Rankine races

Thursday June 20^th:1929

Having arisen, showered, shaved and breakfasted had a talk to some of the men folk about the place, not many being about as most had gone to Rankine, and then looked over the bus and got her ready for the next stage of the journey. There are 3 little girls in the family and very nice kiddies they are too. After lunch was over and we had all had a yarn together with Mrs Lloyd, the Dr and I left about 3 o’clock. The bus now begins to give trouble and in the first couple of miles had to stop and adjust the timing which for some reason was slipping. After a while though she went alright. After passing through a couple of gates we came on to Alexandria Station, the second biggest cattle station in the world with an area of………

The feed here if anything is better and we came out on to a real open plain. As fas as we could see there was nothing but open flat country , rising away to the horizon. The only thing that broke the sameness was an occasional tree and in places a sub-artesian bore. After about 30 miles of this we at last sighted some trees and knew a river was near and eventually pulled up at Rankine on the Rankine River. Rankine consists of a police barracks with 2 police stationed there and a store. The store mostly sells petrol to people passing through and happens out here to be 35 shillings a case. Rankine at present reveals a gay and lively scene and I learnt on arrival that all that are left on the various stations practically in the N.T. are a few blacks looking after the place. The Rankine meeting is evidentally the event of the year Tout here taking the form mostly of horse racing, where there is keen competition between the various stations. They all have about 15 horses which they bring in and compete against each other. The horses are only grass fed and very scraggy but they get as much fun I suppose, perhaps more than others do from their trained beasts. The various stations have their own camps and I fell in with the Alexandria crowd and camped down in their vicinity at one of the bores. Had supper, though up at the bore where all the catering was done at 4 shillings a head. Rough and ready too with tin plates and pannikins and everybody for themselves. There was pictures and a dance at night in a hall on the sports ground but patronising neither. I unrolled my swag and under a full moon by the side of the car I turned in. Notb to sleep very soundly as folk were walking about all night, some merry and others returning from the dance and by the time the last arrived home, others began to arrive, bring in the horses and get breakfast on.

I breakfasted with the crowd and this of course being the 21^st day of June, a Friday. I heard of a motor mechanic in the place and so found him and we spent the morning on the bus. Discovered why the timing was missing and righted it, readjusted the timing and one or two other things and got the bus in good going order again. After lunch I went about among the folk and made myself known as best I could and got to know the various folk there. The people though are too interested in the performance of their horses to have time for anything else, except a refresher every now and then. One thing is very noticable out here and that is that it is no disgrace to be drunk and there is plenty of it done. Not that everybody does get drunk, not at all, but those that do are thought none the less of. Every place, every home out here though has its decanter of whisky on the table and the first greeting one gets is practically ‘have a nip’, and nips are frequent throughout the day. This though is the usual and accepted manner of living of the folk out here. There are of course here as well as anywhere else, the real boozers that are a nuisance to themselves as well as everyone else, they were well in evidence at Rankine. The Country Womens Assocn out here is a live body and doing a good work in the interests of the social life of the people. They had an evening on the Friday, mostly a dance with items and competitions. I put in an appearance for a whilee but soon retired again not to sleep too much, as it was a repitiomn of the previous evening.

Getting on with the job.

Monday June 17^th:

The joys of an amateur motor mechanic. The bus has jibbed and will not go. Have spent all day on the flopping thing but no good. Have fiddled with the carburetter until I do not know how it should go, but still the car goes not. This afternoon a chap who says he is a mechanic has been looking it over but his pursasion so far is no better than mine. So there she stands just outside the door, a model of pigheadedness. To rid myself of the feeling of depression occasioned by the apology for a car, went tonight and dined with the police sergeant, a real tough old sergeant major of the army. He batches here , although has a gin or two to do the housework. The tea was had in real bachelor style, he is his own cook. One course but it was sufficient. A plate piled with a composition of boiled beef and bacon , potatoes, pumpkin, cabbage, peas carrots and parsnips. It was good too only all I wanted to do afterwards was sleep. Came home, started to write, but music next day (Door?) was too attractive, so thither I went and it was night.

Tuesday June 18^th:

For the greater part of today the bus caused grave concern and solicitated anxious inquiries from all sides, but this evening she went, the timing somehow being out and when corrected made a vast difference. She is not in perfect running order yet, but she goes and so we are thankful for small mercies. Have been straightening up books and papers in my room before and since tea and now until bedtime will be writing.

Wednesday June 19^th:

Getting the bus in final working order and then loading up for a trip out west. Having made all necessary preparations, left Camooweal at 3.30 o’clock this afternoon, taking with me Dr Pincus fom here. There is a big race and sports meeting commencing tomorrow and continuing for 3 days at Rankine in N.T. 100 miles from here, to which the Dr is going. My arrangements can only carry me that far until I see what station folk are there. Leaving here at 3.30 we crossed the Georgina River, now dry, just outside the town. Six miles further on we came to the border gate, which let us through to the N.T. and out on to the Avon Downs Station on the Barkley Tableland. The country looks very dry although there is a fair amount of feed about and the cattle look well. We crossed a couple of dry creek beds, although near where we crossed in one there was a water-hole not yet dry on which were a few ducks. 48 miles from Camooweal we came to the station homestead of the Avon Station and there pulled in. Mr Lloyd is the manager but was in bed, with a bad knee. Mrs Lloyd was a good hostess and took us in and afternoon tea or ‘smoko;’ as is it called here was soon in our way. We talked then etc with different ones until tea time or supper as it is termed here. After supper we had a sing until bedtime when retired. Not to sleep though for a while as the Dr and I slept in one room and we got talking on Christianity and its value in life etc and it was early morn before we went to sleep. The Dr maintains that the Church is wrong when it gives anything but the ethical teaching of Christ, that this is what is wanted and nothing else. He has no place in his religion for faith, everything must be reasoned out.

Destination reached.

Thursday June 13^th: 1929

A happy birthday to Father.

Off to Camooweal. Final preparations taking somewhat longer than anticipated, the start was delayed until 10.30 am. Well-loaded with everything including nutties and honeycomb toffee etc from my numerous friends. Day was not the best, cloudy and a cold wind blowing. Cloncurry where I spent six weeks and on the whole very pleasantly was soon left behind. Three miles out my load was further increased by picking up 2 chaps with the swags who were going to Isa looking for work. Rather a good find as they were both company and gate-openers. Got off the road 18 miles out and onto a road going into ‘a show’. A great deal of carting had lately been done in it and the road in there is more pronounced than the main road. Went in seven miles found the copper mine and of course had to return. This was rather an unfortunate occurrence as it further delayed us more than one hour. Our first little town through which we passed was Mallon/Malbon ? 32 miles on the road. Was halted by a chap wanting a ride to Duchess, 43 miles further on and offering me 2 pound prepaid for the lift. Gave him the ride and at Duchess collected 1 pound from him for the Mission. He shouted us all tea at Duchess where we partook each of a great cut of steak and two fried eggs. It all went down too and tasted good. At 5pm the remaining three of us set off for Isa and now the bad road commenced. Ruts everywhere and all filled with white dust so that the depth is not known until one experiments in them. One is at first inclined to be disturbed by the numerous tracks going off in all directions, but soon discovers that they all go the one way. The job is to pick the best one and if I got onto the best every time, pity help the chap who finds the worst. Darkness overtook us long before reaching Isa and so travelling was rather slow but we wandered along and suddenly at 9.15 we hit the outskirts of Mt Isa settlement, found a suitable camping spot and stopped. We lit a fire, boiled the billy and then unrolled swags and rolled in. The ground was hard too and I could not find a hollow for my hip but being rather tired, I was soon asleep.

Friday June 14^th:

I think I was awake first but not up first. It was too cold so waited until one of the other chaps started the fire then I suddenly awoke and got dressed by the fire. We breakfasted on meat pies and sausage rolls that I brought from Cloncurry left over from the social. Shaved in front of the mirror on the back of the spotlight, had a bit of a brush up and leaving the two chaps at the camp where they intend to stay while seeking work, went in to Isa. Mt Isa the scene of glorious activity, the biggest thing in mining that Queensland has ever known and unfortunately I did not have time to have a good look at the mine. Will make a trip down that way before long though and see things properly. Met Dr Goode there, my ‘butcher’, and had a yarn to him, made purchases at the store, loaded up again and at 11am left for Camooweal. Rather a lonely trip through, although passed a couple of motor lorries in the 140 miles first half of the road, still very rough and dusty. Stopped at Yelvertoft? Station, halfway, for a few minutes and had a talk to Mr Dalling and some of the others and then set off on the final stage of the 300 miles from Cloncurry. A better road now ans so progress was much greater.

At 6.20 pm hit Camooweal right on the bare open plain at 60? miles an hour and hurt noone. Pulled up at Riley’s hotel, the only hotel, introduced myself, was cordially welcomed, had a wash and brush and went into tea. Met a few folk but was not long before the blankets claimed me.

Moving on.

Tuesday June 4^th: 1929

Back to the garage and this time the bus is in for a good overhaul and not before she needs it. I poke about to see if I can pick up any hints which my later prove useful. The weather up here at present is really hot and of an evening voices come from all directions where people are out on their verandahs keeping cool. Went out for while myself this evening, I am not saying where.

Wednesday June 5^th:

Down at the garage again and in the afternoon started to clean the bus. It wanted some cleaning too, and goodness knows if it had ever had a clean up before. Had the hose and Bon Ami on the job and got rid of the surplus. Did a bit of writing at night. Still rather warm.

Thursday June 6^th: 1929

Put the finishing touches today with plenty of elbow grease etc to the car and I believe it does look somewhat cleaner. Mechanic finished his job on it too and she is going very well. Gave her a try out on a quart of petrol and she is doing now about 18 to 20 miles to the gallon. At night I went across to the Presbyterian Church to the official opening of the wireless station, in connection with the A.I.M. It is only a weak station but has sufficient power to keep in touch with the stations out west who are to be supplied with a transmitting code signal in case they may need the aerial doctor. If the venture proves a success it will be a great benefit to those in the great open spaces who are not able to get in touch with civilization through lack of telephone and telegraph.

Friday June 7^th:

Spent most of today a home heredoing a few odd jobs about the place, there being a fair amount of broken furniture needing attention.

(My father in earlier years had completed some carpentry training.)

Late in he afternoon hopped in the car and went up to the hospital, took some books up for the chaps to read. A farewell visit as I will not be going up again before leaving for Camooweal next week. I have just been reading a letter that I received when in hospiotal from my sister Olive, hence the reason for this type of writing. I did not dothe shops o Friday night as there are no late nights in this state.

( This diary entry was in small neater handwriting than previously!)

Saturday June 8^th:

Another day at home on the odd jobs. Not a bad proposition though as one gets morning and afternoon tea while thus engaged. An over-ripe day on account of the heavy wind and the dust which it carries along. This I suppose though is one of the trials of the westerner which will have to get used to. After tea tonight the whole family though we would go for a spin so I acted as chaffeur (this spelling does not look right but the dictionary is in the other room) and after calling at a shop for cigarettes, for the Moores, went out the road a few miles and home again. Had a read for a while and retired.

Sunday June 9^th:

Another windy, dusty day and I was nearly blown out of bed this morning, sleeping as I do on the verandah. Thought I might have had a lie-in too but it was n ot comfortable enough out there. Sorted out all my correspondence this morning and had a hot bath through the agency

of what I discarded. Was invited to tea this afternoon and prior to tea went out for a spin in a new Ford. Was very good and went to Church and afterwards went back to Young’s for a while then home to bed.

Monday June 10^th:

Finished the odd jobs today, as many as I am doing, although there are quite a number still waiting to be done. It would not be fair to take all the odd jobs from the head of the house. Went for a run in brother Menears’ car after tea, he being out of town.

Tuesday June 11^th:

I have jumped a day. The outcome of writing up your diary a few days after events. Did not do much this day as was feeling a bit dopey. Shouted the Moores’family to the pictures at night, a farewell treat, for them perhaps, no more for me, not with the children at any rate. The little chap kept up a continuous fire of questions in a very audible voice, some of them extremely awkward. Then the baby awoke and both kids cried together, a beautiful duet. Still we all survived and eventually arrived home safely.

Tuesday June 12^th:

Birthday greetings to Murray. (my father’s younger brother who was later to lose his life during WW2 over the Middle East)

Getting ready for thr road. A busy day. MAfter social ntook all the old dears home by car and retired at 12.20 am. aking final ourchases, packing and loading up. Kept going at it all day. A social in the church at night. Was there for a while but had to go and say a few fond farewells and returned to the social later at supper time. After social took all the old dears home by car and retired at 12.20 am.

adjusting to queensland weather.

Monday May 27th: 1929

Spent most of today at the garage. Mail day and letters received from Victoria and Tassie which were much as always appreciated. Really did a bit of work today as took off an old Ford a tyre that was punctured and put on the spare after mending puncture in it. Had a bit of a lie down in the afternoon and got cleaned just before tea. Since tea have been reading and talking and writing.

Tuesday May 28^th:

Took an accumulation of washing to the washer lady. Through having neglected to do this before, have to wear a dirty shirt for the next 2 or 3 days. Met in town this morning an old chap by the name of Bennett, who has spent many years in Northern Australia. Very well off now, although one would not think so to see him. Very interesting chap to talk to and gave some interesting facts concerning the life out west. He reckons it is the only life and that Northern Australia is a white man’s country and the most healthy of any for him. Also met a Mr Sutton , manager of Lake Nash Station, two to three hundred miles from here, out in my territory. He gave me a very cordial welcome to the station whenever I am out that way. He said that the people out west are not religious and have not much time for religion. I gathered from his remarks though that this all depends on what they term religion. I went to the hospital this afternoon, took some papers and had a yarn to the chaps. After tea the usual reading , talking and writing.

Wednesday May 29^th:

Put the morning, in fact the day, home here being housemaid. Cleaned and pressed my own blue suit, also a suit for G.Moore. Looked after the baby at various intervals, fed him and put him to sleep two or three times, quite a good nurse. Went over to Young’s before tea and found them bottling beer (ginger). Had some out of bottles that had been standing for about 3 months. Had plenty of kick in it. Lots of the folk up here brew their own beer. Went to a concert at night, in aid of the local hospital, rather a crude turnout and a bit spicy in parts.

Thursday May 30^th:

Really did a bit of work today. Was all day down at the garage working on the bus. Took the great awkward heavy hood off. Tightened up all loose nuts etc. Went all over with the grease gun and eliminated numerous squeaks and rattles. Am putting on now a single seater hood, the frame of which I removed from an old Ford. Cannot do without the Ford, nohow. Feeling a bit tired at night so off to bed early.

Friday May 31^st:

Another day at the garage, pottering about the car. Fixed the framework of the old Ford hood so that it fitted the Oldsmobile. Felt a bit off colour in the afternoon so took it easily for a while, but suffered few after effects. A meeting of ladies here at night so I cleared out into the yard with the baby and put him to sleep and then listened to the choir practice in the church.

Saturday June 1^st:

Another chap very kindly came along this morning and offered to assist me in covering the framework of the hood. Needless to say his offer was not refused. He happened to know a bit about the game a made a decent job of it. I helped by looking on. Finished the job in the afternoon and did no more for the remainder of the afternoon and evening. It is beginning to warm up again here and I am indulging very freely in cold baths, although thte water is really warm.

Sunday June 2^nd:

Another lazy Sunday. Did nothing but sleep and read in the morning and went to the hospital in the afternoon and also called on some other folk who have been in Tasmania. Went to church at night, Brother Menear officiating. After church went with Mr Moores about 7 miles out to tow in a chap whose Ford had broken down. Came home and went to bed.

Monday June 3^rd:

Public holiday. King’s birthday and God Save the King. Sunday School picnic for the children belonging to the Methodist Church Cloncurry. Had a very good day too. Spent the picnic on the banks of the Cloncurry River. No children were drowned as it is not possible here at present as no water in the river. It is a very nice place for a picnic, shady as well as pretty for these parts. I had a good day and enjoyed myself and now believe that I am quite fit to take the trip to Camooweal, as I played rounders, gave the kids swings, ran in a race, was nearly torn to pieces by two kiddies who got me down on the ground, and tore around generally and survived. I drove a load of ladies out and back. The lady who owned the car was a passenger and drives around the town but felt a bit nervous when she thought of going to the picnic ground so asked me would I drive the car. It is a Whippet and not a bad bus. I felt nervous too when I saw who my passengers were. The picnic was a success and all seemed to enjoy themselves. In the evening Moores and self went for a cooler out along the road in the car and finished up with icecreams and drinks down the street. A very good day.

Saturday May 25^th:

Did quite a lot of work? this morning as I sat in the bus most of the time, while the remains from the fair were being returned to the various owners. Occasionally I gave a hand. The case of books which were sent from Tassie arrived at last. I went to the station and got them. Did nothing in the afternoon but loaf around and sleep.

Sunday May 26^th:

Was quite good this morning, rather strange for me, but arose at 8.45 am and went to a Communion service in our church at 9 am. Did not have breakfast either until I came back. Was struck again today with the strangeness of Sabbath observance here as compared with down south. The ‘white’ shops are closed here but the ‘chow’s ‘ shops are not and everything can be procured at them. People up here too, even good Church folk, think nothing of going and getting what they want on Sunday. Men work on Sunday at jobs they are doing if they feel inclined. The electrician is putting the light in here and he came this afternoon and put in a couple of hours work here. This morning Moores and self went in the car to a place about a mile away to procure eggs, which by the way are 3/6 a dozen, but were unsuccessful. On the way called at a Chow’s shop and procured several articles, also at another place, good Methodists, where they showed us over their garden and where we procured a little fruit. Had to pass through Chinatown, where the gambling dens and houses of ill fame are situated. In the same locality are a few houses belonging to Afghans and I also saw their Moslem temple. A very small building, something like a Church, with just near a place to bath. At sunset every evening they go, bath and change into all white, leave their shoes outside the mosque and go in to their prayers. Took the service tonight at the Church here, a nice little crowd out, somewhere near 40. Was quite out of my stride as it is exactly a month since I took the last service. One young lady remarked to Mr Menear afterwards that she thought Mr Kettle would be quiet but when she heard him start to beef out his sermon, she sat up and took notice.

(Always believed I inherited my loud voice from my father! This confirms it)

After service Menear and I went across to Youngs, had supper and home to bed.

Sunday May 19^th:

Sunday up here does not seem like Sunday somehow. For one thing all sport is held on Sunday and nobody seems particularly keen about going to church. The Methodist Church has Sunday School in the morning and a service at night. C of E also have a service at night and Communion in the morning about 8 o’clock and the Presbyterian Church is also going to start and it seems as if the denominational spirit is going to be emphasized which in my opinion will do harm to the church work here. I did nothing all day but the usual and did not get dressed for Sunday until nearly 6 pm. Went to church at 7.30, about 40 there I suppose. After church had a yarn, home here, supper and went to bed.

Monday May 20^th 1929

(This date pulled me up short as I continued to type the diary entries, because I had been under the impression it was 1928. Went back and checked and now realised that my fathers ‘scrawl’ had confused me but I can now see that the original entry is indeed 1929.)

Did nothing all day but read, sleep and eat. A great life no doubt. Weather rather warm with cool nights. Have been trying to do a bit of study in my spare time but found I had not much spare time for this purpose.

Tuesday May 21^st 1929:

Another lazy day similar to yesterday, with a slight variation in the afternoon through a run up to the hospital. Took some papers up and had a yarn to some of the chaps. In spite of all their various ailments all of them quite cheerful and bright. Rather a busy time at present in the hospital with niggers, there being three gins and three ‘jackies’ in.

( ‘Jackies’…………………..)

Wednesday May 22^nd:

Started work today? Took my bus down to the garage and sat and watched the mechanic finding something to keep him in a job. It was rather tiring though and I discovered I was not as well and strong as I had imagined. Had a little recreation at night by going to the pictures and sitting in a comfortable deck chair and nearly going to sleep. Saw the picture ‘Wings’. All the picture theatres out this way, I am told, have the big deck chair style for seating which is very nice, although has a tendency to induce slumber. All came home, had supper and went to bed.

Thursday May 23^rd :

Had another day at the garage working as hithertofore stated. Was able to pick up a few little pieces of knowledge which will perhaps prove useful at some later date. Rev Menear is having a Church Fair on the morrow and has asked me to assist by taking charge of the fish pond, so after tea tonight was busy until 11 pm sorting and arranging the 3d and 6d articles. Nerves rather jumpy when all was finished but supper saved me.

( 3d is threepence, about 2c. 6d is sixpence, about 5c.)

Friday May 24^th: Empire Day.

Did nothing much all the morning although down at the garage for a while. After lunch went to the hall and rigged up with the help of another chap, the fish pond. Fair was opened at 4 pm by the Chairman of the Shire. Very few there in the afternoon although more at night. Not the excitement or keenness noticeable at the fair that is generally evident in fairs down south. Weather was cool for up here and that tones folk up here down and takes the kick out of them. In the afternoon it was 90o for all that. Stalls were nicely decorated, especially the fish pond.

There were only the Plain and Fancy Cake, Sweets, Softdrinks and icecream stalls and a stall for men. No fruit and vegetable stall as that is impossible here. They took about 75 pound which was very good I suppose considering everything. Two boys ran the fish pond at night and I only supervised. Could not myself create much of an interest. Came home and had a lie down for a while, and had a sleep in a car outside the hall. Took a few old ladies homein the Menear’s car when all was over then home to bed.