Kampong Australia

by Mathew Radcliffe

The Royal Australian Air Force base at Butterworth was Australia’s largest and most enduring overseas military garrison in post-war Southeast Asia. Home to the majority of Australian airpower for over three decades, Butterworth was also home to a vibrant Australian community. From 1955 until 1988, spanning the end of the British Empire and the start of the Cold War through to real engagement with Asia, more than 50,000 Australian servicemen and their families rotated through the Penang region of Malaysia for two-year tours of duty. These men, women and children lived full lives during their deployment, a bastion of Australianness in the midst of Malays, Chinese and Indians. Kampong Australia explores the complex political genesis of the RAAF presence at Butterworth and shows what everyday life on and around the base was like. It charts the official policies and practices that framed the Australian encounter with the people and places of Penang, drawing on the recollections of those who were there. This evocative and – at times personal – book shines a light on the complex, uneven and dynamic history of the Australian military presence in northern Malaysia and shows what it was like to be there.

352 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2017

Reviews

[Okimura1170 · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book; my father took me to RAAF Butterworth in the early 80's and when I saw this book in the library, it was must read. Fascinating amount of "real voices" from servicemen and family for the 30+ years of RAFF Butterworth. Mathew is ex RAAF and actually spoke and o/or received written questionnaires from the multitude of servicemen and family discussing their time at RAAF Butterworth. If you are history buff either RAAF or Malaysian...this is a must read.
Alos a must read into the society attitudes of 1950-80's when international travel was v limited and most of airmen and their wives had never been out of Australia ...and then arriving in Penang...thses recollections are Gold

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always been intrigued by the lives of ex pats.
My Wife’s parents lived in PNG during the Transition to independence and her Uncle lived in Singapore when their family were stationed with the RAAF.

This book covers tip bits of information from former Australian RAAF families in Penang.

I found my self reflecting on how I would live in a community like that, one where the regular hours, the adventure just beyond your home, and the commonality of your neighbours allowed an almost reckless and forgiven lifestyle.

I would loved to have seen a reel of the interview in ‘you can’t ask that’ style of the people the Author got access to.

[Ankit Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice Book on Australian Military History ,A Big Book The Number of Pages is large but when I Start Reading The Book I Didnt Find Any Loss of interest I Really Enjoyed The Whole Book The Book Binds You To Read The Entire Book With Interest The Breief On This Book is :-
Kampong Australia explores the complex political genesis of the RAAF presence at Butterworth and shows what everyday life on and around the base was like. It charts the official policies and practices that framed the Australian encounter with the people and places of Penang, drawing on the recollections of those who were there.
As A Indian I Am Not Much Aware About The History Of Australian Army But After Read This Book I Get Lots Of Details & Knowledge About The History of Australian Army Their Lives Before War & After The War The Book Describe The Events In Detailed Way During 1955 To 1988 The Book Written in a simple Language Every One Easy To Understand The Words & The Meaning of phrases

The Army Histories Is Always A Matter of proud for Easch Nation & The peoples must be proud the history of their nations army But After Read This Book I Proud The Australian Army their works
The Official policies Of Australian army And other things Is Described in the Book

Finally I Strongly Recommend to other Peoples To Read This Book I Gives 5 Star rating to This Book Thanks To The New South Books To Provide Me A Complimentary Copy Of This Prestigious Book Unique Information Provided By The Author

Please Read & Find Great Exeperiences.