Christmas 1930.

Thursday Dec 11^th 1930:

Left on another attempt to reach Wandangi, after breakfast. Took STan THompson with me this time. A terrible chap to talk and all about himself. Road fairly good now although still have to be careful as plenty of bad patches. Got caught in one for a while through being too lazy to out the chains on. Called at several places on the way and just at dusk reached Lake Nash. Could not cross the river with the car so had to leave it and row across and walk up to the house. Stayed the night there.

Friday Dec 12^th 1930:

Had breakfast at sunrise and left immediately afterwards. Stopped for a while at ‘The Dip’ and watched some branding going on, called at Headingley station and reached Wandangi for lunch. A bit of a gloom over the town on account of a little girl having died a few days ago, and a chap well-known in the district dying today in Mt Isa hospital through having been kicked with a horse. Spent the afternoon visiting all the folk. Did intend staying here over the weekend but storm clouds gathering made me hasten my departure. Had a service this evening and a talk to S.S children afterwards and I hope S.S will now run more smoothly.

Satiurday Dec 13^th 1930:

UIp and away by 5.30 am. Had a drink of tea at Headingley. Ploughed through 8 miles of mud and water. Found the wet sand at the Templeton rather treacherous, but got across. Had a good dry run home qfter that and reached here at 4.30 pm. Camooweal had an inch of rain last night.

Sunday Dec 14^th 1930:

Took S.S this morning with 34 present and a large order to manage on my own. Did ssome reading and preparation for service at night. Had a nice number out. Supper afterwards and bed. Alexandria car came in this morning with the news that the butcher out there had committed suicide, taking strychnine because the girl he loved had gone away.

Monday Dec 15^th 1930:

Had a lazy day doing practically nothing at all. Buried the Constable from Lake Nash who died while being brought to the hospital.

Tuesday Dec 16^th 1930:

Attended to all my Xmas mail today, posting numerous cards. Got the ordinary mail this evening.

Wednesday Dec 17^th 1930:

Started a job today making a yard in playground for Mrs Jackson’s baby. Children had a Christmas tree and dance this evening given by C.W.A but did not go myself.

Thursday Dec 18^th 1930:

All day on the job and terribly late too. Had plenty of advisers and critics while I worked.

Friday Dec 19^th 1930:

Finished the job this morning and had a full afternoon writing, also greased the car. Went out to Rocklands after tea.

Saturday Dec 20^th 1930:

Up at daybreak and had breakfast at Rocklands at 6.30 am where I picked up Geoff Miller. Set out for Lilydale Springs 120 miles north. Called at Gallipoli and Herbertvale and then on to the Springs for lunch. Looked at the house I have purchased and a real bargain it is. Timber in it as good as new, better in fact as it is now well seasoned. We went prepared to pull it down and have it carted in but decided to leave it until after the ‘wet’ so as not to run the risk of having to leave it stacked somewhere. Went on then to Riversleigh and did some fishing before tea and stayed there the night.

Sunday Dec 21^st 1930:

Riversleigh people wanted us to stay but clouds coming up urged us to return. Stopped at the Gregory crossing and played about in the water for an hour. It was great. Had lunch at the Springs and then on again. Had to take the carburettor off at Herbertvale and clean it. A big storm came up here but we missed the most of it. Stopped for a while at Gallipoli and then forward. Saw dozens of turkeys on the way in and caught two young ones. Carburettor gave trouble 40 miles out and had to come in holding the choke out. Left Geoff at Rocklands and got here at 9 pm. A shower and bed.

Monday Dec 22^nd 1930:

Gave the ranch a clean up this morning and did some washing this afternoon.

Put the turkeys in with the chickens at the hotel and will fatten them up for Easter. A chap brought in this morning from Lake Nash shot by another man with a gun. Police went out and arrested a man. Storm out Mt Isa way this evening.

Tuesday Dec 23^rd 1930:

Spent the day reading and writing. Very hot but no rain. Two car loads of us went out in the cool of the evening and had a swim, then tea and came home in time for bed.

Wednesday Dec 24^th 1930:

Spent most of the day going around the town, seeing the folk, arranging for a service tomorrow night and a picnic Boxing day at ‘Bull Ring’. Played Father Xmas this evening at the hospital. Went up and gave all the patients a little gift to remind them of the season of the year.

Xmas Day 1930: Thursday Dec 25^th :

A quiet day. Not a great many in town. Father Xmas did not forget me as found this morning he had left a very nice dressing gown, and by the mail a parcel containing some very nice articles. Helped decorate the dining hall at the hotel this morning and had a good Xmas dinner there. Spent a quiet afternoon preparing for the evening service. A nice crowd out. Had some gramaphone music afterwards.

Boxing Day 1930: Friday Dec 26^th:

Arranged for lorries to take the folk ten miles out for a picnic. A dull day but no rain. A good day for a picnic. Had sports, games, swimming, returned at 6 pm. A dance in the hall at night in aid of the Tennis Club. Retired early myself.