Sunday July 28 1929:
Did not arise too early but breakfasted at 8 am. Then Doug. Max, Cec and I went out in Doug’s Crysler to the stock camp and watched them branding. It is done by what is known as broncoing. The cattle are all yearded and three or four black boys go in among them on bronco horses. These horses have special harness and are trained for the job. A long lasso is attached to harness on the horse and when a clean skin to be branded is seen, the lasso is thrown and the animal caught and then pulled up to the branding rail where several other men, mostly blacks are waiting and these further rope and throw the animal when it is branded and dehorned if the horns show signs of becoming long and big. So it goes on, no stopping and everyone nearly choked with dust. Some of the beasts are very wild and one when released chased a black boy who made a hasty escape over the fence. I went it and tried my hand at throwing the lasso but was not successful although I got near a couple of times, but as they were rather in a hurry I did not remain long enough to become skillful at throwing. It was very interesting to watch though. WE returned just before lunch and had a quiet afternoon at home here. After tea the rest of the folk went to the drawing room and I think played cards, but I went down to the quarters and found the few men that are in the place at present and we had a talk together. I did not preach them a sermon or anything like one but just had a general all round talk and it naturally drifted to religion when I was able to get in a word or two. Had two suppers too, one down in the kitchen with the cook and the other when I came back to the house. Felt after I had been down with the men that Sunday had not altogether been wasted.
Monday July 28th 1929:
Decided today to go out to Rockhampton Downs station where Mr and Mrs Easy and 2 children live a very lonely life. The home is 90 miles from Alroy which is the nearest point of civilization for them. They have to come to Alroy to get their mail and provisions. Rockhampton Downs is the fartherest out station to be got out from this side of the tableland. Miss Wendt had never been out to Rockhampton so decided to come with us and we left after ‘smoko’ in the morning. A wonderful country through that way, the best feed I have seen since being out here. Found Mr and Mrs Easy camped at Mo 3 Bore. Mrs Easy will not stay at home while he is away. Had lunch there with them, then took Mrs Easy and infant with us out to their home. A nice place too although terribly isolated. They are living in what in time will be the men’s quarters. We had quite a nice evening, got out the organ and sang solos, duets etc had quite a church service and then had ping pong, supper and bed. Mrs Easy was once an ardent worker in the Congregational Church and appreciated the sing and especially those out of Alexanders.
Tuesday July 30 1929:
Was second up this morning which is not bad for me. After breakfasting had a look around the place and then went and watered the vegetable garden. Mr Easy is just starting a garden and it promises well by the look of it. After ‘smoko’ we loaded up and returned to No 3 and had lunch with Mr Easy. After having lunch and a talk set out for Alroy, Cecil driving. Had not gone very ffar when we had a puncture, the first I have had since taking over the bus, a stick having penetrated the tyre. It did not take long however to change and put on the spare and we were off again and after a good run reached Alroy. After a hot bath and change sat down and enjoyed a good tea. The rest of the crowd, sitting down to a game of cards, I started to read but did not do much and after supper went to bed and slept well.
Wednesday July 31 1929
Decided today to stay at Alroy and have a quiet day resting and writing, but did not do much of either as I spent most of the morning on the car, looking it over and mending the puncture tube and in the afternoon played tennis. The folk here being off the main route did not have a great many callers and would have us stay here for a week or more and we find it very hard to move on. After tea we had some singing and then I read while the others played cards. Some of the sayings of the folk in these parts are striking, ‘Woeful’ being greatly in demand. He or she is a ‘smash’. ‘Stupid fellow to be sure’ is another and others that I cannot for the moment remember.
Thursday Aug 1st 1929:
Having fully decided to move on today, spent the morning in writing and after lunch loaded up the car and had everything ready to go when Mr Schmidt came in and said he would like some tennis. Putting it in the way they did, that Mr Schmidt very seldom had time for tennis and more seldom had anyone to p;lay with, we felt it our duty to put off our departure for another day so then went out on the court and played until tea time. After tea went down to the wireless for a while but the reception was not too good so came back, talked had supper and turned in.
Friday Aug 2nd 1929:
Really did make a move off this morning, after ‘smoko’. Mr Schmidt after all his kindness and hospitality topped it off by giving me a case of petrol worth out here 38 shillings. The few days we spent with them at Alroy was appreciated by them there and greatly enjoyed by ourselves. Leaving Alroy we tracelled 48 miles to Alexandria, arriving here just at lunch time. Our first greeting was that we were a few days late in arriving and that we could not go out for several days and these folk are R.C’s, but such is the wonderful kindness and hospitality of the western people. The weather is now is getting quite hot and all seem to think that summer has come. It certainly feels like it and we are now getting around without coats and shirts open at neck and sleeves rolled up. After lunch we all had a lie down and rested until ‘smoko’ after which four of us went and had a round of golf. They have the golf craze here at present and are going to make a small links. The country is not at all suitable but like everything elase out here they have to make the best of what is at hand. After dinner this evening we got out the organ and Cecil enthralled all listeners with his singing and then we all joined in. Everybody not being desirous of supper those of us that were went to the kitchen and helped ourselves.
Saturday Aug 3rd 1929:
Another rather lazy day. Cec is enjoying himself resting while I have been poking about among the machinery, fowls, turkeys, pigs, goats, horses etc. Yesterday coming across from Alroy the covering on the back of the bus came loose and we dropped a rug, racquet and ‘banjo’, so this morning Mrs Johnston, Miss Reilly staying here at present, and Mrs Johnston’s two little girls and self went back along the road and picked them up. The last to be picke up was the racquet, 16 mile from here. Must be more careful in tying down the cover in future. Had some tennis this afternoon and after dinner some more singing and then some played cards while the remaining went to bed. Mr Moray and Mr Tooker arrived this afternoon and thus increased the number of the household.
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