Sun. 23rd Jan.
Glor and I spent all morning packing our ports. Cleaned out the cottage ready for leaving. Afternoon we took
the boys to the childrens playground. Ern and Cyril Laurence went out in fishing boat.
Mon. 24th Jan.
Up early. Packed Betsy. Did some final cleaning of the cottage. Left Shoal Bay at 9.30am. Called at West Maitland. Bought some vegies. Met Ron and Dette and children, and Beryl and Elizabeth at Singleton who are on
their way to Shoal Bay. Had lunch with them there. Home at 5.30pm. Mum and Alan here to welcome us.
Wed. 26th Jan.
Neil
helped me run ewes and lambs through the yards. Found a couple lambs flyblown. Glor preserved another 8 jars of elberta peaches. Glor, the kiddies and I drove to "Quondah" to collect our dogs. Changed oil in Betsy. 50,020 miles. Rode down "Yarrabah" for one
of Pop's steers. Killed a sheep for rations.
P.and C. meeting regarding bus for school. Ces Carter has tendered for the job at £20 per week.
Thur. 27th Jan.
Up at 4.30am. Cut up sheep. Made copper fire. Glor did a tremendous wash. Mustered "Yarrabah" ewes and lambs and Neil hepled me draft. Alan and Cyril came
to "Yarran" cottage. Cyril and I crutched 360 lambs. Glor preserved another lot of peaches.
Sat. 29th Jan.
Picked and
preserved last of our peaches. Made 36 jars. Pop landed his 106 steers from Harvey Sevils. We drafted 19 into "Yarrabah" and 14 to farm paddock.
Wrote letter to Ron and Dette at Shoal Bay.
Tues. 1st Feb.
Chris Kenny came over this morning. We phoned Mr. Bucknell, Education Department. 15 minutes talk at 14/11. He gave
no definate information. Spent till 1pm writing letters and maps etc. Chris took them to the post. Drove to "Quondah" and helped Alan crutch 94 new ewes and lambs. Greased Betsy. 50,040 miles. Auther, Aud and Joycelyn came over here for tea in the evening.
Sat. 5th Feb.
Took Neil riding on 'Dimple'. Rode down to cement tanks and turned full on. Brought our spotted cow in to the house
paddock. Neil and I rode over to "Yarran" mill. Oiled and greased it. Shod 'Jewel's' front with new shoes. Jim and Ruth Sevil and little Gail came for the evening.
Tues. 8th Feb.
At 6.30 am I drove in Fred Hall's taxi with Bob Hughes out to Millers Creek boundary to measure proposed school bus route. Full run equals 17.2 miles. Bob is sending map of route and full report of scheme
for school bus to Mr. Howard.
Brought in our 6 cows and Ron's heifer. The vetinary expert and Claude Saunders came at 10am. Gave cows injections for TB. Temp to 104 today! Too hot!
Sun. 13th Feb.
Up at 5am. Breakfast here and into Pops at 7.15am. All piled into Betsy. 65 miles to Hanging Rock. Picked loads
of blackberrys. Picnic lunch. Lots of other people there doing the same. Tea at Pop's. Home at 9pm. Lovely day.
Mon. 14th Feb.
[Written by Gloryna]
Preserved
31 bottles of blackberries we picked at Hanging Rock. Mum made 8 bottles of jam. Gave Chads and Dette some. Kept a good lot for stewing. Drove to "Quondah". Ma and Alan all ready to leave for annual holiday. Ma to Scone and Alan and brood to Tuncurry.
Edgar finished fibro on garage and put set of louvres in northern end.
Wed. 16th Feb.
Mustered up Wood's' 9 Heifers and 3 calves again. Put them in Cover's yards. Eric Wood came from Tamworth with truck and shifted Heifers and calves. They were here for over 9 months. Glor did all the washing.
Wallace called in, in his new dodge truck. We all drove with him to Quirindi. Called on Pop and Nanna. Joyce, Marie and Adrian staying there. Alan Bridge is in Syney Ill.
Purchased a dozen new fowler jars.
Mon. 21st Feb.
Showers again today making total of 305 points since yesterday morning. Glor and I spent most of day mending one of our fireside chairs. Restuffed it and put fresh support
on bottom of chair.
Wed. 23rd Feb.
Turned 300 ewes
and lambs into my 3 acre lucerne paddock to eat it out. Also put 400 into new 47 acre paddock to clean up the cat head and yellow vine.
After dinner we all drove
to Quirindi and called on Nanna and Pop. Joyce, Marie and Adrian are still there.
Pop and I saw the last of the stock sale. Market is up. We stayed for dinner
and went to the pictures. Took Joyce and Marie and saw "Forever Amber" in Tecnicolour!
Sat. 26th Feb.
Posted letter to Alan at Port Macquarie. Interviewed old C Edwards about dealing with the rabbits under Jacks Creek Hall. They are getting very, very bad. Also spoke about new fence and netting on our boundary.
I put window in east wall of new garage. Creek down again from the 73 points yesterday.
Thur. 3rd March.
I drove to Chads and picked up drum kerosene and took it down to the cultivation paddock. Brought up 9 bags of oats seed from the "Yarran" shack. Col Chad pulled into the 47 acre paddock about 3pm. Sowing
the top part of the paddock. 45 lbs seed to the acre.
Neil and I mustered "Yarran" plain. Ron came ovewr and we drafted out 62 lambs. Also drafted 50 lambs from
"Yarrabah" flock.
Tues. 8th March.
Neil and I walked
up into the road paddock cutting burrs this morning. Dogs got 4 rabbits. After dinner, Rogie and I drove up to top end of road paddock. Finished burrs and then dug in rabbit burrows. Did 6 warrens with smoko gas. Glor did Covers washing and Ironing today.
Thur. 10th March.
Pop, Neil and I drove up to top end farm
paddock for the day fumigating rabbits. We dug in all the burrows opened up after Symonds ploughed them in a week ago. Gogs got 12 rabbits and chased the rest into burrows. We used about 4 dozen "Smoko gas" and finished all the burrows. Light showers late
arvo. Glor, Rogie and Timmy visited Mrs. Leeder this afternoon.
Tues. 15th March.
Neil and I drove to "Quondah" to start shearing. Jack is crook so Ron and I took turns in his stand. Cyril did the three rams. We shore 115 corriedale X ewes.
Attended P. and C. meeting in Jacks Creek hall. Representatives from Willow Tree and Warrah there too. Discussion on school bus transport.
Thur. 17th March.
Took Rogie with me to "Quondah" for more shearing. Cyril and Jack did 174 ewes today. Heavy storm this afternoon. 101 points
at "Quondah" and 89 points at home. Rogie and Sue spent most of the day in the shearing shed.
Tues. 22nd March.
Hector phoned last night. His father [Edwin, or Ted Barwick] has taken a bad turn and is unconscious after his operation
on Friday. I am milking Hectors three cows and feeding pigs and four dogs. Shearing continues at "Quondah".
Thur. 24th March.
Glor and the kids drove to "Quondah" in Betsy today. Cyril and Jack finished our shearing before dinner. We then commenced crutching. Roly Avards flock to finish tomorrow.
Neil, Rogie and I started the 217 old farm ewes and 7 rams back home. Glor and Timmy came along later in Betsy.
Sat. 26th March.
We all drove to Quirindi. Dentist Alcock finished one tooth that was started before. Also pulled
lower tooth with amalgum. Consulted Dr. Cooper. Found I have a hernia and will probably need an operation.
We attended Mrs. Stories sale. Purchased extension
table at £8. Also an ironing board. Had dinner with Pop.
Fri. 1st April.
All loaded into Betsy and drove to Quirindi for the two day show. Had lunch with Pop and Nanna and took them with us. Big crowd. Looked through pavillions and at cars etc. All of us and Pop and Nanna went to Bullens Circus. The first
circus the children have been to.
Sat. 2nd April.
All
spent the night with Pop and Nanna. Over to the show ground after lunch. Tremendous crowd today. Spent two hours watching the shearing competition. Glor and the children went to the sideshows.
Mr R.B. Nott told me our school bus application has been granted.
Sun. 3rd April.
Milton and Johnny spent the day here. Wallace and Renee drove to Newcastle to see Ted who is getting better.
Wed. 6th April.
I drafted out 10 steers from the lot that Claude Saunders brought from Quipolly for Pop. Spent the afternoon in top farm paddock
chasing burrs. Cut all top gullies.
We all drove to Warrah Creek hall to gift evening for Sylvia and Alan Avard. Big crowd and some nice gifts.
Sat. 9th April.
Neil helped me cut burrs all morning up in farm paddock.
Nearly finished in bottom paddock. After dinner we all drove to "Quondah" to see Mum. We all played tennis.
Tues 12th April.
Loaded our 15 mixed cattle onto Rafe Howards truck and went to Scone to attend stock sale. 3 vealers averaged £13-18-6. Bull steer £14-1. 2 gersey steers £12-13-6.
Bullock at £23. Vealers at £12-6-0.
Nanna came out to stay over Easter.
Fri. 15th April.
Drove in at 6am to Willow Tree to meet Bervie and Nell. [Bervie Ferris, Glorina's brother]. Out home for breakfast. Afternoon we drove up Warrah Creek to Captains Creek and had a picnic teas on banks of the creek. Called at "Quondah" for short time. Mum gave us two fowls for the table.
Carl Mitchell came and took 25 steers of Pop's out on agistment.
Mon.
18th April.
All of us plus Bervie, Nell and Nanna drove to Quirindi to see Quirindi Easter tennis tourney. Saw some great tennis. Audrey and Verna won the ladies
doubles final. Cyril Barwick won the Special singles. Ruth Kenneday won the ladies singles. Bert and Nell stayed with Nanna to catch 10pm train. We left Rogie with Nanna.
Sat. 23rd April.
Spent morning at tennis courts. Bill Tourle, Gordon Hottes. B Clay and I spread gravel on south court. Afternoon, Hector,
Alex Symonds and I put netting round the hall to keep rabbits in.
Thur. 28th April.
I drove to "Quondah" at 8am. Helped dip 800 ewes from there. Cyril and Foster Carter there helping with the job. Branded some calves. I called at "Silso" and got 6 bags of graded wheat. Col Chad commenced sowing 23 acre
paddock.
Sat. 30th April.
Col Chad finished sowing
wheat paddock.
We all drove in Betsy to Quirindi for the day. Dr Cooper declared me fit for my operation on Tuesday. Took Nanna and Mrs Howard to O'Briens sale.
Just more rubbish. I purchased 6 sheets of iron for new verandah.
Mon. 2nd May.
[Written by Gloryna]
Col Chad finished scratching up the lucerne paddock. Had a busy morning packing up. Neil
rode 'Dimple' to "Quondah". We called at "Quondah" at 2pm. Picked up Neil. Edgar went into hospital at 4pm. Neil had skin test for diphtheria.
Tues.
3rd May.
[Written by Gloryna]
Edgar had his operation at 7.30am for rupture in lower right side of stomach. Alan, Ma and I called at 10am but he was still under. Called at 2pm. He was dreadfully sleepy but fairly comfortable.
[Edgar spent the next 16 days in hospital]
Wed. 11th May.
Rogie had Croop for first time last night and Glor got no sleep.
Pop came
up to see me this morning. Everything OK ast home. I had rotten night! Vile attack of vomiting. Dr Cooper started me on a course of penicilan injections. Out on verandah for lunch. Nice and sunny. Glor and kids, and Mum and Alan here for the afternoon. Had
stitches taken out.
Wed. 18th May.
Left hospital
this morning. Paid hospital bill. 16/ per day for 17 days. Plus £1-13-6 for theatre. 9/- penicilan. £2-8-0 for infra ray treatment. Glor and Rogie came up in Patsy and took me over to Pops for dinner. Afternoon Glor went up to C of E court for
game of tennis. I had to go to Newcolmes for an athletic support as I got very uncomfortable. Glor and Nanna went to the pictures.
Sat. 21st May.
Light showers rain during night. Neil rode 'Dimple' home from "Quondah". Children drove with me down to cement tanks. Looked at oats and wheat. We attended tennis tourney
at Jacks Creek in aid of the tennis club. We stayed for tea but not for the dance.
Mon. 23rd May.
Neil had first day at Willow Tree school. He went in on the new school bus. Ces Carter is driving a new Fargo truck with canopy top.
Ron, Cyril and Jack came over to "Yarran" crutching plant. Ron drafted off 80 late lambs and about 120 ewes. Crutched them and also the 115 lambs in the 2 acre oat paddock.
Tues. 24th May.
We drove in before lunch to Willow Tree school to attend Empire Day celebrations. We all helped dole out ice
creams and apples to about 100 children. I helped Wallace and Fred Benham pick winners and hand out prizes to children in their foot races etc. Neil and Rogie had a great day.
Sun. 29th May.
All drove to Warrah Creek to tennis match. Glor played with Ruth and Bunty Hall, Jack Daly, Keith Saunders and Bill Clay.
Jacks Creek won by 8 sets to 2 sets.
Sat. 4th June.
Very
heavy snow fall here! Commenced at 7.15am. Thick flakes continued until 9.30am. Terrific fall further up the creeks, up to 6 inches. About 2 inches of snow here. Still snowing up in the hills at dark. Neil went up to stay with Wallace and Renee. Left Rogie
and Timmy with Nanna while we spend 4 days in Sydney.
Sun. 5th June.
Glor and I rose very early and left truck at garage. Boarded Brisbane express at 3am. Landed Hornsby at 12.50pm. Electric train to St Leonards. Taronga Park tram to Cremorne. Got off at Winnie St. Found our way to Sedgwicks at 10 Gerard St.
Spent the afternoon with the family. Tea then bed.
[Edgar and Gloryna spent the next 3 days in Sydney. Staying with the Sedgwicks. Mavis Sedgwicks
parents. Mavis is married to Jack Barwick. They attended the wool sales at the wool exchange and saw their wool being sold. Went to pictures. Went shopping, bought stuff for their house and for Pop and Nanna Ferris' house. Met up with Bervie Ferris and Nell.
Home very late on Wednesday.]
Mon. 13th June.
We
all drove in Patsy over to Warrah Creek to the annual Red X day. Tennis tourney, stalls, etc. Glor and Mum ran the fancy stall. Made £12-0-10. Vic Heyman, Ern Brecht and I took £23-18-0 on the chocolate wheel.
Tues. 14th June.
I dug up hard water pipe at back of kitchen. Drafted out 117 of the
best lambs from here and put them back in the oats. Leaves 88 lambs and 327 ewes in "Yarrabah".
Ron came over and we discussed the idea of Glor and I leaving
the partnership and going on our own.
Tues. 21st June.
Alan
and Jack came over and we resumed work on the new laundry. We screwed the roof on this morning. Glor and I drove to the "Yarran" cottage and got more sheets of fibro. Alan, Jack and I erected fibro on the western end wall.
Tony Barwick took Pops 14 steers to Mitchells.
Sun. 26th June.
Service in our church this morning.
I drove into Willow Tree and brought out Ken Fuller. We inspected
"Yarran" cottage and agreed to convert it into a shearing shed. Will cost approx £100 for work.
Fri. 1st July.
Alan and Jack came over again to put in some more concrete blocks for our new western verandah. They did 14 blocks today. Only 6 more to be put in. I drove over to "Yarran" cottage and got some more
old kerosene tins for moulds.
Tues. 5th July.
Glor,
Rogie, Timmy and I drove into Willow Tree to the stock sale. I purchased 65 little X-bred shorn lambs at 26/10. Stan Teges. Alex Symonds brought them out for me on his new austin truck, single deck. I returned to Willow Tree with Alex, when he took in another
load of lambs for Phil Doyle. Glor drove Betsy home.
Sat. 9th July.
Having a continuous run of frosts. 15 in a row so far! Timmy is still very sick. He is right off his food. His 2nd eye tooth hasn't come right through yet. We all drove in Patsy to "Quondah" this arvo. Had the afternoon with Mum and Alan.
Called at Arthurs on way home and borrowed his Stanley combination plane.
Wed. 13th July.
The coal strike is still raging in all parts of Australia. Nearly all electricity cut off. Very few trains running.
Glor, Rogie,
Timmy and I drove to Quirindi for the day to get more timber, nails etc. Got 10 rafters 4 by 2 hardwood. 32 ft 3 by 2 pine from Grant. Bolts, nails, screws and hinges from Co-Op. Jack and Alan got verandah posts and plates up. Also a few studs. Pop came home
with us.
Thur. 28th July.
More work on verandah
roof. Alan and Jack erected last of the battens. Nearly finished the iron on the roof, including the hip foof at the north end.
Timmy seems to be much better.
He is beginning to eat his meals again.
Fri. 29th July.
I
mustered "Yarrabah: ewes and lambs to my yards before breakfast. Ron came over and we marked 369 lambs. This is the first time we've marked our own lambs using our own mark since we left the partnership. Also marked 163 more of the partnerships lambs
in the plain paddock. Alan and Jack worked all day on our verandah. Finished roof and cut doorway into bathroom.
Tues. 2nd Aug.
Jack and Alan had their last day here working on our new verandah. They finished the two new doors into our bedroom and spare room. Paid Jack for 13 and a half days, £21-17-6.
Sun. 7th Aug.
I lined the tennis court. Our no.1 team played
Warrah no.1 team and we won 6 sets, 48 games to 3 sets 37 games.
Thur. 11th Aug.
Alan and Ron helped me mark 38 more lambs here. Drafted off all the springers and dry ewes. Total of 75. I turned them into oat and wheat paddock. Glor, Rogie, Timmy and I picked up Neil at Willow Tree school and drove to Quirindi.
Mr Jim Moore took me and Pop out to Wal Porters. Purchased 110 corriedale ewes, 2 and 4 tooth at 45/- off shears. 35 lambs at foot.
Tues. 16th Aug.
Mr A Bradshaw and Son brought third load of fence posts. Total of 500. Also 50 shed blocks. Plus ten strainers. Costs all up £93.
I finished laying down floor on new verandah, sleepout and nailed it down.
Sat. 20th Aug.
I ploughed the orchard with old 'Bonnie'. Took a few hours but made a good job of it. Did a heap of prunning.
Glor played tennis match at Warrah Creek. Jacks Creek lost.
Sun 21st Aug.
I drove to Muswellbrook with Billy Maunder, Ron Symonds and Russel Parkins. Inspected farmall tractor. Parkins bought a fordsom major tractor. Glor and the kids at tennis again. At "Mae Nell". Rogie had his birthday party there.
He is 5 today.
Tues. 23rd Aug.
Spent all morning
working on the Prefect. Gave her a much needed wash and clean up generally. Changed the spare tire onto the back. That tire slightly damaged.
Glor took Grandma up to see Reree. I caught
school bus, with Neil and we went out with Cecil to Wallace's. Came back in the car.
Wed. 24th Aug.
Marked Jacks Creek tennis courts. All "Mae Nell" folk, also Bruce, Gladys and baby April Pike, and Alma and two boys here. Also Tom and Annie came out for the afternoon. We played tennis all arvo. Afternoon
tea in the hall.
Mum is staying with us. I took her over to Warrah Creek hall to Clare Smiths gift evening. Also drove Mum home after supper. Mr Relf, Underwritting
Insurance Co.
Mon. 29th Aug.
Neil is 9 years old
today. Glor made him a birthday cake and we had a little party. Just our family at tea time. Birthday call for Neil came over 2 A.D. radio.
Neil and I rode down
and looked at our cattle. I turned Gypsy and her steer vealer into the big paddock. After dinner I nailed up some more noggins in the sleepoutwalls and ceilings.
Our
29 bales March shorn wool sold today. Highest price we've ever got. AACBE 65. AAACBE 63. BKNCBE 43. Average price per pound 43. Price per bale £55-0-0.
Fri.
2nd Sept.
Drove in Symonds Austin truck with my first load sheep to Scone. Sold 61 shorn lambs at 33/1. 19 dry ewes at 40/4. 9 wooly lambs at 44/7. Six of the
wooly lambs belong to Mum, Alan and Ron.
Neil went down to Scone with us and had a great time. He came back with Bill Perkins in their car and played with John
and Michael. Alex bought 134 shorn weathers for Ken.
Fri. 16th Sept.
Max and Ray Callaghan came out for afternoon of work. Max erected all guttering to new building work. Ray connected pipe work into and out of the sink.
I
dressed all the new marked lambs in oat paddock. Crutched the 20 odd Porter lambs. Turned all ewes and lambs out. Killed a lamb for rations.
Sun.
18th Sept.
We all drove to Binghams and played with Bunty Halls team. We won.
Tues. 20th Sept.
All up very early and left here in Patsy for Tamworth. Took Nanna with us. Walked round the shops. Had two sittings of
our boys at Paramount Studios. Timothy alone and then the three together. I called at PP Board office regarding my brand and earmark registration.
Wed.
21st Sept.
All of us except Neil drove to Quirindi for the day. Had Betsy's lights fixed. Also tail light and petrol guage.
Ordered new Fordson Major tractor from Bousteads at £684 complete with 13.00 by 26 tires. The bigger tires cost £9 extra.
Sat. 24th Sept.
Neil rode with Pop out to Charlie Mitchells with 25 head steers. Put them on agistment at 9 per head. Cut
thistles for 2 hours this morning. Pop and I cut some more thistles in wheat in arvo. I rolled tennis court.
Arthur, Audrey and baby Joycelyn came to visit and stayed for tea.
Tues. 27th Sept.
Pop and I drove up to "Elsley Park". Rogie came with us. We dipped my ewes and lambs in Symonds dip. Pop went home to Quirindi with Alex and Mrs Symonds. Rogie and I brought the sheep home. I drafted
out 24 dry ewes for farm paddock. Marked 5 more lambs.
Sun. 2nd Oct.
Glor and I played match at Jacks
Creek V Willow Tree. Our team won. Our team was Glor, Ruth and Jim Sevil, Bunty Hall, Bill Clay and Myself.