1953
[1953 was a fairly dry year with a bit over 19
inches falling. The first half was OK and the last half very dry.]
Thur. 1st Jan.
Have a wonderfully set up camp with our luxury caravan and annex. I fixed up our wireless with aerial and earth wire. Arvo we drove to Curl Curl Beach and watched a surf carnival. Called in to see Keith and Joyce Sedgewick in their
new home. Lot 27, Blandford street Colloroy.
Sat. 3rd Jan.
Cloudy and showery all day. Drove into North Narrabeen and did some shopping. Posted a letter to Mum. Afternoon we all went to Sole Brothers Circus.
Wed. 7th Jan.
Afternoon we all drove in to Manly. Spent a bit of time at the beach. Looked through the fun parlour. Had a bit of tea on the tables overlooking the beach. Went to 5pm session in theatre. Saw “Prisoner Of Zenda”.
Fri. 9th Jan.
3rd Cricket Test commenced against South Africa. Glor, the kids and I spent the day at Sydney Cricket Ground watching the cricket test. South Africa
all out for 172 runs. Very interesting days cricket.
Thur. 15th
Jan.
All
drove via Roseville, Epping road, Ryde to Western Highway to Flemmington. saw our 123 shorn lambs sold by Stan Rezzonico. Averaged 58/-. Rezzonico also sold our truck of cattle. Three vealers at £24-17, Thirteen at £22-7. One steer at £24-16
and a bull at £11-16. Pop came down with train and had 13 steers sold by Country Producers. Pop came back to Narabeen with us to stay a couple of nights.
Sat. 17th Jan.
All of us and Pop drove to Tuggerah Lakes for the day. Lunch and tea with Alan, Joyce and family [Alan Bridge] and
Nanna. They are staying at cottage. Home at 9.30pm.
Mon.
19th Jan.
All drove to Collaroy Beach and tried the surf there. Had a
very good swim and sunbake. After lunch we drove to McGrath Motors. Saw Mr Gee and they had a look at the Humber Snipe. Did 200 miles with the Humber Snipe and she only did 14 miles to the gallon. All had look at Luna Park but it was not in action.
Tues. 20th Jan.
Pulled down the annex. Packed caravan and car and left Lake Park at 9am. Milage 3,712. Drove into Luxury Caravans and had rood
resealed. Had cuppa there. Left there at 11.30am. Drove to Orange Tree Inn at Gosford and had lunch. Met Clarrie Hannaford there. Pulled in for the night at Singleton and camped in caravan park near the baths.
Wed. 21st Jan.
Left Singleton at 8am and drove to Muswellbrook and did some shopping there. Called at Scone for a short time. Landed at home at 12.30pm. Maurice Seymour had already left after caretaking
for us while we were away. All cleaned the Humber and caravan of goods and camping gear. Ronnie Seymour helped me wash and put everything away. Neil went with Maurice and Ronnie to the pictures.
Sat. 24th Jan.
I drove to Quirindi. Pop, Bervie and I drove out with Mr Ryder to Gaspard. Inspected 20 hereford steers, 18 months old, running on Crokers property. Purchased them at £16-10-0.
Mon. 26th Jan.
Sports day at Warrah Creek in aid of Hall funds. Horse events for allcomers. Maurice rode my chestnut Gelding 'Flame' in flag and bending
races and other novelty events. Brechts had our pony 'Dimple' in the kiddies events. Glor helped ladies with luncheon. Bill Meredith and I ran the chocolate wheel and made £11-0-0.
Tues. 27th Jan.
Ern and Tom resumed building operations after a months break.
We all drove to Tamworth to take Neil to Presbyterian Boys Hostel for his entry into high school. Called at high school and met the head master, Mr James Barwick. Took Neil to Hostel about 5pm and left
him with the principles Mr and Mrs Turnbull.
Did some shopping this
morning at Thibaults. I purchased 1216 ft of one inch gal pipe. Also material for 5000 gal tank with earth ring. Brought Pop home from Quirindi with us.
Thur. 29th Jan.
Ern and Tom finished lining and ceiling on the lounge room.
I
got a new young red and tan pup from Ron.
I drove the Austin to Quirindi
with my Nuffield on the back. Pop and Ronnie Seymour helped me load the tractor on over at the creek. John Coombs is going to service tractor. Grind valves, new oil seal and fix the wiring. Brought our new Koertz Selector wool press home. Cost £140.
Freight was £7.
Sold 130 cull Xbred ewes at 42/6 to Mr Simpson.
Ron and I mustered "Yarrabah" ewes and lambs to yards ready for crutching.
Fri. 6th Feb.
Ronnie and I finished building framework
under the tank stand this morning. Afternoon I concreted a floor under the tank ready for Ern and Tom to build a meat house. Tom Wilcox built doors on cupboards all day. Bunty Hall brought the pump jack back.
Tues. 10th Feb.
Ern and Tom finished up the cupboards in the kitchen, drawers etc. John Bearman and young Peter Morley arrived here today with new Auto panel for the electric lighting plant. They
worked on it until dark testing and experimenting. Bearman brought with him fro Sydney two 200 gallon tanks for fire fighting. They are tanks off an aircraft. Cost £7-10 each.
Fri. 13th Feb.
No builders here today.
The
auto panel conked out again on the electric lighting plant. Was too good to be true.
Ian
Tourle came along to spend the weekend with Rogie.
Fri.
20th Feb.
Left Timmy with Nanna. Glor, Rogie and I went to Tamworth by
Austin truck. Took Brian Seymour up with us to get his iron and fibro. Got 45 sheets of 24 guage corrogated iron. 35 x 10ft and 2 x 9ft. 6 x 8ft. from Thibaults. Also fibro and a fire grate.
Saw Neil at the Hostel. He is going well.
Mon. 23rd Feb.
Ern and Tom resumed building. Erected meat room under the high tank. Finished door on Glor's sewing room. Ronnie Seymour came back here to work. We repaired the mower blade and sharpened it ready for mowing lucerne.
Thur. 26th Feb.
[Written by Gloryna]
Builders still working on cupboards in bedroom. Maurice helped Ronnie and John crutch "Yarran" ewes
and lambs. Maurice crutched 450 and John did 300 or so. I drove to Binghams and got bag of sugar and other groceries. Maunders gave me some eggs.
Fri. 27th Feb.
[Written by Gloryna]
Ronnie and John finished crutching "Yarran"
lambs. Took Nuffield over and hooked onto pump jack. Pumped approx 4000 gallons by 7pm.
We
all went to Harvest Festival at Warrah Creek. We bought £2-9-0 worth of goods. They made £17. We met 10pm train at Willow Tree and collected Neil home from high school! Lovely! He looks so well. Had cuppa when we got home.
Mon. 2nd March.
[Written by Gloryna]
We all rose at 5.30am. I got breakfast for Neil and John. They left at 7am in truck for Tamworth. John took truck to be fitted up with a Brinkworth bale loader. Builders put extra cupboards in our bedroom, spare bedroom.
Peter Marshall and Percy Gardiner arrived to finish electric installations.
Thur. 5th March.
[Written by Gloryna]
Builders finished attaching doors to our cupboard and spare room. That completed the work on the house after
16 weeks here. They commenced work on the hay shed. Ronnie Seymour and John spent morning in "Yarran" getting tall post for electricity extension to house windmill. Erected post at rear of old laundry. Electricians wired garage and woolshed for lights and
power. John attended tennis and hall meeting at night.
Wed. 11th March.
Ern
Finch and Tom Wilcox completed whole of building operations today. They finished walling in the ends of new hay shed. I paid them at £21-18-6 each.
Ronnie and I baled up 50 bales of lucerne
this morning. We worked on asembling the elevator to the Brinkworth loader. Tries it out on the 50 bales. Looks to be a success.
Mon. 16th March.
Bervie and Nell have a son born at Shirley at 10am this morning. Ian Steward Alan.
Ronnie and I cut burrs on frontage of "Yarrabah" most of the day. Late afternoon we crutched
the 68 sgorn lambs on the lucerne paddock. I killed a lamb for rations.
Wed. 18th March.
Up early and left here per
Snipe and caravan at 7.30am for Tamworth show. Arrived at the Hostel at 9.30am in time for the ceremony. Unveiling of the portrait of Reverend. Picked up Neil and drove to caravan park and left van there. All went to the show ground. Spent day there and had
tea. Watched ring events at night. Girls marching bands and trots. All had cuppa at caravan and took Neil back at 10pm. Had good night in our Luxury caravan.
Sat. 28th March.
Tennis tourney and dance at Jacks Creek tennis club. Fair crowd for tennis, meals and dance. Ladies provided lunch, afternoon tea, 6 Oclock tea and supper at dance. £48 taken.
Thur. 2nd April.
Ronnie and I crutched 252 ewes and 5 rams from farm paddock. Turned 104 strong wooled ewes from plain paddock into farm. Cutting
burrs rest of day.
Met north west mail in Willow Tree and got Neil, he is home from Tamworth high school for Easter. Also picked up Valma, who is here for a short stay.
Sat. 4th April.
All of us and Valma went up Warrah Creek to visit Enid and children. Luke is away.
Mon. 6th April.
Took Valma up to Quirindi to have the night with Nanna.
We all had lunch at the tennis and
watched the finals of the Easter Tournament. Verna won the mixed doubles final with Jim Curley. Verna won the final of the ladies doubles with Jill Walters. Bob Gustard won the mens singles, and he also won the mens doubles with some chap from Newcastle.
Tues. 7th April.
Mustered "Yarrabah" and drafted out all remaining lambs and returned 60 to lucerne paddock. Made up truck of 119
lambs. About 20 wooly, rest shorn, and sent to Willow Tree per Bernards truck. Ronnie Seymour helped us fix four bull calves and earmarked two heifers. Drove Pop out to look at his cattle at Mitchells.
Thur. 9th April.
Glor and Timmy went with Ronnie and myself today to farm paddock fumigating rabbits and ripping burrows. Ronnie put Larvicide in burrows. I drove tractor and
ripped the burrows in top and bottom paddocks. First time I had used the new, second hand ripper which I bought at McKensies sale for £25. 19 points of rain late.
Bunty Hall and Jim Sevil
took the netting off the old Jacks Creek school tennis courts and brought it down the the hall tennis courts.
Mon. 13th April.
Pop
brought his 14 steers in from Mitchells. Pop, Ronnie and I mustered his steers in "Yarran" plain. Drafted out 21 to truck. We drafted out of "Yarrabah" 4 steers and one heifer. Ended up with 42 head. 35 of Pops and 7 of ours to truck. Ronnie will take in tomorrow
and Pop will go on stock train.
Fri. 17th April.
Drove in to Quirindi taking Nanna home. Rogie had 6 small fillings
done by Mr Alcock. I also got some fillings and an imprint for a false tooth on top. Purchased paint for living room and kitchen.
Sat. 18th April.
All drove to Willow Tree for days tennis tourney. 2TM tourney. Glor and I played tennis and all had lunch and afternoon tea there. Saw Mum on here way down to Scone for holiday with Uncle Harold and Amy.
Mon. 20th April.
Interviewed Stan Richardson regarding reclaiming of my portion of the creek. He agreed to sell me about 3 acres of land to make suitable
crossing. Minimum price £20 per acre!
I did 2 fox burrows down "Yarrabah" with larvicide. Covered them in with the rabbit ripper. Ronnie finished painting first coat on all new fibro and
commenced second coat.
Fri. 24th April.
Stan Richardson and I measured the west boundary fence to bottom end with chain
measure. [Stan Richardson owns "Rathcown" or today called "Tallawanta"] Full distance is 2 miles, 8 chains. Ronnie and I laid the steel posts on line. Brought 100
posts from the heap over on timber of "Yarran" plain.
Fri. 1st May.
Lambs coming well in "Yarrabah". Ronnie Seymour
and I pulled out wires from 3 strains of fence of boundary between "Yarrabah" and "Rathcown". Pulled up all posts and cleared the line with the Nuffield and hydraulic hoist. Also did the trech ready for the netting with the rabbit ripper.
All drove to Willow Tree to get Neil. Home from Tamworth. Also Joyce, Marie, Adrian and Vivian for the weekend.
Sun. 3rd May.
Over 2 inches rain last few days. A few light showers during day. Neil had a couple of rides on 'Firefly'. Marie and I rode down paddock again. I took Joyce, Adrian, Roger and Timmy down to cement tanks on
the tractor.
Fri. 8th May.
Ronnie and I commenced building work bench in north end of garage.
At 3.30pm Max Barker called in. His car is stuck in Jacks Creek. I drove over in the Nuffield and pulled his and four other cars across the creek to the other side. Light rain fell nearly all day. Late afternoon Neil and I drove Nuffield
to Hectors. Creek rose 6 inches while we were away.
Mon. 11th May.
We all drove in Humber Snipe to Tamworth to take
Neil back to high school. Also took Mum up for the day with May Barwick out in Phillip St, West Tamworth. Had Humber serviced and greased all round and engine tuned up at Ken Turners. They didn't finish the car till 7pm. Had tea at Golden Bell cafe.
Ronnie went through the plain paddock ewes while I was away and cleaned up the flyblown ones.
Wed. 13th May.
Showers set in, in the morning, so instead of working on boundary fence, spent the day in the shearing shed putting in the Koertz Wool Press. Brian came over for the day. Cut out a post and stayed up with two beams.
Cut two holes in the floor to let the press down.
Mon. 18th May.
Borrowed Symonds big plough for trenching the netting
on new boundary fence. Pulled down one strain of fence and trenched with the plough. Did an extra good job.
Alan Brideg landed here at midday to help. He expects to be here until boundary fence
is finished. Signed on for £3-0-0 per day.
Sat. 23rd May.
I erected the temporary strut at end of the new section
of fence. Trimmed the posts. Alan finished driving the steels. Alan Bridge commenced working the 30 acre paddock with disk cultivator. He did 5 hours work.
Comp tennis match V Warrah Creek at
Jacks Creek. We won 5 set to 4 sets. Our team was Glor, Ruth Sevil, Bunty Hall, Jim Sevil, Bill Clay and Myself. Bill Clay and Myself beat Leon and Reg Dowling 6-5 in last set.
Tues.
2nd June.
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth 2nd today.
Annual Red Cross tennis tourney and carnival at Warrah Creek. Beautiful sunny day
and very good crowd. I helped run the chocolate wheel.
Wed. 3rd June.
Mustered "Yarrabah" ewes and lambs to shearing
shed. Crutched the ewes. Total 455 ewes. 2 weathers and 2 hoggets. Alan Bridge crutched most and Ronnie and I did some and penned up.
Ronnie and I marked 312 lambs from "Yarrabah. Roger helped
by dressing the last 100 lambs. Alan and I finished last of crutching after tea by electric light.
Fri. 5th Jun.
We
completed the strain of fence we started yesterday. Ran a role and a half of netting and tied it on. Filled in the trech and Brian Seymour finished filling in the strains we did last week. Finished up the day by running the barb on the 1250 yards fence that
we've completed. Brother Ron and Alan Bridge helped me kill a steer vealer for rations.
Glor met train and got Neil and Phillip Hatten home from Tamworth high school.
Mon. 8th June.
Up at 5.30am. Glor, Neil, Timmy, Phillip Hatten and I set off in the Austin for Tamworth at 6.50am. Landed Neil and Phillip at
Hostel at 8.35am.
Picked up a load of cement trough lengths from Humes Limited. 9 x 8ft lengths. 3 covers. 6 end pedestals, 6 centre pedestals. Full price £58-14-3. Alan Bridge, Brian and
Ronnie pulled down 2 sections of boundary fence.
Sat. 13th June.
Drove to Quirindi this morning. Bert and Nells baby
Ian was christened. Brakes on the Snipe seized and I had them fixed at Orties. Missed the christening as a result.
We played in comp match verses Waratahs. They won 6 sets to our 3.
Mon. 15th June.
Up at 5.45am. Left here at 6.30am in the Austin. Drove up to Werris Creek. Breakfast with Alan and Joyce Bridge.
I went to Werris Creek coal mine and picked up 160 yards of steel rope. Alan came home with me.
Started work on creek crossing across creek between us and "Rathcown". Pulled the cable across creek.
Started on holes for strainer posts.
Sat. 20th June.
Glor, Rogie, Timmy and Alan Bridge went in truck to Quirindi this
morning. Alan, Pop and I drove out to Alan Dunbars. Cut 6 big pine posts, 15 ft long and brought into "Myanbah".
Glor and I played in comp tennis match verses Kookas. We only won one set.
Mon. 22nd June.
Ronnie and I sawed firewood all day with Nuffield and saw bench. We finished sawing all the old posts and battons
into stove lengths. Drew some applebox tree and cut it up for the open fire. Terribly cold day with sleety showers.
Wed. 24th June.
Glor,
Timmy and I drove down to Scone and out to Thornthwaite to attend the funeral service of Fred Barwick, aged 85. He was taken down to Muswellbrook to be buried.
Called at Willow Tree and had letter
of credit sent to head bank in Sydney. Ronnie drew load of gravel from creek. Also drew a heap of old posts and battons for firewood.
Sat. 27th June.
Greased and changed oil of Humber Snipe. 5,910 miles. Drove to "Quondah" to visit Mum. Loaned the Austin truck to Brian for Ronnie and Maurice to draw water to their new cottage.
Sun. 28th June.
Church service this morning. Nanna came out with Vicar Doyle. She is looking after the boys while Glor and I drive to Sydney.
Mon. 29th June.
Glor and I left home at 6.10am in Humber Snipe headed for Sydney. Picked up auntie Lu at Binghams. Reached Newcastle at
10.30am. Left Aunti Lu at Andersons. Had rattle in wheel looked at, at garage in Newcastle. Filled Snipe with petrol and found she did 144 miles at 22 miles per gallon. Lunch at Orange Trees. Arrived 151 Ernest St at 4.30pm. Left car there at Esme's place.
On into city via bus. Booked for two nights at Arcadia Hotel.
Tues. 30th June.
Breakfast at Arcadia Hotel. Spent morning
looking for carpet for our lounge room. Called at 'Nock and Kirbys', 'Beard Watson's' and another place. Got a few mecano parts for Rogie and Timmy. Glor and I went to 5pm session of the Esquire Theatre. Saw "Elizabeth is Queen".
Tues. 7th July.
Ronnie and I mustered "Yarrabah" ewes and lambs. Drafted out 108 old lambs and loaded them onto Bernards truck to be railed to Sydney.
John Bearman installed a brand new automatic panel in lighting plant. Panel worked quite successfully. Took Bearman to Willow Tree and he caught the train back to Sydney.
The four of us and Ronnie picked up Mum at Binghams. Drove to Quirindi to see screening of "A Queen is crowned" and also "Beaver Valley".
Mon.
13th July.
Clarrie Warfield came for the day and set in the new 36 inch Metters Grate in lounge room. Did the hearth with small coloured tiles. He also built the hearth for the Wonderheat in our
living room. I helped Clarrie most of the day.
Tues. 14th July.
Glor, Timmy and I drove to Tamworth for the day. Picked
up Nanna at Quirindi. We bought paint for the lounge room. Ivory for the ceiling and mixture ivory and deep orchard for walls. Also 3 lengths fibro cement piping for the flu of the Wonderheat. Picked up Neil at the Hostel and took him down town. Had tea at
a restaurant.
There was a new model Humber Snipe at Ken Turners. All had a ride in the new Snipe. Very nice.
Wed. 15th
July.
Painter Ron Frost commenced painting lounge room. I drove over to Lukes and got Ron for a few days work.
Clarrie Warfield had
another days work. He pulled out the old Dover stove and installed the new 'Canberra'. He also set in the Wonderheat on brick and cement foundation.
I killed a 6 tooth weather and sold the carcase
to Clarrie for £2-10-0.
Sat. 18th July.
Ron Frost did 9 hours painting today. Ronnie Seymour also painted all
day.
Glor, Rogie, Timmy and I drove to Quirindi for the official opening of the Church of England Parish hall. Opened by Liew General Gordon Bennett and dedicated by Bishop Moyes.
Wed. 29th July.
Ronnie and I mustered the cows and calves to yards. Pop did the marking. We did 16 calves. Fixed up the gully crossing
and put the steers onto "Yarran" plain again.
Pop and I drove to "Quondah" and helped Ron slaughter a vealer.
Glor drove to Werris
Creek and played tennis with Joyce.
Sun. 2nd Aug.
All day match at Blandford. Our tem won by 4 sets. We comprised of
Glor and me, Jim and Ruth Sevil, Leonie Sevil, Bunty Hall and Bill Clay.
Tues. 4th Aug.
Tony Barwick here all day for
crutching. He did 430 "Yarran" plain ewes. Ronnie and I helping and we also crutched 160. Total of 590 done.
Fri. 7th Aug.
We
spent morning putting down red rubber floor covering in the kitchen. I drove Humber Snipe to "Quondah" and greased it and changed the oil. milage 7,103.
Electric light engine lost nearly
all its oil through a leak through oil filter.
Mon. 10th Aug.
Marked 193 lambs in farm paddock. Used the new Elastrator
rubber rings for the first time.
Ronnie and I did more fencing fro the rest of the day.
Thur. 13th Aug.
Paid Wilf Knowles £153 for 450 split ironbark posts and 30 struts at 12/- each.
Glor, Rogie, Timmy and I drove to Tamworth. Took Pop and
Nanna. We watched a demonstration at Farrer school of fruit tree pruning by Mr Connors. Took the Humber Snipe to Ken Turners for a tune up. Had a drive of the latest model Snipe. Picked up Neil and we all had afternoon in the park.
Tues. 18th Aug.
I spent the day with Nuffield helping clear timber off the surveyed line for electric light line to run. Hector, Jim Sevil and
I cleared line from Jack Hams to Sam Saunder's boundary. Hector and jim worked their mobile saws and I dragged timber off the line with the tractor. Ronnie took loads of firewood away. One for Jim Sevil and one for us.
Went to P and C meeting and presentation to Mrs Gore. I drove in with Ruth Sevil.
Thur. 20th Aug.
Glor,
Rogie, Timmy and I drove in and met Tamworth passenger and got Neil. He has finished second term at Tamworth High School.
I pruned more fruit trees. Have only 3 big peach trees to go. Arvo we drove
down to cement tanks. Ronnie and I finished the new cement water trough.
Tues. 25th Aug.
Mustered "Yarran" plain and
drafted out 33 suckers. Neil drove the truck up to shack and we loaded the suckers and brought them to home. Yarded "Yarrabah" ewes and lambs and drafted out 93 new season suckers. Loaded the 126 suckers onto Bernards truck.
Wed. 26th Aug.
Went up to Covers paddock this morning and helped Hector, Jim Sevil and Jack Ham clearing the line for electric power. Took the Nuffield
up after lunch to help Jack with his tractor. It took two tractors to pull some of the big green box trees.
Glor and the three boys attended a childrens tennis tournament at Warrah Creek.
Thur. 27th Aug.
First of new season suckers sold by Rezzonico. 126 averaged 101/8.
Mustered all cattle on "Yarran" plain. Drafted off 40 of the best steers. Sold the 40 steers to Jack Ryder for buyer from Culcairn named Rowe. Price £24-0-0.
Sat.
5th Sept.
Tennis tourney and dance in aid of St Cuthberts church. Glor did all the organising and was in charge of food arrangements. I ran the tennis. 28 players. Gross takings £70-0-0.
Mon. 7th Sept.
We all drove to Tamworth taking Neil back to school. Mum came with us and spent the day at Woods. Went to Ken Turners
and drove the new 1953 model Humber Snipe. All had photos taken at Paramounts.
Timmy had his first day at Willow Tree school.
Tues.
8th Sept.
Commenced shearing at "Yarrabah". Brian and Maurice Seymour shore 153 ewes today. Maurice did 94 and Brian did 59. Using new type of Coopers branding oil for first time. Lila is coming
over every day.
Fri. 10th Sept.
Total ewes shorn, 455, plus 4 hoggets and one weather. Ronnie and I finished pressing
up all "Yarrabah" wool. Now have 15 bales including one POOL and one CRXB which we pressed before shearing commenced.
I later helped Gordon Hottes. Hector, and Jack Ham prepare the Jacks Creek
tennis courts for tourney tomorrow. I attended Agriculture Bureau meeting at Warrah Creek. Drove in and met North West Mail and got Neil.
Sat. 12th Sept.
All day tourney in aid of Jacks Creek hall funds. Only 20 players. I won gents and Jenny Saunders the ladies. Dance at night. £43 cleared for the whole day.
Sun.
13th Sept.
Had nice sleep in till Jean Hottes called in and asked if we could make up team for them to play Asseffs? Glor and I played with Gordon and Jean Hottes, Hector, and Jack Ham. We won
5 sets to 4.
Thur. 17th Sept.
Maurice Seymour and Claude Saunders shore 271 plain paddock ewes today. Claude did
150 and Maurice 121. Brian is helping with the wool rolling and Ronnie pressed 5 bales. The Koertz press is doing a good job. Col Logan called into the shed this arvo for a yarn.
Sat.
19th Sept.
24 points rain during the day. All drove to Quirindi for the day. Attended sale at markets. Our surplus furniture sold. Wardrobe £11-0-0. Kitchen cabinet £7-10-0. Ovel table
£4-0-0. Old stove £2-0-0. Bought an electric toaster at 15/-. Leather punch at 18/-.
Sun. 20th Sept.
Tennis
at Quirindi. Played Asseffs. They beat us 6 sets to 3 sets.
Mon. 21st Sept.
Finished General shearing shis afternoon.
Did 133 ewes. Total ewes in farm paddock now 192. Total ewes shorn 1246. Rams 29. Hoggets 5, wethers 3.
Total no. bales 37.
Thur. 24th Sept.
233 sucker lambs from "Yarran" plain sold for average 87/5 by Sparke and Co newcastle.
Brian came over and we had a big day crutching all lambs. We crutched 393 all told.
Left "Yarrabah" ewes and lambs in the front paddock ready for trucking.
Sat. 26th Sept.
Annual childrens Willow Tree Interschool athletic sports day. Great
crowd and good competition. I had usual job of sending race results and times back to the office. Roger was in the march past for the first time. Terribly cold day.
Thur. 1st Oct.
Glor, Rogie, Timmy and I drove to Tamworth for the day. Made final arrangements with Ken Turner for purchase of latest model Humber Snipe. Glor and I had another sitting at Paramount for photos. Attended gymnastic display at Presby
Boys Hostel at night. Neil took part in the display. We brought Neil and Laurie Fishpool home for the long weekend.
Fri. 9th Oct.
Ronnie and I did the
concrete path out to the back gate today. Reinforced with hingejoint. Did the full strip with mix of 4 to one. Topped the path off with sand and cement mixture, two and a half in one. Coloured the top one inch think with red oxide.
Sat. 10th Oct.
Tennis tourney in aid of R.C. building fund at Jacks Creek courts. They took £131 including donations. I won the gents tennis with 31 games. Wentt o the dance
after but Glor and the boys went home early.
Wed. 14th Oct.
Pop came out for the day. We marked 8 young bulls in the weaner mob from Scone. Ear marked 17
steers. Did the job up in Covers yards. Drove Pop out to Mitchells to look at his steers. Also showed him the 23 steers in oats paddock and the cows and calves in lower lucerne paddock. Marked one bull and 2 heifers in "Yarrabah" mob.
Sat. 17th Oct.
Washed the humber Snipe for last time this morning. Drove to Willow Tree after lunch. Glor took a load of ladies to Wallabadah for flower show. She took Mum, Nanna,
Alma Barwick, Joyce, Marie and Vivian. At the rodeo I helped run the chocolate wheel. Cleared £18-0-0. Ronnie entered 'Flame' in the flag races.
Tues. 19th Oct.
Mixed more cement with the mixer. Ronnie and I concreted small angle piece of path near the laundry. Ronnie did second coat of cream paint on the new rail on front fence.
Glor and I drove to Willow Tree to
Dick Graham's funeral. Large following.
Wed. 21st Oct.
54 points rain this morning. Glor and I drove in our 52 model Snipe to Tamworth for the last time.
Took delivery of brand new 1953 model, saphire blue Humber Snipe at Ken Turners. Price £1950-4-9. Complete with extras. Includes £18 for delivery, £60-0-0 for new duco, £8-0-0 for tow bar. Extras also included a heater and demister.
Picked up Neil from the hostel and he came with us to Turners.