Whilst searching for photographs to share at her father John Vanstone’s funeral, Kim discovered a bag filled with dozens of old letters. These letters, written almost 70 years ago, are a rare find. They are a preserved time capsule, revealing the history and legacy of a man who had achieved incredible international stature, from a time nearly forgotten.
John, Kim’s dad, born in the 1930s and five decades her senior, documented an extraordinary period of his life through these letters—one that Kim knew little about.
When Kim read the letters, she knew straight away that she had to piece together his incredible story, even if that meant travelling to the other side of the world, embarking on a year-long emotional and geographical quest to reconnect with her late father’s past.
This month, Kim is sharing her journey and the unfolding of her dad’s story through an ongoing video series on social media.
Kim’s father, who came from a poor Adelaide family, worked his way to London in 1958, a city in transition. Emerging from the post-war era, with Queen Elizabeth having been on the throne for just five years, and rock and roll culture beginning to influence society, London was a place of change and excitement.
The letters offered a glimpse into a world so vastly different from Adelaide.
“When I held the letters, the instinct to dedicate my time and energy to find out more was undeniable,” she says.
“The letters my dad wrote to his Adelaide family whilst studying in London were so beautifully detailed and written with a style of language almost forgotten, that I got lost in them.”
“I put all my faith in those letters, each one a guide leading me across the world to places he had been when he was 21 years old, starting his journey from Adelaide to London to study optometry. There was no question in my mind – I was going to go to all these places.”
“My dad grew up really poor in Adelaide, and he would always say, ‘I hated being poor.’ So, he knew that to break the cycle of poverty, he needed an education to secure a career.”
“He started working cutting lenses at the only OPSM in Adelaide on James Place in the city and went to Adelaide University to study a Bachelor of Science. It was from here that he was given the opportunity to study further in London.”
“He was the first person in his family’s lineage to study at university, and he was determined to be the very best in his field that he could be.”
Growing up, Kim had always known bits and pieces of her dad’s story. He would occasionally mention his time in London, but the full details were never shared.
“He’d talk about going to London, studying at the university, coming back with no money, and two pieces of paper that helped him break free from poverty,” Kim shares.
“But that was it really. Looking back now, I remember his eyes lighting up when he spoke of London and Paris, and I knew that was a chapter of his life he cherished.”
So, ensuring his story didn’t remain untold, she was determined to not just read but to start digging. What followed after finding the letters was a year of meticulous research.
“I had to literally piece his story back together. Thank God for Google Maps and the internet—without them, this project wouldn’t have been possible,” Kim admits.
“Buildings had changed names, been demolished, or completely transformed. It took over a year of research and planning, and I started just days after he passed.”
Kim’s journey took her across London, Paris, and Edinburgh, retracing the steps her father had taken decades before.
“I spent nearly a month overseas, retracing his journey,” Kim says.
“As I visited each place, I saw the world through his eyes. I walked the same streets, stood in the same spots where he once stood. It was surreal, but it also brought me closer to him in a way I never expected.”
One of Kim’s favourite letters was the one her dad wrote about how he was gifted a ticket to The Savoy as part of the British Optical Association. The tickets were only 6 pence, but he couldn’t afford it, so he was gifted a ticket by his mentor, Mr Giles.
“I went to The Savoy when retracing my dad’s experience, and I was given a grand tour by the hotel’s archivist. She took me to the ballroom, gave me a tour behind the scenes, and she fell in love with Dad’s letters,” Kim explained.
“She spent over three hours with me, telling me stories of the event, what the hotel was like, and why Dad was invited. These letters will now live on in The Savoy Hotel for everyone to read,” said Kim with much pride.
Letter from John: 25 October, 1958
Dear Mum and Dad,
Last Tuesday we attended the Banquet and Ball at the Savoy Hotel, which was unsurpassed, as far as Balls are concerned. We met numerous people including Sir Stewart Duke-Elder, the Queens Ophthalmologist.
Never have you seen such luxury which was shared mainly amongst the women in their magnificent gowns and diamond tiaras. Outside the Rolls Royce, Bentley and the elite cars were plentiful. Never could this place be surpassed in Australia. Before leaving for the Ball, we were all aware that we would be ‘little fishes in a large pond’, but within 5 minutes after our arrival, we had the feeling that we had known these people for years. Never had we laughed so much, as we did during the night, and the floor show (Spanish dancers) was of course, of world fame.
Kim fondly remembers her father’s humble nature, despite his global achievements.
“He came from a poor background and was given a free ticket to the Savoy Hotel in London, a place he didn’t even realise was so prestigious,” Kim says.
“I visited the Savoy and had dinner there—it cost me about $400—but for my dad, it was a different experience. He never flashed wealth; he was always down-to-earth. That was just who he was.”
As Kim shared her journey with friends and family on Instagram, she found that it resonated with people from all over the world.
“I’ve heard from people who stayed at the same accommodation my dad did in London, feeling that same sense of being an international student in a foreign city.”
“I’ve received messages from people I haven’t spoken to in 25 years, telling me how kind my dad was and how he helped them with glasses they still wear today,” she says, overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
The journey has inspired others to explore their own family histories.
“I’ve had messages from people in the US, the UK, and across Australia, saying they now want to learn more about their own families,” Kim adds.
“Some people even mentioned they were inspired to trace their roots in Greece or explore the history of their adoption. It’s incredible to see how my dad’s story has sparked this curiosity.”
As Kim delved deeper into her father’s professional life, she discovered just how remarkable his achievements had been.
“He worked tirelessly to build a career in optometry. For the first year, he didn’t have all the official documentation, but eventually, he became a Fellow of the British Optical Association,” Kim says.
This was one of the highest qualifications in the field of optometry at the time, and only a select few optometrists were able to achieve this status. It was a significant achievement in his career.
“After returning home to Australia, Dad then drove from Adelaide to Melbourne, searching for the right town to set up his practice. He realised there was a need for medical care between Adelaide and the Victorian border, and that’s when he chose Murray Bridge as his place to essentially set up shop.”
For the next 40 years, Kim’s father ran optometry clinics in and around Murray Bridge, and even became the head optometrist for Mobilong Prison.
“He was committed to providing care to those who couldn’t easily access medical services,” Kim shares.
“His optical store, John Vanstone Optometrist, was a humble name but reflected his straightforward and dedicated approach.”
Kim’s journey has been about more than just uncovering her father’s history; it’s also been about healing and understanding her own life.
“The journey wasn’t just about uncovering Dad’s past; it was also about healing, about coming to terms with his loss in a way I hadn’t imagined possible,” Kim admits.
Now, Kim is sharing her father’s story through an ongoing video series on Instagram.
“It all begins with my dad leaving Adelaide Harbour, sailing to London, and his homesickness and uncertainty. His early letters reflect a young man unsure of himself, but by the end of the letters, he’s transformed,” she explains.
“You can read the growth and strength in him, the confidence he gained. It’s all there in his words, and I want to share that transformation with everyone.”
Kim’s journey has brought her closer to her father, and by sharing his story, she’s inspired others to embark on their own journeys of discovery.
“People can follow along on my Instagram through ‘Letters from John,’ but I’ll also be sharing on Facebook for those who aren’t familiar with Instagram,” she says.
“The videos capture me walking through the places my dad visited, showing comparisons of photos from the past and present, standing exactly where he once stood. It’s such a surreal experience to see the world through his eyes.”
Through this process, Kim has not only rediscovered her father’s life but also unearthed a deeper connection to herself, her family, and the importance of understanding where we come from. She hopes that others, too, will be inspired to explore their family histories and ask the questions they may never have thought to ask.
For Kim, this journey has been a way to honour her father’s legacy and heal from the loss of someone who had such a profound influence on her life.
To follow Kim’s journey
Instagram click here.
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