Friday Night Club

By Ian Piggott

Although I really wasn’t a big churchy type of person, I did enjoy the man who used to come to my primary school (Helensburgh Public) once a week and teach us stories about this guy called Jesus. He was a nice man, this Mr. Findlayson. Kind, warm, and gentle are things I remember most about him. He didn’t get stressed or angry or impatient; he just took it all in his stride.

Over the back fence and through the fire station was Mr. Fin’s house. I remember he had this old pile-of-junk minibus that he used to cart the older high-school kids around in. It looked like so much fun and I wished I could join them — but I was too young. Mr. Findlayson had a son who was (what I thought at the time) heaps older than me, and he and all his friends looked like they had a great time with Mr. Fin in that old minibus driving off to somewhere.

By Ian Piggott

I eventually grew up and went to high school, and with that I was now older and could attend the Friday Night Club or The Jesus Light & Power Co. Friday Night Club was the best. Mr. Findlayson used to have a hall next to his home on Parkes Street.

Friday Night Club was great for many reasons. First, Mr. Findlayson had arcade games in the hall — old EM (electro-mechanical) pinballs, Exerion, a pool table, and a jukebox (remember, this was the ’80s). It also let us meet all our friends in the late afternoon, evening, and night. Being allowed out at night with your friends when you’re an early teen was cool. Mr. Fin would also take us on excursions to the city (Sydney).

By Ian Piggott

A couple of excursions really stand out. The first was when Mr. Findlayson took us to a huge all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. I remember trying sweet corn and chicken soup for the first time in my life and being completely addicted to it. I must have had at least five bowls that night and I remember not eating much else because I was so full of soup.

Another time had us passing through Kirrawee on the bus to the city again (might have been the same outing to the Chinese restaurant) and Shane Poole got all grossed out by someone in another car next to us at the lights who showed their bare bum to her and the bus. That was funny and the whole bus was full of laughter.

One evening at dusk, the bus was chugging along the incline at Garawarra heading north. There was some smoke and Mr. Findlayson removed the cover from the engine to reveal fire. We all got off the bus quickly and moved away from it. I can’t quite remember what happened after that, but I think another bus came and collected us.

By Ian Piggott

My mate Alan Lewis had a thing for Mr. Findlayson’s daughter, Justyne. Alan had a way of being super cheeky but very honest and endearing, and this opened doors for him. Like the time after school when Alan would go to Mr. Fin’s house and ask for the hall key so we could go play games. Mr. Fin would trust Alan (and, to a lesser extent, me) by allowing us free rein over the hall most of the time. Alan is no longer with us, but I personally will never forget him as we shared so many experiences growing up.

By Ian Piggott

Mr. Findlayson… what a guy. It appeared he’d dedicated himself to us — to the little shit kids of Helensburgh. We could sometimes be naughty, or could be “dirt poor”, or a little “well to do”; and it certainly didn’t matter to Mr. Fin, as he treated us all equal. He seemed to care and have time for us and we knew he was just there for us.

I have a deep appreciation and gratitude for Bryan Findlayson. He certainly left many lasting impressions on me and I’m certain on others in the town as well. I truly thank him from the bottom of my heart for what he did for the youth of Helensburgh in those times. I’m not sure why he was compelled to do such things, but I’m glad he did. (Later he would tell me a guy “up there” was the reason.)

Years later I felt compelled to write him a letter, which I did, and I got a very nice reply. I also conveyed my sentiments to Justyne at a primary-school reunion several years ago. I don’t think she really understood what her father had dedicated himself to and the profound effects on the lives of those he came into contact with — or maybe I just read her expression wrong. Either way, Mr. Findlayson did much for the township of Helensburgh. His literacy skills and historical knowledge are well known by those who partake in such interests.

Mr. Findlayson, if you ever read this… THANK YOU.