Bravery Award
Posted on by Debbie

Bonjour Noumea, it’s been a while!

Going back to a pivotal point in my life

A few years ago I wrote a post about surviving a school trip that went horribly wrong. It’s been one of my most read posts with hundreds of supportive comments. It’s reached people in ways I could never imagine and to be honest it took me years to be able to write about it at all. I truly appreciate all the kind comments and well wishes of everyone, many of whom are strangers.

If you’ve not read this earlier post it might be a good idea to do so as it sets the scene for what’s about to come. Trigger warning – it features a fatal accident and subsequent loss.

What I’ve learnt from surviving a school trip that went terribly wrong

This year after reading a post by Barbara at Thistles and Kiwis about her trip to Noumea, I was prompted to investigate going back to where this accident took place. Maybe not the actual place but the general area at least, a big step!

In the years since 1978, I’ve never been back to New Caledonia, and at first I never thought I would, but guess what, I’m about to do it!

In less than a month, the Mathematician and I are flying off to spend a week in Noumea, New Caledonia. This is a BIG thing for me and although I’m nervous about how it will go, I also think it’s time to get it out of my system.

You might wonder why after 46 years it is such a big deal and in some ways I wonder too. The fact that it was such a huge part of my life that wasn’t ever dealt with properly, if I’m being honest, is the main issue for me.

We were all expected to come back and just pick up where we’d left off, and mostly we did, but some of the residue angst has never left me. I don’t know what I’m expecting apart from a restful, relaxing week on a beautiful tropical island, but I won’t be surprised by anything.

Some of the story from 46 years ago – May 1978

It was 46 years ago, that as a 17 year old school student, I set off on an adventurous school excursion to New Caledonia. My first overseas trip, I was ready to practice my French language skills and immerse myself in the culture of the French island, just a few hours flight from Australia.

Little did we know that within a few days some of us would be heading home after surviving a tragic accident which took the lives of 3 people, two of whom were young students in the prime of their lives.

I was one of the three oldest students on the trip, with two of my best friends, all of us in Year 12, our final year of school.

Sadly only two of us returned home alive.

School trip ends in tragedy – was the headline in the Sydney Morning Herald on 12 May 1978

SMH 12 May 1978
SMH 12 May 1978

My side of the story

I can be back in New Caledonia on the night of the accident in an instant.  Despite it being 46 years ago, it is as clear as if it was yesterday.  My heart starts to race, my senses kick in, my thoughts crystallise and I’m there. Isn’t it strange what the mind can do, as I try to remember what I actually did last Tuesday, but 40+ years ago – hey, no problem??

We had left Australia with excitement on Saturday 6 May 1978. A group of 42 students and 4 teachers. My then boyfriend, now husband, (the Mathematician), drove me to the airport and waved me off. I remember on our way to the airport, in the early hours of the morning, that we nearly hit a cow standing in the middle of the road! I thought nothing of it until later on. It has become part of my story as I often wonder if it was a portent of what was to come.

At 1.00am on Thursday 11 May 1978 we were returning in two buses to our hotel Chez Maitre Pierre at Hienghene, after spending the evening at a disco at a nearby resort, with a group of students from a Wagga school.

It was raining heavily and I was on the first bus which left with 13 people on board – 4 adults and 9 students plus the bus driver.  I remember the road was winding, narrow and slippery.  The bus slid from the road and overturned, rolling four or five times down a forty metre embankment, ending up submerged in the river, La Hienghene, with only a small part of the bus showing above the water.

I was thrown from the bus as it rolled down the embankment and sustained concussion, shock,  cuts, glass embedded throughout my body and other minor injuries, but somehow I had survived.

In total darkness, and with no sign of panic, those of us who had managed to escape from the bus immediately set about the task of rescuing the injured, resuscitating those who had drowned and caring for them until rescuers arrived, more than two hours later.

But for their actions the loss of life would have been far greater.

It was tragic – 3 of the 13 people aboard, died on that bus.

Somehow I was thrown from the bus as it rolled down the embankment, which in my mind was (and still is) a cliff.  I had been asleep on the bus and I don’t remember anything about being thrown out as it rolled. Once I’d regained consciousness I climbed down to the others at the water’s edge and helped out.  I was suffering from shock, the after effects of concussion, had glass embedded in my head and feet (not removed until weeks later) and was bleeding from multiple cuts.  I assisted other students care for the adults who had been dragged from the submerged bus to the shore and climbed back up the embankment to give the helpers an accurate picture of the situation.

One clear memory I have after climbing the cliff and running for help is entering a room of shocked students and teachers, saying ‘I have a bit of a cut on my head but I’m OK, what can I do to help?’ 

Things must have moved quickly because we were flown home on Saturday 13 May after a night in a motel in Noumea. It was a harrowing time for our families at home as the news headlines just mentioned three people had died, no details.

What happened once we were home?

Well, we were expected to go back to school as if nothing had happened. We had no counselling, no support and no-one really understood what we’d been through. We went to the two funerals of our friends, Leonie and David, on 16 May as both were held on the same day. It was a surreal experience.

It was found that I had glass throughout my head, legs and feet and so I had to have the wounds re-opened and the glass removed.  This necessitated my head to be shaved in parts and I would go to my kind hairdressers every day or so for them to wash my hair with dry shampoo and I wore a scarf to cover the bandages. Still when I went to school each day no-one commented on my injuries, my bandaged head or asked how I was coping. I still find this bizarre!

I had a few health issues as a result of the stress but I just had to get on with things, like my final exams and finishing school in the October of that year.  My parents were supportive and understanding and they were just so pleased to have me back in one piece. There was a lot going on!

Interview by local paper when the Award was announced
Interview by local paper when the Award was announced

After the story hit the media, we were made out to be heroes and six of us were nominated for Bravery Awards from the Queen.  I’ve read back through all the newspaper articles recently and it was harrowing stuff, even all these many years later! But I’m not a hero.

News that the Queen has approved bravery awards for six young students a Bomaderry and Nowra High Schools is a timely reminder of the fine style of young people who live in our area. 

South Coast Register June 6 1979

Award Ceremony

On October 8, 1979, the six of us and our families, plus the Mathematician, travelled to Government House Sydney to receive our awards from His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Roden Cutler.

Bravery Award
Bravery Award presentation

My official citation reads:

Be it known that, with the approval of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second, Queen of Australia, I have awarded the Commendation for Brave Conduct to

Deborah Anne Pittaway:

On 11 May 1978, at about 1am in New Caledonia, a bus carrying a party of Australian school students, plunged off a road during heavy rain into a river and became partly submerged.  Miss Pittaway, a student in the party, was thrown from the bus as it left the road.  Although suffering from a severe cut to the head and shock, as well as the after effects of concussion, Miss Pittaway helped to care for a number of the more seriously injured and later assisted the rescue workers.

Miss Pittaway displayed commendable courage in such hazardous conditions.

Bravery Award
My Bravery Citation

Things have changed in the way counselling is offered at schools and for tragic events these days, and for the better I must say. 

We could have, and should have, been offered help to deal with this accident instead of just carrying on as per normal. I often wonder what difference it would have made to my life. But I’m a survivor and resilient to the core!

It reminds me, each time I think back on this accident, and all the things that have happened in my family in the intervening years (which is a LOT) – it’s up to each of us to make the most of the life we’ve been given.

Going Back

I’m spending time looking at the documents of our ill-fated trip, the school newsletters, the suggestions on what to pack, how much money to take, what to expect, the itinerary and the newspaper clippings of after we returned. It’s churning over and over in my mind but I know this is all part of the process. I am an optimist and believe it is something I need to do.

I’m no longer that 17 year old girl but she’s still a part of me, and what we went through back then is never going to go away.

I hope that by finally going back to New Caledonia, it might help to clear my mind in some ways.

Stay tuned, no doubt write more once I’m over there. I’m also a bit worried that my French skills are a tad rusty, but am hoping it will kick back in once I’m there. I’m ready to say bonjour and merci for everything I’ve been given in life.

Debbie signature

Note: some of this post has been modified from an earlier one

Joining Natalie for her #weekendcoffeeshare linkup

Min at Write of the Middle, has a linkup for bloggers called Wednesday Words & Whimsy which everyone is invited to join in with a post – link here #WWWhimsy.

You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.

Everyone has a story to tell!

Debbie - mother of a 40 year old

Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. You can read more of Deb’s story here

48 Replies to “Bonjour Noumea, it’s been a while!”

  1. Pingback: Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot May 16 – Boondock Ramblings

  2. Wow Deb. I know I’ve read your story before, but that was powerful, especially in the way that things were expected to go back to normal…and sometimes our trauma doesn’t manifest right away because we’re in shock. I hope your trip is relaxing, healing, and what you want and need it to be. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Yes Kirstin, I’m hoping so too. At the moment New Caledonia is having trouble with rioting and is currently under state of emergency, so I’m wondering if I’ll even get to go in June as planned!

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  3. Hi Debbie, I remember reading about this and being so moved by the trauma you’ve had to endure and the bravery you showed. I can understand why this is a big thing to return to Noumea! I really hope the trip helps you to process that horrific event and find some peace and resolution. It’s so sad that you didn’t get proper counselling back then. I would hope that if something like this happened these days they would know better and that proper support and counselling would be provided. I have been to New Caledonia on a cruise but not Noumea. We stopped in at Lifou which was beautiful. The colour of the water was magnificent! I wish you well for your trip Deb. I’m glad you’ll have your husband with you. Thanks again for linking up with #WWWhimsy – hope you have a fabulous day! xo

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  4. I hope all goes well with your trip Debbie. You went through a very traumatic experience as such a young age. I’m not surprised you are still carrying the burden of those events especially as you received no counselling for it.

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  5. it’s BIG what you are doing & all you are remembering is so clear. I am hoping it is something you can experience with gentleness along with understanding this time round with the man you married by your side & maturity of all that you’ve gained since that time.

    Denyse

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    1. Thank you for your caring words Denyse. I’ve grown a lot since then as you say so hopefully it will al be fine – although the whole area is currently under a state of emergency!!

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      1. Yes we just watched the news…eeek. Let’s hope things are brought back to whatever is normal too for your sakes as well as citizens. I can’t believe I forgot Sir Roden Cutler and that he was NSW Governor. A Manly boy too! Sigh. Denyse

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  6. Oh, this would be traumatic for me too to go back to New Caledonia after all you experienced there! It sounds like you are preparing yourself very well though. I hope it will be healing. Give yourself much grace, Deb. You’re doing a very brave thing!

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  8. Thank you for sharing with us, Deb. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have been like to live through and carry with you all these years. You are a strong person. I wish you well with your trip back.

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  11. What a powerful and life changing experience Debbie. Your survival was miraculous. You showed such bravery and courage. I don’t know how you stayed so calm. I can only imagine the heartache that you went through. Hugs, C

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    1. Thanks Cheryl, there was no time to panic and we all just did what we could at the time but it is surprising given our age and lack of experience.

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  12. Hi, Debbie – I echo the words of Sue and others. You were an incredibly brave and courageous young woman, and you remain incredibly brave and courageous today. I am very proud to calll you a good friend. I wish you much peace in your journey.

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  13. Perhaps the passage of time was required before some closure could happen. It’s sad to think how little compassion and support you all received back then. Times have indeed changed and in this way for the better.

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  14. WOW that takes real courage to go back! We really knew so little about mental health back then and how to deal with trauma. I hope you have a wonderful trip and can continue to heal and grow.

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  16. Are you going to go up north? It will be tricky for you, but it’s a stunning area. Just be careful of yourself (emotionally). I look forward to hearing about whay you care to share with us. Best wishes!!

    #TrafficJamReboot

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    1. Hi Lydia, We’re not sure if we will get there at all at the moment due to the state of emergency imposed due to rioting and issues. We will try to get up north but will see how things are!

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  17. Hi Deb – I remember when you wrote about this previously – but re-reading it all makes me realise how harrowing it would have been for you. Things were so different back then – everyone just got on with things. I remember being in a car accident when I was 16 and going to school with a broken nose and two black eyes – nobody asked how I was, I think the only comment was how I could go to school not looking ‘pretty’.

    These days it seems to be overkill with the counselling etc available to students when there’s an incident, but probably better to have too much than to have none at all. I hope the trip helps lay some of it to sleep and you can move forward without it being quite so traumatic….and I hope there’s some lovely parts to the holiday as well – it’s a beautiful place. xx

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    1. Hi Leanne, we sure did get on with things back then didn’t we? how could people not ask how you were with a broken nose and two black eyes? I agree things have changed and overall I think they’re better for it. I’m hoping we can even go due to the issues over there at the moment!! That would be just my luck, I’ve decided to go and then there’s riots!

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  18. Hi Deb, I agree with Carole that you most probably did suffer from PTSD which was not treated. I can’t imagine the horror for you Deb and what a brave and courageous person you were then and are now. I hope you can find some peace going back. I know that Mike who was called up for National Service and spent 12 months in a tent in war zone Vietnam, never wanted to return. However, we took a cruise which actually stopped in where he was stationed. After the visit he said he was glad that he went. I hope you have a wonderful time and find some peace. You will never forget but hopefully the trip will ease your mind. I’m proud to call you my friend. xx

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    2. Thanks Sue for sharing Mike’s experience, I’m hoping that’s how I’ll feel afterwards too. You’re a lovely friend and I just hope we can get there given the current situation!

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  19. I’m sure you’ve suffered from PTSD ….not talked about as much back then. I hope your return to the site is healing in many and maybe unexpected ways. You’re our hero! 😘

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  20. Hold tight to the Mathematician’s hand, acknowledge your bravery, and be strong. I admire you and your efforts. It is a shame that in the past that people, even the medical profession, failed to deal with the effects of trauma. Safe travels.

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    1. Many thanks Barbara! It’s looking a bit rough there at the moment with the rioting and the airport is closed. they have 3 weeks to get themselves sorted out!

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  22. I am always amazed and horrified when I read about your bus trip. I cannot imagine the horror and then realization that some of your friends had not made it. But, I do disagree with you. You are definitely a hero…you helped others out of the situation. I hope you have a wonderful time and are able to, maybe, put some of the past behind you. Safe travels.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. Thanks Marsha you are too kind. I feel a bit like a ‘yesterday’s hero’ (a popular song back in the 1970s). I’m hoping things go well!

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