“I saved your life once”, were the first words Pat said to me when I met with him as his story writer for Mallee Living Histories. “I’ve never forgotten!” was my reply. Patrick (Pat) Joseph Byrne was born to parents Lawrance Albert and Margaret Mary Byrne in Sea Lake on 18 March 1935. His name reflects his birthdate, sandwiched between Saint Patrick’s Day and Saint Joseph’s Day, along with his Catholic heritage! Pat joined older siblings Des, Marie, and Brian at the family home. Older sister Margaret had died from diphtheria some twelve months before Pat’s birth. Pat recalls his parents telling him sanitation was almost non-existent in the town in those days, contributing to Margaret’s death.
The Mallee’s Living Histories full editions are available for purchase from Princes Court Community Living Shop.
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