A sad return to Camooweal

Wednesday April 2^nd 1930:

Spent the morning in gathering my belongings in readiness to be transferred to the car and removed to Camooweal. Was at Setters all the afternoon cutting sandwiches and getting things ready for the social at night. Said a few hasty farewells to one or two around the town. A social in the evening, held in the Church in honor of Rupert and myself brought a few out. Musical items, speeches, supper and games passed the time away. Yours truly was the recipient from the Church folk of a wallet and 6 pound ten shillings in notes, and from the chaps at Settlers where I ate, most of whom were present, of a xylonite shaving stand and brush. Very decent all round but none of which I deserved. At midnight Jim Boyd called around and inquired when I was leaving for Camooweal. He had started out earlier with some other chaps but through hitting a stump, the car was put out of operation and he had to have several stitches inserted in his head. He was very anxious to get to Camooweal early as he has a horse entered for the races, so we decided to lave right away and after packing up left at 1 am.

Thursday April 3^rd 1930:

This all night driving is not too good. Twice I nearly went off and to ease things a bit I gave the wheel to Boyd for 20 miles and the other time I pulled up and had a half hour snooze. Just at daybreak we came to a camp of 5 lorries comprising 14 men. They were just about to breakfast so we joined them. It was cold and all of us were crowded around the fire. Eventually reached Camooweal at 9 am. Had a second breakfast. A fair number in town for the races. Got fixed up with a bed and room at the Cottage. Slept for the rest of the day and only showed out for tea.

Friday April 4^th 1930:

Still feeling sleepy and dopey and loafed about most of the day. Went across to the course and saw one race and home again. In spite of crowd the town very orderly. About 11 pm a young chap, son of a station manager, aged 17, was found just outside the hotel with a bullet through his head and a rifle alongside him. He died at 3 am in the hospital. Evidentally suicide. The motive seems a mystery.

Saturday April 5^th 1930:

Just about normal today. Started to straighten things out a bit. Conducted the burial service this afternoon. A big crowd followed: 14 cars. Probably the biggest ever followed the coffin to Camooweal cemetery. Most of the visitoras for the race have gone and the town quietens down once more.

Sunday April 6^th 1930:

A very quiet day. All the folk are taking the opportunity of the Day of Rest to recover from the rush of the two days’ races. Went across to Sunday School this morning and arranged for service at night. At 6.30 however a storm visited us and made thiongs greasy and only a couple ventured out. After singing a few hymns we went home. Did not even take up a collection.

Monday April 7^th 1930:

Ut the day in, in sorting out my things, making an rough bookcase and generally arranging my belongings so as I can get at everything. Did some writing and got a few letters away. Days are still warm but nights are getting cold and winter winds are commencing to blow. Three planes arrived this evening., bringing six chaps with them. The chaps are on holiday and intend doing a trip round Australia. They left Sydney on Thursday and expect to take 3 weeks to get round. The local plane belonging to Larkin Airways went out to Newcastle Waters to day and expects to return tomorrow.

Tuesday April 8^th 1930:

Spent most of today in writing and getting business correspondence attended to. Mrs Lloyd and two children arrived in during small hours of the morning. The two girls are going to Charters Towers to college. Mrs Lloyd reports roads good now as far as the Rankine. The chaps’ planing’ Australia got away this morning.

Wednesday April 9^th 1930:

Did the washing this morning and had quite a lot to do but managed it alright and did a little ironing this afternoon. Mr Foster from Riversleigh ahd been in with sore eyes but had to get out to see to cattle waiting to be inoculated and put on the road. His eyes too sore to see so I decided to drive him home in his own car, a Dodge 6. We left about 5 pm with Gladys his little girl who has also been in hospital. Only got about 15 miles out when Mt Foster became very sick and is eye terribly painful so we had to turn back and I took him straight to hospital. He was much easier later in the evening. The new doctor arrived today. A young chap from Sydney, Lane by name.