Monday May 4th 1931:
Made a settee this morning out of kerosene cases and Alf upholstered it. Had anoher cricket match this afternoon, being a holiday, Labor Day. The bagmen again. Had a good win this time by an innings and 5 runs. We made 123 and the bagmen 75 and 43. A terribly hot day, especially for this time of the year. Was not late out of bed.
Wednesday May 6th 1931:
Spent the morning in my official capacity as Cricket Sec. Got seberal subs in and the book up to date. Did some of my own writing as well.
Thursday May 7th 1931:
Spent all of the morning and part of the afternoon on the car. Cleaned carburetor and put in new jets. Put in a new front spring. Replaced old tyres with 2 new ones and atched up another two. Cleaned car inside and out and greased and oiled up. Went for a swim and needed it. After tea visited for a while and then camw home and did some writing.
Friday May 8th 1931:
Very much like rain today but noting came of it. Spent the morning in erecting a stage at the hall for a children’s concert to be given tomorrow night. Did some writing during the afternoon. Visited the hospital and had a cricket meeting at night.
Saturday May 9th 1931:
Up before the sun this morning and got the car ready to go to Mt Isa. Had a bagman staying with me for the night who wanted a ride to the Isa. A drover also asked to be taken as far as May Downs. Dooley also a passenger. Had breakfast and left at 9 am. Car not at all satifactory. Would not pull and front tyres having big patches made steering far from what it should be. Stopped and had ‘smoko’ at ‘Hotel Australia’. Lunch at May Downs. Reached Isa at 4.30 pm. Did business with several until tea time. Went out to Smiths for the evening and unrolled my swag at the back of the A.C.B store for the night.
Sunday May 10th 1931:
Spent most of the morning in getting the car to go. Had to adjust the timing, which had wandered from the straight and narrow. Had a sleep after lunch and at 5 pm met the ‘Western Limited’. Limited to 10 miles an hour. Glen arrived looking much better after her holiday. Went to Church at night and sat at the feet of Rev Hayes. “Mothers’ Day”
Monday May 11th 1931:
Up and put 2 new tyres on front wheels before breakfast. Had a very busy morning around the town. Did not get away until 1 pm, Glen and Dooley accompanying me. Went 55 miles and then stopped for something to eat. Devoured a tin of Rex Rye, half pund of butter, loaf od bread, tin peaches, hald packet biscuits, 1 bottle cream, billy of tea: and it was very nice. Had a good run to Camooweal. Car going nicely. Arrive 7.45 pm. had a clean up, some supper and retired.
Wednesday May 13th 1931:
Got the air mail and read all the latest papers. Did some work for the C.W.A women at their hall. Attended their annual meeting in the afternoon and spoke. Visited the hospital. Attended hospital meeting at night. A big number in town today. Three meetings on…Hospital, CW.A and Council.
Friday May 15th 1931:
Did some work here making tables, cupboards etc with the idea in view of soon starting to ‘batch’. Gave the kiddies a social at night.
Monday May 18th 1931:
Did another job or two about the place in the way of making pot-stands and other household necessities. Had a cricket meeting at night.
Tuesday May 19th 1931:
Reading and writing this morning and visited school this afternoon. Went around the town visiting, mail got in this evening. Big ministerial party arrived in two cars on way to Gulf in connection with Buffalo Fly menace.
Wednesday May 20th 1931:
Air mail arrived today. Also plane returning from Darwin having handed over English mails. Big crowd coming in from outside for races.
Thursday May 21st 1931:
Camooweal at its worst. Race meetings are certainly moral stumbling blocks for a great number of the people out here. What crookedness is in man is at these times brought out to light. Men who since last race meeting have led a clean sober life are now in the grip of the drink curse. Dance this morning in aid of Hospital.
Saturday May 23rd 1931:
Was helping this morning in getting things ready for cricket match today and social this evening. Had to roll the pitch, cart water, cut sandwiches, everything in fact that had to be done. The evils of being Sec. Match late in starting, nearly midday before all ready. Visitors batted first. All out 35. We batted. All out 46. Visitors second innings 22 and we all out 37. Big scoring all round! An enjoyable game however for everybody. Social and dance at night brought the club in a profit of 9 pound 1 shilling and sixpence.
Monday May 25th 1931:
A day of reckoning. Cleaned up the hall and finalized proceeds from the Cricket Social. Went out to Rocklands and returned their roller. Winter had arrived. Cold south wind blowing strongly. “Scotty” left today to go to Wyndham on his return flight to England. Dutch flyers also arrived and departed on their way home.
Wednesday May 27th 1931:
Air mail arrived today. Had plent to do to keep me inside and was not sorry as wind terribly cold. Cleaned up Kodascope this afternoon and got hall ready and showed pictures at night. During interval I was presented with a beautiful gold fountain pen and pencil in a case from the children with their love. It was very nice and very much appreciated.
Monday June 1st 1931:
Got away from Camooweal at last. Got everything ready this morning and picking up a bagman left the town at 2.30 pm. had a good run out of 50 miles to Austral and there stopped. People here are R.C’s but very nice. Only one Protestant on the place. Pleased them all very much after tea by showing them the pictures. Had a good talk then until bed time.
Tuesday June 2nd 1931:
Stayed at Austral this morning doing some work on the Kodascope and reading. Left after lunch for Lake Nash. Picked up a bagman along the road who was sitting right in the wheel track so as to make sure he would not miss a ride. Stayed the night at the Lake. Mostly all R.C’s here.
Wednesday June 3rd 1931:
Did a small job on the car this morning and after ‘smoko’ left Lake Nash and went 12 miles over to a sheep selectors home. Stayed here for lunch and afterwards went across country 20 miles to Bullecourt, a small cattle selection. The lady of the house home on her own and not too well, so as could do nothing soon went on. Did some more cross country work and came to a family who have been working on the rabbit fence but who now are out of work, through the rabbit board ceasing to exist. Stayed here. The mother is an R.C but allowed me to talk to the children and give them and herself pictures and reading material. Showed them also my kodascope pictures. Not feeling too good here and had to prowl about several times during the night.
Thursday June 4th 1931:
Left this home after breakfast although did not have any myself. Had a good run of 40 miles to Headingley station. A big crowd here. All men. The horses for the Urandangi races have been paddocked here and came out today so all the owners are here to take charge of their own. Stayed here and had ‘smoko’ and went on traveling 20 miles to further to Urandangi. After lunch called on a couple of sick folk and then continued on the road intending to reach if possible Rocksborough station 90 miles down along the Georgina River. Passed through Walga and Carrandotta, only stopping a few minutes at each and for 40 miles had good going. Left the road then and struck down to the river and started to follow it along. Was then on the Georgina stock route. Mobs of cattle traveling have left the bare and desolate as it could possibly be. The ground is powdered up a foot deep. Very heavy going for the car. Rough in places. Rocky ridges and steep gullies to negotiate. Was 25 miles from Rocksborough and 25 miles from Carrandotta when I stopped to put water in the radiator and then it all happened. Water poured out the exhaust and the carburettor. I thought a walk was in store for me as I knew it was the cylinder head gasket gone. I took the head off however and saw the break by aid of the spotlight. Lit a fire then and boiled the billy and had a drink and a few biscuits. Made an attempt to patch up the break although did not know if it would work and put the head back on. Before putting water into the radiator got down on my knees for a few minutes and then went on with the job and it held. Unrolled my swag then and turned in.
Friday June 5th 1931:
Up with the morning star, boiled up and ate a few more biscuits. Packed everything on and turned back as was not risking getting further away from help. Had breakfast with some chaps camped along the river who gave me half a dozen very nice fish. Went on and reached Carrandotta. Car still going alright so decided to keep going and all went well until about 17 miles from Urandangi when gasket again began to leak. Kept going however and got into Urandangi on 3 cylinders with no further trouble. Think I was very fortunate however to get back so well. Discovered then that I could get a new gasket from Headingley station and that it would be brought in. Got the bus ready to put the gasket straight on when it came. Got cleaned and did some visiting and went to bed early.
Saturday June 6th 1931:
Got the gasket this morning and got the car all fixed and in going order again. Visited this afternoon and arranged for S.S and Church tomorrow and to show my pictures this evening which I did in the hall much to the delight of the children.
Sunday June 7th 1931:
Had a very quiet morning getting ready for Sunday School and having a read. Got the children together this afternoon and had S.S and gave them some work to do at home each Sunday as can get noone to take the work o here. Got them to send their work done on to me each month when I can correct and return.
Monday June 8th 1931:
Up before daylight and after having a cup of tea left and was at Headingley by sunrise and there had breakfast. Went on and called in at drovers camp where last week a chap was sick but who has now recovered. Thought I might have had to take him into hospital. Called at Lake Nash, Arcadia, Barclay and The Selection and reached Camooweal at 4 pm after 180 miles travelling. Had a clean up and then got my mail and put in time very easily until bedtime.
Tuesday June 9th 1931:
Had a lot to do arising out of my mail. Visited the hospital where Bobbie Foster is sick and supposed to have typhoid. A couple of ladies there also whom I talked to for a while.
Friday June 12th 1931:
(Murray’s birthday…My dad’s younger brother)
Went into Mt Isa this morning taking Mrs Reilly and Glen. Had a good trip arriving at 5.30 pm. Stayed at Smith’s. Went to the hospital and saw Dooley and Daphne.
Saturday June 13th 1931:
( Dad’s birthday)A very busy morning. First at the dentist and then around the town. Went to the hospital after lunch and left for home at 4 pm bringing Daphne. Reached home at 11 pm. Dirty and tired. A very dusty road.
June 15…..sister Marjorie’s birthday.
June 16, 17, 18 . Mail, cricket practice. Working on car.
Friday June 19th 1931:
Loaded the car up this morning and got ready for the road. Six of us left in two cars at 4 pm for the Rankine. Had a record run out doing the 100 miles in 3 ¼ hours and had to open and close 8 gate. Races finished at the Rankine and most of the people departed. Had a sing and supper at Lloyd’s before retiring.
Saturday June 20th 1931:
Weather has been beautifully warm and changed last night and today a very cold south easter blew all day. Played a cricket match against the Rankine and had a win, although noone expected it. Had a sing for a while after tea and retired early. All of the cricketers slept at the police station where we were well guarded.
Sunday June 21st 1931:
Had a very quiet morning myself, although the remainder of the people were very busy packing up getting ready to leave for home. Left for Alroy myself after lunch taking two ladies with me, who desire to do the whole of this western trip with me. Not a bit anxious to take them myself but could think of no reasonable excuse why not. Have plenty of personal reasons but one has so often to lose sight of them in the larger interests of others. Had an empty car, they were very eager, their friends were eager for them to go, and the station and other people like the women folk to visit them so there it is. Reached Alroy in time to have a good bath (hot) and clean up before tea. Rounded all the folk up and had a service and a sing.
Monday June 22nd 1931:
Had a wedding in which the contracting parties were halfcaste George and halfcaste Lulu. All on the station were present at the ceremony. George would not say ‘I will’ until roared at by one of the men. Lulu said ‘I will’ ending with a good titter. Stayed the day at Alroy. Had some tennis, and ping-pong at night.
Tuesday June 23rd 1931:
Left Alroy and went across 90 miles to Rockhampton Downs arriving at Lunch time. Pulled up and had a yarn to the men at a couple of the bores we passed. Left one chap some reading matter. Did a couple of little jobs on the car and greased it up. Mrs Easy and children home. Mr Easy out with cattle but home for tea. Had a talk at night.
Thursday June 25th 1931:
Left for Alroy after lunch, arriving 3 hours later. Had a read after tea.
Friday June 26th 1931:
Up early this morning and it was cold. Wanted to catch the plane at Brunette so left Alroy at sunrise. Plane was late and did not arrive until 11 am and we had an hour and half to wait. Stayed at Brunette then for lunch. Went on and did the 60 miles to Anthony’s Lagoon. Stopped t the Police Station. Traeger of the A.I.M wireless branch, here, installing a wireless plant. Had a talk and pictures after tea.
Saturday June 27th 1931:
Another sunrise start on the 180 miles to Borroloola. A very rough drive, over rocky ridges and bumpy flats. No habitation anywhere along the road. Arrived there 5.30 in the evening. Place boasts an hotel, store and police station. White population : 4 men and one woman, the wife of the Sergeant, Father O’Doherty from Darwin also in here, staying in the hotel. We went down and stayed at police Station. 5 months since Mrs Hemmings has seen a white woman. Whole of the white population gathered at police Station at night and had a yarn.
Sunday June 28th 1931:
The world at peace. A beautiful stillness pervades everything. Wandered around looking at the river, a library they possess and had a yarn to a couple of the men. This afternoon a car had arrived comprising Rev Doran and his wife, a Presbyterian minister attached to the A.I.M. dr Simpson and hisn wife from Melbourne also connected with the A.I.M and Mr Traeger. Had a service at the Police Station after tea.
Monday June 29th 1931:
Greased and oiled my bus and gave Doran a hand to put in a nmew spring in his car. They left after lunch but we went along the river in blacks’ canoes paddled by one of the boys. Went across to their camp and had a look around. Collected some curios. After yea showed the blacks the pictures, there being over 50 present.
Tuesday June 30th 1931:
Left Borroloola after breakfast and after another all day rough trip reached Anthony’s Lagoon at 8 pm. Doran and his party still here. Tired so retired early.
Wednesday July 1st 1931:
Doran and party went on today except Traeger. Visited the store this morning. Went out and collected ribbon stone after lunch. Found an old chap in his camp, half blind and nearly starved. Persuaded him to come into hospital. Baptised 6 children of Charles Biondi. Did some reading.
Thursday July 2nd:
Went down to landing ground and waited for plane which of course was late. Went and witnessed the inoculating of some cattle. Had an early lunch. Picked up the old chap and another young fellow with typhoid and left at 12.30 pm. Had to stop at Brunette awhile and patch up the front spring of the bus. Went on and reached Alexandria at sundown. Stayed the night. Traveling manager here at present. Showed the pictures after tea.
Friday July 3rd 1931:
Left after breakfast and reached Rankine where we had lunch. Arrived Avon and had ‘smoko’ and Camooweal at tea time. Placed my patients in care of hospital staff and had a clean up.
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