Thursday July 11: 1929

Left Riversleigh again, this time on my own, back over yesterday’s road. Got through onto the main road alright and continued on my way back to Camooweal. For 60 miles it was a terribly rough road, nearly as bad as from Riversleigh to the main road. Rocky and hilly. Arrived at Finlay’s, just in time for dinner, and sat down to oxtail pie. Did not stay long but pushed on and eventually reached Millers at Undilla. Only stopped for a few moments and then left for Camooweal. Practically everyone is away all along this route, all out mustering, so although I thought I might stay at Miller’s did not do so. Darkness overtook me, 30 miles out but eventually reached here at about 7.30 pm. Was feeling rather tired, so after getting my things in and making a cup of tea, went to bed and slept soundly. Had a good trip and enjoyed it. At the same time the bigness of the work and the difficulty of finding a suitable opening for doing the real job, has again impressed me.

Friday July 12: 1929

Back to the usual Camooweal routine. Have been practically all day writing. Have a terrible lot to do too, and reports to write and balance sheets to make out. Went across to the hospital this afternoon and had a yarn and cup of tea. Have been writing this evening. The weather is quite cold again, owing to a heavy wind blowing. The last three or four days have been real hot but today has been the reverse and folk have been going about shivering all the time. A case of typhoid in the hospital but not serious.

Saturday July 13 1929

Have had another car day today. This morning the bus refused to go so I had to see what was wrong. After just about taking the whole thing to pieces, all for no good, suddenly thought that yesterday I put in a tin of Texaco spirit which I borrowed along the broad and perhaps this was the trouble. Went then and drained out the Texaco and put in some Plume and shortly she went so no more Texaco for Oldsmobile. Spent the rest of the day in oiling and greasing. After tea decided to do some writing but went in next door to Synotts and stayed for some time. Came ij after supper and wrote until 12.30 am, making up mission returns and reports and still not finished.

Sunday July 14^th 1929

Arose with the lark that slept in. Up in time for breakfast though, after which got ‘did up’and went across to Sunday School. Had quite a nice number of children there and had a talk to them. Am getting nthe children to learn a few tunes and they enjoy a sing very much. After lunch did some thinking forte service tonight and accidentally went to sleep over it for a while. Theb people must have all been tired as there was a small muster at the service, still we had a good service for all that. Had supper at Riley’s after the service and then came home and completed at 1 a.m my returns.

Monday July 15^th 1929

Spent the morning in getting ready for the trip to Wandangie and after lunch left with Mr Doyle the stock inspector as gate opener. Crossed the Georgina outside the town and headed for Barkley Downs station. 48 miles away. Country not too bad down this way, more feed than in other parts. Arrived at Barkley station and decided to stay the night and enjoy the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Clancey. Had a very good tea after which leaving the ladies to themselves we went across to the men’s quarters and sat on the verandah and talked until the cold drove us to seek the company of the blankets.

Tuesday July 16^th 1929

A bitterly cold morning and the breakfast bell was not a welcome sound, still it had to be obeyed. A warm breakfast helped considerably and before starting off in the bus we sat in the sun away from the wind to warm up. Made for Lake Nash station in the territory for lunch, passing the border 8 miles from the homestead and 48 miles from Barkley. Roads good but wind cold. Lake Nash homestead a great home, good flower garden, only one in this part of the world. Mrs Sutton wife of manager takes a great pride in it. Lake Nash on the Georgina River and decent water hole handy which supplies the moisture for the garden. A very nice house too, comfortable, in fact too good to leave so stayed. Put the afternoon in at the bus. After tea we all sat around a real fire and talked, then to bed.

Wednesday July 17 1929

Up early and another cold morning. Breakfasted up at the men’s quarters and started off for Wandangie. Went off the main road and called on a large family living in a couple of tents and a bush lean-to , about 10 children. Some of the kiddies outside trying to keep warm around the fire. Had a talk and left some books and papers. Crossed back into Queensland and 40 miles from Lake Nash came to Headingly Station. Met te manager and book-keeper and had ‘smoko’ with them, then on the last part of the journey 20 miles to Wandangie arriving at11.45 am. Very dry and desolate down here and evidence of the drought is already seen. Dusty roads, no grass. Wandangie itself shows also effects of bad seasons. Only a handful of houses and practically no life visible anywhere. Pulled up at the hotel, a big two storied place and took a room to await the arrival of Rev Ball and Col Holden. Had lunch and went to room and rested. Col Holden arrived during afternoon by hire car as Ball’s car had broken down. Col had a very rough trip and feeling very much off. Later on I went around the folk and arranged for a service at night. Had a very nice service too, a good little gathering, about the best in these parts I have had. Col gave the folk a talk. After service bed was the warmest place.

I looked up Lake Nash Station on the INternet and there is a video tour of the current station. Very interesting, particularly for me, imaging my dad arriving there all those years ago in his old 'bus' as he called it. A powerful connection to the past.