Grant Buchan

I was born in Brisbane in 1955 and grew up in a typical suburban environment. At the end of High School, I started work as an apprentice electrician with the local distribution company. After 10 years working there, I felt it was time for a life style change. Even though I was born in Queensland, I had trouble coping with the humidity in the summer. I had travelled overseas a few times and to every state in Australia except Tasmania, so that is where I ended up. It was a real leap of faith and it was the correct move as I am still here more than 20 years later. I won a job with the then Hydro Electric Commission as a sub station operator.

I met my future wife Rosemary while living on the rugged west coast of Tasmania and after we were married, we transferred to the central highlands where I worked as a power station operator. We were blessed with a daughter during the two years we spent there. Next move was to Flinders Island in 1985 where I ran the diesel power station and looked after the distribution
system.

It was on Flinders Island that I was afflicted with GBS. There is only one GP on the island so at first it was a real mystery as to what was happening to me. He sent me for tests to Launceston but they were inconclusive so I was sent home. Shortly afterwards, my condition deteriorated and it was back to Launceston for more tests. The specialist confirmed GBS and I found myself in hospital for two weeks. I consider myself very lucky as I did not have an extreme case and once my condition stabilised, I started the long road to recovery. It has been almost complete and I now live a full and
most rewarding life.

While on Flinders Island, we had two more daughters (one before and one after GBS). We then moved to New Norfolk in 1988 where we had another daughter. We all now live in Hobart with the exception of our eldest
daughter who has completed the circle by recently moving to Queensland. Ironically, it seems it was too cold for her here.