Thursday May 16^th:

Another lazy day. Breakfast in bed and reading and lying down all day. Did some writing in the afternoon. The people with whom I am staying are very nice. A young couple with 2 kiddies, both boys. Mr Moores runs a garage with his brother. He was once in our ministry but resigned. They have a black girl, full blood, working here. It is rather a cheap way of getting help in the houseas the girl is only paid 2/6 a week and 2/6 is paid into some fund on her behalf. First morning I was there was awakened at 7 am to receive a cup of tea and looked up to see a black face bending over me. For a moment wondered where I was. Quite a lot up this way have black help in the house, cannot say as yet that I prefer it to white. They are no trouble though there is a danger of them giving notice.

NB: Interesting comment on the times in reference to members of the indigenous community.

Friday May 17^th:

Am getting frightfully lazy and spoilt. Still have a cup of tea at about 7 am and breakfast at 8.30 am, all in bed and today did not arise until 11 am. Am feeling ‘goodo’ and practically noting now to remind me that I have had an operation. This afternoon hopped in the bus and went to the hospital to renew acquaintances and collect some mail that was lying there for me. Rev Menear has ben using bus and on the way back from hospital bus ran out of petrol and stopped on centre of railway track. Pushed it off and fortunately there was a tin of petrol in the back. Houses here all have detached kitchens and everything seems to point to the summers being rather hot. No house here is weather boarded, only lined on the inside and the studs are left exposed on the outside. Wide verandahs right around counteract any disadvantage this might be. Last night before tea G. Moore came home in a new Ford truck and wanted me to see and feel its good points so we went for a run in it. It certainly is well sprung and rides very well over bumps. We went as far as the aerodrome and had a look at the three planes garaged there. One plane does the trip to Camooweal, one to Normanton and one to Brisbane. They are the same type of plane as used by the chap who found Anderson and Hitchcock. Cloncurry is rather a desolate looking place. Red, stony ground is its main feature and it has a great many vacant blocks. Quite a number rendered vacant through fires. A few decent shops but again more pubs than anything else. All sport here is held on Sundays. Nothing seems to be doing on Saturday afternoons except a bit of tennis.

Saturday May 18^th:

Still lazing about all day but not a bad sort of a life especially on these warm days Have a great time in the mornings lying in bed, sleeping and reading and watching the goats wandering about the streets eating anything they can pick up. This is the land of goats (not speaking figuratively). All mutton here is goat and the milk one buys is either condensed milk mixed with water or goats’ milk. Noone keeps cows as there is no feed and it costs too much to buy fodder for them. This afternoon Mr & Mrs Moores an family and self went out for a run in a Willeys Knight, 24 miles out through a couple of stations. A good spin as the roads that way are rather decent. All flat country and not much feed except near the Cloncurry River. Passed a couple of herds of bullocks browsing in the shade of a few trees. 24 miles out came across 4 dhaps whose Ford had broken down and they were starting to walk in so we picked them up and brought them back with us. Had one thrill going out, taking a curve at 40 in some lose gravel and the bus went as near as turning over as I ever want one to go, while I am in it at any rate. However alls well that ends well and we arrived home safely. After tea had a read and went to bed.

Wedding Bells.

I do not have a detailed account of what occurred regarding the ill health of my mother's father. Only that after several years managing MacArthur River Station Grandfather McAllen died and as a result the family were forced to leave. Grandmother McAllen and the family moved back to the coastal area of Queensland, possibly Mackay, except for my mother and her older sister Ann. My father was able to arrange for my mother to take up a position as housemaid at the Camooweal hotel run by the Reilly family with her sister Ann remaining as a chaperone. The details of these occurrences are vague and these few I have been able to ascertain from meeting with my mother's bridesmaid, formerly Daphne Reilly.

My parents were married on March 14 1936 in Camooweal. I was born on May 3, 1937 in Kerang Victoria, and my brother Graeme was born on June 3, 1939 in Kerang.

Should I come across any further enlightening details regarding my parents courtship in my father's diaries in the future they will be a valuable addition to this story.

Engagement

I finally found a mention of the relationship and romance that had grown between my father and mother. However there are still a lot of gaps that I hope to find answers to in future readings of m y father's diaries.

Thursday June 13 1935....

Had to have another go at my stove chimney today and lengthened it but still it smokes. Quite a crowd gathering in town for the races. Had a letter today from home. .....? and a cheque. Eileen got her ring and quite thrilled. Got some more writing done and tok wireless down to Shorty. Had Bill Blog call in after tea. Went to the hall at night. CWA ball on.

Friday June 14....

Was a bit late in rising today so that breakfast was also late. Post Office open for only one hour so had to hurry down and send a telegram home. Came back and did some writing, then went down to the store. Came home and got some lunch then cleaned and called for Eileen and Mrs Synnott and went over to the course. Had tea at Synnotts and then home and dressed and took Eileen to hall. Startled natives when they saw ring on Eileen's finger.

Saturday June 15....

A busy morning at home. Got some mail away, also telegrams. One to Marj. and one to Works Dept Townsville. Took Eileen and others over to course. Went to hall at night and very soon after arriving had brush with Sonny Darcy. Mr Campbell intervened and later Darcy locked up for night. Eileen very upset.

Sunday June 16...

Had the usual nice crowd at S.S this morning and after lunch loaded up bus and Eileen and self came out to Morestone? Arrived in time for tea. Afterwards tried to fix wireless.

MacArthur River Station

AS I have searched my fathers diaries for mention of my mother on his visits to the station where her family had moved I have found nothing indicating his visits to my mother's family or his feelings for her...other than the earlier mentioned diary extract where my father said his favourite girl's name was Eileen (my mother's name). It is also unfortunate that I have no written records from my mother's early family life. But I am able to recall some of the memories she shared with me over the years about her life on MacArthur River STation.

My mother always spoke proudly of the manner in which her father treated the aboriginal workers on the station...that he respected their need to 'go walkabout', expected his family to treat the women well, they were housed and paid and fed well. As a result they all worked well and the women in particular became true friends of the family. My mother often mentioned Ivy, an aboriginal woman who worked in the house and appparently had a lot to do with my mother and her older sister Ann. One story that has always stuck in my mind tells of twin boys being born to one of the aboriginal women on the property and my mother and her sister Ann were asked to name them. At this time in the early 1930's there were many reports in the news pf the doings of Hitler and Mussolini. As a result the two sisters named the twin picaninnies...Hitler and Mussolini. I remember being horrified when I first heard this story but in later years could see the funny side. It was especially surprising as my mother was such a lady and not prone to making this sort of joke. But then I guess we can see it with the hindsight of all the tragedy that later came to pass, involving those two .....Hitler and Mussolini. As far as I can ascertain my mother was 17 or 18 years old when her family first moved from Charters Towers to Mac Arthur RIver Station and they were only there for a few years when my grandfather became sick and died. It was my father who assisted the family to move back to the coast of Queensland EXCEPT for my mother and her sister Ann. My father obtained a job for my mother as a housemaid at the Reilly's Hotel and I feel sure that her sister Ann remained with her as a chaperone. My parents were married in Camooweal in 1936.

I will continue to read the copious notes in my father's diaries in search of some reference to meeting or visiting my mother's family and maybe even a mention of his romantic interest as it grew.

The challenges of outback travel in 1930

These exerpts from my father's diaries describe in detail the both joys and hurdles he encountered in his travelling ministry role. He proved over many years, subsequent to these experiences, how adaptable he was, how he could relate to all people no matter what their position in life and that he was a practical jack of all trades when it came to fixing anything.

1931 Mon June 1………

Got away from Camooweal at last. Got everything ready this morning and picking up a bagman left the town at 2.30 pm. Had a good run out of 50 miles to ‘Austral’ and there stopped. People here are R.C’s but very nice. Only one protestant on the place. Pleased them all very much after tea by showing them the pictures. Had a good talk then until bed time.

Tues June 2………

Stayed at Austral this morning and did some work on the Kodascope and reading.Left after lunch for Lake Nash. Picked up a bagman along the road who was sitting right in the wheel track so as to make sure he would not miss a ride. Stayed the night at the Lake. Mostly all R. C’s here.

Wed June 3….

Did a small job on the car this morning and after Smoko left Lake Nash and went 12 miles over to a sheep selectors home. Stayed here for lunch and afterwards went across country 20 miles to Bullecourt, a small cattle selection. The lady of the house home on her own and not too well, so as could do nothing soon moved on. Did some more cross country work and and came to a family who had been working on the rabbit fence but who are now out of work , through a rabbit boards ceasing to exist. Stayed here. The mother is an R’C but allowed me to talk to the children and give them and herself pictures and reading material. Showed them also my Kodascope pictures. Not feeling too good here and had to prowl about several times during the night.

Thurs June 4…….

Left this home after breakfast although did not have any myself. Had a good run of 40 miles to Headingley Station. A big crowd here. All men. The horses for the Wandangi races have been paddocked here and came out today, so all the owners are here to take charge of their own. Stayed here and had ‘Smoko’and went on traveling 20 miles further to Wandangi. After lunch called on a couple of sick folk and then continued on the road, intending to reach if possible Rocksborough Station 90 miles down along the Georgina River. Passed through Walgia and Carrandotta, only stopping for a few minutes at each and for 40 miles had good going. Left the road then and truck down to the river and started to follow it along. Was then on the Georgina stock route. Mobs of cattle traveling have the country for miles as bare and desolate as it could possibly be. The road is powdered up a foot deep. Very heavy going for the car. Rough in places. Rocky ridges and steep gullies to negotiate. Was 25 miles from Rocksborough and 25 miles from Carrandotta when I stopped to put water in the radiator and then it all happened. Water poured out of the exhaust and the carburettor. I thought a walk was in store for me as I knew it was the cylinder head gasket gone. I took the head of however and saw the break by aid of the spotlight. Lit a fire ten and boiled the billy and had a drink and a few biscuits. Made an attempt to patch up the break although did not know if it would work and put the head back on.

Before putting water into the radiator got down on my knees for a few minutes and then went on with the job and it held. Unrolled my swag then and turned in.
Fri June 5…..

Up with the morning star, boiled up and ate a few biscuits. Packed everything in and turned back as was not risking getting further away from help. Had breakfast with some chaps camped along the river who gave me half a dozen very nice fish. Went on then and reached Carrandotta. Car still going alright so decided to keep going and all went well until about 17 miles from Wandangi when gasket again began to leak. Kept going however and got into Wandangi on 3 cylinders with no further trouble. Think I was very fortunate however to get back so well. Discovered then that I could get a new gasket from Headingley Station and that it would be brought in. Got the bus ready then to put the gasket straight on when it came. Got cleaned and did some visiting and went to be early.

(Saturday and Sunday spent fixing the car and visiting people at Wandangi and conducting Sunday School.)

Mon June 8…..Up before daylight and after having a cup of tea left and was at Headingley by sunrise and there had breakfast. Went on and called in at a drovers camp where last week a chap was sick but who had now recovered. Thought I might have had to take him into hospital. Called at Lake Nash, Arcadia, Barclay and The Selection and reached Camooweal at 4pm after 180 miles traveling.

Do it yourself building!

My father had trained and worked as a builder's carpenter prior to his studies or the ministry and it seems these skills came in very handy while he was stationed in Camooweal. In various parts of his diaries he indicates the processes by which he was able to establish a simple, yet comfortable, dwelling for himself ..... not an easy task it would seem at times.

Tuesday August 25^th 1931………Went out with Jock Miller to the O’Shannessy to get blocks for the house. Fell 20 trees and cut into 10feet lengths and barked 10 of them. Raised some beautiful blisters. Camped out.

Wednesday August 26^th……Cut and barked the remaining 10 this morning and then loaded 11 on to the lorry and brought them in and arriving back at 4 pm. Weather terribly windy and dusty. R.C’s holding a mission in the town.

Thursday August 27^th…..Spent the morning in my room, reading and writing. Decorated the Parsonage this afternoon in honour of a wedding that was duly celebrated at 7.30 pm. Had a quiet breakfast with a few friends. The bride was only 16 years old.

Friday August 28^th….Went out the 40 miles today and brought in the remaining 9 blocks. ………

Mon Aug 31^st….Went up this morning and marked out my allotment and pegged out the building. No survey pegs about to define streets so had to do the best I could to find corner. Cannot be ore than a few inches out. Went to the school this afternoon.

Tues Sept 1………Armed with pick and shovel and bar made terrific onslaughts on post holes. Hot work. Hard sinking. Most of holes are a couple of inches under the 3 feet. Wardsman from hospital took pity and gave me a hand with a few of them. Put 10 down by 3.30 when had to knock off. Did some writing at night.

Wed Sept 2…..Finished the other t5 holes myself this morning and then prepared a tin full of ant poison to feed the white ants…………

Thursday Sept 3….Jack Miller went out to the Springs (100 miles) in lorry this morning and I followed in the car. Arrived there a while after dark.Several men camped around the place. Billy W still there.

Fri Sept 4…..Got to work and pulled down cottage. A couple of the chaps camped here gave us a hand. Discovered I made too good a job on the bus as I tightened nut on front axle too severely and so broke ‘roller race???’. Think it will take me home.

Sat Sept 5…..Loaded up lorry this morning and Jack left a while before lunch. Went across to Riversleigh myself in the afternoon. Fixed the wheel axle sufficiently to keep going a while longer.

Mon Sept 7^th…..Loaded up my bus this morning and had a big load on it too. Still about ½ ton to bring in. Held up at Herbervale mending punctures and changing tyres. Reached Camooweal about 9 pm.

Tues Sept 8….………Unloaded car and stacked timber………….

Wed Sept 9…Hard work again. Put blocks in. Some of them took lifting too. Hot weather.

At some stage as I was growing up I remember seeing a photo of the dwelling that was erected but it is now lost and the dwelling itself had to be demolished many tears later as it had become structurally unsafe.

The heat of summer..............

A hot New Year……1931….

Thursday Jan 1 …..

A hot day ushers in the New Year. A fair few in town. A day’s racing held here in town in aid of local hospital. For myself slept most of the afternoon in a Turkish bath. Another big dance at night but did not patronize it. Weather is getting too hot for anything now.

Jan 2….

Another hot day. Coolest spot in the town is under Reilly’s cottage which is up on high blocks and there it was 106 F ………at night went to a show again by a traveling company and it was awful.

Jan 3…..

Still the heat continues and no sign of rain. Went shooting this afternoon but only got 5 ducks……….

Jan 4………

No change in the weather and the river the only place can get cool although even there the surface water is hot and no good until stirred up…………

Jan 5………

Heat still prevails…………

Jan 6…….

…………….Weather continuing very hot. Up to 116F in some places in shade.