Mt Isa the 'big thing'.

Sunday Aug 11^th 1929:

Got up in time to have breakfast and run Allan down to Sunday School at 10 am. Went to the Parsonage while S.S was in and had a yarn to Cec and then came home for lunch. Got ‘did up’ afterwards and went up to the hospital and had a yarn to a chap in hospital with a broken leg who was in there while I was there. Took all the G Moore’s family then around to J Moores, picked up Cec and all had afternoon tea and a sing together, after which Cec and I went to Mencar’s for tea. Had sevice at night in the Church, at which 3 parsons participated. Mencar tok the first part, I took the sermon and latter part and Cec sang. A nice crowd out too and the singing went very well. After the service we had another sing around at J Moore’s and then home to bed. Will not be sorry though when we leave this place as there is no comparison between here and further out west. I am afraid that I will not be wanting to leave out west at all later on and Cec is afraid he is getting the same way.

Monday Aug 12^th 1929:

Took the car down to the garage after breakfast, where they started on repairs and where I stayed to supervise. Met Cec after lunch and wandered around the town and did a bit of shopping, saw the sights, took some films to be developed, met one of the sisters from the hospital and had drinks all round and then home for tea. After tea went out for the evening to Young’s and talked until supper time, not a very thrilling day at all.

Tuesday Aug 13^th 1929:

Stayed at home this morning and did a bit of housework and some writing and reading. Went to the garage and saw that the car was nearly finished and returned when it was and took it out. Went out for the evening with Cec.

Wednesday Aug 14^th 1929:

Another morning on the housework and after lunch doing some shopping and getting ready for the road. Went for a spin in the car after tea, came home and went to bed.

Thursday Aug 15^th 1929:

Left Cloncurry with Mencar and Cec on board at 9 am and had an uneventful but terribly rough run through to Isa, stopping at Duchess for some lunch. Decided to camp at the back of the Church Hall and go to the hotel for meals which we did. After tea made our bunks out in the glorious moonlight and were going to turn in and read when three chaps came along to see Mencar. One, the chap who was organizing the Church choir and who also is the prospective Sunday School Super., another who also would be the Super. and another who was nothing and said nothing. Being payday at the mines the first two had not been able to withstand temptation and full of apologies for their condition. Both however, every few moments, were anxious to assure us of the quality of the other’s Christian character. Mencar strange to say was impressed by both and it looks like the start for the Sunday School here. Mencar thinks Sunday School work will hold them in check. It may but are the children to be played with while the experiment is tried.

Friday Aug 16^th 1929:

Delightful sleeping out these nights and one blanket is sufficient. Mt Isa has one great drawback at present and that is the lack of water and under existing conditions a plentiful supply of water is most necessary. A cold shower would be most acceptable first thing in the morning but we had to be content with a playful splash in a portion of a kerosene tin. Spent most of the time racing Mencar around, arranging for the social evening to be held to officially open the Church Hall. It promised to be a grand function too but alas……..

Through the courtesy of the manager, in the afternoon, we were shown over the construction work at the mines and most interesting it was, and we were again impressed with the ‘big thing’ in mining that Mt Isa is and will be. The social evening was not the ‘big hit’ that it promised, as the main performers, friends of our friends of the night before failed to appear. However, with volunteer items, classical and otherwise, from artists talented? and otherwise, a happy evening was spent and supper and games kept all alive until midnight, and so after all the opening of the first Church Hall in Mt Isa could be noted a success. There was much which to the silent onlooker was highly amusing and entertaining, but which is better that it should remain in the memory and not in print. A collection during the evening suggested by the people themselves yielded over four pounds.

Saturday Aug 17^th 1929:

Arose at daybreak and pulled the others out, loaded the bus, had breakfast, took Mencar to the station and then left for Camooweal. The bus was not going too well but only stopping at Yelvertoft for half an hour, we reached here at 2.30 pm, tired, dusty, dirty and hot. Received our mail from the P.O and proceeded to our quarters. Read all correspondence, then bathed and felt very much better. After tea I had a packet to take to Rocklands, four miles from here, but as Cec was weary he did not come. Stayed there for a while then home to bed.

Sunday Aug 18^th 1929:

Half an hour longer in bed this morning. After breakfast, shaved and got ready for Sunday School. A nice crowd of children out this morning and it was good to see them. Had a nice time with them, Cec coming down and taking the little ones. After Sunday School put a load of children in the car and went around the town and informed all and sundry of service to be held this evening. Spent the afternoon in reading and preparation for the service. A good roll up at night and Cec held them all with his singing of ‘My Task’ and ‘The Penitent’. Nobody said how they enjoyed the sermon. Went over to Reilly’s for supper and home to bed.