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20 February, 2009

Hi my name is John Scatchard, and the following page is a little insight into myself and my family.

I was born in Brisbane (Australia).   I have two beautiful sisters  (Karen and Sally) and a Brother (Allan), who is a great mate.  I guess you could call our family a very multi cultural one, as we were all born in different parts of the world.  This was due to my Dad serving in the Australian Army.  My Mother was born in Wynyard (Tas), Dad in Somerbridge, Yorkshire (UK), Karen in Tieping, (Malaysia), Sally in Wynyard (Tas), Allan in Pudsey (UK) and I said earlier I was born in wonderful sunny Queensland.

If you are wondering, yes, we do have a little fun when the cricket is on, especially the 'Ashes Series'. Although my Dad is a naturalised Australian these days,  I'm sure he still has a soft spot for the Poms. As you can see from the various birth places of the family I have travelled considerably.  We have lived in a number of beautiful countries including Malaysia, Singapore, England and South Africa.  Unfortunately for me the travel bug is hereditary and travelled considerably in my pre-marriage days around Australia, living in Western Australia and my native state of Queensland on the Gold Coast.  After and during my school days I did a lot of surfing, hence the need to travel around Australia's coastline looking for the elusive perfect wave.

On the matrimonial side of things, I had 10 years of married life, which sadly ended, and I am still single. Thankfully the marriage blessed us with three beautiful children.  Mitchell (21), Nathan (19) and Hollie (17).  Mitchell and I lived together in Hobart for a number of years, while Nathan and Hollie live with their Mum in Ridgley. 
Mitchell has now moved to Brisbane and is working as an apprentice plumber.  Nathan is completing his 4th year as a building apprentice and Hollie has gained a traineeship in child care. 
Mitchell doesn't play much squash these days, due to his work.  But his passion for squash in his younger years saw him have excellent results, ranked number one in Tasmania and finished 4th at his last Australian Junior Squash Championships.  Mitchell love of sport blossomed in his early years with BMX, being the Tasmanian State Champion for his age group in 1995  and 1996.   Nathan and Mitch also love playing Soccer, (I coached Mitchell's U13 team), and both boys are very good long distance runners.  Nathan used to playing basketball, and had a go at football playing on the back line.  He loves his cricket and plays 'A' Grade for Ridgley.  He recently purchased a 4 wheeler which he races.   Hollie still loves to dance but is not playing any sport at the present time.  I too love my soccer and competed with the Somerset Sharks Thirds team for two seasons in 1999 and 2000   With our team winning the thirds division for the 2000 season (winning team photo below).  I have been the current State U14 girls water polo coach for the past two years and Secretary of the Clarence Crocs Water Polo Club.

My interest in life include Squash,  Golf, Indoor Cricket, Bush Walking, Camping,  Photography,  Surfing, Go-Cart racing and my main addiction and passion (in life) Fly Fishing for the elusive wild Tasmanian trout.  Most of my Fly Fishing takes me to some wonderful and beautiful places, such as the pristine wilderness, and unpredictable weather of the Central Highlands of Tasmania.  Having fished for trout during snow storms in January and February.  I have also have been fortunate and privileged enough to have travelled twice to New Zealand (94 & 97)chasing a trophy trout (10lb plus), but have not managed to land one as yet. Went very close in '97, landed a 8lber.  I have Fly Fished for 24 years and I hope to pass on my experience and passion  for the sport to my boys who have both now taken up fly fishing.

I have always been and still am, a very keen sportsman and over the years I have been involved in numerous clubs, I was Secretary of the Burnie Surf Lifesaving Club (2 years, member for 10 years), Vice President North West Fisheries Association (2 years), President Burnie Branch North West Fisheries (4 years),  Secretary North West Fly Fishers Club (1 year), State President Tasmanian BMX Association (3 years) and the most fulfilling position I held, Co-Coordinator of the Tasmanian Trout Fishing Championships (4 years), Vice President - Wynyard Squash Club, Secretary and Western Schools Soccer Association, Committee Member - Squash Tasmania and Committee Member - Somerset Soccer Club and Minutes Secretary - L.A.K.E.S. (Leisure Anglers Keeping Environment Serene) a small group of concerned anglers fighting commercial helicopter flights into our beloved Western Lakes area.

As I previously said I am still heavily involved in sport, but in a different area, squash has moved over for water polo.  Coaching state and club teams takes up a huge amount of time and is a massive commitment as we would on average train 4 nights a week/weekends.  So I always try and get out on my boat either to the highlands or Bream fishing on the Derwent, and maybe sneak the occasional game of golf in.

I enjoy reading a good book, especially on cold frosty days curled up in front of the fire. My favourite author has to be Wilbur Smith (but as I having lived in South Africa I can relate to his stories, the places and the history involved with his storytelling). I am an avid collector of Tasmanian Trout Books, and we boast some excellent authors in our state, such as; Rob Sloane, Greg French, Don Gilmore and David Scholes.  I also enjoy reading Robert Ludlum and more recently Dan Brown. 

My music interests are wide and varied. I love the occasional dose of Classical music (when the mood takes me),  right up to today's modern music.  With a young family I have found it is imperative that one keeps up with the latest music around, which I like anyway. My favourites at present are Gabriella Cilmi,  Live, Corrs any Blues music. Of course Mitch has similar tastes to his Dad and a few others such as the Live, Ac/Dc, Blink 182, Lifehouse etc...

So that is a little about my family and myself, hope you enjoyed the read.