Tuesday Dec 24th 1929:
Another hot dusty day and I am quite unable to realize that tomorrow is Xmas day. Did some writing and reading and after tea went up the town. Plenty of people walking about, all doing the same as myself, nothing. Beer strike continues, no drunks about. Plenty of grofg arrived on the train though for individual people. The ‘basher gang’ has struck terror in the hearts of many who have been drinking as thety have caught some and knocked them about unmercifully. Majority of people are now well armed and are taking no risks. No entertainment of any sort in the town, some kids let off fire crackers. A rotten Xmas eve.
Wednesday Dec 25th 1929:
Xmas day 1929. Had a service in Mt Isa at 8 o’clock, only a few out. With Todd Kennedy left straight after service for Camooweal. 8 miles out met a chap with his car, a Hudosn, stopped in a gully and could not start it. Fiddled around for a while and then had to tow him out. Had no ropes so used a sapling and a couple of pieces of wire. Could not leave him stranded there very well on Xmas day so turned around and brought them back to Isa and made a fresh start. This delay made us miss our Xmas dinner as did not reach Camooweal until 3 o’clock. The big spree was all over but some was saved for us so we had some turkey duck and ham and plum pudding which was not too bad. A crowd then went out a couple of miles for a swim which was very nice. Returned in the evening and had the service at night when a nice little crowd turned out. Went across to Reilly’s afterwards and talked and played the gramaphone.
At midnight someone suggested games which were indulged in for an hour, then Mr and Mrs Reilly’s health was drunk etc etc and all went home to bed.
Thursday Dec 26th 1929:
Boxing Day and nothing doing. In Camooweal all day. Writing and cleaning and fixing the bus. Had an evening in the hall at night which I attended for a while and then home to bed.
Friday Dec 27th 1929:
Another quiet day. All went for a swim in the afternoon which was much enjoyed and did nothing at night.
Saturday Dec 28th 1929:
Left at 7 am en route for Mt Isa. Had a rotten trip as I did not want to come to this place at all. Got in in time for lunch, so went across and had some. Did some visiting in the afternoon, trying to find some Methodists and found a couple. Thought we were going to get some rain, but failed. Went over to Sherman’s after tea and stayed there for a while.
Sunday Dec 29th 1929:
Reading and writing during the morning and went out after lunch to tell a few more about service but on account of the heat everyone was sleeping so gave up and came back. Very few at Church at night. Visiting did no good. Good crowd all day attending 2-up school across the road.
Monday Dec 30th 1929:
Two days I this place quite sufficient, so getting everythiong done this morning I had to, and after doing some shopping for different ones at Camooweal decided to go out there again.
Took Bill McAlister out with me : ‘nuff sed’. Discovered that a lot of rain had fallen on Saturday between Isa and Camooweal. Had frequently to leave the road to avoid bogs. Road soft and cut up. Water in all the creeks but not high enough to stop us going through. Slow traveling. Twice got into nasty patches but managed to get out. A bad bog on the 40 mile plain. Got there at 8 pm. Found 4 lorries and 2 cars there, just got through. Some had been there all day and had had an awful time. All were covered in mud. Some Yanks, just out and going through to Lawn Hills, were completely fed up. These lorries had cut a track, so had no trouble myself getting through. Went on leaving the others scraping off the mud. Passed a couple of other cars further on, just going and that was all. Arrived Camooweal at 10.30 pm leaving a string of lorries and cars following behind. Delivered ice and other parcels I had bought out and had something to eat and then to bed.
Tuesday Dec 31st 1929:
Had a day of cleaning up. Washed, ironed quite a number of articles, urgently needing the application of water. Helped decorate the hall for the concert and dance at night in aid of the C.W.A. Was on the gate until 10.30 pm and collected 18 pounds 10 shillings from those going in. A fair crowd in the town, arriving for the Hospital Benefit Race meeting on the morrow. Some toughs too, who have wandered out from Mt Isa, spoiling the respectability and peacefulness of our little town.
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