun, although your already imbedded in the group, What's this about a coup, I'm too old to get involved with all of that, , just put me down for the dictators job at the end, what's that, it's already taken, oh, .
Cheers
Chris
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IndianaRog
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Shaun, somehow I missed your comment that in the not too distant future you might make your way to the US...of course you would be welcome to visit and steam a few favorites if you are anywhere near the Indianapolis, Indiana area (about 4 hours due south drive from Chicago).
Door is always open, just let me know if you can possibly make it.
cheers,
Rog
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Stitch
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| flywheel61 wrote: | I'm a little late again, but welcome Shaun, although your already imbedded in the group, What's this about a coup, I'm too old to get involved with all of that, , just put me down for the dictators job at the end, what's that, it's already taken, oh, .
Cheers
Chris |
Thanks, Chris. We were about to call for nominations for the position. I have conferred with the other OZ members and it has been agreed that you will lead us in revolution
My mum always warned to me to be careful for what you wish for
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Stitch
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| IndianaRog wrote: | Shaun, somehow I missed your comment that in the not too distant future you might make your way to the US...of course you would be welcome to visit and steam a few favorites if you are anywhere near the Indianapolis, Indiana area (about 4 hours due south drive from Chicago).
Door is always open, just let me know if you can possibly make it.
cheers,
Rog |
cheer, Rog. Much appreciated. I am trying to get over for a research trip and I think research at the "Temple" is a must
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IndianaRog
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Yes...you MUST research some US steam brands that are desperately needed in OZ...
Seriously, contact me if you can make it...big country, but maybe you will be within driving distance.
cheers,
Rog
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