Welcome to the world, Alan Smith
Born on the 12th December 1939 to Minnie and Charles Smith in Bathurst, NSW, Alan was the treasured first-born child of his generation in the family, and was especially beloved by his Aunties. He was followed by two brothers, Warwick and Ian, and four sisters, Leonie, Raine, Judy and Robbie. Charles passed away when Alan was seven years old, leaving him with the responsibility of being the man of the house. Growing up during during World War 2, his family faced extreme poverty and hardships. Alan's first job was at a rope factory at age 11, where they hired children to thread the materials for the rope into the machine.
Alan was always into Hot Rods and the mechanical workings of cars. As a 17 or 18 year old he broke one of his legs and eventually lost all his teeth, when he smashed into a wall on a bicycle with no brakes. After this accident, his future mother in-law was much less willing to go for rides on the handlebars of his bicycle!