Sat. 21st June.
I sent 104 lambs to be trucked per Bernards lorry.
Rogie and
I drove to Warrah Creek courts and helped line and roll courts. Glor and I played tennis in comp match verses Quipolly. We won 5 sets to 4 sets.
I
took Ron Symonds to Warrah Creek hall to meeting regarding fox destruction. Decided to continue.
Mon. 23rd June.
104
lambs sold by Rezzonico averaged 67/1. Worst sale we've had this season. Down 10/ to 15/ on last week. Maurice and I erected new fence from house paddock mill to creek fence. Split post, three steel post, hingejoint, with wire and barb above. Killed lamb for
rations.
Wed. 25th June.
Maurice and I took Nuffield up to top paddock and finished ploughing out rabbit burrows. Dogs
got a heap too. We had about 3 hours shooting with spot light and got 27 rabbits. I removed 'Jewels' front shoes. We finished up the line fence dividing the 3 acres lucerne from the little oat paddock.
Sun. 29th June.
All day tennis match v Nundle. They beat us by 8 sets.
Mon. 30th June.
I joined 13 other shooters up at Jim Sevils. Phil Doyle took us in truck to Stott's place. We started there and walked to Covers. Total of 8 foxes shot. I got one with my single barrel shot gun. We started
again at top of our farm paddock and all 15 of us walked across plain to "Rathcown" west boundary. Only 2 more foxes shot.
Thur. 3rd July.
Up early and Pop cut up the heifer that we slaughtered yesterday. Pop had the hind quarter, we had the front quarter and Ron took half. For themselves and "Oakley".
Glor, Timmy,
Pop and Nanna and I drove to Gunnedah to attend cattle sale by Winchcombe Carson. I bought 29 hereford weaners at £10-11 per head. Am getting the weaners home by drover with Max Barkers cattle.
John
Coombes called with York Motors rep. Tried to sell me a Morris 8. Mr Peacock of JR Read and Sons called with new auto panel for the electric generator plant.
Sun. 6th July.
Glor, the 3 boys and I drove to Quirindi for tennis match against Asseffs team. We won 5 sets to 4 sets. Our team was Ron and Dette, Glor and I, Maurice and Nev Maunder.
Sat. 12th July.
It's grand having electric light and power! Glor put through a big wash in two and a half hours with the electric Trayway.
Maurice and Neil rode out to "Greenhills" and met drover from Gunnedah. Brought my new 29 hereford weaners purchased at Gunnedah home. Rogie and I drove the Austin to Thomas' Garage. Les Crane repaired the
starter motor. He also tuned engine and strengthened mixture.
Wed. 16th July.
I drove to Binghams and left the car
there. Went in Charlie Barwicks Singer car, with Charlie, Lila, Maurice, Stanley and Mum to Quirindi. I had tooth attended to by Mr Alcock. Bought a bootlast at Rountrees at 15/6.
Afternoon
Maurice and I set up the Nuffield with the new power tool attached to the drill and drilled out 80 battons. Worked in hay shed when it started raining.
[Crikey!
A drill powered by a tractor sounds a bit dangerous?]
Fri. 18th July.
Maurice and I had full day working on new fence.
Bored all posts this morning with power tool attached to the Nuffield. Arvo strained top wire right through. Tied all battons on top and most of the posts.
Killed a lamb for rations.
Sun. 20th July.
All day tennis match at Nundle. Called in and picked up Mum for the day. Nundle beat us by 6 sets.
Wed. 23rd July.
Washed and polished Heather the Humber. Filled engine on electric plant. Got ready to go to hospital.
John, Maurice and Timmy and I went up to Quirindi in afternoon. Picked up Neil and
Roger from school. Maurice went to dentist. Ron and John did spot of business at solicitors. John had tea with Dad then went up to the hospital at 7.15pm.
[Edgar
spends the next 13 days in Quirindi hospital. He has an operation, something to do with his sinus? Decides to get his tonsils removed as well]
Thur.
24th July.
[Written by Gloryna]
A bitterly
cold morning. Maurice is tieing wire onto the new fence. My sweetheart had operation for sinus trouble, local anesthetic. I went up after lunch and found John to be very well. He decided to stay in and have his tonsils removed. Timmy went down the paddock
with Maurice.
Mr Ratray rang at lunch time to say Rogie is not very well. Called
at school and found him very poorly with ear ache. Gave aspro and he came home on the bus.
Thur. 31st July.
[written by Gloryna]
15 points rain overnight. So lamb marking is off. Maurice spent
day boring battens ready for the 30 acre fence. Timmy and I went to Quirindi and had a while with John. Poor old man has a very sore throat but is OK. Called at Mums for a while. Susan is staying there for a bit.
Fri. 1st Aug.
[Written by Gloryna]
22 points rain last night. Ron and Brian Seymour turned up to help Maurice mark lambs. Went up to "Yarran" yards and drafted lambs off. It started raining again so after lunch they went home. Maurice returned to "Oakley".
Went up to the hospital again to see John.
Sat. 2nd Aug.
[Written
by Gloryna]
Neil and I were up at 6am. Got him ready to go to Tamworth on the bus to play football. They had two matches. Won the first game 15-0.
Lost the next one 6-3. He arrived home at 7.30pm. Maurice came over and milked cows and did some other jobs.
Thur. 7th Aug.
19 points rain overnight. Maurice had half day here. Maurice milked the cows. Then we cut a piece of one and a half inch pipe and connected up the new silencer to the Armstrong Engine.
It quietened the engine a little bit.
I went and checked our 14 bullocks in the 30 acre oats.
Sat. 9th Aug.
Up early and at 6.45, I took Neil into Binghams. He caught bus to Gunnedah for sports. Neil competing
in relay race.
I drove to "Oakley" in truck and got a hindquarter from Charlie at £3-0-0. Cut up the meat when I got home.
We all drove in Humber to Warrah Creek. Glor played in comp match verses Hydon. Warrah Creek won 7 sets to 2 sets. I drove up to "Quondah" and greased car. 14,370 miles. Had cuppa and chat with Mum.
Mon. 11th Aug.
Ron, Brian and Maurice came over this morning
at 8am and helped me mark lambs. Ron and Maurice mustered "Yarrabah" ewes and lambs to yards. Drafted off all lambs and marked 288 before dinner. Finished marking after dinner. 388 total.
Thur. 14th Aug.
Terrific wind last night. 4 points rain in sleety showers. 177 points total last few days. I shifted Glors
wash tubs today. Moved them forward and put the electric Trayway further back. Maurice and I made a gate this morning and painted two others that we made before.
Brian,
Lila, Madge and Charlie came along for the evening. Played 500 until 10.30pm. Maurice went home to "Oakley with his folks.
Sun. 17th Aug.
Glor and I stayed in bed till late this morning. Neil helped me wash and polish the Humber. All went to Quirindi for service at St Albans at 7pm. Neil was confirmed by Bishop
Moyes. 43 candidates.
Sat. 23rd Aug.
Raining this
morning. 37 points. Fined up at midday. Maurice stayed last night. Milked cows this morning. Filled up the engine on generator.
Sent telegram to Mum for her birthday.
She is staying at Uncle Harold's new home at Satur. Mum is 78 today.
Sun. 24th Aug.
All feeling a little seedy with the flu. Bert, Nell and Annette drove here from Werris Creek and brought Pop and Nanna out to stay. They all had tea here and Bert took away two boxes of stuff and junk that we have kept here
for him.
Wed. 27th Aug.
Glor, Neil, Rogie and I
took Pop into Willow Tree in the truck. Pop went on stock train with our 3 trucks of his and our steers.
Maurice and I helped Wallace and Hector dip sheep this
morning. Afternoon we both built a panel of fence in my sheep yards.
Thur. 28th Aug.
Our 13 steers sold by Rezzonico. One red steer @ £37-0-0. Twelve jerseys @ £30-5-0.
Maurice and I helped dip the
rest of Hectors sheep and some of Wallace's this morning. Afternoon, Glor, Nanna, Maurice and I had afternoon at the Jacks Creek Hall and tennis courts. We cleaned up the hall and men carted gravel loads in to fill patches outside the courts and road in. Jack
Ham and Col Chad turned up and we marked the courts.
Sat. 30th Aug.
Big tennis tourney at Jacks Creek courts in aid of our queen, Marie Schofield. Glor did most of the organising. Huge success. £130 cleared for day and night, including £20 donation from Mr Niall. 46 tennis players. I was in charge
of the tennis assisted by Jim Sevil and Dave Ham. Mr Killick was our treasurer and he did a good job.
Mon. 8th Sept.
Maurice and I repaired old fence around the ten acre paddock. Made it sheep proof ready for shearing . Afternoon Maurice put another gate on hinges at shearing shed and then helped Glor clean up the
garden. I took Nuffield and cultivator and dragged tracks through the thistles to "Yarran" mill. Over to sheep yards at the shack. From yards to farm paddock gate and then down the plain past the timber. Rogie came with me all the way on the tractor.
Wed. 10th Sept.
We commenced "Yarrabah" shearing. Maurice is
learning to shear and he did 67 ewes today. I did all the shed work, wool rolling, penning up etc.
Thur. 11th Sept.
Maurice shore 68 ewes today. The "Yarrabah" ewes are cutting very big fleeces and the wool is in splendid condition. Pressed a bale of AAA fleece. Only 50 fleeces in the bale. Also a bale of AA fleece,
42 fleeces.
Mon. 15th Sept.
Claude Saunders started
shearing here today. He did 124 "Yarrabah" ewes. He keeps Maurice and me quite busy with all the jobs. I have 6 bales done now with two more ready to be pressed. Maurice mustered the "Yarrabah" cattle into house paddock for trucking tomorrow.
Wed. 17th Sept.
Claude shore 129 ewes today and finished the mob. Maurice
and I pressed up most of the wool. Glor went to Quirindi and brought Nanna down here to look after the children. Maurice took Glor and I to Willow Tree to catch the 1pm Glen Innes mail train to Sydney.
Thur. 18th Sept.
Arrived Central at 9am. Walked over to George st and got a room at the Sherwood. Caught
a taxi out to Artarmon, to Luxury Caravans on the Pacific Highway. We purchased a 14 ft Luxury caravan at £685 and will be completed for us about end of November. Back to Wynyard by train. Had lunch. Spent afternoon at John McGrath Motors and ordered
a new Humber Super Snipe, immediate delivery at £1778. They offered £878 for our old Humber Hawk. Glor and I went to the Lyceum theatre.
Sat.
20th Sept.
Up early at the Sherwood Hotel and caught the Flyer at 7.55am at Central. Breakfast and lunch on train and had excellent trip home. Found our Humber
Hawk at Col Logans where Maurice had left it. Drove out to see Mum. Washed and cleaned up Heather the Humber ready for trip back to Sydney in the morning.
Sun.
21st Sept.
Left home at 9am. Called at "Quondah" and left Rogie and Timmy with Mum. Drove Nanna home to Quirindi. Glor, Neil and I left Quirindi at 10.50am for
Sydney. Lunch at Singleton. Arrived at Sherwood Hotel at 7pm. Tea at a small restaurant in George Street.
Mon. 22nd Sept.
Drove our Humber Hawk along George Steet at 8.30am. Turned at Park Street and up Pitt Street to John Danks. Picked up a role of laminex, then drove through Liverpool Street to Elizabeth Street and there
to John McGraths Motors. Glor and Neil went off and did some shopping. Chap from John McGrath drove me in Heather out to the show rooms at Paddington. Took delivery of our new satin bronze Humber Super Snipe. AGC 493, at £1778. Traded in the Hawk at
£878. Fixed up registration, Insurance etc. and drove back to Elizabeth street. Picked up Glor and Neil and left show rooms at 11.25am. Lunch at Hornsby. Trouble with the cars gear change lever at Muswellbrook, but an NRMA man fixed it. Home at 11.30pm.
Thur. 25th Sept.
Brian and Maurice came over to shear the farm
paddock ewes. Maurice shore 73 and Brian 45. I was kept busy wool rolling and doing all other shed work. Pressed up a bale after tea. Ken Howard took away 13 bales of our wool, first consignment to Ninco for this season.
Sat. 27th Sept.
Annual Childrens Interschool Sports day today at Willow Tree. We all drove our new Humber
Snipe there for the day. Glor worked all day in the luncheon booth. I had the job of recording times of races.
Thur. 2nd Oct.
Put Tony Barwick on to help Claude Saunders with our shearing. Claude shore 128 and Tony shore 111 today. Maurice and I rolled wool until about 11am. Brian arrived then and helped
me on the table. Maurice rode to muster "Yarran" plain.
Fri. 3rd Oct.
Claude and Tony here again shearing. Claude did 131 today, Tony did 105. They shore 75 one run!, Claude 40 and Tony 35. Tube broke in the short gut on Tony's stand at end of first run. I drove to Merediths and borrowed the whole tube. Tony
only did 10 sheep that run. Finished all but 22 of the "Yarran" plain and Tony is going to finish those himself tomorrow. Brian helped wool roll and Maurice did all the pressing.
Sat. 4th Oct.
Tony finished the last 22 ewes this morning.
Glor, the children and I drove to Willow Tree for the day. Tennis tourney and stalls in aid of Marie Schofield, our Queen Candidate. Cold damp day. I played tennis, got 43 games. Bill Prisk won the gents with 47 games. Glor went over and
met the train and we picked up Dawn Seymour. She is coming out to stay for the weekend.
Called at Brechts on way home and saw auntie Lu and Lucy. Also Luke, Enid
and their two children were there.
Wed. 8th Oct.
Glor,
Rogie, Timmy and I drove to Quirindi this afternoon. We put Timmy in hospital to have his tonsils removed. Adrian Bridge also went in at same time. Glor took them both up at 4pm.
Maurice drove our Autin truck to Quirindi to get special licence for driving a truck. Glor stayed night in town to be there in morning for Timmy.
Fri. 10th Oct.
Glor, Neil, Rogie and I drove our new Humber Snipe to Tamworth via Werris Creek. Road is very rough but the new car handles the
rough road beautifully. Had the final service done at 750 miles at Ken Turners garage. Did a bit of shopping. Got a present for Dawn.
We interviewed Mr and Mrs
Turnbull at the Presbyterian Boys Hostel.
Brought Jim Meredith home from Tamworth.
Maurice took the pony 'Dimple' over to Brechts for the children to ride. He also had 'Flame' shod while there.
Sun. 12th Oct.
We drove over to Warrah Creek church for service. It was a special service to dedicate table to Dad and Alan's memory. We drove on up to Quirindi after and had tea with Pop
and Nanna.
Tues. 14th Oct.
My 11 steers and one
of Glors driven to Willow Tree by Maurice. Pop has 3 trucks, 37 steers, and two of Elsie Holts. [Cubby Howard]
Pop helped me burn barley grass in "Yarran" plain paddock.
Fri. 17th Oct.
Glor went to Quirindi and brought Timmy home from hospital. He and Adrian are both full of beans. She called at "Quondah" and brought Mum over here to stay for a while.
Doug Hague came out and fixed knotter on hay baler. Tried it out in mixed hay in the 3 acre lucerne paddock. We baled 130 bales this morning.
Maurice and I crutched all small lambs in "Yarrabah". I crutched 80 lambs and did most of penning and Maurice crutched 142 and shore a couple.
Neely of ACF Co bought 158 "Yarrabah" suckers and 70 farm paddock suckers at 62/6 per head.
Tues. 21st Oct.
Maurice and I helped Wallace and Lewin dip mob of young ewes before breakfast. Hector lent me his pick up loader and his truck and we drew in 262 bales to our shed. Brian Seymour
and Lewin Snape Helped us get hay in. Lent the Nuffield to Hector for a night of hay baling. Maurice mustered farm paddock ewes and lambs and brought them down here.
Wed. 22nd Oct.
We crutched all small lambs in the farm paddock lot. Did nearly 100. Maurice shore 15 and I shore 11 very small ones.
Col Logan came out and we drafted up the "Yarrabah" and farm paddock suckers. Landed them onto Bernards two trucks. 228 of them.
We took "Yarrabah" and farm paddock ewes up to Hectors dip ready for dipping in the morning. We left 130 of the best "Yarrabah" suckers undipped.
Thur. 23rd Oct.
Light showers over night. Brian Seymour, Maurice, Lewin Snape and I dipped the ewes and
lambs. Also dipped 26 rams. We dipped 930 in about two and a half hours. Brought them all home before lunch. In afternoon, Maurice and I took a ten foot gate down and swung it on eastern end of new fence.
All of us, and Mum and Maurice drove to Quirindi to the "Younger Set Review". Grand show.
Fri. 31st
Oct.
Sold 360 suckers at 60/- per head to Neely of ACF Co Aberdeen. Col Logan brought him around. He inspected 330 "Yarran" plain lambs. Also some "Yarrabah" suckers
to make up the three trucks.
Maurice found 11 more flyblown suckers in "Yarran" plain and shore them. Makes total of 186 shorn there now. Got "Yarrabah" in and
shore 5 flyblown lambs. Maurice commenced raking up the last of the oats that we cut.
Sat. 1st Nov.
Queen competition in aid of Parish Hall Funds finalised today. Monster fete in Quirindi pavillion. Janice Benham won. Marie Schofield was second and Joan Wheeler third. £4,338 cleared in the Queen competition.
We all had the day there and stayed till 11pm.
This morning I finished raking oats.
Wed. 5th Nov.
Baled hay again this morning until about 11am. Brian came over and helped us cart hay. We did three truck loads
and filled the hay shed today. About 750 bales of the new hay in shed. Lewin Snape also helped to load hay.
All of us and Nanna and Maurice drove to Warrah Creek
hall to the pictures tonight.
Sun. 9th Nov.
All
of us and Nanna drove down to Antiene to see the Eric Seymours. Eric showed me over his property. All played tennis during afternoon. Stayed for tea and home at 9.45pm.
Mon. 10th Nov.
Ernie Finch and Tom Wilcox commenced building additions to back of our house. They put in the blokes to extend verandah to 16
foot width.
Alex Symonds and Bill Clay came in Alex's truck to pick up baled hay out of the 25 acre paddock. I sold them 20 tons oaten hay for £100-0-0.
They took three loads today.
Thur. 13th Nov.
Ern
Finch and Tom Wilcox on 4th day building. They put new floor down and started framework for the bathroom. Maurice shore 67 lambs and I did 37. Makes total of 131 lambs shorn. Leaves 77 wooly lambs to be trucked.
I got a little black and white pup from Cecil Palmer. 'Digger'.
Mon. 17th Nov.
Glor, Maurice and I drove up to Chris Kenny's to cull out old ewes from the mob I bought from him. We mouthed all the one thousand ewes and found 49 faulty mouth ones. Had lunch in
Kenny's shed and home late afternoon.
Max Callaghan and John Carter came here and connected the hot water pipes to our new bathroom.
Our 120 sucker lambs sold at Maitland by E W Spark. Sixty @ 68/1, and sixty @ 63/1.
Fri.
21st Nov.
Drove truck up to Chris Kenny's and took delivery of 953 ewes with 704 lambs at foot. Gave Chris £4-10-0 per head for the X-bred ewes with the
lambs given in. Ewes are about 50% 4 and 6 tooth. Balance 4 years. Maurice rode up and we brought the ewes home by 3pm. Drafted off the 304 lambs and kept in 30 acres oats ready for trucking in the morning.
Big fire on part of Warrah Station, not far from the homestead. I drove my Austin with Hectors fire fighter and engine and tank. Arrived too late to do anything.
Sat. 22nd Nov.
Got 304 'Kenny' lambs and 39 from our ewes ready this morning. Sent them to Willow Tree
per Bernards truck to rail to Maitland.
Mr McMichale and John Bearman from J R Read and Son came from Sydney and installed new Auto panel in electric light plant.
Dance in Jacks Creek hall in aid of hall funds.
Sat.
29th Nov.
Glor and I drove down to Scone to Dawn Seymours wedding to Bill Baker of Anteine. We took Brian and Lila down with us. Very nice wedding and grand breakfast
after. Stayed for dances and home at 11.30pm.
I mowed rest of the rubbish on the 23 acre lucerne paddock. Neil and Rogie did some painting.
Thur. 4th Dec.
Brian Seymour and I shearing the small lambs again from the
Kenny ewes. Brian did 109 and I did 84 all told. Lila came over and spent the day with Glor.
Sat. 6th Dec.
Spent morning and part of afternoon soldering piping together. Fitted piping together and ran across top of the new room into the high tank.
Luke and Enid and kids Rodney and Julie came along late afternoon. I showed Luke around the place. All had tea on the lawn.
Tues.
9th Dec.
Started ploughing the 23 acre lucerne paddock with the disk cultivator. Going over it to break up the old thistles and to cultivate the old lucerne.
Afternoon I drove to Quirindi. Had dressing put on top tooth by Mr Alcock. Took marquee tent to the Willow Tree hall. Neil, Malcome and Johnny helped me erect the tent for
childrens concert tonight.
All drove to childrens concert and prize giving in Willow Tree. Neil was dux of school and won three books.
Fri. 12th Dec.
Up early and had cuppa. Drove truck to Hectors to start dipping
the 950 'Kenny' ewes and lambs. Brian and Lawrie Seymour came over and Lewin Snape also helped dip the sheep. Commenced dipping at 5.45am and finished at 9.15am. Ewes very stubborn but I have seen worse. Dipped 950 ewes and about 190 shorn and 80 wooly lambs.
Used ten packets of Coopers dip. Brian and Lawrie cleaned out the dip. Neil helped me take the sheep home. We drafted out 223 dry ewes and took up to farm paddock. 730 ewes and 270 lambs back to "Yarran" plain.
Sat. 13th Dec.
Loaded the Humber Snipe and all of us set out at 6.45am for Belmont. Breakfast at Muswellbrook
at 8.45am. Drove to Newcastle, Called at Carapark and purchased new rear vision mirror for outside of car at 30/. Arrived at Belmont Camping ground and took delivery of new 4 berth Luxury caravan from Mr Newton. Full price for caravan £690. Insurance
£22. Registration £8-19-0. Annex £38-0-0. Stayed the night at Belmont Camping Reserve and had a very comfortable night.
Mon. 15th
Dec.
We left Belmont at 8.30am with our new caravan. Did some shopping in Maitland and then on home, arriving at 7.30pm.
Ern and Tom worked here today. They are building me an office and Glor a sewing room.
Fri.
19th Dec.
Ploughed the fire breaks round "Yarrabah" today. Did three widths down western fence and across north end. 2 widths everywhere else.
Ern and Tom finished most of the sewing room and office today. They have done all they will be doing now till next year.
Childrens Xmas tree and dance in aid of tennis club at Jacks Creek hall.
Mon. 22nd Dec.
Max Callaghan and John Carter came out and finished all the plumbing in bath room and kitchen. Max connected the hot and cold water pipes in bath and shower. Also reconnected the tap at the stove.
Ron Seymour and I put the post hole digger on tractor and dup 8 holes for trough down near cement tanks. We erected the 8 posts and Max callaghan put in the six lengths of
one inch piping after we dug the trench. Didn't finish job.
Thur. 25th Dec.
Xmas day at home. Maurice brough Mum over here at 9am and she had Xmas dinner and tea here. Plenty of chook, ham, lamb, and salads. Neil has german measles and he got out of bed this morning and seems much better. Glor, Rogie and Timmy
took Mum home at 8pm.
Mon. 29th Dec.
I paid Ern
and Tom today £27-12 each for their last work. They did more lining and trimming of living room. Maurice came this morning and he and I loaded fire brigad tank onto the Austin truck and also engine and hoses in case of bushfire.
Glor, the children and I packed the caravan. Went to Quirindi for a bit of shopping. Took Rogie to Dr Cowlishaw. He has a poisoned knee.
Tues. 30th Dec.
Exactly 100 points rain overnight. This morning I arose at 5am and milked the cows. Rode
down to lucerne paddock and strained up some wires. Shifted the 130 shorn lambs up to the top lucerne paddock.
We left in the Humber Snipe and caravan at 11am.
Called at Willow Tree for ice. Got 6 gallons petrol at garage. Ran into heavy rain at Muswellbrook and it rained all the way to Belmont. Pulled in at Belmont at the camping reserve for the night.
Wed. 31st Dec.
We left Belmont at 8.30am. Light rain falling and it got heavier as we went. Arrived at Luxury Caravans at Artarmon at midday. Had some adjustments made
to the new caravan. Exchanged the stove for a Coleman. Had lunch at Crows Nest and dropped in to see Heather and Fred at Lane Cove. Drove to Lake Park camp and set up with annex.