 
**My Australian Adventures along roads less travelled**

**An Autobiography by** Mervyn Henry Sargent

Copyright Mervyn Henry Sargent 2014

Published by Desmond Elliott at Smashwords
PREFACE

Our challenges and achievements in life seem trivial, until we unravel the adventures.

We are inspired by the achievements of the "great people" in history, alas there are many "great people" who pass unnoticed; everyone has a story to share....Mervyn is one of these people.

With the same determination he applied to his work, Mervyn planned his life, always including his family. His memories of his adventures touring the Australian Outback are awe inspiring.

He was driven by the challenge and solved problems in real time; sharing the excitement with those close to him. His ability to stay calm in a crisis was his secret weapon.

His ability to manage business is recognized within the retail industry.

When we rewind his timeline, he replicated these skills in everything did, nothing was "too difficult". The trials and challenges he encountered in his life, would "stop the clock" for most people.

The journey was always more exciting than the destination; beating the odds and the clock were a sport Mervyn enjoyed.

An amazing Life, a caring Wife, a wonderful Family, and great Adventure. I hope Mervyn's adventures will inspire young and older readers alike to follow a similar path, discovering the magnificent Australian Outback and to face life with courage and conviction!

Dedicated to my Dearly Loved Family and many Treasured Friends

Mervyn Henry Sargent 15-10-1929 ..........

Fig 1. Mother and Dad with Captain Cooper HMAS Stalwart showing pictures of Milk being served to the Barcoo stranded at North Glenelg, South Australia – 1948

1839-1929

Thomas and Ellis (Alice) Sargent arrived in Sydney, Australia on the 15th September 1838 with 4 (Four) children aboard "The Woodbridge" which carried 260 Emigrants.

Henry Packham Sargent was born on the 16th January 1840 at Sutton Forest NSW, Australia.

In the late 1850's Thomas and Alice parted, Alice who had custody of the four younger children, of which Henry was the eldest, married Aaron Harding. Sometime later, Alice with then five children decided to pioneer across NSW to South Australia.

The route taken is unknown, however it is most likely they followed the Murrumbidgee River to the Murray Darling River, and then followed the Murray River to Adelaide.

Henry Packham Sargent was the fifth child of Thomas and Alice Sargent Married Elizabeth McDougall on the 31st March 1862 at Riverton in South Australia with the issue of 12 children.

Henry died 23rd December 1883, Elizabeth died 7th December 1917.

Further reference can be made in the book "The Sargents" written by Annette Porter Lib Reference Number: ISBN 0959538003.

Dougal Sargent, the ninth child of Henry and Elizabeth was born on the 6th March 1876 at Coghills Creek and Married Sarah Serena Webb on the 15th February 1906 and had issue of 5 children.

Henry Dougal Sargent 1906-1977

Keith James Sargent 1910-1985

Franklin James Sargent 1911-

Ruby Serena Sargent 1915-1920

Pearl Elizabeth Sargent 1917-1999

Henry Dougal Sargent was born on the 16th December 1906, married Thelma Beatrice Amber (born 8.4.1910) on the 23rd March 1929 with issue of 4 children.

Mervyn Henry Sargent 15-10-1929

Trevor Desmond Sargent 20-3-1931

Warren Keith Sargent 21-7-1940

Brendan Kingsley Sargent 24-9-1947

1929-1939

Mervyn Henry Sargent was born on the 15th October, 1929 to Henry Dougal Sargent and Thelma Beatrice Sargent, at Partridge Street, Glenelg, South Australia, in later years my Mother was to show me the room where I was born, but by then it was no longer a Hospital.

In the early 1930's we lived in Light Terrace Street. St. Leonard's, my Grandmother Beatrice Brace (Amber) lived in Jeans Avenue, my Mother and Grandmother were very close. On one occasion they went shopping to Jetty Road Glenelg, while crossing a paddock in what is now Helmsdale. Due to the rough track Mum pulled the pusher, when they arrived at the other side found "NO Mervyn" in the pusher, I had fallen out (unharmed) so they had to go back and pick me up.

In later life, I used this episode as an excuse for anything I may do that is out of character, I may have suffered brain damage.

The train to Glenelg stopped running in December 1929, at that time Glenelg trams started running but on a different route, from Victoria Square, my pram was carried on the last train to Glenelg.

Around 1935 we moved to Punjum, about 5 ½ miles from Mundulla which is about 7 miles from Bordertown, our time there was very hard as it was in the middle of the Great Depression.

When my brother Trevor and I went to school, we had an old horse to ride to and from school, however during the Christmas break the horse was found dead out in the Sand hills, I helped my Father bury the horse.

In the New Year, Mum was able to take us to school in the horse and cart but could not afford the time to pick us up after school, we got out at 4.00 pm, so we walked the 5 ½ miles home. On one occasion we were attacked by Magpies, so for a time we had to avoid that area, which increased the distance to walk home.

Usually on arriving home, as I was the eldest I went with Mum to set the rabbit traps, until we caught a rabbit we had little to eat, rabbit became our staple diet. Mum tried to grow carrots, etc, but as fast as they grew the rabbits ate them.

As our diet sadly lacked sufficient fruit and vegetables (scurvy), we often broke out in boils, poultices were made from soap and sugar to draw out the pus.

Trucks carried logs from Padthaway to Bordertown in the mid 1930's across our property, so when we were home my brother and I would hear the trucks coming and raced down to open the gates for which we usually received a penny.

Money was very short in those days; I can remember walking up Rundle Street "window shopping" as we had no money to buy anything.

Dad had an old T Model Ford about 1928 vintage; this was our mode of transport, when we had sufficient fuel to go to Adelaide.

The road or track across the Ninety Mile Desert, as it was then called, from Keith to Tailem Bend was very sandy, we were bogged on many occasions. I remember one time we left Adelaide at 6.00 am we arrived at Punjum around midnight, after being bogged and with breakdowns.

The brakes were very poor and Dad often used the reverse pedal as a brake to control the vehicle. "Lizzy" as the vehicle was called was parked under a large pine tree, on one occasion us boys we playing in the vehicle, somehow it started, apparently they have a type of ignition that when the key is turned on, if every thing else is correct it provides ignition and would start.

We pushed the reverse pedal and of course it went backwards, but we could not work out how to go forwards, needless to say we were in big trouble with Dad.

When the engine had to be repaired, I was always there with Dad, on many occasions I was able to tell Dad where a particular part went, after all I had little else to do but observe.

I once remember we went to Marino, where you can drive down a steep incline to the beach; however when Dad tried to go back up the incline he could only get halfway. The T Model has a gravity feed fuel tank, as it was only half full the vehicle starved of fuel half way up, so Dad had to reverse the vehicle to the top which must have been an amusing sight.

My Grandfather Dougal Sargent also lived with us at Punjum, each night he would tell us bed time stories. It was years later that I realized that many of the stories were about himself and his experiences.

One story was about a boy, I will call Johnny, Johnny was one of the younger members of a very large family, there were never enough shoes or clothes to go around for all the children, so it was first up - best dressed.

On this particular night Johnny decided to be first up, to get the pick of the clothes and shoes, he looked out the window to what he believed to be the sun rising, so he arose and dressed in the best clothes and shoes and off he went to school.

The School had one teacher, the teacher slept in a room attached to the classroom. On arrival at school Johnny sat down on the doorstep of the room where teacher slept, banging on the door.

This woke the teacher, who said in a gruff voice, "WHO'S THERE?"

Me said Johnny in a whispered voice, "WHO'S ME"? The teacher said again, "It's me" said Johnny in a soft whispered voice, then the teacher said, "Get the gun ready, Pat", now Johnny was really scared, he knew nothing about this Pat with a gun.

Slowly the teacher opened the door to see Johnny sitting there, the teacher let him in and the whole story unfolded, it appears Johnny had mistaken the moon rising for sunrise, as it was around 3.00 am, the teacher put Johnny to bed till next morning, it was years later I realized Johnny was in fact Dougal, my Grandfather, this probably occurred in the late 1880's at Appila west of Marrabel in South Australia.

In the 1900's Grandfather Dougal was well known for fixing saddle sores on horses that no one else could fix. He made a preparation using a petroleum jelly type base, obtained an old mouldy piece of leather from the rubbish tip, scraped off the mould and mixed it with the petroleum jelly base, as we know today he was in fact using a very crude form of penicillin.

Fig 2. Henry (My Father) Sarah nursing Frank Dougal and Keith 1911/1912.

At school I considered myself very important; in Grade One, I always came top of my class, in later life it was pointed out I also came bottom as I was the only student in the class, that deflated the ego somewhat. My Grandmother Beatrice Brace often visited us, travelling by train to Bordertown, where we would pick her up in "Lizzy", on one occasion her youngest son Douglas also came, Doug is only a couple of years older than myself.

One day us boys went out into the paddock that had a dam on it, the entire property was 7000 acres, this paddock of some 200 acres was where we cornered a kangaroo and killed it.

I was sent home to get the wheelbarrow, as the kangaroo was too large for us to handle without it, to get it home. Today I would cut steaks from the kangaroo but in those days, despite hunger Mum would not eat kangaroo, so we ate rabbits, fried, minced, stewed et cetera, but the dogs loved the kangaroo.

I usually have a very good sense of direction, on one occasion my brother and I went out into the bush and got lost, we finally came to a track and I worked out which way I believed we had to go to return home.

My brother Trevor, however disagreed so I said, "You go your way, I am going this way", it was not long before he followed me and in an hour or so we arrived back home.

Living conditions were very hard for my Mother, she was constantly short of food, clothing etc, and with two growing boys it was a constant battle to make ends meet.

On one trip to Adelaide Mum went to see William Shackle Davidson who previously employed my Father as a Milk vendor, he said if Dad returned to Adelaide he had a job for him.

We did however stay at Punjum for some time, I recall on one occasion when walking from school, Young's our next door neighbor who only lived about a mile north of us, had purchased a second hand Caterpillar tractor, ideal in the heavy wet soil in that area.

The tractor had levers for steering, so we got a ride to their gate, Donald's live about a mile north west, so sometimes we got a ride part way home, but usually we walked, the Young's and Donald's were a great help to us in those years.

Finally, Mum said she was going back to Adelaide, with or without Dad, however Dad did go back and returned to being a Milk vendor. My brother and I went to the St. Leonard's school, I was always in trouble with my teacher. When the teacher banged my head on the desk, this got the teacher in a lot of trouble with the Education Department, Mum sent me to the Glenelg School where I had no trouble.

Davidson owned a house in Alison Street, St. Leonard's so we went to live there; the house was no longer there in 1999. Directly opposite was an empty block, which was on the corner of Sandison Terrace, our house faced the empty block.

Dairyman's wages in those days were 3 pounds ten shillings ($7.00) a week, rent was 1 pound 5 shillings ($2.50) needless to say we were not well off, we used to go to the local bakery in Jervois Street, St Leonard's for a sugar bag full of day old bread for 6 pence (5 cents) so bread and milk became our staple diet in many forms. We were able to get some fresh fruit and vegetables, so boils were no longer a serious problem.

While we lived at Alison Street, I had a crush on Leonore Conlon from 3 Gore Street, St Leonard's, and would often visit her at her home and became very friendly with the family.

During the 1940's my brother Trevor and I decided to go to Sydney for a holiday, the Conlon's said they had relatives living at Campsee and we would be welcome to stay there, so we did stay there and they had two daughters who were going to take us to Luna Park on the Saturday night.

As it turned out the elder girl could not go as her work mates had set her up for a blind date with a sailor from a ship in port.

We all arrived back at Campsee about the same time, so we were introduced to the sailor from the ship.

He asked where we lived and I said, "Adelaide", his reply, "What part of Adelaide?" I replied "Glenelg", he then asked, What part of Glenelg?" I replied, "You probably do not know it but St Leonard's", it turned out he live in Fulton Sreet just around the corner from us.

This episode proved to me how small the world is.

Around 1938, I fell from my bike in Jeans Avenue, St. Leonard's and broke the third finger of my left hand, however the Doctor did not set it correctly, to this day that finger is crooked, this was a great handicap when in later life I learnt to play the Banjo Mandolin.

In 1939 the Second World War commenced, Dad had to go for a medical with the idea of him joining the Army, however he was rejected due to his deafness. At this time Dad was running the Dairy and employed two men to do the Milk Rounds.

In 1939 we had the hottest 10 day period recorded in Adelaide, every day over 100°F (37.8°C). My brother and I used to take the wheelbarrow down to the Glenelg foreshore from our house at 3 Osmond Street, St. Leonard's collecting bottles. We made more money from collecting empty bottles than our Father did from doing Milk rounds. Soft drink bottles were worth 1 penny each, Beer bottles ½ penny each, and Wine flagons 3 pence each.

Although they were hard times they were rewarding for those who were prepared to get off their backsides, and do an honest day's work for an honest day's pay, whatever that may be.

1940-1949

Nineteen forty was to become a very eventful year for our family, tonsillitis was a constant problem for us boys, for me the Doctor used Sulphur Drugs, long before penicillin, but in June 1940 I contracted Scarlet fever as well as tonsillitis, I spent several weeks in Ward B2 at the Northfield Infectious Diseases hospital, on Hampstead Road, Enfield.

In those days Hampstead Rd, ended at the tram stop at what is now Regency Road; access to the Hospital was on a dirt track.

As Northfield was an infectious diseases Hospital; no visitors were allowed, however it was at this hospital that I met Valmai Ayleen Sara, the nurses would put our beds together so we could play games, we were both 10 years of age.

Fig 3. Valmai Ayleen Sara age 14 year s in 1941

To leave the Hospital after the infection had passed, they had a special bath in an adjacent building, this building was still in existence in 1999, at the Hampstead Centre.

Val and I corresponded when we returned home, a romance continued for over the following six years, Val was particularly liked by my Mother who treated her like the Daughter Mum never had.

Val lived at Mary Street, Ethelton near Port Adelaide; I lived a 3 Osmond Street, St. Leonard's, we later moved to Osmond Street in the 1940's to take over the dairy and run it for Davidson, in later years the business was left to my father who then ran it in his own right.

I was very ignorant of "the world of females", with no sisters Mum told me nothing about the opposite sex, but having Val I was about to be educated.

On one visit to Val's home we were left alone, so it was a case of you show me yours and I will show you mine, Val became a very important part of my life and we still corresponded through to the early 1990's.

On the 21st July 1940 while I was still in Hospital, Mum gave birth to Warren Keith, I returned home soon after.

Nineteen forty one was a grim year with constant updates in the papers of what was happening overseas with the war. In 1940 I went to the Black Forest School, we all became involved in helping in the war effort, I made camouflage nets and became quite proficient at it, others collected bottles, rags etc.

In 1942, the last man Dad employed to do Milk Rounds was called into the forces, it was impossible for Dad to do all the work himself, as I was the eldest I was called upon to help, so it was at 4.00 am each day, 7 days a week I did 4 hours of milk round before going to school.

Val was the only bright light in my life at that time and often stayed at my place. Often we would sneak into each others beds, whether Mum knew what we were doing or chose to ignore it. I do not know.

When I first started to help with the milk rounds I went with Dad to help him, it soon became obvious, when I often got home too late for breakfast and to get to school on time, I would have to do a round on my own.

Using my own horse and cart, at first Dad would help me load the 10 gallon cans (45 litres), but he was often late so I struggled with them into the cart myself, each can weighed one hundred weight (nearly 50 kg).

All the milk in those days was in bulk, we had a 2 gallon (8 litres) can from which to serve the customers. In the winter time I would often finish the round with hands so cold that I would put them under the cold water tap to warm them, the water actually felt quite warm.

The lifting of such heavy weights took a toll on my legs, I am sure it was the cause of my legs becoming bowed and later in life causing my knees to wear out and the cartilage collapsing on the inside.

In October 1942 I quit school; I hated it with passion and could see no point in learning about things that were of no interest to me, so in February 1943 I enrolled in night school at the School of Mines in Adelaide.

I attended twice a week to learn Radio Engineering and worked part time with Perc Jarred at Broadway Street, Glenelg, doing small Radio and Electrical repairs etc.

Sometime during 1943/1944 Dad started delivering ice, by then I started Milk Rounds at 2.00 am to 8.00 am, ice round from 9.00 am to 12.00 noon, then 1.00 pm to 5.30 pm with Perc Jarred.

On one occasion while delivering ice with a horse and cart, my foot slipped off the step and was run over by the wheel of the cart, breaking my toe.

The Doctor put the leg in plaster, Dad made me a Roman type sandal and I did all my work as usual, pivoting on the heel of the sandal to walk.

The sandal had to be replaced several during my recovery; however I did not loose one day's work.

In 1941/1943 my brother Trevor was selling the Advertiser at the Ozone Corner at Glenelg, I sold the News opposite the Strand Picture Theatre, on Sundays we took it in turns to sell the Sunday Mail at the Ozone Corner.

About 1943/1944 I went to the beach for a swim with only my swimming trunks on, A Policeman stopped me as I was coming home, I was in the street without a shirt at 13 years of age; not allowed at this time, today that would be ludicrous.

My interest in radio started at school where the kids would talk about crystal sets. I set about making one but in those days it was difficult to obtain parts, however I made the double wound coil using a Sal Vital tin, they were then made of cardboard, I obtained a tuning condenser from an old radio and purchased a Germanium Crystal holder and Cat's Whisker and a pair of head phones.

After making the set, I erected an aerial into the lounge, suitably earthed and connected it all up, I was able to hear 5DN Adelaide; however it was hard to separate from 5AN with such a primitive device.

Mum told me not to waste my time as it would not work without batteries, Mum knew all about batteries from when we lived at Punjum, we often had no radio as we could not afford the batteries.

In those days we would listen to "First Light Fraser" at 7.00 pm, we often received Queensland radio stations better than South Australia.

Mum did not realize that a crystal set did not need batteries, but had to believe me when she put on the headphones and heard the radio station.

All through the grim war years it was mainly work, work, work - my only social life being Val. Near wars end I started doing Radio and Electrical repairs at 3 Osmond Street, St Leonard's in a garage built by Grand Pop (Joe) Brace, Granny and Grand Pop were having a house built at Wilson Street, Plympton Park, when the builder ran into financial difficulties, due mainly to the lack of materials etc, the house was only half finished; it lay idle for two or three years. They built the garage to live in to save money, as it was going to cost a lot more money to finish the house at Wilson Street.

When they vacated the shed around 1945/1946, I took it over as my workshop for Radio and Electrical repairs, under the name of 'Glen lea Radio and Electrical repairs". I still had my milk rounds, to say I was over doing it would be an understatement. I used a bicycle carrying rolls of cable on the handle bars, tools on the back, conduit tied to the frame of the bike with a ladder carried on my shoulders, off I would go to install a power point or light.

It was not until I turned 18 when I received a drivers license, on one occasion just before turning 18 I fitted a car radio to a vehicle, when the job was completed the owner wanted me to drive the vehicle to his place, but I would not as I did not have a license.

He was not happy about that, shortly afterwards I obtained my license and sometimes used my Father's International Utility for transport. On one occasion I drove to a house nearby where my earlier client lived, shortly after the Police arrived asking who had driven the vehicle, I replied I did so they wanted to see my license, it was not hard to work out who had reported me in but to no advantage.

There was great celebration at the end of the Wars, but none of the men who worked for Dad beforehand wanted to return to Milk Rounds, so it was left to us boys to help out, as I was the eldest I had to carry the greatest load.

I had had no holiday since starting work, somewhere around 1946 I decided to ride my bicycle to Sydney via Broken Hill for a break, I had a good bicycle with a Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub, this worked similar to an automobile gear box in a car, except the gears had to be selected with a lever.

It was 350 miles ( plus to Broken Hill, a distance I covered in 3 days.

Much of the road from Peterborough was unsealed and undulating to Broken Hill with long stretches uphill - then long stretches down hill.

I covered Yunta to Broken Hill in 8 hours which was good travelling on those roads; from Cockburn the road was sealed.

No beds were available in Broken Hill, so I went to the Police station prepared to sleep in a cell if necessary, but they were able to get me a bed in a hotel. I shared a room with another chap who wanted to go to a dance that night; my excess luggage was on the train, this would not arrive till the next day, so the chap lent me a pair of shoes for the night.

The next day I enquired at the Police Station for the best road to take to Sydney, either through Wilcannia or follow the railway line, don't go either way was the stern reply, if we catch you trying we will bring you back and lock you up.

At the time I did not realize they could not do that legally, but guess they did not want the job of looking for some idiot on a bicycle lost in the bush, but of course that would not have happened, I have more bush sense than that.

I did however heed their warning and took the train to Condobolin, then rode to Parkes and Orange, NSW.

It was mid winter, this was only time I could get away from work because of the ice round, it was very cold in Orange. As I had little money, I slept out wherever possible, usually sleeping in a Railway Waiting Rooms, but in Orange with the change of Station master at Midnight we got kicked out.

I hunted up a cow in a paddock and slept there, but next morning my blanket was frozen stiff, I contracted the flue and finished up in Orange Base Hospital.

I wired Mum to tell her I was out of Hospital before she received my letter that I was in hospital, so she sent me money to return home on the train, before leaving I spent a day picking apples but became too sick to continue, however this little excursion gave me the wander lust that has never left me.

Around 1947 Val and I had a misunderstanding, I told her I did not wish to see her any more, which in retrospect may not have been my best decision.

When Trevor was able to do the Milk rounds on his own, I took a Job with A.E Jolly and Co a grocery retailer in Darwin, today the site is occupied by Woolworth's in the centre of Darwin.

I flew to Darwin in a DC3 aircraft landing at Mt Eba, Oodnadatta, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin, a journey of twelve hours, leaving Adelaide at 6.00 am and arriving Darwin at 6.00 pm.

Darwin was a cultural shock for me, I was trained to dress well at my Mother's insistence, but in Darwin everyone wore shorts, I was delivering groceries in very humid conditions, so it was no surprise to deliver the groceries where the woman was doing the ironing in her birthday suit.

At that time Air Conditioners were rare, at least in private houses.

Fig 4. The Jolly General Store in 1948 in Darwin

When we went dancing men out numbered women 10 to 1, these were not conditions I was prepared for compared to back home. I had learned dancing at Leyland and Martin School of Dancing and loved it, so to only have two or three dances a night was not to my liking.

I was always called on to drive the boys to the dances, I did not drink so I was the only sober person to drive them home, I used this to my advantage, as the night progressed the girls did not want to dance with the drunks, so I got more dances.

After three months in Darwin it was obvious to me that as I did not drink so it was not the place for me. With little money saved I rode on the back of a truck to Mt Isa, which had a Police escort because they were there to collect cigarettes.

While in Darwin the food was mainly canned, there was little fresh food, milk was mainly powdered, occasionally a load of frozen milk arrived, but with limited freezer capacity in the town it was quickly consumed. Fresh fruit and vegetables were rare and expensive.

I took a train to Townsville en-route to Brisbane, in Townsville I went to a café for a meal which had fresh produce, as I had become accustomed to canned food I could not eat all the meal despite how hungry I was, but this was heaven.

On the train to Brisbane we tried to sleep under the seats but the guard would not allow that, so on arrival in Brisbane, I was very tired and low on cash.

I took a room at the YMCA, then set about getting a job, but each job I applied for advertised in the newspaper was filled by the time I got there, I found where the evening paper was printed and when it came off the press which was midday, so next day I was there to collect the first paper to come off the press.

Having paid my two pence which I left on the table, I scanned the situations vacant, there was a job for a driver at Helidon Spa Water company, so I presented myself for the job, asking to see the General Manager, they asked what I wanted I replied, "Applying for the job".

"What Job?" Said the General Manager, I showed him the paper and the advert, to be told he only rang the through position vacant less than two hours ago.

He took all my particulars and said he would have to see other applicants, my reply was, "I am here now, can do the work, you do not need to see anyone else", so I had the job before most people had received the paper.

That job was enjoyable but I was cheated by other employees, getting credits for the empties from my rounds - my income was limited, so when I got the opportunity to become a welder at the Ford Motor Company I took the job, I soon became a competent oxy welder.

I received several promotions; however the big coal miners strike in Queensland closed many factories, including the Ford Motor Company.

At the time I was renting a room at Nundah, being out of work it was soon obvious I would not be able to pay the rent, I purchased a Malvern Star Auto Cycle with a 98cc motor from my savings and rode it to Adelaide.

This took place in winter and took 5 ½ days, I would sleep out at night and light a fire for warmth, the second night out at Dubbo I lit a fire in an old tree.

Having worked out when the tree branch burnt through, the tree would fall away from me, however the fire burnt through a limb, this fell and narrowly missed my head, I was more careful from then on.

After passing West Wyalong I came to a place called Yalgogrin, where there was a general store with a petrol pump, so I refueled there and the chap took me for a walk around the old roads of the town. It was once a thriving gold mining town with several hotels, old buildings and structures, most interesting for a nineteen year old, that night I camped on a sand-hill between Yalgogrin and Weethalie.

At Hay I was questioned by the locals as to where I was going, a few points of rain on the dirt road made them impassable, however I was lucky no rain fell and I camped somewhere near Mildura that night.

Next day I had to go to Malvern Star in Mildura, as my rear tyre was bald and would not make it to Adelaide, even thought the roads were bitumen all the way.

The fifth night I camped at the Kingston Ferry, they would not come over for an Auto Cycle, and no cars came by all night. Next day I had a lot of trouble with the motor it was not running properly, at Waikerie no-one would sell me a second hand spark plug, (all I could afford) Mum wired me some money and I purchased a new plug, I was then on my way to Adelaide where I arrived the same evening.

These trips started the "wander bug" I still have today, wanting to see more of this great country of ours, on arrival in Adelaide I got a job with the Department of Aircraft Production at Parafield.

I was an Electrical Fitter on the DC3's they were bringing down from the Islands to the north of Australia, left there after the war, at Parafield they restored them, this was boring work, we only had about an hours work each day. It was then in 1949 I took a job as Shift Engineer and Radio mechanic at the Bordertown Power House.

I rented a room at Ma Thompson's place in Bordertown, it was not luxury, however I did not spend much time there anyway, every lunchtime we endured (suffered) "Blue Hills" by Gwen Meredith: Episode XXXX

Every three weeks I spent the nights at the power house for a week, the place was set with alarms for fuel, oil, and water etc, so we slept on the premises, I only had to get up if the alarms went off.

Another chap who boarded with Ma Thompson worked at the bank, I remember one night he had to work back, his books did not balance by one penny.

As we planned to go out that night, I suggested I put in the penny; of course that could not be done, they found six errors before the books balanced.

On Saturdays we would ring all the Telephone exchanges, Naracoorte, Kaniva, and Nhill etc, trying to get a date with the telephonist.

While I was working in Bordertown I purchased a 250cc BSA 4 stroke motor cycle, My mate had a 125cc Bantam BSA which often out performed my larger machine; however we traveled all over the country to dates and dances.

This was to be my downfall or good luck in 1950.

THE DAIRY

The dairy at 3 Osmond Street, St.Leonard's was commenced by W.S.Davidson for whom my Father worked in the early 1930's, until Dad decided to try farming in 1935 at Punjum near Mundulla.

Around 1937 Dad returned to working for Davidson and we lived in Alison Street, St. Leonards in one of Davidson's houses. Dad took over the running of the Dairy around 1940 when we moved to Osmond Street.

Next door was an old cottage, Number 1 Osmond Street. One of the oldest in Glenelg, unfortunately it was not fit for habitation, this I suspect was Davidson's original home as there was a small room at the back for a dairy.

My Grandfather used this building for his sharpening business.

At the rear of No 1 were the stables and sheds for the Milk Carts; Dad took a special pride in keeping them clean and well painted. It was not until around 1946 that dad took over in his own right, running the dairy himself, so his name H.D.Sargent went on the board out the front.

People would come great distances for Milk and Cream as the milk was fresh pasteurized and Dad had large pans about 2 feet (600mm) in diameter in which he would scald the milk, producing scalded cream – a delicacy of the time.

Customers would bring a small jug to put the cream into, either fresh or scalded, especially on Sundays we were kept very busy.

At the rear of the homestead were brick rooms, one used for the dairy, and the other as a washing room for the cans and storage, all the containers for Milk and Cream were scalded and washed with washing soda.

One time Dad decided to add some new refrigeration in which to store the cans of milk etc, the installer claimed it only needed a ½ HP unit, I insisted it be a ¾ HP unit, they argued it would not cycle properly but I finally won, that unit ran for 20 years without ever needing attention.

The Milk came from United Dairies in Sixth Avenue, Helmsdale. Early in the war years it was delivered to our dairy, but with the shortage of manpower we then had to collect the supplies from Sixth Avenue ourselves.

I can't remember the year bottled milk was introduced. This was package by Farmers Union . The transition gave us many headaches as the milk would not keep.

On one occasion I had to replace the bottle part of my round with a fresh load of bottles as we were getting complaints that the milk was "off" (sour) when delivered.

My Grandfather Dougal lived with us at the Dairy, and had his sharpening business that he operated in the old cottage till his death on the 5th April 1945.

His slogan was "That Keen Sharp Edge" he was so good that during the war years he would sharpen dentist's drills, as they were in very short supply.

Grandfather would not pass on any knife or scissors that he could not shave with, he got that edge using a sand stone then honing the edge on an oil stone.

Fig 5. Photo of Dougal Sargent 1940

Back in the 1900's Grandfather produced carvings using the ends of butter boxes, most of which were of a religious theme, his eyesight was so good he could write the Lord's prayer on the scrolls of the carvings about the size of a large postage stamp using a needle dipped in ink with the naked eye, today you need a magnifying glass to read them but they are quite legible. On the back of carving above is written:

"To Mother with love from her son Dougal Sargent, carved by him 1902".

With the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, we are able to press forward unto all truth, having our hope anchored in Christ, who dying on the cross gave us life, filling our hearts with divine love, teaching us how to pray, and leading us to a home beyond the starry cross. Abide in me." By D. Sargent.

On the scroll is written the Lord's Prayer, written with the naked eye and done by candle light.

Much of the writing was done with the point of a needle then coloured with Indian ink.

As told to his Grandson Mervyn Sargent in the 1940's.

Dougal died on the 5th April 1945 at Glenelg.

My Grandfather had a great influence on my life, one of his sayings were "Merv, always let your word be your bond", I have tried to live up to that, not always successful, but of course many people in my life have not reciprocated.

Fig 6. My Father delivering milk to the Barcoo 15th April 1948, when the Barcoo ran aground at North Glenelg, South Australia.

1950-1959

Nineteen fifty proved to be a very special and eventful year of my life, in the early part of the year my mate from Bordertown and I, went to various dances when possible.

Sometimes I had to work at the local Picture Theatre as an Assistant Projectionist. It was then my responsibility was to ensure the films were forwarded to the town of Frances as they were showing the film the following Saturday.

Several times we went to Nhill to dance, on one occasion at a dance in the Nhill Hall; I was taken by young lass who had two girl friends.

I became friendly with the local lads and asked them about the girls or more precisely one in particular, only to be told you are wasting your time, you won't score with any of them.

This is precisely what I wanted to hear as I did not want the town bike, I then zeroed in on whom I was to find out was "Marie" and at the end of the evening asked if I could take her home.

Yes! Was the answer as long as my girl friends can come too, they were used to fellows having Dad's car not a bloke on a motor bike.

Not to be out done, with the three girls and myself on the bike I took them all home, Marie of course was last.

During Easter 1950, Marie went to the Easter Parade in Bendigo. On her return we started to go out together, during the winter months it was very cold travelling on a motor cycle from Bordertown to Nhill, returning in the early hours of the morning.

It was so cold I used the insulation used in refrigerators in an effort to keep warm; I would usually make the journey twice a week, around October I decided to move to Nhill, lived at Marie's place to do Car Electrics for Bullen Bros, the Holden dealers.

It was not long before I was spending more time in Marie's bed than my own, so we planned to marry in February 1951.

Fig 7. Mervyn Sargent and Marie Sargent (nee Baker) on our wedding day December 2nd 1950 in Nhill, Victoria

We discussed the situation many times, and decided to bring the wedding forward to December 2nd 1950, and needless to say word got around that we had to get married. Lunchtime was always discussion time about what was going on in the town, and who was going out and with whom, that so and so was having a baby, but no one knows who the Father is etc, etc.....

One can only imagine what discussion was at the lunch tables about us, so it was that I married Marie Elsie Bertha Baker on the 2nd December 1950 at the Presbyterian Church, Mc Pherson Street, Nhill.

The house we had in Nhill, had no electricity, so I purchased a Genset and set up batteries so at least they had some lights, but the Genset was not very satisfactory and needed a lot of attention unlike the units of today.

In Nhill at the time of our wedding, there was a woman who made it her business to attend all the weddings in the town. She would record the date of the wedding then record the date of the first born child, being the devil that I am I whispered to her to make sure she gets the dates correct as we have to get married, after all the whole town believed that, however our first born came 2 ½ years later.

Everyone would claim that Marie must have lost the first one but that was not true.

My Mother and Father came over to Nhill for the wedding from Adelaide in their International Utility, so we used it to drive to Dimboola for our wedding night, staying at the Dimboola Hotel.

The receptionist was quite rude, claiming if they knew we were newly weds would not have let us have the room, so we spent much of our time picking up confetti; but I wouldn't today.

Bullen's wanted a car taken to Adelaide to sell, so we drove it over and had a honeymoon at my parent's place at Glenelg.

When I first moved to Nhill I applied for a driver's license and registration of my Motor Cycle, this proved much harder than I thought, I had to go to the Police Station and they presented me with theses coloured cards for me to name.

The second time through the officer asked "What gives?", I said "What's the problem" and he replied, "The second time through you give them different names!".

Yes! I said "I am colour blind, but do not have a problem with traffic lights", he gave me a license so long as I did not drive in Melbourne, of course he said nothing about driving in Adelaide where we usually went anyway, we seldom went to Melbourne.

The only time colour has caused me a problem when driving was when we went to Geelong, at one time they had neon type tubes on a central pillar, in one direction the red is on the top, in the other the red is on the bottom, so Marie had to tell me when to go or stop, or I would simply follow the other traffic.

I have been driving for over 50 years without a serious problem.

We lived with Marie's parents in the early days of our marriage, I worked at Bullen Bros Garage, and Marie worked at Dolly Kossatz as a shop assistant we travelled back and forth on my motor cycle, I tried to purchase a Holden Ute but at that time the wait was up to 12 months.

Marie's parents gave her a piece of land on which we planned to build a house, I built a garage and had plans for a house when my brother Trevor contracted Polio. Dad asked if I would go back to Adelaide to help him out, so we went and never returned to Nhill to live.

So in 1951 we moved to Adelaide where I got a job with City Motors and helped Dad with the milk rounds, I purchased a Vanguard Van to do the milk rounds and travel to City Motors.

Marie got a job with People Stores in the hosiery department, I would knock off at 5.00 pm so would wait in Victoria square for Marie who knocked off at 5.30 pm.

On one occasion when I still rode the motor bike, I laid down on the grass in Victoria square as I was very tired, only to be told by a Police officer to move on, apparently it is better to ride a Motor Cycle tired than rest in Victoria Square, they would not want to try that on me today, as I was not drunk or disorderly.

Once I purchased the Vanguard, that solved the problem, I could rest in the vehicle.

Late in 1951 I took ill at work, so went home about 3.00 pm, but I seemed alright the next morning, did my milk round and went off to City Motors, but around 3.00 pm I was sicker than the day before, in fact so sick that I could barely drive along Anzac Highway. On arrival home at Glenelg I did not have the strength to walk inside so Dad had to carry me.

The Doctor was called and diagnosed Polio, so the milk round fell to Marie to do. My treatment was based on Sister Kenny's regime; the doctor gave me an injection to relax the muscles, then the physiotherapist would come and massage my legs.

I could not stand noise, something that has been a problem since but some weakness has remained in my legs. I slowly recovered and after six weeks the doctor said I could get out of bed. He did not say what time, so I left early to drive the vehicle for Marie to do the Milk Round; as soon as I felt able I was also helping to deliver the milk.

When Marie was pregnant with Roger, we visited my Auntie Wanda in Hobart, Tasmania. We also purchased a house in Streeters Road, North Plympton, and on the 2nd June 1953, Roger Mervyn Sargent was born, then we had the hardest three months of our married life.

Roger was born on the same day as the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place; Marie received Commemorative Mugs from the Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

The second of June was exactly 2½ years from when we were married; we married because we wanted to not because we had to.

Roger would cry night after night, Marie took him to Mothers and Babies to be told to cut down on his food, it was claimed he was too big for his age.

Marie took him to many different Doctors, none of whom came up with a solution, Roger was put on Nestles Formula but nothing worked, so finally Marie took him back to the Doctor who delivered him.

The Doctor said "Why don't you feed the child"; so Marie told him the story, his reply "Don't listen to those old maids' they have never had a baby of their own". How would they know put him on demand feeding, he never looked back.

It was around this time my brother and I decided to start a garage at Draper, north of Port Adelaide, It was hard to run as we both lived a long way away, I was living at North Plympton, the days were very long.

Eventually Marie, Roger and I moved to Draper to live with Marie's parents, they had moved from Nhill to Ernest Street, just around the corner from the Garage.

When Glenda Marie was born on the 1st April 1955 living in one room was untenable, so we applied for a Housing Trust temporary home.

We were granted a home directly opposite the garage; Marie set it up so well, the Housing Trust used it as a show home, to show others how such a place could be set up.

The socio-economic situation in that area was such that long hours have to be worked to make a living. Trevor and I parted as business partners, I took over the Garage and Service Station at Torrens road Croydon, later we obtained a Housing trust house at Sutherland Avenue, Ferryden Park, SA.

I remember one incident while at Ferryden Park, the place had a gas stove. With small children we did not feel safe, so purchased a large Electric stove, disconnected the gas stove and plugged it off.

After I had wired and connected the electric stove I rang the Housing Trust to pick up the gas stove, one would think I had committed the crime of the century, down came the Housing Trust and the Gas people. You can't disconnect the gas stove they said, my reply was I have already done it, after a protracted argument they finally decided to drop the matter.

While living at Draper, Marie lost twins, she was booked into a Hospital at Henley Beach, when she went to see Dr. Hendrickson for advice, he put her in to Parkwynd Private Hospital, East Terrace Adelaide, this occurred around 1957.

The Service station Business is very competitive, more so when you are leasing from the Oil Company, every time you do something to increase the business the oil company take it for extra rent.

An arrangement with the Neptune Oil Company, a part of the Shell oil company was that the rent would be revised annually to a figure to be agreed upon by both parties. After two years they wanted to increase the rent to a value in excess of the earning capacity of the Service Station, I refused to accept the increase. By the end of the year with the extra rent not paid I sold the service station, I drastically reduced the stock on hand to such an extent that I owed the Oil company more than what I got for the remaining stock and plant.

I banked the rest of the money, so commenced an effort by the oil company to recover the extra rent this I vigorously defended, I paid all my debts but not the extra rent. After many demands they decided to put the matter in the hands of a solicitor, Geoffrey Harry, after two letters of demand, that I consequently ignored. I received a demand that unless the amount they claimed I owed was paid within 7 days the matter would go to court.

This matter had been a protracted one, my reply probably came as a surprise, as I was pleased to have this matter heard by a Magistrate in Court, if they were trying to bluff me I am not the bluffing type.

I replied "Thank you for your decision to have this matter heard in court, for it to be adjudged by an independent person. I will be happy to have this matter dealt with in any court in Australia you wish to nominate.

The next letter I received was from the oil company who although they do not agree with my assessment they decided to drop the matter.

The oil company tried to claim that the rent to be agreed upon by both parties meant, they could increase the rent and I had to agree to it, needless to say I did not agree. While running the Service Station at Torrens Road Croydon, I employed an Austrian Chap to do mainly VW vehicle repairs, with which he was proficient; at one time he invited the wife, family and me to his home for a meal.

I did tentatively ask what they would be serving, as we knew nothing of food other than Aussie fare. The reply was 'Weiner Schnitzel' "What's that?" I asked as I had never heard of it, so he explained it was veal done a certain way, the meal was most enjoyable, Weiner Schnitzel is a common in butcher shops now.

Annually we would go on holidays, usually in the winter months; it was common for us to go to Brisbane in August, and the weather was usually much warmer up there but cold in Adelaide.

On one occasion when Roger was quite small he was playing near the waters edge at Surfers Paradise, a large wave came in and picked him up, I had to rush and rescue him, later on we were visiting my Auntie Wanda at 3 Woking Street, Oxford park, as we crossed the railway line we had to make a left turn, Roger was sitting in the back on the right hand side, he somehow got the door open and fell out, luckily he was not seriously hurt.

In 1958 Evelyn Carol was born on the 23rd November, she was so tiny I nicknamed her 'Dolly' which did not go down well with her as she got older.

It was around this time that we purchased a house at 26 Hanson Road Woodville Gardens, I built a Besser block double garage with a deep pit, to do motor repairs. By day I worked for the Adelaide Cooperative Society Managing their Finsbury branch at the Finsbury Hostel.

This store would open on Friday nights, this was against State law, but as we were on Commonwealth land; no one could stop us trading.

Many Bureaucrats came trying to frighten me to close that part of the store that sold goods not allowed under state law but I refuse despite their threats.

This was a relatively good period in my life; Black and White TV was introduced to Adelaide, as we sold them in the store I would often borrow one to use at home.

During 1959 we went to Broken Hill for a holiday with Evelynn just a baby, the old town of Radium hill was by then abandoned, and it could be reached by turning off the Broken Hill Road. At Cutana which no longer exists about halfway between Cockburn and Olary, we went east looking for the remains of Radium Hill, there was very little left of the town.

We were driving a 1957 Holden Kingswood, as the electric transmission line and track were still in existence I decided to follow it to Morgan.

In retrospect probably a fool hardy thing to do with such a young baby on board, but we got through quite safely.

1960-1969

In 1960 Marie was pregnant again and Pamela Leonore who was born on the 29th June 1960, with 4 children I was offered the job of Managing the Coop Store in Leigh Creek, some 500 miles North of Adelaide, the road from Hawker was not sealed and caused many problems.

Fig 8. The Leigh Creek Store 1961

The house we had at Leigh Creek was all brick with a large water cooler that made life livable; the children loved the freedom there as they were in walking distance of the school, swimming pool, cinema and the store directly across the road. As well as managing the store I was agent for TAA Airlines and BP refueling agent for all aircraft, also agent for Coca Cola in the north, it was a full time job.

Saturday night the plane arrived around Midnight en route to Darwin carrying the Sunday Mail, we received the Sunday Mail long before most people in Adelaide. On the return journey they brought us boxes of Tomatoes from Katherine very high quality, it was illegal to take them into Adelaide, because of the risk of Fruit fly and other diseases.

Our supplies came on the Store Semi Trailer, I feel it would have been better to use a truck and trailer on those roads, when the road was difficult the trailer could be left in Hawker, the truck continue onto Leigh Creek, with a much better chance of getting through, then it would return to transfer the trailer load to the truck and complete the journey. With the semi we had many hold ups, this caused many problems as the truck was due in early Tuesday mornings.

Each fortnight we would send supplies on the channel plane to places like Innaminkla, Cordillo downs, Birdsville, Roseberth, Durie and Mt Leonard Station, any delay with the truck meant we might not be able to prepare all the orders in time.

On one trip the rear tyre must have blown, the road was very rough, consequently the driver did not notice it; the rear end caught fire severely damaging the truck and some stock.

Perishables were our biggest problem, frozen foods came in shippers with dry ice but only had a limited life, any delay with the truck posed a problem but usually we got through OK.

Our meat and milk came by rail, on one occasion after a flood the railway line was damaged so the train could not get past Windy creek, the Electricity Trust came to the rescue with 4WD vehicles.

We went down to collect the meat and milk with considerable difficulty, in places the road was completely washed away to a depth of 18 inches.

Late in the 1950's I saw the film "The Back of Beyond" so in 1961 I decided to show the film in Leigh Creek to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor; it was from that film that I learnt how Tom Kruse tackled the sand hills.

In June of 1961 I decided to drive up to Birdsville then across to Betoota down to Cordillo Downs Innaminka and down the Strzelecke track to Lyndhurst and back to Leigh creek.

I went to the local Police Station to talk to the Sergeant in charge and told him of my plans. He said "That should be great Merv, what make of 4WD are you using", I replied "I am not using a 4WD, I am using the Holden Kingswood".

The sergeant replied "Merv, you will never get through, even if you got that far you would never get passed the "Cobbler' on the Strzelecke Track".

He spent nearly two hours trying to talk me out of the trip, but he could see he would not change my mind, his parting words were you should last about 5 days out there with the supplies you are carrying; I will be out then to pick up the bodies.

My reply was that I will be sitting here then talking to you, so it was that Marie and I set off, we left the children in the care of a friend in Leigh Creek.

We set off through Farina where the old Bell's store was still operating, then on to Marree the start of the famous Birdsville Track, I called at the Police Station in Marree where they checked my fuel, water and food supplies, I calculated fuel; double the amount I would theoretically need. I had enough fuel to go to Birdsville and back. On arrival in Birdsville I only had 4 gallons (10 litres) left, the extra was consumed in the sandy conditions climbing over sand hills.

Marree was a change to the narrow gauge for the railway to Alice Springs; the Birdsville track was a little different than I saw in the Film 'Back of Beyond'.

We called at several stations along the track, but at Clifton Hills we got quite a surprise. "Do come in Mr. and Mrs. Sargent, we have been expecting you", it appears others down the track had told them we were coming, so afternoon tea was served, by the time we left it was getting late so we camped soon after.

Fig 9. Tom Kruse crossing the sand hill.

There are two tracks to Birdsville from Clifton Hills an inside track, but when the Diamantina River floods you use the outside track, I chose the inside track over the sand hills as Tom Kruse did most of the time, I got caught once and spent two hours digging the vehicle out, but on my second attempt I made sure I had enough speed to get over the top.

When we reached the spot where Tom Kruse picked up passengers in the film to take them to Birdsville, I found the Diamantina dry, so I drove over to Pandi Pandi Station to see the Morton Family.

Their Daughter showed us how she used the radio to talk to her teacher in Broken Hill.

We then entered Birdsville on the outside track, to the relief of the Police Officer, our visit to Pandi Pandi made us late, the next day they would have been out looking for us.

We spent the night at the famous Birdsville Hotel, fully air conditioned the room had no roof, but you only need a roof when it rains, rare in Birdsville.

In those days Electricity for the town was from a Hydroelectric scheme, powered from an artesian bore, but of course with the high sulphur content of the water, a lot of maintenance was required, today a new Geothermal scheme is used with a back up diesel generator for the heavy loads to power the entire town.

Our next stop was at Rose Berth, or the Bluff the homestead; perched on a high hill there are times when they are completely cut off and surrounded by water, another branch of the Morton Family run Rose Berth with great hospitality.

Durrie station is a part of the Kidman Empire, to whom we sent a lot of supplies by the Channel Plane, and then we went to Mt Leonard near Betoota.

What a lovely place Mt Leonard was, much of the timber for the homestead came from the old inland mission at Innaminka, after it closed.

Mt Leonard has their own airfield and aircraft, they were organizing the catering for the Birdsville Races that year, and they ordered a ton of Balfour's cakes to go up on the Channel Plane.

We had a lovely meal there but pushed on towards Cordillo Downs to ensure we got back in five days, it was on this track that my youngest son was conceived.

The track went down to Arrabury Station then across to Cordillo Downs, this sector proved to be the worst of the whole trip, as it had not been repaired since the last big rain. It was near Arrabury that we found the water hole that Burke and Wills obtained water to enable them to return to the Dig Tree on Cooper creek in 1861.

Cordillo Downs was a most fascinating place, up high presumably because of potential floods, the buildings have curved roofs, and this was the most economic way to roof due to the shortage of timber in that area, Cordillo Downs is another of the Kidman Stations.

Then it was on to Innaminka, the track crossed many Sand hills, so Tom's method of tackling them came in very handy, but we came unstuck at Cooper Creek. It was dry at the point we proposed to cross, unknown to us that was a short cut for the 4WD vehicles.

A two wheel vehicle crossing existed some 2 miles away but we did not know of it, so we sank to the axles in the middle, as it was dark we decided to camp and look at the problem in the morning.

It was obvious a lot of digging was required and deflating the tyres, Marie walked to Innaminka about a mile away; they came out with a 4WD and pulled us out. They had just done up the motor which was a bit tight, when they got us out the motor stalled so it was a case of us tow them to start their vehicle.

We refueled at Innaminka for the long haul down the Strzelecki Track and tackle the Cobbler, a section of very heavy sand that made it difficult for the mail-man in the early days. Camels and horses were often used to pull the mail truck through, but it was later abandoned in favour of the mail coming from Broken Hill.

With the development of the Moomba Gas fields, clay was laid on the track on top of the sand so we had no problems.

It was quite late when we arrived back home in Leigh Creek, but I made it in 5 days, next morning I set off to see the Sergeant to tell him of our experiences.

Another time we were returning from Adelaide and while away over an Easter weekend heavy rain had fallen, with the river up there was no way we were going to cross Windy creek, I surveyed the situation and decided the old railway bridge was safe enough for the car, so I was able to proceed, the next creek I could cross so was able to get home.

It is amazing how the country changes after rain, within days green grass was shooting changing the landscape considerably, after such a long period without grass it is a real picture.

Word went around about me crossing on the railway bridge, but no one mentioned the old railway bridge, someone tried to cross on the new bridge with a train right behind them.

In Leigh creek we had a Black and White HMV TV with a double stacked Yaggi Antenna, but no reception could be obtained from Adelaide, however during the summer months it was often possible to receive Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart, or Perth depending which way the antenna is facing. On one occasion I watched the Davis cup from Sydney but it was always ABC channel 2.

In December Marie went to Adelaide to have the baby but never returned, so it was left to me to pack up everything and send it south, on the truck to my Mothers place at Nelson Street, Harcourt gardens.

Early in 1962 while living with my parents I purchased a delicatessen at 66 Reid Ave Hectorville, shortly after we rented a house nearby, later we decided to build at 87 Reid Avenue, Hectorville. Before it was finished we rented two other houses as we only wanted short term rentals.

Although the business was very hard work, 8.00 am to 9.00 pm, 7 days a week, we were able to keep our heads above water, much of the credit must go to Marie, as well as looking after the house, and she had five children one of whom was a baby to care for. Glenda our eldest daughter was a great help; in fact she probably had more to do with raising the baby Leslie than his Mother who spent a lot of time at the delicatessen.

While living at 87 Reid Avenue, Hectorville, one night we were woken by a blaring horn, our son Roger was the first on the scene, it appears the bus driver had been bashed, so Roger was a hero in the papers.

My father ran a fruit and vegetable shop so was able to purchase produce for my shop also; otherwise I would have to go to the market three days per week. With the business came an old truck I used that to deliver supplies once a week in the area.

I also joined the Mixed Business Association, and was on the executive for several years, this proved invaluable as I was able to get a lot of advice as to what lines to stock. Some lines did not show a profit, count lines were worse often showing a profit margin of 10% grossly inadequate for lines sold in such small quantities, with so much labor.

Very early it was obvious the refrigeration was grossly inadequate for the quantity of cool drinks sold. Cost wise to purchase a commercial cool room way out of the question, so John Hamlyn made me a cool room with server doors into the shop.

This greatly increased our drink sales during the hot weather; we were the only shop in the area with adequate refrigeration.

I also set up a water cooling system on the roof, the roof was galvanized iron so I set up a hose system along the ridge cap to run the water down the flutes, so I was able to keep the store cool even on the hottest days without air conditioning.

This was not the case at the house so I purchased a large water cooler similar to the one used in Leigh creek.

In 1965 we sold the shop and I joined Coles Supermarkets at Campbell Town, a week later Roger Drake also joined so I had to teach him the ropes, today Roger has many supermarkets in South Australia.

My time with Coles was a great learning curve; I received probably the best retail training one could possibly wish for.

In 1966 I was promoted to grocery Manager at the Unley Store under Lloyd Hon, this was the first Coles Store in SA to change to decimal currency.

August of that year I was due for 3 weeks holiday, when I told Lloyd Hon where I was going and showed him on a map, he felt he would never see me again.

I was going up the Birdsville track to Mt Isa, then on to Mitchell River Mission (now Kawanyama) to see our friends Doug and Margaret Lloyd.

In August 1966 we set off in a Holden Kingwood car towing a camper trailer, for a trip of a life time. We set off from 87 Reid Avenue, Hectorville on a very hazardous journey, the biggest we had undertaken with the entire family.

We had done many smaller trips over the years, but this was the biggest with 5 children, it was a credit to the organizing skills that Marie possessed that such a journey was possible under those conditions.

Leaving Adelaide at lunchtime on the Saturday after I had finished work, we expected to be in Mitchell River Mission in 5 ½ days.

We made good time on the Saturday camping around Leigh creek, on arrival at Marree we called at the Police Station to advise them of our intended journey, to find the road closed to all but 4WD vehicles. The officer felt it may have dried out enough for us to get through by the time we reached the wet area.

The officer checked on our water, fuel and food supplies, the last thing they wanted was to be looking for someone with 5 children with insufficient food and water, but I was well experienced in outback travel.

Fig 10. The Birdsville track 1966

In 1961 when Marie and I first went up the Birdsville track it was just that, a track, but in 1966 it had been graded and was a formed road, a bit rougher than the old track but more defined so the risk of getting lost was greatly reduced.

Our progress that day was very good until at dusk we came to a large area of water over the road, there was no way I was going to tackle it at night so we camped. A little way off we could see a big light, someone else was camped using a fluorescent light run off a battery, up until then seeing fluorescent lights run off a battery was new technology to me.

Next morning we all met, they had a 4WD so they went ahead to show us the way around the water for it was obvious a big detour was necessary, they left a trail of toilet paper for us to follow and we made it to Birdsville by lunch time.

As we were already ½ day late in our schedule, we refueled and pushed on to Bedourie, but again we came to a large area of water over the road, Lake Machattie so we had to take a 30 mile detour using up valuable fuel.

Late in the day we arrived in Bedourie our schedule was to be in Boulia I called at the Hotel that also had the petrol pumps, ordered soft drinks for all the family, by this time it was quite warm, I casually asked the attendant if he would fill my tank with petrol.

He replied, "I would love to in a couple of weeks, our tanker is bogged out on some clay pan, there is no way they can get it out until; the track dries out".

"What am I going to do?" I asked, I haven't enough fuel to get me to Boulia as I used up quite a bit extra on the detour, besides the extra used due to the hard going.

The attendant said, "Why don't you go around and see so and so at the council yards, he may be able to let you have enough fuel to get you to Boulia", I will bet the money went into his pocket, but I had the fuel I needed.

At dusk we left Bedourie heading north on a track that was defined as nothing more than two wheel tracks across the paddock, but I wanted to go north so I set my direction by a star. Out there tracks go in all directions, one could easily finish up at a windmill many miles out of our way, I did not have the luxury of extra fuel for sightseeing.

Around 9.00 pm we came to a fork in the road, the main track seemed to veer right, but a distinct track headed north and north was where I wanted to go.

Unfortunately, the right track was the one we should have taken as it skirted Breadalbane station our track took us into the station.

On arrival at the station the Station Manager and his wife greeted us and said, "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea, the kids heard the word tea" and said, "Are we going to have tea here Dad?" "No!" I said "just a cup of tea", but the Managers wife had different ideas.

Out came a huge fry pan and they cooked us some of the best steak I have ever tasted before or since, perhaps because we were so hungry.

Come 11.00 pm I said to Marie we had better push on, we will never get to Boulia at this rate. "You can't go at this hour!" said the lady, "now you and your wife will be sleeping there and the children there", she had it all worked out.

Next morning it was steak "again" for breakfast, after much talking we finally left there at 11.00 am well behind our schedule, but they were pleased to see us, Marie was the first white woman she had seen in two weeks, and the first woman for many months that she could discuss the latest city fashions.

Our next goal was to reach Boulia and Mt Isa, at least at Boulia we had bitumen road to Duchess. From Duchess the road was not maintained as a new road was under construction , so our trailer really took a hammering, at Mt Isa we needed some urgent repairs, it took a long time to find someone with a welder who would repair the trailer, our schedule suggested we should have been in Normanton 310 Miles away (500 km) .

Very late in the afternoon, after the repair of the trailer we settled the children down to sleep in the back; I drove for as long as possible towards Normanton. Around Midnight we finally stopped only a short distance from Normanton, we all had a well earned rest till daylight, then on to Normanton.

The first place we saw was the bakery, they had buns at 3 pence each, half the price we pay in Adelaide, so we certainly had a feed of those.

On board I had several maps, all showing a different track to Mitchell River mission, so I called at the Police station to seek advice as to what road to take. Don't ask me said the officer, if we need to go up in that country we fly, but go and see so and so, he goes up in that country.

As that person had only been as far as Vanrook he was unable to help me, but suggested I see so and so, he came down there three years ago.

That chap said "Don't ask me where the road is this year", each wet season the track is washed away, it depends how drunk the grader driver is as to which way he has gone this year.

The instructions I received was to go along the Vanrook road till you come to a dozer track going off to the left, follow that and you will get to Mitchell River Mission one day.

We found the dozer track OK! But no one told us about the Staaten River, so I partly checked the river and it appeared we could cross, as there were logs laid in the bed of the river so vehicles could cross. I set off only to find near the middle a dip, apparently to allow small boats to navigate the river without fouling their propellers, but the exhaust went under in the deep area and the vehicle stalled and we had water flowing through the vehicle when we opened the doors.

I removed all my clothes and unhooked the trailer and wound the car out with the starter motor. In the bush, a manual vehicle is a great help for just such emergencies. Once on high ground I got the motor started then got a long rope and hooked it to the trailer and hauled it out, however the logs were very slippery, while Marie drove the car I tried to control the trailer but continually slipped into the water, much to the delight of the children.

Finally we crossed the river and reconnected the trailer, the children asked "What's the water was like Dad?" "Really beautiful", I replied. In an instant the five children had their clothes off and we all went for a swim. This was very refreshing.

When Marie had driven the car she took her watch off and hung it on the turn indicator, but after the swim when we had gone a short way along the track Marie realized the watch was missing, so we went back and found it in the river to the best I can remember without any ill effects.

We finally arrived at Mitchell river Mission at 7.00 pm, 1 ½ hours later than my estimate but not too bad after crossing Australia from South to North in 5 ½ days.

On arrival at Doug and Margaret's place we were telling them about our experience at the Staaten River, "Yes!", I said "It was really beautiful and the water was crystal clear"...."and full of crocodiles" said Doug.

Doug and Margaret taught at the school at Mitchell River Mission for the aborigines, they had a small area where the children received their daily ration of milk. Doug had a magnificent garden at his place that he established in six months.

The home was exactly the same as the aborigine homes but of course Margaret set it up very comfortably, in the aborigine homes they would cook a wallaby on the lounge floor.

One frustration Doug experience was that he would just get the girls going well at school, to about aged 12 years when they would go walkabout, when they came back pregnant that was the end of their schooling.

When we went out to the mouth of the Mitchell River to do some fishing, Doug took his kombi van but would never venture out in the bush without at least one of the aborigine boys.

On this occasion two aboriginal boys were laying in the back of the vehicle giving Doug directions, without really looking when one said 'Stop' which Doug did, very quietly the aborigine got out of the vehicle and shot a snake about 50 meters away, and no one else had even seen the snake.

Later on they ran down a wild pig that they cooked in a hole in the ground. Our next pleasure was a trip to the river to do some fishing, usually all I catch is a cold.

It did not take long before I pulled in a fish about 6 inches (150mm) long, I thought if I could catch a few of those we could have a feed. I had the fish at my feet when I threw in the line again and an aborigine chap came and cut up my fish, "What are you doing, Jackie?" I asked. "What's the matter boss?" he said, "You cut up my fish!" I replied, "No good for eat boss only good for bait the small ones are too bony".

It was not long before I pulled in a good Barramundi, when holding it under the gills the tail almost touched the ground; we caught enough fish for the next week, so we had Barramundi cooked every way possible.

On the way back from the river we visited some aborigines who had camped, they were huddled around a fire to keep warm, to them it was cold but for me it was lovely weather, I was only wearing a shirt with a pair of shorts.

When it was time for us to leave the mission, one of the elders asked me where we were going, I said "Cairns", "We no longer go there", he said, "Far too cold!", this I found hard to understand. It was a great experience there, the aborigines have a sixth sense for the land, they see things we would miss, One of the elders presented me with a shield and spear that I had for many years.

Fig 11. Catching the big ones at Mitchell River 1966.

The return journey was to be across to Cairns, down the coast to Brisbane, then to Dubbo across the Hay plains to Adelaide. All went well to Dunbar station, but after the road became very rough with bull dust up to a foot thick, to make it worse the air was perfectly still. As we approached a gate we would have to sit for a while till the dust settled, I soon learnt the technique of slowing right down as we approached the gate so the dust was a minimum when we stopped.

Before we left Mitchell River Mission we were told to make sure to stop at Gamboola Station, it was considered an insult to pass without stopping, we were about to find out why. It appears the kettle is always boiling with morning tea served on the verandah; we were invited to use the showers in the bunkhouse.

The water for the showers came from the Mitchell River, it was quite warm as the pipe work was mainly on or near the surface, and the showers were most enjoyable after such a dusty trip.

After Gamboola the track did not improve, we were finally beaten when the trailer literally fell to pieces on the rough roads. The Holden was finding it hard going also, we camped that night no trailer to sleep in so we put the mattresses on the ground and slept there.

It was so warm that bedclothes were not required; we decided to wait until the mission truck arrived but they had already rescued others who had broken down, so we loaded the trailer onto the truck, we took the lady of the other party with us in our car as it was a bit more comfortable for her than the truck.

When we took a wrong turn it was a bit of a worry, when we reached a water crossing I knew we were on the wrong track. Disaster struck when I could no longer select bottom or reverse gear then trying to turn around, finally this was achieved by starting in second gear and we then found the correct track.

Without the trailer we were able to make better time, and arrived in Chillagoe where we purchased drinks from the butcher shop.

We spent three days at Atherton repairing the trailer; while we were there they took us in to the rain forest to a water fall not visited by many white people because of its remoteness.

Our passenger and her husband arranged for a truck to meet us and tow there vehicle from Mareeba, they loaded our trailer and took it to Atherton for repairs.

We were shown a "stinging tree" and "wait-a-whiles"; both can cause serious problems for the unwary. If you brush against the stinging tree it will cause very severe pain, this pain continues for up to six months when the affected area comes in contact with water.

The wait-a-whiles are a real problem if you become entangled in them, as it is very hard to release yourself, hence the name.

Finally the trailer was repaired and it was OK for the rest of the trip home, I found the problem with the gears the selector arrangement on the gearbox was full of dust so the whole system jammed. A good cleanout soon rectified the problem much to my relief; I did not want a gear box repair out there.

On our way south just out of Townsville it was getting late so we decided to camp, the most ideal spot was across the railway line and well away from the road.

As we were crossing, it was getting dark at the time there was quite a drop between the railway lines so we bottomed out, I could not get sufficient traction to pull the trailer across.

I needed to unhook the trailer but looking up the line it appeared a train was coming; luckily it was only a truck on the road adjacent to the line, so with a lot of effort finally got the trailer unhooked and with ropes pulled the trailer across when the car was on firmer ground so I really slept that night. The rest of the trip home was uneventful; no one was more surprised to see me than Lloyd Hon.

After Unley I was promoted to Assistant Manager at the Greenacres store, but the Manager was the hardest man I have ever worked under, nothing seemed to please him so I was more than happy when I was transferred to Salisbury, and in 1969 became the Manager of the Coles Store at Burnside.

About 1968 Doug and Margaret Lloyd moved to Charters Towers teaching, so we decided to go to Cairns and visit them on the way home. On the way up we went up the Palmerston Highway just north of Innisfail to Atherton.

We went up through Milanda but it was a dirt road across to Atherton and it was raining, at the junction of two roads we broke an axle, to walk some 20 miles to Atherton was out of the question. I walked across to a farmhouse and offered to pay the farmer to take me to Atherton to get the parts I needed; he said he had to go to Atherton anyway if I could wait a short time.

Finally we set off and at my vehicle I collected the broken parts for samples, with it still raining we headed for Atherton, on the way I said to the farmer, "This rain is a bit of a pain", Son he said "This is really great we have had a really bad drought year with only 100 inches to date this year". This was August and he explained to me that the grass grows so quickly that in two weeks without rain the grass is dry; making it useless for cattle fodder.

I explained to him that in Adelaide we only got 21 inch annual rainfall, he could not understand how we could possibly manage.

After obtaining the parts required I soon had the vehicle going again, after a pleasant time on the table lands and Cairns we set off for Charters towers Via the Lynd. Doug and Margaret had another baby, Wendy but this was to be the last time we saw Doug and Margaret for some time.

It was about 10 years later that Doug surprised us on a trip to Adelaide and visited us at 9 Leonis Avenue, Hope Valley.

With my promotion to Manager at Burnside in 1969 we decided to go to Western Australia, for our holiday as we had not visited there before, much of the road across the Nullarbor was unsealed, and from Ceduna to Balladonia, at one time that we stopped the children were fascinated by a sleepy lizard.

Fig 12. Leaving for Western Australia in 1969 with camper trailer.

Fig 13. Glenda, Roger, Evelynn and Pamela with sleepy lizards; on the Eyre Highway 47

On this trip we had a blue Holden station wagon the same colour of Police cars in WA, it took 5 days to cover the 1700 miles (3,000 kms) distance. We stayed in a cabin in the Midlands in the hills east of Perth.

Perth is a vibrant city but the distance of 3,000 km from Adelaide to Perth the Nullarbor becomes a considerable barrier.

On the way home we called at the Nullarbor Station for fuel, there was no service station there then, they also had a very interesting display of aborigine artifacts.

One night on the way home we camped at some water tanks (probably Mundrabilla), these tanks are installed at regular intervals across the Nullarbor for emergency use.

As I am a lover of classical music I had a tape playing and in the moonlight,. Could you imagine a Symphony orchestra? This was a most moving experience for me.

The Burnside store was not easy to manage as many people living in the area are in fact shareholders of the company. Car service was expected for the smallest orders. It was in the middle of 1969 that the first landing on the moon took place, we could see the moon from earth that day, but of course with the naked eye we could not see what was happening there.

The refrigeration in that store at that time was very old and needed constant checking, especially the freezers. Early in December we took delivery of over $1,000.00 worth of Turkeys, so I regularly checked the fridges.

On the weekend just before Christmas I was to take the children to a Christmas party on the Sunday, I got up early and went to the store to check that everything was in good working order, the last thing I wanted was to lose $1,000.00 worth of turkeys let alone anything else.

On arrival at the store I found the office safe had been blown open, so I went to ring Marie to tell her I would be delayed. Before I had finished dialing a chap held me a gun point and told me to pull the phone from the wall which I did, then he said the other one referring to the extension in the butcher shop.

He did not realize that without the main phone the extension would not work anyway, once I had done as he requested he then made what proved to be a fatal mistake, he said "I am sorry champ I will have to tie you up!" The word "champ", I have never heard used by a South Australian.

I then said "That's fine by me have you some rope?", which he did not have but we had a short length of rope we used to secure boxes to a trolley when taking boxes to the box bin at the front of the store. I said "It is not much good tying me up I will soon get out of that!" I must have felt like Houdini. He then said he would lock me in the cool room but I showed him that it could be opened from the inside, little did he know that a pin in the door handle would make it impossible to open from inside, besides I could be there for hours, luckily I was able to talk him out of that.

My suggestion was to lock me in the toilet, but when I was inside he claimed he could not do it, so I took the rope tied it to the door handle then said to him, "When I am inside, tie the rope around the post then piss off!" I will be coming out in 15 minutes.

When I felt 15 minutes had passed I came out sneaked out the back door and went across to the Post Office to ring the Police who arrived promptly.

As there was only about $120.00 missing in change they were not really very interested, we finally made it to the children's party but a little late.

At the Christmas break my entire family with myself went to Nhill in Victoria to visit Marie's mother who lived in Mc Donald Street, Nhill, at lunch time I was listening to the news from Adelaide on 5RM Renmark, when I heard that a person dressed in a blue boiler suit had shot a Policeman in the Woolworths store in Norwood. The person who held me up was also wearing a blue boiler suit so I said to the family we must go home straight away, we arrived home at 5.55 pm.

The Police were on the phone at 6.00 pm wanting me to give them another description of the person who held me up, ignoring anything I may have heard on the radio or TV.

My description was such that they sent a Police car to take me to Police Headquarters where I was asked to go through the police photos of all known criminals. When I asked if these were only criminals from South Australia they said "Yes!" I replied, "I am sure the person who held me up was not a South Australian, but I had heard some interstate managers use that word 'champ'.

The Police were not convinced, so I was unable to find my assailant in the files. On my return to the store, during the week I had CIB Officers from several branches asking me questions, by Friday they had got nowhere, so they rang and asked me to go to Police Headquarters to see Superintendent Lenton, Chief of the CIB. "I can't," I replied "I have no car."

One day a week Marie would use the car for shopping or other duties, however the Police sent a car to pick me up, so it was the Manager of the Supermarket who was taken away in a Police car.

After many questions from several detectives, I finally met Superintendent Lenton, he asked me if I could go with the artist to help make a composite picture of the person who had held me up, I'll try I said but don't rely on me I couldn't draw a picture of you if you were standing in front of me.

Every CIB Officer from near Adelaide was in the office, eventually they asked me to go with the artist and see what you can do, I said "Don't rely on me drawing anything useful".

During all this at the back of the room were two officers who until then had said nothing, they then said Mr. Sargent before you go have you ever seen any of these people before, handing me two photographs, the top one was the person who held me up.

I then said what gives here is the person you are looking for so what's all this going with the artist to draw a picture. "Are you sure?" Asked Superintendent Lenton I replied "As sure as I can be, he is either the person who held me up or he calls at my store".

They then put the photo under a magnifying glass that blew it up to life size.

A cold shiver went up my spine the only difference was the person in the photo was wearing glasses, as I wear glasses myself I knew how easy it is to remove them. I was to find out later that without his glasses the chap could not see much, so guess that explains why he could not tie me up or tie the toilet door.

Superintendent Lenton then said to the artist, "I want 200 copies of that picture on my desk by 2.00 pm", it was then 12 Noon, "But" said the artist "I haven't had lunch yet". "You can have that after I have the pictures," replied Lenton.

My understanding of the procedures were that they basically use two main plans when looking for someone in such circumstances, one is to start from the centre of Adelaide and work outwards checking Hotels, Motels, Boarding houses and Caravan parks.

The other is to go to the outer fringes of the suburbs and using the same plan work inwards, the latter was apparently used for when officers went to the Brown Hill Creek Caravan Park the suspect took off, he was subsequently caught at gun point on Unley Road around 4.00 pm.

That night a Police car came to my home requesting me to go with them to police headquarters, I asked "What for?" but they were not allowed to tell me, so to Police headquarters I went.

I was required to inspect a lineup of men to see if I could identify the person who had held me up, I could go from right to left or left to right.

Two persons were dressed in blue boiler suits but it was obvious they were not the person who held me up, but I had no difficulty in picking out the person who did hold me up. I indicated him and was then asked to touch him on the shoulder, so it was that I identified that I was later to learn was Paddy Shields.

So ended a very dramatic time for me, but worse was to come.

1970 – 1979

We planned to go to New Zealand in April/May 1970, so I was somewhat concerned regarding the timing of the forthcoming court case.

The Police had seven charges against Shields, the most serious being the shooting of a Police Officer in Woolworths at Norwood, (Officer Causby) I spent a considerable time with the Police, as I was the only one who could positively identify the suspect.

Late February early March the case came before the Adelaide Magistrates Court, I was in the witness box for two days, the defense tried every trick to make a liar out of me, or ridicule my testimony.

The first day, being unfamiliar with court proceedings I was concerned, on one occasion they had me describe the store, what the lockup procedures were.

Coles had a very strict procedure for locking up, in those days being a new Manager I followed the rules to the letter.

I did state there were bars over the high windows along the side of the store, however on return to the store I realized I was mistaken.

When I returned to court two days later I informed the prosecutor about no bars on the windows, he felt that was no problem, the defense had other ideas, as they also had to be informed.

Among other things the defense council mentioned in cross examination about the bars on the windows, that I admitted. I said there was, when in fact there were no bars on the windows. He then said I lied to the court, I replied "I did not lie, I made an incorrect statement", "Therefore Mr. Sargent you lied to this court".

After repeating that I made an incorrect statement I finally turned to the Magistrate and asked; may I explain to this PERSON the difference between a lie and an incorrect statement, the defense then dropped that line of questioning.

On another occasion I stated that I had heard on 5RM radio that a Policeman had been shot in Woolworths in Adelaide while I was in Victoria.

Mr. Sargent said the defense council, "When you returned from Melbourne was your wife and family with you", "I did not return from Melbourne", "Mr. Sargent, when you left Melbourne was your wife and family with you", "I did not leave Melbourne". After several tries at trying to have me reveal where I had been, he had no right to ask me this, he finally said, "When you returned from Victoria", I then turned to him and said 'Thank you, were you on your own". By this time I'd had enough of his little game, I turned to the Magistrate and said, "If it would please your Honour the facts are my wife and family were with me".

He was trying to prove I was not a nice person and therefore an unreliable witness.

When I was doing the lineup I was told the Police Commissioner was in the audience, but I was not aware of his presence, so the defense council asked me whether the Police Commissioner was in the audience.

After the first day in the witness box, with the defense council trying to twist everything I said to their advantage. I contacted a detective I knew for some advice. He could not say much but did suggest I only tell what I knew for sure, and not to say anything about what I may have heard.

My answer to his question about the Police Commissioner was "I do not know the Police Commissioner." For me, the trial was a bigger ordeal than the actual holdup.

It appears the gun used in the holdup, also used in the shooting came from Hambley Clarkes gun shop. In all, Shields was on 7 charges and was convicted on six of them, so he had to stand trial in the Supreme Court in Adelaide.

I was requested to attend but at the last minute he pleaded guilty to the six charges, he received 22 years but was out in 2 ½ years - so much for real justice!.

I was later told by the Police that the prisoners gave him a really hard time in jail, when he came out; every time there was a robbery in Adelaide they called to see him, he then lived in Klemzig.

It appears criminals hate cop shooters as it makes it hard for all of them.

In April/May 1970 the family and I went to New Zealand for a holiday, I made a photographic record of our trip on 35mm slides.

We drove overland to Sydney leaving late afternoon and arriving Sydney next morning, we left our car in the airport long term car park.

Flying to Christchurch, NZ aboard a DC8 jet and flying over the Southern Alps of New Zealand. We found overnight accommodation near the airport. We hired a Ford Cortina car for our time on the South Island.

At one of our overnight stops in a cabin in a Motor Camp the air temperature dropped to 28°F (Minus 2.3°C) the cabin cost us $4.00 per night, it was equipped with beds for six people, room heaters and all cooking utensils.

New Zealand, although much smaller than Australia, the travelling is much slower than here, we did experience similar conditions from Dunedin to Te Anau.

After Te Anau we travelled by boat 'The Aramoana' across Lake Manapouri to West Arm, where the Hydro Electric Power Station is situated.

At West Arm the coach took us over the mountains to Doubtful sound, it is claimed it was named by Captain Cook who, on discovering the sound was doubtful he would have sufficient wind to sail out again if he entered.

Helena Falls are located at Doubtful sound, an area that receives over 300 inches ( 7.6m) of rain per annum, I have been lucky as I have been there twice with no rain falling. Back at Te Anau we travelled by car to Milford Sound, the road passes through the Homer Tunnel 3⁄4 mile long, the roof is mainly of natural earth with water running from the centre of the mountain, the tunnel is unlit and headlights must be used, in recent time lights have been installed.

The area around Milford is really spectacular with Mitre Peak, one of the main attractions, but we could only spare one day for this magnificent area.

We travelled to Queenstown, another beautiful area, we were told tourists should not travel on the Crown Range Road, from Queenstown to Wanaka, this road is very high and winding, we saw some magnificent scenery en-route to the Hermitage at Mt Cook the highest mountain in New Zealand 4,000 m (12, 349 feet) high.

As it was much cheaper to stay at the Glencoe Motor Inn near the Hermitage, it was here I saw snow falling for the first time in my life.

Fig 14. First snow of winter 1970.

We took the bus to Ball hut, at the foot of Mt Cook near Tasman Glacier, "a river of ice" travelling 9 inches (250mm) per day, we then returned to Christchurch.

While in Christchurch we decided to see a Movie that turned out to be "not suitable for children", so we took the children to see a movie more suitable for them, as we were early we met and befriended the projectionist who also sold the tickets, his name was John Newman and we still keep in touch with John today.

As we were unable to obtain a booking on the overnight ferry to Wellington from Littleton harbor, we travelled along the Kaikoura coast to Picton, Kaikoura, and Kai meaning food Koura means crayfish in honour of its bountiful coast.

Legend tells of one Tama Teha Pokoi Winua who stopped here for a meal, while in pursuit of three runaway wives; however the three wives escaped the epicurean Tama Teha's clutches but came to a sad end when their canoe capsized and they were turned to greenstone, somewhere on the west coast of New Zealand.

We travelled on the inter-Island ferry the Aramoana from Picton, 2/3rds of the passengers were sick on this journey, 1 ½ hours on the open sea of a total time of three hours.

At Wellington we collected a second car that was a bit of a bomb, but it got us around, the view from cable car hill was really great by day and by night.

North of Wellington we travelled to Masterton then along the Ruamahunga Valley road to Woodville, this road is very dangerous as cars have been blown off of this road; they do have high wind warning signs along the way.

Wanganui has probably one of the best playgrounds in New Zealand, Taupo is an area of hot thermal baths, hot water and cold are mixed to make the baths a comfortable temperature we really enjoyed these.

Rotorua is nick named "Sulphur City" because of the smell from the thermal activity, near Rotorua they have a Thermal Power Station driven by steam, the steam is piped from the geyser valley to drive turbines, then returned to the geyser valley where it is dissipated into the air.

While in Rotorua we visited the buried village that was buried by the eruption of the volcano Mt Tarawera buried the Pink and White terraces. These were visited by thousands of tourists at that time. Over the years the village has been excavated revealing the buildings underneath, 147 Moari's and 6 Europeans lost their lives in that eruption.

After returning to Rotorua we travelled west to Waitomo caves, it is a limestone cave with a unique 'Glow worm grotto', you go on a boat to see the glow worms but absolute silence must be observed as the slightest noise will cause the glow worms to extinguish the light.

Auckland was our departure point from New Zealand and after a few days there we flew to Sydney landing at Kingsford Smith Aerodrome opened only two weeks previous by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we then returned to Adelaide by road.

On return to Adelaide I was promoted to Manager of the Rostrevor store, it was great to be away from Burnside, but such euphoria was not to last as the Rostrevor store was broken into and the office safe stolen, however it only had 5 cents in it, when the Police found the safe the 5 cents was still in it.

The Police charged a person with this crime, but their case was not strong enough so the court let him go, from statements he made in court, he was either the guilty party or knew about it. More than one person would have been required to move the heavy safe.

My Assistant Manager, Alan Williams was to meet and marry my number one checkout operator at that store, the last I heard of Alan was that he was the State manager for Western Australia.

I was appointed to the Findon store in 1971, in that year we planned to travel to Darwin, via the Birdsville track, up to Mt Isa then across to three way, Tennant creek and on to Darwin.

My eldest son Roger was attending Flinders University so was unable to get away when we left Adelaide, so we arranged to fly him to Tennant Creek where he joined us.

Marie and I left Adelaide with our four other children, Glenda, Evelynn, Pamela and Leslie with our trusty camper trailer heading north to Birdsville via Leigh Creek. The trip was normal up to Birdsville, except when I tried to push on after dark, probably due to tiredness it appeared a wall stood up in front of me. Needless to say I soon found a spot to camp.

Next morning we had visitors, two kangaroos were outside our camp with a look 'What are you doing in our country?' this was a great thrill for the children.

On arrival in Birdsville we were greeted by bitumen on the main street, as in 1966 it was still a dirt road, then it was on to Bedouri, at least this time we were able to obtain plenty of fuel, we called at Bredalbane station but the people who were there in 1966 had moved to another station further north.

After leaving Bredalbane Station, Marie said "Look there's a wheel rolling over there", only to find it was from our trailer, we soon fix it and push on to Boulia.

The road was completed to Mt Isa so we decided to push on to Mt Isa after dark, but this proved to be a big mistake, just past Dajarra we hit a kangaroo, badly damaging the radiator of the Holden, but luck was with us, the local school teacher helped us back to Dajarra where they allowed us to stay overnight.

Luck was still with us next morning when I went to the local garage; to find the only radiator they had fitted my vehicle perfectly, so we were soon on our way.

After replenishing our fuel and food supplies, we picked up Roger at Tennant Creek and headed north to Katherine and Darwin.

We stayed for a week in Darwin, as it was much cheaper by the week than daily; Darwin had certainly changed since my stay in 1948, but was inconsequential in 1971 to how I saw it again after Cyclone Tracy of 1974.

In 1971 many people working in Darwin lived at the caravan park, so it was difficult for us to get an early start to see the sights, the showers were well occupied by the workers until mid-morning.

Sadly this trip was the last we did as a family, it was half over, we headed south to Katherine and visited Katherine Gorge, we viewed the gorge from the shore as 5 children stretched our funds, it would not stretch to boat cruises.

Fig 15. The Devil's Marbles

For me, it is customary to stop at the Devil's marbles, we camped behind the Marbles away from the road, in later years the National Parks took over and we now have to pay to camp there, but there is still no water available, but only pit toilets. At Alice Springs we were able to replenish our food and fuel supplies, we spent a couple of days there before going on to Ayres Rock. We climbed the rock or more correctly most of us climb the rock, Glenda got to Chicken Rock became petrified and laid on the rock and wouldn't go up or down.

I decided we had not come this far, not to reach the top, so even if I had to carry her she was going to the top. With a lot of help she made it to the top, but I doubt she will ever do it again. The rest of the children couldn't understand what the problem was; they reached the top well ahead of the rest of us.

In those days camping was at the base of the rock, today you have to camp at Yulara several kilometers away, but you need a bank loan to stay there.

The road to Erldunda was very rough and corrugated, so I decided to take the road to Kulgera but that proved to be even worse. It was so corrugated I lost control at one of the grids damaging the front end even worse that when I hit the kangaroo, but at least the radiator was OK, it was all fixed by insurance back in Adelaide.

After the border, the road was mainly unsealed, just south of the border we were all busting to go to the toilet. Just over a slight rise I could see a long way ahead, so it was a case of all out for a comfort stop.

There were no trees close to the road, so it was a case of girls out the back of the car the boys in the front. About half a kilometer off the road was a small clump of trees and from there came a vehicle load of aborigines, needless to say the girls freaked out, trying to pull up their pants and get back in the car as quick as possible, it was a funny incident but the girls did not think so at the time.

Coober Pedy was not our favourite town at that time, so we quickly refueled and headed south with a battered Holden, but the old faithful got us home safely again.

As the Coles Findon store was close to Head Office, it was used for Management training, so it meant I was often working back till 9.00 pm, it appeared whatever I did was not good enough for the supervisors, the final crunch came when, having worked back every night Monday to Thursday I was ordered to work back Friday night as well, that I refused to do, as I had arranged to take Marie out this night.

According to Coles, the Company comes first, the wife and family came second. I found this unacceptable, so in 1972 I resigned, having obtained a position with George Clark as supervisor of his three stores in the Riverland.

One was at Renmark, one at Loxton and Head office in Berri; I then left Coles to start with Clark's in the Riverland, part of the deal was that I used the company vehicle to visit the stores and return to Adelaide each weekend.

As we had just built a house at 6 Sargeant Avenue, Dernancourt, it did not go down well with Marie when I wanted to sell the house and move to Berri.

I was living in a unit in Berri Monday to Friday, this it was an unsatisfactory arrangement; only see my family at weekends, so when we sold the house we lived in a house at Renmark that belonged to the Clark's opposite the Hospital.

The hard part was that Roger and Glenda had to stay in Adelaide, Roger at University, Glenda Nursing. Marie did not like it in Renmark, for me it was the best job I had ever had. My family life was not satisfactory, so after 18 months Marie moved back to Adelaide, and rented a house at Newton, after a while I returned also.

While we lived at Newton, Glenda married Steven Alexander Jamieson on the 26th April 1975. I got a job as night Manager with Target Supermarket at Newton, doing Electrical work by day in my own right.

This arrangement was good as we purchased a block of land at 9 Leonis Avenue, Hope Valley; I had time during the day to do work on the house which was completed in 1975. The Hope Valley house was designed to enable me to have a small room to use as a "bio box" for projectors to show films, a passion of mine. We had many film nights in that house.

During the 28 years Marie and I were married we moved 20 times, the house at Hope valley was the longest that we lived in one house.

Regrettably our marriage deteriorated to an extent that Marie felt my sexual demands on her were far greater than she required or desired.

It reached a stage where I finally gave her an ultimatum, either satisfy my needs or don't complain when I find someone who will.

I would arrive home often, late from work after a 12 hour day to be told your tea is in the oven, or Marie would be at the sink washing dishes, I would attempt to cuddle or caress her, but was pushed away. Marie thought all I wanted was to take her to bed, in fact all I wanted was a nice cuddle, after all she was the love of my life.

When I did find someone else and Marie found out, I was the worse person in the world, one day I arrived home to find the house empty, Marie had left with the children.

My eldest son Roger married Julie Sharon Gould on the 21st August 1976 and lived in a flat in Hectorville.

Around the time of my marriage breakup, as Roger had completed a Science Degree with Honors, he obtained a very good position with the Department of Health at Monash in Canberra, ACT.

Despite Marie's attempt to alienate my children from me, Roger and Glenda did not desert me; they could see there are two sides to the story, and although they supported me as best they could to their credit they did not take sides.

The breakup of my marriage was devastating to me; at the time I was manager of the Tom's supermarket at Salisbury North.

Probably my salvation was the birth of my first Grandchild, Wayne Ian Jamieson, this brought about a big change in my life and attitude, up till then I felt I had little to live for, but now there was light at the end of the tunnel. Only those who have been there know the feeling of being in a bottomless pit with no way out, now I had a way out.

My relationship with Peggy began at this time and with the sale of the house at Hope Valley, I purchased a block of land at 28 Niemeyer Cresent, St. Agnes, I did not start building until 1983.

Early in 1970 John (the projectionist) from Christchurch was writing to the children, he said he would like to come over for a visit, so we agreed he could do that, so we asked him if he planned to arrive in Sydney.

I told the children to tell him we will drive overnight to Sydney, pick him up and we would take him camping in the great Australian bush.

He wrote back, I am landing in Sydney on the east coast of Australia, he couldn't understand how we could cover 1600 km overnight.

Roger had recently obtained his driver's license, so it was relatively easy for us to cover the distance, so we left Adelaide in the late afternoon arriving in Sydney 9.00 am next morning.

John enjoyed his stay with us; we still keep in touch today by Email.

Fig 16. John K Newman with a Koala

John has a magnificent collection of films; he does a weekly radio program on the community station in Christchurch, and has a really great collection of all the good oldies from yesteryear.

In Christchurch he even has an old Edison record player, the person who owned it would be proud that it is so well cared for.

During the 1970's Peggy and I went to Queensland for a holiday, we arranged to meet up with my brother Trevor and his wife Maureen on the Gold Coast, that proved to be a big mistake.

I later learned that Maureen apparently has a crush on me too, so told Peggy that I was having an affair with her that was totally untrue In fact I could think of nothing I would have wanted less, however Peggy believed her. This was the cause of our breakup.

It certainly did not help Maureen's cause even though I did not know at the time what she was telling Peggy, all of which was untrue. I later learned what she said and although Peggy remarried we do correspond from time to time.

For me the 1970's were not good years, some may say Marie and I failed in our marriage, the marriage failed, Yes! But I do not see that we failed. Perhaps if we were not so pigheaded we could have saved the marriage, but if all we are doing is blame each other then there is no future together for us.

I have been asked many times do I still love Marie, the simple answer is of course I do, she is the Mother of my children, as a Mother you couldn't find better, as a house keeper she was excellent, if we failed it was because Marie was not a good wife or I a good husband, I concentrated on being a good provider instead of being a good father and husband.

Would I do things differently if I had my time over again, hindsight is a great thing, but faced with what I knew then, I do not think I would have done anything differently.

1980 -1989

The 1980's were turbulent but a rewarding period for me, after the breakup with Peggy I met Daphne and we got on well and went together for over two years, Daphne's husband had remarried; when Daphne heard that the marriage was rocky Daphne did everything she could to see her ex-husband.

We arranged to do a trip to Cairns, but unbeknown to me, Daphne's husband was living in Townsville, when we arrived there Daphne contacted and met him.

That was the beginning of the end for me as Daphne decided to return to her ex-husband after we returned to Adelaide.

This was a sad period for me, but I had no alternative but to concentrate on building my home at 28 Niemeyer Cresent, St.Agnes, actual building started mid 1983, I was able to occupy the main bedroom by Christmas, during construction I lived in my caravan at the rear of the property.

Marie and I did make an effort to rekindle our marriage, despite the fact that we were divorced, the decree nisi was final in August 1981, although we care about each other, we had to admit we couldn't live together and be happy.

After the divorce Evelynn had a hip replacement, as it was mid winter she needed to be able to use a heated pool for exercise. We could not find a suitable pool in Adelaide so we all went to the Gold Coast staying in a unit that had a heated pool; this sadly was to be the last trip away for me with Marie.

In 1984 I met Fay, I felt my luck had changed, when we became engaged I would visit her whenever I was working in her area, she lived at Largs bay, I became suspicious when she did not want me to kiss her when I arrived to see her.

I later came to realize that she was a cupboard drinker, so to let me kiss her would reveal she had been drinking. This was unacceptable, I broke off the relationship, and decided to stay on my own and finish the house.

During this period I became very disillusioned with females (I wonder why?), so much so that I did not go out very much, my car stayed in the garage for two years unregistered.

My house was taking shape, Roger came over on one occasion and put in a watering system for me, and helped set up the garden, most of my time was either working on electrical jobs or the house.

About this time a lady rang me from Cumberland Park to have some electrical work done. I was not really interested because it was so far away, but when she mentioned I had done work for her daughter, I decided to help her out.

When I arrived she asked how much it would cost as she did not own the house, it belonged to Tom Kruse, the outback mailman, and this was indeed a remarkable stroke of luck. I had admired Tom from the time I first saw the film "The Back of Beyond" so when I had finished the job, I went to meet Tom.

I had the pleasure of meeting his wife Val, but Tom was at Oodnadatta sinking a dam, however I arranged to meet Tom when next he was at home, it was a great day for me. I was lucky enough to catch him home a little later, taking his dish washer to be repaired.

I had a quick look and it was a simple to repair, so I was able to do it for him, so commenced a very good friendship and I am honoured to know the gentle giant Tom Kruse, probably the last of the true gentlemen.

Later, I became involved in the restoration of the Leyland Badger, that proudly has its home at the Birdwood Motor Museum.

Later in the 1980's I did start to go out again, but no one I met was really suitable, some were religious nuts, I do not have a problem with religion but a different view to most people.

Basically I believe God gave me a brain, I should use it to protect myself and others, people who say "Put your faith in God!" This does not fit well with my Philosophy of life.

If anyone is stupid enough to jump off a cliff , they can't expect God to protect them. We are given a brain, if we use it properly, God will help us to think properly and therefore it can be argued he does protect us.

One does not have to go to church to be a good person; I believe we should all help each other irrespective of colour or creed and not because we belong to a particular select group, anyone who believes we should only help those in our exclusive group, does not win my favour.

In 1989 I met Margaret Vreeker but I felt she was not suitable for my lifestyle, I love to travel within Australia, caravanning , camping etc.

Margaret was a city girl, we did not develop a relationship in the beginning.

1990-1999

Early in 1990 I met Dot, who was doing a safari tour around the Western part of Australia, so on her return we decided to do a trip together, up to Katherine across to Kununurra, and down the west coast to Perth then return to Adelaide.

We left Adelaide late May 1990 and went up the Stuart Highway to Alice Springs, but as it was very cold we did not stay there, so we headed north to Katherine. We did a boat cruise on the Katherine gorge, because of our age the Tourist office claimed we should only do the short cruise as there was quite a lot of walking involved in the day cruise, but it was enjoyable anyway.

The trip to Kununurra was a real eye opener, the road passes through some very spectacular country, and for me I could not see enough of the countryside.

In Kununurra we hired a 4WD Suzuki touring through the Kimberley where the Holden would not be able to go.

Went along the famous Gibb River Road and up to the Mitchell Falls, what a sight that was, visited such places a Windjanna Gorge and Tunnel Creek, to walk through such a tunnel was a very special experience.

On reaching Fitzroy crossing we did the Geike Gorge boat tour, then on to Halls Creek and the Bungle Bungles, returning to Kununurra to collect the caravan and continue on to Broome along the bitumen.

Broome is an unusual place, very cosmopolitan. It is always very difficult to obtain a spot in the caravan park so we did not stay long and made our way to Perth.

While in Perth, Brendan and Lillian decided to get married so I videoed the ceremony for them, that union has proved very successful with issue of two children, Daniel and Matthew, now 10 years on they are happier than ever.

Dot, however did not prove to be a good travelling companion for me, sure my adventures are not easy but then they are exciting, visiting places most people only dream about or see on TV, on return to Adelaide we parted ways and finished the relationship.

Margaret or Maggie as I called her, we did make contact when I returned home, so we had some long talks, I prefer a companion in my life so we decided to do a camping trip to the Flinders ranges. As this was quite successful we then planned a trip to Cairns in 1992 using my caravan, including the OZ tour from Cairns to the top of Australia.

I was quite surprised how easily Maggie adjusted to bush life, but then she was brought up in Georgetown, SA. On leaving Adelaide we travelled to Sydney via the Sturt Highway, spent a short time with my son Roger, we went to old Sydney town and then on to Brisbane staying with my Auntie Wanda at Oxford Park.

It was an enjoyable trip to Cairns, we left the caravan in a park to go on the OZ tour, this is a safari trip camping each night and food being cooked in the camp ovens. For me the trip was far too quick, I wanted to spend more time at places that were a delight. Weipa, Wenlock River, Elliot head falls to name a few.

Once we reach the top we went by boat to Thursday Island returning to Cairns on the Queen of the isles, if that was the Queen I hate to think what an ordinary ship was like. The trip was the roughest crossing ever made.

We called at two Islands Restoration and Lizard; that at least gave us some relief, when we reached Cairns everyone was glad to get off that ship.

Leaving Cairns we travelled through the Atherton Table lands, then across to the Undarra Lava Tubes, what an experience that was, something I would like to repeat some day if the opportunity arises.

At Croydon is the oldest Grocery store in Australia; still operating as it did over 100 years ago.

Maggie had Glaucoma; it was out in this remote environment that she informed me she had run out of eye drops, she had a prescription but no one in Normanton could fill it, even the hospital, so I had to make a hasty trip to Cloncurry, they could not help either.

We were successful in Mt Isa but this incident did not go down well with me, surely someone who needs such important medication could make sure they have plenty with them, after all we had a good fridge to keep it in.

We decided to return to Adelaide via the three ways, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and out to Ayres Rock.

After climbing the rock and signing the book at the top we went out to the Olga's, but did not do any of the walks there.

Kings Canyon must be one of the best sights in Australia; it is a hard climb to the top but well worth the effort, so I took some very good video on that 5 hour walk, then it was back to Adelaide via Coober Pedy.

Maggie was living in Edwardstown, with me living at St.Agnes, so it was quite a journey to travel to her place, sometimes I would spend time at her place but mainly it was at my place, after all I did have my electrical work to attend to.

It was quite a drag travelling back and forth, especially when Maggie wanted to continue with her bowls at Edwardstown.

With two houses to maintain, eventually Maggie decided to sell her house and move in with me. It was around this time we decided to purchase a 4WD Mitsubishi Pajero together, enabling us to access the outback much easier and safer.

In 1994, I was in serious trouble with my right knee, I saw the GP in February and although I had seen the Specialist in the Modbury Hospital in 1990, the earliest appointment I could get was September, 1994.

The pain was so bad I went to the Social Security stating that I could not work with the pain anymore, could they help me to see someone sooner.

All they could do was put me on the invalid pension, if they wanted to pay me not to work that was fine by me, so it was then I went on the invalid pension.

I was due for the old aged pension in October anyway, so Maggie and I went to the opening of the Inland Mission building in Innamincka with my three Grandchildren, Wayne, Nathan and Katie. Dick Smith was heavily involved with the restoration, the Reverent Fred McKay also attended at 88 years of age.

At Quorn Glenda and Steve came to pick up the children while we continued on to Perth, arriving on August 1st 1994, we looked after Daniel while Lillian went to hospital to have Matthew, who was born the next day, Brendan was able to continue with his work as a TAFE lecturer.

While in Perth, I wanted to see Brendan's Doctor, to see if he could give me some stronger tablets or perhaps an injection to ease the pain in my knee.

He took one look at it and said he would not treat it, it was a job for a specialist, not that again I thought, "When can I do that?" I asked.

The Doctor rang the Specialist and arranged an appointment with Doctor Anderson in his rooms in two weeks, two weeks is great when it is seven months in Adelaide. In the meantime I had to get my X-rays sent over from Adelaide, with any other relevant details.

Doctor Anderson took one look at the X-rays then said, "Why hasn't something been done about this sooner!", I really needed a total knee replacement but under Medicare he could not fit me in for 18 months, when it is 5 to 6 years in Adelaide at that time.

I then asked what you can do for me Doctor, can you give me stronger tablets or an injection, he replied Yes! But that is only a band aid solution.

He booked me in for an arthroscopy, which he arranged and I had the procedure done before I could see a Specialist in Adelaide.

My desire was to return to Adelaide via the Gun barrel Highway, but after such an operation, that could be dangerous should problems arise, so I settled on the Warburton Road through to Ayres Rock.

We had a good run to Giles Weather Station, the most remote in Australia, they showed us through the place, also the grader used by Len Beadell to grade all the tracks he made in that area, including the Gun barrel Highway.

After leaving Ayres Rock, we travelled down to Marla the start of the Oodnadatta track, as I had been down the Stuart Highway only two years previously I decided to go via Oodnadatta, but disaster struck after we passed the Algebuckina creek, the studs on the rear wheel of the Pajero broke, so we were in real trouble.

It was obvious I could not repair it on my own, so when some army vehicles came along they helped me dismantle the axle, they then took me to William Creek.

There is only a Hotel but they helped me find some old studs that would make a temporary repair to get me back to Oodnadatta.

On the Saturday not one vehicle went north all day from William Creek, I left Maggie at the camper and vehicle on her own; I wanted to get back to her before nightfall.

From William Creek they were doing joy flights over Lake Eyre, so I asked the pilot if he could land on the track near where I had broken down, he said he could, so I hired him to fly me back, to the surprise of Maggie.

I then reassembled the axle and very slowly drove back to Oodnadatta some 70km, regularly checking the wheel nuts and arriving around 9.00 pm.

We stayed at the caravan park for the night in a cabin, next day at the Pink Road house we went in search of the correct studs, this proved harder than we thought but eventually new did find some.

With everything repaired we again set out for William creek, so we only lost one day because of the mishap, the rest of the trip home was uneventful.

Being on a pension meant I did not have to work so much doing electrical work, with Maggie living at my house we settled into a reasonable relationship, but Maggie wanted to continue playing bowls; in which I had no interest.

Maggie kept at me to take it up but with bad knees bowls is something I would not enjoy and was the last activity I wanted to do.

In 1995 we decided to do a trip to the top of Cape York under our own steam, I had purchased the camper trailer in Perth, had the top fitted in Adelaide and it was ideal for such a trip.

Maggie's daughter had an interest in a unit on Hamilton Island, so we planned to incorporate a few days there in our trip.

We went to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road, while in Melbourne we enquired about tickets for "Phantom of the Opera", as we went to see if we could get some tickets, an Asian couple were before us haggling about the price; they left to think about it, when it was my turn I said "I will not think about it, I will take the seats".

These tickets turned out to be right in the middle of the theatre, we could not have had better if we booked two years ahead, I have to be lucky sometimes.

In Sydney we stayed with Roger and Julie, and then it was on to Brisbane along the Pacific Highway, on the way we went to Old Sydney Town, as I had two fridges in the back I forgot to take them off battery, so when we returned the batteries were flat. A chap gave us a jump start and we spent the night at Gosford.

With the Pajero we always had a problem keeping the batteries charged, I had a duel battery system, but with a 30 amp charge rate the batteries were never fully charged using the standard alternator.

We followed the coast to the Gold Coast where we spent several days, it is a great area for a few days but I would not like to live there.

In Brisbane we stayed with my Auntie Wanda, then we headed north to Rockhampton, while camping in a wooded area well away from the road we were both having a shower, when to our amazement two chaps came along on horses, one can't hide anywhere these days.

Our time on Hamilton Island was quite good, but it was not my cup of tea, everything is overpriced, luckily we had most of our own food with us so did not have to purchase much, I have more to do with my money than waste it on luxuries I don't need.

In Townsville we went to the IMAX theatre, that was a really great experience, but the films they show are very limited, I did however enjoy the flight through the Grand Canyon.

In Cairns we obtained all the information we could for the trip to the top, leaving Cairns we crossed the Daintree River, glad I did not have to swim across as it is full of Crocodiles. The rainforest in this area is absolutely magnificent, we did one of the forest walks, these are guided tours.

Cape Tribulation is the start of the Bloomfield Track, the beach at Cape Tribulation is spectacular, so I was busy with the video camera, but just past there is a very steep hill up into the mountains en-route to Cooktown.

It was so steep that towing the trailer the Pajero was in low range bottom gear and we just made it to the top.

One of the problems is the roughness of the track; one can't get a speed up so has to rely on skill and sheer power to get to the top.

When we reached the top, a tree branch had fallen across the track, but we soon cleared that enough to be able to pass, we called at the Lion's Den Hotel just south of Cooktown then we camped at the Annan River.

Fig 17. Statue of Captain Cook, at Cook town, Queensland.

The fresh water for Cook town passes over this bridge but the pipe had a leak in it, so we were able to get fresh water from there.

As we were not in a hurry we spent several days in Cook town, so had a good look around, we took a 1⁄2 a day safari trip which was enjoyable.

A visit to the museum is a must in Cook town, we spent a week there a very pleasant experience, there is a lot of history in Cook town.

Essentially, we followed the same route as the Oz tour, so we went to Old Laura Homestead along the battle camp road then through to Lake field National Park where we camped.

As time was not a factor we were able to see a lot of the park they did not allow on the safari. We rejoined the main road at Musgrave then on to Coen, some wag has turned the Exchange hotel into Sex Change Hotel.

Good supplies can be obtained at Coen, the last main stop before Weipa, where we spent several days; on the safari we were only there overnight.

At the Wenlock River we had a potential problem; the army had been through and really cut up the river bed, with heavy, high clearance vehicles.

For me to follow across it could be a problem as it was 800 mm deep, more than I like to tackle especially with a trailer on. With a pair of shorts on I walked across and found that by going down stream a little it was only 600 mm deep, the Pajero can handle that alright so we crossed without difficulty.

A little later a chap tried to cross in the middle with a Land cruiser with a camper on the back, he finished up winching himself out, he did not know how to drive in those conditions. I make a rule, walk it first if it is too deep find another way, it is better than trying to get out after.

At the camp ground at Old Morton Telegraph Station we saw a chap with untold damage, they travel too fast on those roads, so he spent the best part of a week waiting for parts then repairing the vehicle, so much for the time saved.

Several Land cruiser drivers claimed I would be unable to negotiate the Old Telegraph track towing a trailer with the Pajero; it may only be a four cylinder vehicle but I knew with common sense it could be done.

Oz tours tow a camp kitchen so I could not see why I could not get through, I only had two people on board, OZ tours carry 9.

It took all day to cover the 120 km to Elliot Head Falls, but we made it safely without any damage, we spent several days here, it is the highlight of the trip, but the Jardine River crossing is a rip off, the ferry costs $80.00 for the vehicle and $10.00 for the trailer, but I guess it is better than trying to cross a crocodile infested river. It is a pity the money can't be spent improving the main roads with more regular grading.

Fig 18. Mervyn and Maggie at the Sign at the most northerly point in Australia.

Once over the river the only place to camp free is at Somerset, but like all the tracks it was in a terrible state.

A CAT grader was parked on the side of the road; apparently the starter motor was not working so they could not start the grader. It had been there for several weeks waiting for someone to come up from Brisbane to fix it, in the meantime we rattle and shake on a very corrugated road.

It was great to stand on the top of Australia, This time under our own steam, then we took the boat to Thursday Island, we did the complete bus tour of the island as we had plenty of time.

On the return journey we decided to take the so called Main Road, but this was very corrugated so was very slow travelling, on the way we found a tour operator with his battery shorted out, the cable had worn through but I was able to patch it up, so they did not have to camp there overnight but should have been able to reach Elliot Head Falls.

We had to go back to Weipa as I had a very badly infected toe, they X-rayed it for breakage and with treatment we were soon on our way, travelling the centre road to Mount Molloy where there is a free camp for three days.

This enabled us to do the boat trip out to the Great Barrier Reef; neither of us snorkel which is just as well after some of the tragedies that have occurred in recent times, with people being left behind on the reef, we returned to Adelaide via Three Ways and Alice Springs.

In 1997 we went straight up the bitumen to Darwin, where we spent a pleasant week, on our way south we went through Litchfield Park, this is probably my favourite park far better than Kakadu, to me it is "kaka" - don't go.

At Batchelor, I rang Bullo River Station as I had read Sara Henderson's books I hoped to be able to see the station that I had read so much about.

I spoke to Marlee who said, "I am sorry they don't allow visitors to come that way as she has to grade the road, if they allowed that she would do little more than grade the road as it is 76km long."

I said that was disappointing as I am an electrician and was hoping they may require some work done, well said Marlee we do need some lights in the homestead, so it was on this premise I went to Bullo.

One look at the wiring convinced me that it was unsafe, so I told Marlee I would not add one light to the place, someone could get killed with the current wiring.

"What do you suggest, Merv?" "Well first, I would do away with the three switchboards and replace with one, then completely rewire the place." That sounds good", said Marlee "How soon can you do it". "I can't, I haven't got the materials I would need; besides it will take weeks and I was only planning to be there a few days".

"Make a list out of what you need", said Marlee, "We will Fax it to Darwin then Franz can fly in and pick it all up." I spent four weeks there completely rewiring Bullo River Homestead. Sara wrote in her book "Strength to Strength" , "Thank you for lighting up Bullo"...Merv did it!

While at Bullo I took a day off, Marlee directed me to a water hole, it is full of fresh water crocodiles but quite safe to swim in and we had a great day there, however the road ahead was impassable, the wet season had washed the road out that goes to Bull Creek, so on return I mentioned this to Marlee.

Marlee said she would be out that way next week and would fix it for me with the Bulldozer, true to her word when I went out again in two weeks there was the bulldozer and the road was fixed, so we were able to drive to within seeing distance of the Victoria River.

Because of the delay at Bullo we had to make a hurried trip to Perth for Knee surgery, Maggie is always happy in Perth as she has three daughters living there and she stays with them, I stay with my brother Brendan, but I got on well with the daughter's in Perth.

In 1998 I returned to Bullo to rewire the staff quarters. While there we went to Leslie Lake a really lovely spot that Sara Henderson mentions in her books, while camped there we went for a walk and got lost.

I finally found my way back but left Maggie behind. Franz had come out in the chopper to see how we were getting on, so he came to the rescue to pick up Maggie, I now make sure I have my compass in unfamiliar country.

We were in fact trying to find Leslie Lake from the hills, but the watercourse we followed did not flow into the lake but went into the Victoria River.

At least we had plenty of drinking water.

Maggie and I had a disagreement about the amount of time I spent at Bullo, so I decided to go back to Adelaide instead of going to Perth, when I reached Tennant Creek it was freezing cold and it would only get worse further south, so decided to go down the east coast.

In Mt. Isa, John Williamson was playing at the Irish Club, so we went there to see him and it was a great show. On this trip Maggie decided that my caravan was not good enough for her so she decided to buy her own, I set up an inverter to change 12 volts to 240 volts. When we broke up I purchased the caravan from her.

This enables us to run the microwave, bread oven, TV and video, caravan parks are a dirty word for me as I prefer bush camping.

On the trip down the east coast the left hand rear axle came away from the housing, we had the caravan towed into the car park of the Big Banana, who allowed us to stay there until the car was fixed.

Another time, some 80 km from Julia creek the same axle broke and the wheel bearing collapsed, we sent a message to the RACQ in Julia Creek who came out and towed the vehicle back, and later towed the caravan back to Julia creek.

We camped at the rear of the garage where there was plenty of hot water for showers (Artesian) and they provided us with power.

Second hand parts were obtained from Gympie, four days later we were on our way. I believe all the problems started when we had tyres fitted in Perth, I did not check the wheel nuts so that was probably why the wheel studs broke on the Oodnadatta track, probably that slightly bent the axle, or the wheel bearings damaged, but since then I have had no further problem.

Maggie and I had many interesting trips including the ridge top tour at Arkaroola, also to Kings Canyon, and a trip out past Papunya to Sandy Blight Junction, Giles weather station and Lasseter's cave and other interesting places.

We did our trips on our pension, however Maggie was one who loves jewelry so was often buying bracelets or watches, clothes were another passion, and she would often buy clothes in a chain store only to return it at the next day.

In 1999 I went back to Bullo as they had built a twelve unit Motel type block, a real credit to Franz who designed it, I was to wire it so I spent eight weeks there to achieve that, I also wired the hanger and put a mercury vapour light in the workshop.

The so called experts claimed they would need a larger Genset as they wanted 12 air conditioners in the units, the claim was that the small Genset would not start them if the power was cut but would run them. I simply fitted no volt relays that had to be manually reset in the event of the power going off.

This was regular for maintenance of the generators off the lines, but that solved the problem with no additional generators required.

The amount of time I spent at Bullo did not please Maggie, so she decided to fly home when we reached Kununurra, and moved out before I got back home.

I paid her out her half share of the Pajero and any other money I owed her.

Our parting company in June/July 1999 was a sad occasion, around this time Peggy lost her husband, Peggy wanted someone to help her with her TV reception so I went up to help out, and "foolishly" we renewed our friendship.

Many long discussions took place and eventually we decided to do a trip up to Darwin, down to Perth to have my knees checked out, as it turned out I had to have an operation to remove cysts from the groin.

As a travelling companion Peggy proved to be a disaster, I took her to places she only dreamed about, but nothing satisfied her. Sure some trips are not easy but it was a real adventure and we had no time limit.

2000 – 2009

In April 2000 Peggy and I left Adelaide to go up the Birdsville track en-route to Darwin, we made good progress to Farina where we camped for two days.

Farina is a lovely spot to camped but at Marree I enquired at the Police station regarding the Birdsville track, but could not get a lot of information, so decided to go up to Mungeranie anyway, where we were told the track ahead was closed, so we went out to Kalamurina for 4 days, when hopefully the road would be open; but no such luck, so back to Marree and try the Oodnadatta track, we made it to Curdimurka and camped behind the old railway station.

That night the heavens opened up with 5 inches of rain, needless to say we were not going anywhere next day, during the night two 4WD struggled into Curdimurka also, but it was not until the next day that we decided to try and reach Roxby Downs, that proved hopeless so we had no alternative but to return to Marree where we found the road south also closed.

As there were many people stranded in Marree, even a coach load of about 20 people, food in the town soon ran out, but talking to the Police Officer he explained the road was cut at Farina, it then goes down and floods Paradise swamp, afterwards swamps deviation creek.

His advice was to go as far as we can and camp at paradise swamp, then when it goes down enough to cross we can get through, but by then deviation creek will be up so you can't get back to Marree.

I waited there for two days during which I witnessed a chopper transferring supplies for Marree across the swamp, when the water finally dropped to 500 mm I decided to give it a try; with steady speed we made it.

At Farina we decided to have a look at the camp ground, we had heard on the two way radio that 4WD vehicles had got caught in the flood there and were completely underwater. What a sight I found, two vehicles were still in there but the Copley garage had managed to get two others out, it would be some time before the two others could be recovered.

At Copley we had a flat tyre, so they mended that for me, but they also told me that Hookina creek was several meters deep, so I decided to push on to Parachilna, there is a toilet block there with plenty of water so we camped.

Mid afternoon the mail truck had got through so I set off for Hookina only to find many cars lined up, the water was low enough for me to get through as it was 450 mm deep, I had borrowed Steve's two way portable radio but asked him to get me one to permanently fit into the vehicle.

We arranged to meet Steve in Port Augusta to fit the radio, then we headed for the NT border, we had a good trip to a spot just south of the border, we were just thinking the worse was behind us but not so.

That night it started to rain and for 4 days forgot to stop, I decided to try and reach Curtin Springs as there is free camping there, it was hard going and we heard on the radio the road to Alice Springs was also closed.

When we reached Curtin Springs there was water everywhere, as it was still raining we took a powered site expecting to be there several days.

On reaching the rock we saw water flowing from it in many places, but it was closed for climbing, so we went out to the Olga's. I had never done any of the walks there so this was my chance, so I did the Valley of the Winds; that was good.

The Rock was still closed so we headed back to Curtin Springs, next day we decided to try and reach Kings Canyon, and what a trip, without the 4WD we would never have made it, but eventually we did arrive there and climbed to the top, took a lot of video before trying to return to the main road.

I have never been dogged with water like I was on this trip, eventually we reached the Finke River where they were repairing the bridge, for the second time in three months, usually the Finke is dry, this time it was a majestic river.

We finally struggled into Alice Springs where it eventually stopped raining, went to the desert park that was most interesting, and then north to Devil's Marbles a really great spot to camp, climbed to the top of the highest rock and took a lot of video then on to Tennant Creek.

Places I found interesting Peggy disliked but I did my best to accommodate her desires, went to Darwin and stayed at Litchfield Park.

Our next stop was at Bullo River, because of the very wet season it was not possible to get around much on Bullo. But we did spend a couple of weeks there; Peggy had her birthday while there so they made her a cake.

The atmosphere was very tense while there as the struggle for Bullo was raging between Marlee and her Mother, thankfully Marlee won, so is now the owner of Bullo, hope they are able to make a go of it as it has great potential.

At Kununurra the dairy had closed but we were made welcome by Paul, so we camped at the house, left the van there while we toured the Kimberley.

We were away 4 weeks that included the Bungle Bungles.

We both took ill on that trip so when we returned to Kununurra I had to take Peggy to hospital, but she was soon well again despite being a diabetic.

In Broome we met up with Brendan, Lillian and the boys, they were staying at one of the resorts, we stayed at the Broome caravan park, a most disgusting place, and if ever I go back there it won't be to stay at that park.

Just south of Broome I got a flat tyre on the van, so I changed that and found a good camp spot 10 km further on, but after a while I had trouble with my right leg, but I was not really concerned as I thought it would soon pass.

Camped at the bore head on the Shay Gap Road, then on to De Grey River where I spent several days, but when my leg did not improve I sought treatment at Marble Bar.

The sister suspected a pinched nerve, as they were going to Port Headland the next day they took us along for an X-ray and scan, which showed due to arthritis I did have a pinched nerve, so when I arrived in Perth I sought treatment at the Freemantle hospital.

Short of an operation there is not a lot they can do for me; the risks of an operation are far too great for me, so I just put up with it.

Newman was a great spot, the Police check that everyone is doing the right thing; all in all it is very well run place, so we used it as a base to see Newman. Slowly we made our way back to Perth where Peggy decided to return to Adelaide, personally I was not sorry to see her go, so I put her on the plane, as I would be in Perth for some time and have cysts removed from the groin.

I decided to see what women were available in Perth as I have not had much luck in South Australia this past few years, luck was on my side and I met a very nice woman Beryl Rayner.

Beryl and I enjoyed many trips away; we did the east coast of Australia one year then did the west coast the next. Beryl proved to be a great companion, so around 2004 we decided to travel to New Zealand for 6 weeks and that was an excellent trip for both of us.

In 2000 I had the cysts removed from the groin and about 2002 had the gall bladder removed as I was getting a lot of pain in that area, however the removal of the gall bladder has not affected my ability to eat fatty food, not that I eat much anyway.

Beryl is a very sociable person and has many friends in various groups I certainly wish her the very best for the future.

In 2005 I made contact with Maggie as I had some videos of trips we had done together, I had put them onto DVD so I gave her the tapes.

We discussed our respective situations and we felt that perhaps we could get back together, my relationship with Beryl was difficult because of the distance, she did not want to live in Adelaide, I did not want to go permanently to Perth, so it was decided that we both go our separate ways, a very hard decision for both of us.

Maggie and I did a few short trips to see how we got on so we discussed the idea of us buying a house together, each of us owned a house or unit in a retirement village so by selling those we would have sufficient money to purchase a house.

We looked at retirement villages but with the difficulty of storing the caravan decided against them, when land became available at Spring Bank Waters we decided to purchase a block at 20 Edgewater Place, Burton and have Higginbotham build a house for us.

Maggie first sold her place to pay for the land and I then sold my place to build the house, Maggie's daughter Jeanette has a property at Penfield of 11 acres so we were able to stay there in the caravan while the house was being built.

The house was completed in October 2007, but in the August of that year I was diagnosed with a Lymphoma on the lung, the specialist said if I had been a smoker I would be dead in 6 months, so I am very grateful I never took up that habit.

After 8 chemo treatments it appears the Lymphoma has gone, but the specialist has warned it may come back needing further treatment, at least this type of cancer can be treated.

Maggie has done an excellent job of the garden at 20 Edgewater Place, Burton and we are able to get some fruit and vegetables from it, but it does worry me if we don't when it is painful for her with her hips so bad.

In 2008 we decided to travel to Tasmania with the caravan, neither of us had ever been there before so it was quite an experience with free camp spots all over Tasmania.

We travelled over on the Spirit of Tasmania landing at Devonport, so we travelled to Lillydale Falls to camp, a lovely spot for a week to see Launceston and the surrounds.

While at Lillydale we visited the Lilac farm a truly lovely sight.

We visited such places as Hobart, Port Arthur, Queenstown,, and the train to Strahan, Burnie, Penguin and back to Devonport for the return trip to the mainland.

Fig 19. The Spirit of Tasmania.

In June 2009, with the 4WD club we did the Simpson Desert trek, went to Innaminka and Coongie lakes, then uo to Birdsville, after spending a couple of days in Birdsville we headed off across the desert.

After crossing about 700 sand hills we finally arrived at Dalhousie springs, were we spent several days enjoying the hot springs?

Next was Oodnadatta, the only place in the town to obtain a meal, hamburger with the lot $12.00 diesel $2.20 litre, we went to William creek and stayed the night at the caravan park.

As Nathan was living at Roxby Downs we went that way to see him and stayed at his caravan, then back to Adelaide via Port Augusta.

In December, I went to Sydney to spend a week with Roger and to catch up with the boys Daniel and Bradley.

I have recently received the news that Bradley and Genevieve are engaged.

2010 – 2019

As the Yorke Peninsula 4WD club at Kadina had folded we were invited to attend the Christmas party at Towitta for the Murray Bridge 4WD club and we decided to join.

This was a most enjoyable time and in February we went to Berri where we combined with the Riverland club and stayed at a property about 5km from Berri right on the water's edge, while there Steve went with the Kayak to the Bush Church and took some photos.

Fig 20. The Bush Church at Berri, SA.

In February we went to Perth, Maggie stayed with her Daughters and I stayed with Brendan and Lillian. We went to Rottnest Island for 4 nights, a most enjoyable time. We did the bus trip around the island and the train trip to Oliver Hill Gun Battery.

This proved to be a most interesting day and we were able to see all aspects of the area even right in the tunnels to see where the old power house existed.

Fig 21. Rottnest Island, WA. February 2010

While at Brendan's place Matthew and Daniel upgraded my laptop computer to Windows 7, they are very smart with computers.

We spent a few days at Mandura at Kerry's place and went to Bunbury for one night, when we returned to Adelaide we received 20 mm of very welcome rain.

In August 2010 we took the caravan along the Birdsville track to the ferry crossing where we camped for the night. We had with us Helen Hamp Kruse and her girlfriend Liz who wanted to go to Birdsville so we crossed the Cooper on the ferry And we all went to Birdsville.

Our time in Birdsville was most enjoyable even if it was short and the wildflowers and greenery was amazing.

Once we returned to the ferry we spent the night there with the Murray Bridge 4WD club members and Helen and Liz were able to get a ride back to Marree where they had left their car and they returned to Adelaide.

We went back to Clayton where we spent several days due to the weather then went up the Oodnadatta track and on to Alice Springs.

We went to the Henley on Todd and stayed a week at the show grounds, so we could attend the Road Transport Hall of Fame and to attend the ceremony for Tom Kruse bust unveiling and it was also Tom's 96th Birthday.

Our return trip to Adelaide was uneventful.

In October, Marie took ill again and no one was able to pin point what her problem was, she had an infection that did not respond to any treatment. Marie was in hospital on several occasions and was finally admitted to the Lyell McEwen Hospital .

On the Wednesday I went to see her and she appeared fine except she was in pain with her back. We had the opportunity to talk about old times and the fact that it would have been 60 years of marriage for us on 2nd December had we still been together.

There is no doubt in my mind that Marie loved me as much as I loved her and it was with great sadness that Marie died on the 22nd October 2010 just one week past my 81st birthday.

I believe being the wonderful Mother that she was, Marie passed on to pave the way for her family who will follow her hopefully in the distant future..

The Passing of Marie was certainly very hard but what followed was even harder, I went to Sydney in March 2012 for the Engagement of my Grand-son Bradley to Kimberley and sadly that was the last time I was to see my lovely son Roger.

Fig 22. My Lovely Son Roger.

In 2012 Maggie and I went to Canada for a holiday and although I was sick some of the time it was a very enjoyable trip, one I would recommend to everyone, the Rockies have to be seen to believe and of course Alaska is like another world.

On our way back to Adelaide we hoped to call and see Roger and Julie but sadly Roger was far too sick for visitors, Roger passed away on the 14th August 2012 needless to say my family were devastated but at least Roger had his Mother waiting for him upstairs.

In 2013 Maggie and I decided to do a trip in the caravan. We eventually arrived in Darwin where we spent two glorious weeks even if it was a bit humid.

From Three Ways we headed for Mt Isa and eventually arrived in Dubbo, where we left the caravan and went to Sydney to see Julie and my Lovely Grand daughter Lily.

Fig 23. The Lovely Lily with Gypsy.

In April/May 2014 John Newman came over from Christchurch New Zealand to see me and that was a great thrill. The family has known John since they met him in Christchurch at a picture theatre in 1970.

I went with the family and took John to Monarto Zoo and many other places and my family made sure John saw as much as we could fit in of South Australia in the time available.

We planned for John and Carollyn to come over next year but sadly that does not seem possible at this stage unless a miracle happens, they may happen for some people but doubt it for me.

Nathan Jamieson purchased a house at Armagh in 2005 he lived there for a while but his work has him away a lot of the time, when he went overseas to work he rented the house, currently he is back in Australia staying with his parents.

Fig 24. Nathan Jamieson

In 2009 Wayne and Tammie built a house at Armagh just behind Nathan's.

In 2013 Wayne and Tammie were married and a beautiful wedding it was at Williamstown.

In January 2014 I went to Sydney to the Wedding of Bradley and Kimberley . The wedding was incredible at a resort near Kurrajong in Sydney.

Fig 25. Pamela, Evelynn, Cherie and Maggie.

In May 2014 Katie and Adam purchased a house at Elizabeth East.

My Friends

It would be remiss of me not to mention my lovely friends, I do not have a lot but those I do have I am truly grateful.

Peter and Marion Evans, I first met Peter when I was Manager of the Rostrevor store for Coles, and we have remained friends ever since, George and the late Jean Burns I have known then for many years and George is a great help to me when required.

Marilyn Scott and Edward Noah I have also known for many years. Then there is Neil and Jennifer Weidenbach, Neil was in charge of the Leyland Badger Restoration.

Desmond Elliott a relative on Marie's side I have kept in contact with for 35 years, he now lives in the Philippines.

The ones who deserve special mention are Heather and Bruce Tonkin, our neighbor at 4 Edgewater Place, Burton, we first met them when we moved here and have been firm friends ever since.

They have always been there for us whenever we needed help, as my condition deteriorates Bruce has always been there to take me where I need to go, or purchase anything we may need. It is sincere thanks that I say they are true Aussies.

Fig 26. Helen Hamp and Merv on the dune Birdsville track.

I am truly indebted to them For all the help they have given me while Maggie has been away.

Jenna and Damien Sargent have also been a great help to me while Maggie is in Perth. They call at least twice a day and are available by phone if needed.

At the present time June 2014 I am struggling to hold on to see my next Great Grand child due about October, I have a Lymphoma on the lung and my heart is suppose to be only operating at 35%.

With Maggie in Perth visiting her daughters whom she has not seen for two years, I insisted she go now as if I worse I will not be able to be on my own and do not want to go to care.

Maggie returned home from Perth on Friday 27-6-2014.

