Sat. 11th April.
5 sets tennis played before dinner. After dinner, Mabel and Bonnie in our car and Cyril and family watch cricket match at
Thorthwaite between ABC and Murrurundi. ABC made 226. Fred 74, Everard 56. Murrurundi made 100. Everard and Derek went home from cricket with us. Had dance again till about 12. I shifted over to stay at Uncle Sams.
Sun. 12th April.
We went to church at Thornthwaite and 3pm. Took Mabel and Bonnie. Had look over the new church. After church, Mabel, Bonnie, Audrey, Esme and Verna and
we three walked up and had a look at Cyrils weather shed. Bonnie played violin and Mabel accordian after tea.
Mon. 13th April.
During
morning, Cyril's girls over and had game of cricket and then played five hundred till dinner time. Left about 4.15pm for Walter Ashfords. Took Mabel with us. Billie, Hazel and little Nola staying at Walters. Herb, Bertha and Mrs Barnes over after tea and had
two sets of six handed eucha.
Sat. 18th April.
Cyril [Ashford] and family left here at 6.40am per car for Gravesend.
All day cricket match playing Murrurundi at Warrah Creek. Murrurundi 122. Warrah 114.
Big political meeting in Warrah hall.
Fri. 24th April.
More showers
during day. Big rains up head of creeks. Creek all half bankers.
Uncle Harold came up with dray and took away his wool press from "Boolawa" shed. Len and Ern rode up and we boys helped load press.
Charlie Ashford and three of us played bridge at night.
Tues. 5th May.
Dad, Ron and I mustered back paddock ready for
crutching. Drafted out 89 hoggets for sale. Dad cleaned those and 7 more with blades. We three boys crutched 262 "Quondah" ewes and last years hogget ewes from back paddock. I started a new pair of heavy trousers, 'Never-rip' for shearing and crutching.
Fri. 8th May.
Crutched 320 ewes from "Boolawa". Dad cleaned with blades 78 Xbred lambs and 15 hoggets. Ron and I had a few sets
of tennis late.
Marie, Dette, Jim, Bill Meredith and Eileen Kiernan here for game of cards. We gave them a lesson on bridge. Alan brought them up on account of their car being out of action.
Tues. 12th May.
Marked 'Biddie' and 'Sadies' calves. Dad, Alan and Ron attended stock sale in Quirindi, Kennedy and Co. Dad bought
9 hard steers at 49/- per head. I drove Mum up to see Auntie Em for the day. and went up again to bring her home. Called at Harold's.
I transplanted the kurrajong seedlings to lower back
corner of garden. Planted 26 kurrajong seeds in box.
Thur. 14th May.
162 points rain. Rained nearly all day. Ron travelled
with Uncle Harold. Auntie Vi and Marie Brecht to Armidale and back. They brought Arthur home from T.A.S. where he has finished his schooling. They had to come home via Borambil Creek owing to Warrah Creek being flooded. Marie spent the night up here. I washed
my saddle bridle and trappings and greased with Elliots Yellow Hydrocarbon.
Sat. 16th May.
Stock sale in Willow Tree
yards during afternoon. Dad bought young cow and calf for £4-10 from W.B. Hall. Dad, Mum and Marie Brecht in our car. Marie playing tennis with Willow Tree club. Alan went in with Les and Dot. Ron played tennis at Warrah Creek with Sevils team against
Warrah Creek no. 1 team.
All of us attended an Edwards play at Warrah Creek hall at night.
Sun. 17th May.
Mr and Mrs Chad Junior, and Alex, and Mr and Mrs Chad senior here on lorry for the afternoon. Had game of tennis. They stayed for supper. Mrs Chad played the piano and sang a couple of songs.
Sat. 30th May.
Took shot gun and pea rifle and walked over to "Belmont". Looked round sheep camp. No ewes down and no dead lambs. Shot two crows
dead. Wounded a fox in "Towarri".
Ron and I drove out to Gus Sevil's and played tennis with their team against Willow Tree in comp match. Sevil's team won 6-3. We also took out Marie Brecht
who played for Willow Tree, and Eileen Kiernan and Dette.
Wed. 3rd June.
Had full day crutching for J.B. Holmes.
Crutched 424 in one mob and 32 of another lot.
Ron and I drove in to big Church of England Ball in Willow Tree taking Marie Meredith and Marie Brecht, who stayed night in town. Brought Mary
Holmes out from the dance. Les and Dot came down for supper.
Fri. 5th June.
Finished crutching Holmes sheep.
Chipped grass from under both trellis and from round all grape vines. Planted 16 grape cuttings in middle of trellis in orchard. Four of ladie finger and three of long white. Six round firm white and
three round purple. We all went up to Uncle Harold's for tea.
Sun. 14th June.
Defeated St Albans Quirindi team on our
court. 8 sets 50 games to 1 set 35 games. St Albans team was Mr and Mrs Calvert, George and Miss Barnes, Channon and Dick Bowley. Our team was Marie Brecht, Dette, and we four.
Sat.
20th June.
Alan and I sawed fire wood with cross cut saw. Estimated 12 cwts of fire wood.
At night a send off party to Marie Brecht
was held in the Hall. Mrs Grady made presentation of £3-9-0 to Marie who was asked to buy a nurses watch and travelling rug when she got to Newcastle. Presentation of silver buckle from CWA was made by Mrs Carter. Marie Meredith, Ron and I supplied
the music.
Sun. 21st June.
Played all day tennis match at "Margewar". Played 17 sets. "Quondah" 13 sets 88 games. "Margewar"
4 sets 51 games. Dette, Marie Brecht and Dulcie Wharton were our ladies and we four made our team. Alan and I took Auntie Lu and Marie home and we stayed for tea. Harold's family also at "Burnside".
Mon. 22nd June.
Marie Brecht left by passenger train this morning for Newcastle to start her nursing career. Dad, Mum, Auntie Lu and Ron took her in to the train and continued
on to Quirindi for the day. Had plates of new battery changed into old case as the case was cracked.
Alan and I chipped grass from most of garden at both sides of house. Sold 16 lb rabbit skins
at 1/- lb. fox skins at 3/6 per skin to Dagg. Also 12 sheep skins for £1-0-0.
Fri. 26th June.
Took a stroll
over to "Belmont" taking 'Dodger' and the shotgun. Shot a big dog fox in the gully. Walked round sheep camp and found two dead ewes. 20 odd day old lambs but found no dead ones. Drove in car down to get mail. To "Burnside" and brought all the library books
for changong tomorrow.
Wed. 1st July.
Arthur rode home this morning. Ron and I rode over via Scotts Mountain to Kiernans
Creek to Stay at Cyril Ashfords a couple of night. Played hockey during afternoon. Mabel, Audrey, Esme and Ron, played Cyril, Verna, Bonnie and me. We later had a couple of sets of tennis. Danced till midnight. Charlie Ashford over here.
Sat. 4th July.
Transplanted 2 peach seedlings at back of "Boolawa" sulky shed, which I got off Uncle Alf. Les, Dot and Barbara down for the afternoon.
Les had a game of tennis with us. Alan and Ron went to "Towarri" for game of bridge.
Sat. 11th July.
Dad and Mum drove
from Scone to "Sunny vale" to stay about a week. I rode out with Uncle Harold and Arthur and helped them straighten up two strains of fence at top of mountain. Light showers most of day. Arthur and I rode down to "Burnside" for supper. Alan and Ron there too.
I received a nice letter from Marie Brecht.
Sat. 18th July.
Had ring from Dad to say they had arrived in Scone about
1pm from "Sunnyvale" Went out to Bunnan for two nights.
Don McCluand brought timber out from Willow Tree. We went round with him also taking the two posts fro the gateway. Brought back iron,
boards and the roof from the old sheds. Road very greasy. Mr Land left his Rover car in our shed.
Sun. 19th July.
Ron
and I out early, waiting in crow huts with shotguns. Neither of us had a shot.
Alma, Melba and Aunt Betsy up here. Left Aunt Betsy here and the others walked to "Towarri". Alan, Ron and I at "Burnside"
after tea. All Uncle Harolds there also.
Fri. 24th July.
Marked 353 lambs at "Belmont" yards. A few left in paddock
as too young. Alan drove round taking Mum and Mabel. Dad and Mabel and Ron went down to Chads. Ron drove down and brought up Auntie Lu and Ern and Doss Wadell and Eileen Keating after tea. Harold's family also up.
Sat. 1st Aug.
Afternoon Dad, Mum, Mabel, Ron and I drove to Quirindi. Went and saw little Nolene Fitz in hospital. Also Mrs Bill Smith and her new baby. Mabel, Ron
and I watched tennis match on showground. I bought shoeing outfit at McIntosh's for 12/- the lot. Bought pair of riding trouses at 25/6 from Ryans.
Sun. 2nd Aug.
Ron and I played all day match with Sevils team against Goodmans in Murrurundi. We won 5 stes to 4. Then we played an extra 3 sets. Ron and I drove to Willow Tree and from there with Harvey. Mabel, Ron and I took
Alan back to Harold's and we stayed there for tea and gramaphone music.
Wed. 5th Aug.
Ron took the 100 X-bred lambs
from Mallon's yards to be trucked. Dad and I drove down to help him across first creek crossing. I soldered up holes in old iron and Dad and I put it on the shed. Lent 'Duke' to Miss Nichols to help Les with sheep.
Sat. 8th Aug.
Brought Uncle Harold's single furrow plough up with his drought horse mare 'Blossom' in spring cart. Alan and I ploughed little paddock at "Boolawa" with
'Blossem' and 'Prince'. Arthur came up with me in the cart and spent the night here. Ron brought 232 ewes from "Levondale" to Recreation reserve.
Thur. 13th Aug.
Shearing at "Quondah". 124 ewes shorn today. One bale out. Alan and Ron shearing. Dad drives engine and presses and pens up. I wool role and help press up and shear a few at beginning and end. I shore about 7 today.
Making three classes of wool. 1st CBE. ACB. BCB.
Mon. 17th Aug.
Sheep wet. No shearing. I removed 'Dukes' off
hind shoe. Mustered back paddock. Kept in ewes for shearing. Tom McCluand up and bought all our wethers at 12/3 and two X-bred hoggets at 9/-.
Nita Nicholls borrowed 'Duke' to ride up to
Toms to go fishing. Charlie Ashford over to take cattle home from "Burnside" He stayed the night.
Tues. 18th Aug.
Three
bales. ACBE. BCB. LKSCB. Cut out ewe paddock. Total 329. 123 shorn today. I shore 13 altogether. I met McCluand with the 89 sheep he purchased yesterday.
Ron mustered Cyril Ashfords cattle
at "Belmont" for Russel to take away. Cyril's cattle sold to McCluand, six cows and calves at £7-6-0. Six cows at £5. Steers at £5. Dad bought big bullock at £4-10-0, and Uncle Sam's cow and calf at £7-0-0.
Fri. 21st Aug.
Two bales. ACBE, APCSCBE. 108 shorn. Finished flock making total of 321 now running in ewe paddock to lamb. 17 of
killing mob and 21 "Boolawa" ewes. I shore 18.
Ron, Nita Nicholls, Aileen and I went to euchre party and dance in Warrah hall in aid of RC funds.
Sat. 29th Aug.
33 "Boolawa" ewes shorn. Had only one run.
We all went in to Willow Tree to watch final of
tennis comp between Warrah no. 1 and Marjewar. Marjewar won 7 sets to 2. We took Aileen to club courts
Thur. 10th Sept.
111
comeback lambs shorn. Alan shore 60. I shore 51. My first full days shearing! All wether lambs shorn, 129. Also 8 ewe lambs.
Ron took ewes and lambs from recreation reserve to "Booral". Nita
Nicholls accompanied him out on 'Duke'. Uncle Ivan drove up to see the shearing. Arthur up at shed during arvo. He has been rouseabout at Steve Mac's this week. Ern and Les shearing Gradies sheep up at "Towarri". Heavy hail and wind storm in arvo.
Sun. 13th Sept.
We all went to Murrurundi playing in the mixed doubles handicap. Dad played with Marie Meredith on Doolies court,
winning 27 games and 5 sets. Alan played with Bertha Sevil on Bush's court winning 26 games out of 5 sets. Ron with Dette won 28 games out of 5 sets. I played with Mrs Gus Sevil and we won 25 games in 4 sets.
Sun. 20th Sept.
I drove Aileen Palmer home after nearly 6 weeks work here.
All of us at Murrurundi for singles
championships tournament. Ron won three matches and got into the semi final. Dad, Alan and I knocked out in our first matches. I played Joe Lonergan on Bushe's court and lost 7-5 and 6-2
Fri.
25th Sept.
Finished shearing Ern Brecht's X-bred ewes here at "Quondah". Six bales fleece XBE. One bale PCS and BLS. One bale LKS. Alvin Hall took away last of wool. 23 bales. Four bales of LKS
left.
Ron, Nita Nicholls and I went to the dance at Warrah hall in aid of tennis club. Shields presented to Marjewar team for tennis.
Mon. 28th Sept.
Received letter from Marie Brecht who is now working at Convalescent home in Newcastle.
All our
family and Auntie Lu went to Quirindi in Alans car. Left back tire at retreading works to have patch volcanised after puncture in Willow Tree. I purchased two bottles of black Indian Ink which I started to use here. Also black bow tie for dress wear and tube
of Palmolive shaving cream.
Mabel and Ivy stayed here the night on way to Gravesend with Ted Barwick.
Wed. 7th
Oct.
Before breakfast, Dad, Alan, Ron and I dipped the 404 ewes and 400 lambs from "Booral". Ron took them down to Recreation Reserve and Dad on 'Duke' helped. I cut wood for rest of day.
Dette came up late and we all had 4 sets of tennis.
Thur. 8th Oct.
Ron
and I started the 404 ewes and 400 lambs back to "Booral" from Recreation Reserve at 7am. Ron left us at Jacks Creek and went ahead and mustered "Levondale" to dress lambs. Got sheep there at 12.30pm.
Dad,
Mum, Alan, Auntie Tilly, Sylvia and Marjorie drove out. Tom, Annie, Meryle, Auntie Lu and Beryl also came out and we all had lunch at "Levondale" at creek. Later, our car load with Beryl went up to Brians. Tom's lot went to Walter Barwicks and Alan went with
them.
Sun. 11th Oct.
We all, and Marie Meredith and Dette finished mixed and singles tournament. Ron won the singles
championships beating Mr Goodman 7-5, 6-2 in the final. Ron beat Lindsay Hamilton 6-1, 6-1 in semi. In mixed, Mrs Gus Sevil and I won, but were then beaten 6-3 in semi final by Ron and Dette.
Mon.
12th Oct.
I drove Aunt Tilly and girls up to spend the day at "Merrieton". I helped Uncle Alf bail up a young cow. Brought a "Booral" ewe and lamb home in car from lane that Ron left there yesterday.
Alma, Uncle Alf, Aunt Betsy brought Aunt Tilly and the girls back.
Mustered the back paddock for dipping. Clair Nicholls, Miss Cromack and Barbara down for bread.
Sat. 17th Oct.
Ron and Dette won the final in mixed doubles championships in Murrurundi. They beat Ern Hall and Dora Maclean 6-5, 6-5. Our car,
with Ron, Marie and Dette, Ern and I stayed for the dance and presentation of cups and trophies held at night.
Sun. 18th Oct.
Dad,
Ron and I drove out to "Levondale" in car, and Uncle Harold and family and Auntie Lu anlso came. Uncle Harold had a look at our vealers.
Jacks Creek played our team at Warrah Creek. We won by 121
to 35. Wallace Barwick, who has been shearing in Queensland since February is home and came to the match.
Tues. 20th Oct.
I
started at 6.30am and rode over the Cedar Brush to Sparkes Creek. I caught Arthur at "Daffodil" who was helping the drover Cook take 120 head of cattle over. Saw the finish of Uncle Henry's shearing. Derrick was shed hand. Arthur and I had dinner at "Caroona"
with Cyril Ashford and family. Had supper at Uncle Harolds and stayed the night.
Wed. 21st Oct.
Left Uncle Harolds at
4.45am. White frost here and at Warrah Creek. Got to Tom's for dipping. Alan and Ron up in car and with Tom and Horrace Chapman made a good team for dipping.
Sat. 24th Oct.
First comp match against Werris Creek at Warrah. Werris Creek 166 for 4 wickets. Weissel 97 n.o. Warrah Creek 94 runs. R Palmer 45 runs. I got 9 runs and 2 wickets.
Sun 1st Nov.
Brian, Lila and little Lawence over in sulky for day with us. Stayed till about 5pm. Les, Dot and Barbara and Clair Nicholls and Miss Cromack here during afternoon
and stayed for tea. We played a few sets of tennis.
Sat. 7th Nov.
Warrah Creek played Blandford at Warrah Creek. Scores
Warrah, 89. R Palmer 40. Blandford 54. I got 7 runs and 3 wickets.
Benhams tennis team out and played our team. 5 sets 40 games tous. 4 sets 36 games to Benhams. Jack, George, and Joyce Benham,
Miss Jones and Joe Lonergan in their team.
Sun. 8th Nov.
Arthur and I rode over to Sparkes Creek during afternoon to
stay the night. Called at "Hawthorns" for a while. Rode up to see Charlie who arrived at "Elmsford" about 2pm with our cattle. Went to church there. Rained nearly all night at Sparkes Creek.
Mon. 9th Nov.
Arthur and I got up at 5am and mustered the 99 cattle into the "Elsmford" house paddock. Rain came on and continued till 11am. Arthur and I played bobs. Charlie
came down after dinner and we played bobs and then we rode around Oakey gully and mustered sheep. Mac rode down and the four of us had a practice game of cricket. Had supper at "Hawthorns" with Fred and Agnes.
Tues. 10th Nov.
At "Elsmford". Arthur and I rose at 5am. Had breakfast and started the 97 cattle at 6.30am. Left two heifers at Uncle Harolds at Elsmford. Had dinner at
the old camp tree. Arrived at top at 1.30pm. Uncle Ivan met us above Jethro Plamers and we drafted his 22 steers at his gate. Left ours in "Retreat" paddock. Stayed the night at Harolds.
Fri.
13th Nov.
Ron started out early and brought the ten young leicester rams from Frank Doyles. £3-3-0 per head. Ron also bought 4 for Les. Alan and I drove up and had a swim with Arthur. I got a black and
tan pup, 6 weeks old from Ern Brecht. Auntie Vi, Sheila and Lucas came home from holiday in Newcastle.