VARMAN

The first day here presented was written during my first year at high school. The first year is poorly recorded. I attended Narrabeen Boys High School on Sydney’s Northern Beaches from 1963 to 1968. The bulk of the students at the school had one interest only, surfing. The area hasn’t changed much but the school has, only the school hall is as it was during my time there. The school was united with Narrabeen Girls High School, located on the south side of the hall, and renamed Narrabeen Sports High School. The journals were written in my room in our family home at 14 Berith Street, Collaroy Plateau, Sydney. The journal become more detailed after March 1965 when my parents decreed that I should spend two hours per day in study after school (whether I had homework or not).

I’ve had to impose punctuation in some places for clarification. Notes in square brackets have been added to clarify the preceding text. Abbreviations have been expanded in some cases to facilitate understanding and to aid the flow of the text . Gaps in the entries below are as appear in the journal which starts with April 29, 1962 but was actually begun around the 12^th after our 6^th class teacher, Mr Bennett, gave us an inspiring talk about someone who kept a journal all his life. A secondary influence was my father’s PoW diaries dating between 1942 and 1945.

The Journals

23^rd November 1963 (Saturday). This morning I was shocked to hear the President of America, President Kennedy, was Assassinated at 4.30 Sydney time. The President was brought about 4 minutes later to hospital but died five minutes later. The new President is Linden Johnson.

25^th November 1963 (Monday). We have just got news that the President’s assassin was shot by someone in the crowd. Lee Oswin is the assassin’s name.

I’ll give you 16 guesses what happened - - - ha! ha! that’s right, we had a quarrel, who with? Kim of course. We pretend we’ve never met. It’s our 129^th quarrel. I don’t know if it is right [the tally], I could have made it up but It is possible but any how, I hope it’s our last.

At President Kennedy’s funeral there’ll be a King, a Queen, princesses and princes and presidents etc.

26^th November 1963 (Tuesday). I am hearing now the funeral of President Kennedy. They are singing now. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was buried at it is also birthday also Mrs Kennedy fell in tears but it soon cleared up because some important people came. Little [1]

28^th November 1963, Thurs. We are having Life-Saving for two weeks, we started last Monday.

29^th November 1963, Fri. I’ve got about 1,000 silk worms. I’m getting very worried about my marks. I hope on my birthday Peter Zwartjes is coming, [also] Richard Spicer, Bob Bottger and my two cousins. I’m still not friends with Kim but do not know how to tell mom because she does not know what he is really like. He’s rotten, he's spoilt everything.[2]

8^th December 1963. The other day mom and Peter [Varman] saw the one turbine car in Australia. They say it sounded like an aeroplane. As I know it is my birthday in six days I hope it shall be fun. Patty has dinner every week with us. I have a penfriend called Melanie Moore in Texas, San Antonio. It is Sunday.

9^th December 1963, Monday. Today I have made up my mind, if father is going to call me worthless just two more times I’m going to run away. Not for good, all depends when or how old I am. If I am 18, well maybe for good. I came 9^th dad went crook on me and I think he is turning into an old grouch. Honestly, he has not treated me so bad in all my life. He goes crook on me every time he gives me something. Every time I ask him something he pretends he is always busy. I’m not allowed to talk to him while reading the paper.[3]

Friday 13^th of December 1962. Today the Governor of Kenya in Nairobi marked independence. It’s a day before my birthday. I know that Friday 13 is not unlucky but that is what they say. Well, we’ll see.

14^th December 1963. Today is my birthday. I got from mom and dad a chocolate, one stamp catalogue [Gibbons], one science book from Peter, one book and one chocolate from auntie Nike and magnifying glass and salted liquorish, one pen and a book from mom. Fuew, here we go again......cho - - -next from Bob (Bottger), Peter Zwarts [4]some bode[?].

17^th December 1963, Tuesday [Note: Christmas Holidays commenced on the 13th]. Yesterday with Bobby, the day before that also with Bobby Bottger – we caught little fish, he caught an eel. Today I am with Peter Zwarts. Kenya and Zanzibar got their independence from England a couple of days ago.

25^th December 1963. Today is Christmas. We went to church then we went home and we unwrapped the presents. I got a watch, a stamp album from Patty, salted liquorish, wallet from my auntie. Got the watch from Peter. I got a game of Squatter.

26^th December 1963.[5] Tomorrow we are going for the first holiday in eight years, what a relief. I am starting a new diary because my other book is so small and is falling apart. If you want to see the rest of my diary look at the back. The [ship] Johan van Oldenbarnevelt caught on fire the other day. It was renamed a few months ago to a Greek name. My uncle[6] worked on that ship once. Today is the second Christmas Day.[7]

27^th December 1963, Friday. We started from home 424 miles [mileage reading] at Waterfall. Today we go on holidays for five days. We went through Sutherland, then through Engadine. We are now at Wollongong. In Figtree we passed Ghost Creek. We just passed Port Kembla. We are now in Kiama and I saw the Blow Hole but it did not blow. I saw many different number plates [ie from different states]. We are now in Berry, we passed Tulian Creek. We are now in Nowra, it’s a pretty big place and we also crossed the Shoalhaven River.

We are now at a camp called Shoalhaven Camp. It’s near a river. We are going to have eggs for lunch.

28^th December 1963, Saturday. Today we are going to Batemans Bay. I hope we shall not stay all that long. I shall tell you in this book when we reach Batemans Bay. It is quarter past six now [a.m.]. We passed tannery [?]. We saw Condys Creek, we passed Yuttee Yutah.

These are some of the toilet [signs]: ‘His and Hers’, ‘Er & Im’, ‘Jack & Jill’.

We are going through Milton. We are now at Millard Creek... in the town of Ulladulla a special fisherman’s place, a closed in port...... We are now at Batemans Bay. We shall be going to Canberra on one of the three days left. Krockhoven is a very good spot, Long Beach is not a good beach because there are to many flies and horse flies. The sand is grey, it’s too shallow and hot. Fuew!!!! Dodga Creek. We are now in Moruya, a small town. Trunketabella Creek we passed. We are now 13 miles from Narooma. Bodalla. We are now at Nurum NURUM, Narumba. We just had dinner a barbecue dinner that is, there were flies galore.

29^th December 1963, Sunday. Today just woke up and we slept in the back, mum, me and Kathy slept in the back and dad slept in the front. There was a goat and a wallaby and a cockatoo in a cage in the caravan park. We only slept in a truck but it was fun. We are in the town of Bega which is a pretty big town towards the others. We passed a place called Numbugga and it only had two houses. We passed a town and it [also] only had two houses and one of them was deserted. Sheep 1, Bamboga River 2 [sheep?].

30^th December 1963, Monday. We are in Bemboka. Nunnock Creek. We are now in ........... I am standing in front of an old building built in 1859, it is called THE ROYAL. The building was used to film the Sundowners. We are now in Cooma. We have passed the border of A.C.T to N.S.W.

We have just gone out of Buckenderra and dad took two pictures there. I am looking at some sheep. We are now in Bunyan and just came from an old hotel made in 1861, it’s a museum. We took another picture at Michelago. We are now in Canberra. I went to see if I could get any souvenirs. I got a flag, that is my new hobby.

Tuesday, 31^st December 1963. We saw a river called and spelled Paddy’s River. We saw the Fitzroy Falls. I found a letter in a bottle, the address was: 221 Lalwyche Rd, Windsor, Brisbane. His name is Frank Westlake.

Today is the last day of nineteen sixty three (1963). It is now in the late afternoon and we are staying in the Kangaroo Valley. It is very nice and dad and mom, Kathy and I went for a swim in a fresh water stream, it was very good and clean.

1^st January 1964. We are now on our way home from holidays. The only thing that spoilt this holiday was the flies. I hate them, I hate them, I haate them.[8] It is new years day. 1^st January 1964.

2^nd January 1964. Today I am home probably to play with Peter (Zwartjes) or to find out how much stamps are. If dad does not give me my 10/- [9]he owes me I shall run away. For later year comments here:

81 – It’s important to impress your feelings on those who love you [19.09.1981].

82 – I remember how important that was. To ignore it now as trivial would be to deny the feelings of that age. I must say that it was rather selfish – who knows what was effecting father. I had my reasons for justification. [27.09.1982].

83 – I remember that he was nasty about it – he said that he didn’t have to give it if he didn’t want to as it was his. [04.08.1983].

84 – He was implying – actually said that I and all I owned belonged to him. I resented that. This was delayed paymentof pocket money and for something I earned – I’m sure that involved some sort of deal. Father was sore about spending so much for the holiday. And for what?! [15.08.1984].

95 – Work out a duties earned roster with payment. Propose clean up duties in reward for work/allowance ‘pocket money’. If for work or plants, persist.[16.09.1995].

99 – It’s understandable that you’d be frustrated – your only means to fun. [23.03.1999].

3^rd January 1964. Today I just went to the shops and bought a 2/- comic[12] and bought my penfriend 4 cards of Sydney and the post cost me 4/- and am about to read it. Linda and Kathy are here. Kathy did this -> Linda did this -> [13]

4^th January 1964. Richard [Spicer][14] has started a Diary and it has been going for 5 days now. I got to ring him up because I and him are going to the pictures or I might stay at his place for the day or something. I’ll ask mom if I can ring him up but she’ll probably say no but I’ll still try.

I did The Twist last night and enjoyed it but I do not want mom to know or she might... well... I don’t know, well, I’ll ask now. I asked; she just went crook on me and told me I hafto wash Peter’s car and do the washing up.

6^th January 1964. Yesterday I went with Richard to the lake (creek)[15] it was the warmest natural water I have ever been in, it was terrific. Today my first news paper is issued.

8^th January 1964, Wednesday. Today is Wednesday. Yesterday I went for a swim, it was 105 degrees.

14^th January 1964, Tuesday. Today I went to town with my mother and sister we all enjoyed ourselves.

21^st January 1964. Today we are going to the Zoo. Well, we’ll see how it goes. Was Good Fun.

27^th January 1964. Today is Australia Day. I earned one pound five shillings. Took three pictures. I’ll probably spend tomorrow on guess what?[16]

28^th January 1964. Today is first day at school boo hoo. Oh well, we’ll see how it goes.

7^th March 1964, Saturday. Today King Paul of Greece died of a delicate operation, so he died from blood clots in his lung. The new successor is Prince Constantine.

9^th March 1964, Monday.[17] Today I go back to school after two days. I hate school I really do. I’ve done bad in my tests, gosh if mom found out I’d be murdered, honestly. Today I get my Science test back, I hope I passed. I did not go to church yesterday, I don’t think it was my fault though. My worst subject is maths because I got a terrible teacher. I might catch the early bus today. On March 11, Wednesday, three new stamps are going to be issued. Robert Varman.

11 March 1964, Wednesday. Just a few minutes ago the Queen Elizabeth II gave birth to a son.[18] Just a few minutes ago the Queen, Elizabeth II, gave birth to a baby boy. Today three new stamps are going to be issued.

12 March 1964. Yesterday those three stamps were issued, they were lovely. Tomorrow the Brookvale show is starting and so there’ll be a holiday. I got a turtle. I’m buying it from Bobby Bottger. Yes, I hope I don’t get into trouble but I’m not going to bring my paintings. I might get into trouble because I can’t hand my science book in because it’s not finished.

15 March 1964, Sunday. Friday 13 was not unlucky, I’m not superstitious. Richard is here at the present moment. I went to church. Oh it’s Passion Sunday.

18^th March 1964. Today I was going to buy a record player. I told mom about it, she will not allow me to have it. I’m putting on a show (you know what that is).

Easter Sunday. Today I got one Easter egg, a set of small Easter eggs and some chocolates. I got Holy Communion.

1 April 1964. Today is April Fools Day. I hope to play a trick on somebody but maybe everyone knows about it. Oh well, we’ll see how it goes.

29^th April 1964. I am very sad. Four birds have died, three babies and one mother. The mother must have been saving the birds they were found near water and the mother spread over them. I do deserve to be punished severely. It was my fault for not feeding them. I have only two rice birds[19] left to comfort them. I might get some birds. The mother was a real hero to have sprawled over her babies. She was wonderful I do think.

8^th of May 1964, Friday. Today is the first day of the May holidays. Last Saturday Richard and I went to town[20] and Luna Park. I bought 5/- worth of tickets and that lasted from 1.30 till we went home, so I had to rush my tickets and sell two to Richard. We went home by bus. It’s a pity they are pulling down very old houses. I am alone at home and I am going to have mushroom soup. I only got 27 for Maths, mom will probably murder me, and 41 for Science. I might become a brother or a priest but I don’t think I’ll get married. Today is also Kathy’s first holiday. Kathy is first generation Australian in our family.

May 27^th, 1964, Wednesday. Last Saturday and Sunday was a triple Cracker Night. We let ours off on Friday because it was the goernments wish. Cracker Night is really on Sunday. Yesterday was the Father & Son thing[21]. Richard Spicer didn’t want to go so his parents forgot and he did not tell till it was too late. Saturday from 1.30 onward we helped sister[22] fix her new convent in ... well it’s at the back of North Narrabeen. On Sunday I went with RS[23] to the Corpus Christi procession.

6^th June 1964, Saturday. Today was the Collaroy Plateau West School fete. It was good. I got 6 new records and 20 to 30 comics. Kathy went to her first birthday party at Leanne’s place, Mrs Brown’s daughter.[24] She liked it too. Robert Varman.

19^th[?] July 1964, Friday. Today our beautiful Mulberry tree got chopped down. I do not like the idea, it’s disgraceful.[25]

July 1, 1964, Friday.[26] Today Les Smith died from a car accident. On Friday 1^st December Peggy Varman died 1944.

Account written on ‘Friday 13^th of August 1965’. Les Smith. This morning when I went to the bus stop[27] the kids there tried to tell me that Les Smith had died of a car accident. When I was in the bus I didn’t know what to do so I prayed a little. I told a lot of people most half believed me like I believed the kids at the bus stop. But when Assembly time came Mr Torbett announced that he had been killed in a car accident.

How it Happened. What I could get mostly out of the kids was this.. Les Smith and Western and some other boys coming back from, I suppose, the War Veterans Home. They were a little past the water tower[28] on the other side of the road when one of their hats came off and Les went to pick it up when a car came along and hit his head and killed him instantly. Much to the grief to his parents and friends.

A year or so before his death we were quite friendly towards each other although at the end of 6^th class and about a month of First Year [1963] we were not too good friends. I think I knew him in 4^th class onwards. No he was nice in First Year. Only once did he hurt me and the mark still shows but he was a good person.[29] He was cremated which I am against but what has happened has happened. His death occurred on the 30^th of June 1964. God rest his soul. WC {NTSW}.

2^nd November 1964.[30] Yes, Peter and Patty are going to get married this week on Saturday 7^th November 1964, on the same day as the fete (fair) is on, on the War Veterans Home and also I was supposed to go on T.V. on ‘Flying High’, a Catholic programme on that date. I might go to the Fete because my brother is getting married at four hours of the clock unless I have to go on the TV programme if it ends before half past 2.

2^nd November 7 o’clock, 1964. Robert. It is going to be my birthday on the 14 of December 1964 etc. I am now 14 and soon will be 15. I don’t know what I am going to do, how to behave, make a new start etc. I shall give up Phillip Cordiay because he is so rude. But I like William Myers. Maybe I’ll be with him on Saturday. I don’t know how to look forward to Peter’s wedding on Saturday 4 o’clock 7^th of November 1964, a lot of dates aren’t there.

The test (yearly) starts on Wednesday the 4^th of November. I’m so nervous. M.G.H.

3^rd November 1964, Tuesday. Tomorrow is my Yearly test (we first have English) I hope I pass. The test finishes on next Tuesday. And the Melbourne Cup is on soon, I would like to have a bet. Well, I’ll close up now. Robert Varman 2E3.

14 November 1964, Saturday.[31] Today Phillip Cordaiy and I played at my place. Phillip also stayed for dinner. We had such a nice time embarrassing each other. We played in the dark. Yesterday was Black Friday. I got the cane for not having my ink at school.

14^th of December 1964. Today Phillip Cordaiy dirtified up my pen I got for my birthday in the most barbaric way. Robert Varman 1964.[32]

Friday, 1^st of January 1965. 1005 people got killed by car accidents in 1964. I stayed up at 12.15 last night and saw out the old year. There was a little noise around. I did not do much etc., but I went to my Aunt and Uncle Laurant and Uncle John and Auntie Nike. Yesterday I went to Richard’s place.[33] Richard and I still are going to play our game (you know).[34]

Kathy has just knocked over my ink. I get into trouble. She knocked it over with a ball. Dad takes 2/- off my pocket money. I don’t really care.

Patty is sick. She had a lot of visitors today. Yesterday when I went to Richard’s place we had lunch at his grandmother’s place and I went home in a taxi, it cost exactly 4/- from the terminus.[35]

Currency now is L/s/d: 12 pence, one shilling; 20 shillings, one pound. Well, I’ll see if I can watch the Beverly Hill Billies. Mind spelling & errors. This year I will be going on to 3^rd Year (I hope). 1^st January 1965.

2^nd January 1965, Saturday. We are still on holidays [Christmas vacation]. Richard is not coming today, he is coming on Monday. I showed my new coins to Mr Moore.[36] I have started what yo might call a museum. My mother is in a bad mood better do my bed now.

3^rd January 1965, Sunday, 5 past 10 at night. Today I fixed my garden a bit. Then my mother told me I had to go with them to Mona Vale Beach. Martin and Mr and Mrs van der Ven, Mother, Father, Patty, Peter and Kathy [Varman] & me. When Martin and I got there we immediately went to an old house being demolished. We got many pieces of glass and two bricks, one is of the same design as the convict made type and one has huge holes in it. Martin cut himself five times.[37]

Then we went back to the beach and Martin splashed me in an embarrassing place, not on purpose. Mrs van der Ven looks cute in costumes. Dad caught one fish, Peter caught none, Mr van der Ven caught none. I made a small graveyard of little stones. Peter and I were fooling around and fighting, I got him down a few times. Then after a quarter hour or so he got my legs and dragged me in the surf. I had long sleeved shirt on, short thickish pants on and I was soaked yo know it). I am talking to Mom and Dad now. There’s a lot of stray dogs around. I felt so sorry for them. I wish I could take every one of them home.

4^th January 1965, Monday. Richard should come today. Phillip [Cordaiy] and I & Kathy are going to the zoo tomorrow LY65 5&6.

Richard and I first went to South Creek Road, then we walked home. The we played around, then went to the shops got 2 films of Camera. Richard said I went red as a beetroot because I had some trouble with the camera. We watched a story about a jumgle boy. The Richi went home. Mum and Kathy went to Patty’s Grandma’s, she is 90 years old.[38]

Today Kathy, Phillip Cordaiy and I are going to Taronga Park Zoo. I’m bringing my camera $2 films. Phillip’s mother is going to pick us up on half past eight and bring us to South Creek Road, we then catch a bus to the Zoo. 1965. The Zoo was good, wonderful. Phillip squashed an icecream in my hand and embarrassed me to the extreme.

Wednesday, 6^th January 1965. Today I stayed at home. I polished my Antique chair up splendid. I watched T.V. in afternoon. We made a tape to Rhodesia [39] also Mom bought a packet of Cheezpops for Kathy and Me. It was also the women’s tea or afternoon party.[40]

When Lammert van Kalcar went to my OLD uncle’s station he wanted some tyresbut Uncle said that he wants Lammert’s father to sign the Book. Lammert went away and told his father and his father wentand got his tyres elsewhere. Tante Miep and Uncle Laurent had a quarrel. Tante Miep had tears in her eyes and Tante Miep got the blame from Mrs van Kalcar. I really don’t understand.[41] Tziccy. [?][42] Robert Varman.

7^th of January, 1965. Today I went to Richard’s place and we played with the builders, then we mucked up when Mrs Spicer came home. She was in a rotten mood. You can guess the rest.

January 8, 1965. Today I stayed at home and fixed my old cupboard. I polished it black and brown. I watched ‘Our Miss Brooks’ on channel 9 at half past one and then I watched on channel 7 ‘Our Miss Brooks’ movie. She at last married the Biology teacher. I watched more T.V. After tea (dinner) at 8.30 Mr and Mrs and Martin van der Ven came over to show us their slides and we ours. It’s half past 10 now. Better go to bed. Lassie has not been feeling well but seems now much better.[43]

9^th January 1965, Saturday. Today Richard Spicer and I went to the second hand shop, it was closed till the 11^th (in Manly) so we caught a ferry to town. I bought three coins, 1800, 1805, 1854. Then we went to the museum.[44] It really was a lot of fun. I had a banana milkshake and a packet of chicken Twisties. Robert Varman.

Sunday, 10^th January 1965. Today Fiona Brown, daughter of Mr and Mrs Brown of No 13 Berith Street,[45] Collaroy Plateau, Sydney, NSW, Aust., was Christened. I mostly read all morning and I watched T.V. in afternoon. Dad, Peter and Patty went fishing at Cole & Candle Creek. Dad felt the bottom of the fish holder open and all the fish went out. They came home at about a quarter to nine. Mr Moore gave ded some fish for but[46] but dad said I could have the alive ones. All the light coloured fish lived, the dark ones died. I hear Mr Moore now. Quarter past 10 now at night. Good night. Robert Varman. Ticcy Tailor.

Monday, 11^th January 1965. In the morning I got some lavender leaves and crushed them in hot water then I boiled the leaves and flowers in water until half remained. I purified it four or five times then put it in three little bottles. It was perfume. Mom and Kathy went to Mrs Calnon’s place to iron.[47] Then at quarter to one mom went to Dee Why shopping centre.[48] I watched T.V. and made a Munster[49] house with Kathy. Yesterday I made wine, it’s now under the house to settle. Now about quarter to nine. Good Night. It’s still holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, 12^th January 1965. This morning I have only read books and listen to the radio and look through my box.[50] I am going to have corn for lunch. Mom has gone to Mrs Higgins’ place with Kathe (I think). Dad’s at work. Peter and Patty’s at work. I’m all alone (I don’t care). It’s quarter to twelve now day time. I watched T.V. most afternoon. I love to watch the MUNSTERS, on at 7 o’clock, Tuesday. Tomorrow I am going to Collaroy Picture Theatre to see ZULU with R.S. G.N.[51]

Wednesday, 13^th January 1965. Today is raining. Richard rang up and said he can’t go to the pictures. I have to go to Dee Why today (I don’t want to)!!! Well I went to D.Y. I bought two lovely cream cakes 7 d [52] each. I had spagetti for lunch and watched T.V. from 2.15 to 4 o’clock (today was thend [?] of the Samurai. Tomorrow Richard is coming to sleep and next day we go on excursion. Paddy and Peter had dinner at our place. I didnot go to the pictures today. G.N.

Thursday, 14^th January 1965. This day I can call one of the most unhappiest days of my life. First of all R.S. was to come in the morning and stay all day and for dinner and sleep here. Then he was to come in the afternoon some time 2 o’clock. Then any time round the afternoon. He rang up again later and said he might not be able to come at all because of Surfing training, so we decided he would come at 9.15 at night. It was about quarter to ten when we heard that Richard Spicer will not come today. I am so upset. Before I knew he was not coming, 1. I cleaned my room to perfection; 2. At 20 to 10 I went ot to meet him and found out he was not coming. He didn’t go to the pictures last Wednesday either. So tomorrow will not be good either I think? Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for he shall surely not be disappointed. One month from 15^th Birthday.

Friday. 15^th of January 1965. Today Me, Dad and Richard Spicer R.S. are going to Wiseman’s Ferry, Windsor and Parramatta.

After. The trip was wonderful. We did everything if there’s a historic place around, we’ve been there. Thanks to Dad. Cloudy in the morning. Hot in the afternoon.[53]

Saturday, 16^th of January 1965. In the morning I discovered a nest of those huge black yellow wasps and I knew already that there was a little nest of smaller wasps. I mowed the lawn for 5/- (standard price). I made a clock face. In afternoon I ate a tin of corn and three pieces of bread for lunch. I watched about 45 minutes of T.V. After dinner we played seven records on my (78) player. I talked with dad about our family history. G.N. Robert Varman.

Sunday, 17^th January 1965. In the morning I read some Dutch magazinews and two papers. I mowed dad’s front lawn. Later in the afternoon about 1 o’clock I watched a film about a Mexican family. About 1.30 we went to Cole & Candle Creek. I started a new hobby, excavationalism, that is finding hooks, leads and other fishing things, only finding not receiving or stealing. Just finding. We had a lot of fun at Cole & Candle Creek. GN RV 20 past 10 at night.

18^th of January 1965. I raked dad’s lawn. I got a phone call from William Myors. He should be coming tomorrow at 2 past 10. I caught a bus to Manly. From Manly I went by ferry to Town. From there I caught a train to Town Hall (fare from Collaroy Plateau to Sydney T.H. cost 2/-). There I went to the coin shop and bought seven coins for one pound four shillings: 1. 5 centesimi from Governo Brorrisorio [?] du Venezia 1849; 2. British half penny, King George III, 1800 or 1810; 3. Great fat huge coin from? [France] 1822; 4. small coin from ?.... VOC [Zeeland] 1748; 5. coin from Papal state 17_8. 6. English farthing, George III, 1799; 7. Silver coin from ? 1745. I bought one Mad comic ‘Last Issue’. I had a banana milk shake, one chicken chips, two packets Bakonpops. I caught train home to Circular Quay and caught ferry to Manly and went home by bus. Watched TV and read Mad.

Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Betty Davis clock, 22 minutes an hour, piano clock 25 minutes an hour.[54]

Tuesday, 19^th Jan 1964 [sic]. Today William Myors came over. Sir Winston Churchill is still alive.

Wednesday, 20^th Jan 1964 [sic]. I don’t know what I am going to do today. It’s ladies afternoon tea party. Sir Winston is sleeping peacefully.

24^th January 1965. Sir Winston Churchill is Dead. Just announced on TV during Donald Duck.

Last. And on Friday the queen ants came out of their holes. Tomorrow back to school!!!! I forgot all about Aust Day. Oh it is well!, the holiday anyway!!!!!

11^th February 1965, Thursday. So you know it’s so horrible, my parents are on holiday. They will be back next Saturday. I’m in the choir.[55]

15^th of February 1965. Today this morning Mr McLeay died, our headmaster. Mr Torbett is the new one. When we came home from school today w got the new modern bus with the fibre glass seats, they’re terrific. I believe it was the first time on the Plateau. I got a huge parcel from my pen-friend, it was two stamp albums of President Kennedy and two P.K. stamps.

My father’s brother(Elshout) had half his stomach removed because of a half inch hole in his stomach. [56]

17^th of February 1965. Today was our last 1964 timetable work. Tomorrow we are starting new work, new timetable, new teachers. I just had a hot bath and then got dressed. I got into bed to read the Sun when I was playing with my little toe [and] I pulled off the nail, there was a little one at the inside.

I went in for a swim today. Mom bought me a new shirt and two new undies. Phillip acted stupid on the bus, he made rude noises with spit and acted a nut and said awful things. [57] I aught to kill him but I couldn’t very well bash him up in the bus in front of old men and all that. GN

1^st of March 1965, Monday. Today is the first day of Autumn. Not yesterday but the Sunday before I went for a walk past three hills back. [58] School again today. I really hate it. I have to go to Judo soon. Today the new headmaster of Narrabeen came to the hall.[59] As I am part of the choir I sang, it’s really fun. New Centerion.[60]

2^nd March 1965. Richard Spicer and Phillip Cordaiy both got a letter from the French teacher to say or ask if their parents would let them go to France and be exchange students. I know its a dirty lie but I’d write it down anyway just for record sake. Mom went to Mrs Higgins’ today to work. I’m going over seas one day. [61] Robert Varman 1965.

March the 3^rd 1965, Wednesday. Today after Sport Phillip and I caught the primary [school] Catholic bus. When we got on I waved my 2/- about and Phillip said, ‘I suppose that is for your confession fee isn’t it’ and then the lady near us said, ‘You should respect confession and if you must talk about it do it in private’. [62] We could not stop gogling so we went upstairs and a girl called Pippy a sissy and he argued with them and made a fool of himself and had half the bus staring at him and laughing. After he left they all talked to me and tried to prove I was not Dutch. He embarrassed me quite a lot today but he embarrassed me more last week on Wednesday.

4^th March 1965, Thursday. I did not get into trouble for..... 1. forgetting my history project; 2. forgetting to do my English corrections; 3. forgetting to bring my school rules. Today we went to choir practise, it’s really a lot of fun. Tomorrow we are going to sing in the Hall for the prefects etc. Goodsch.

5^th March 1965, Friday. Lot 11 Berith Street, Collaroy Plateau, Sydney, N.S.W. This morning I was off in a hurry as usual and met Mrs Zwartjes’ cat (a Siamese cat) called Cushiong. The bell went off as usual and everyone went to the Hall but they were not supposed to. In the afternoon when we all got out names marked off (6^th period) we went to P.E. in which I thought I’d miss out but I still had to do it. So after that7th period began and we all went to the Hall (I was late for choir). We sang the Creation Song, G.S.Q. [63] and Carols. Then we went home at 3.10. so Phillip and I caught the Catholic bus. I had the most embarrassing time (I met Mrs Bourke at the bus stop).[64] Quarrel. Morning good till 4 o’clock bad.

March 6^th 1965, Saturday. Today was so hot that I could not do a thing, so in the afternoon we went to Mona Vale beach.

March 7^th 1965, Sunday. I went to the shops today and bought the three papers and People. After reading them I had chicken soup, then I watched T.V. Then I went outside and dug beside the garage and found some things I used as a boy or New Ether I was al boy. [65] I am now watching McHales Navy.

March 8^th 1965. Today is Monday and back to school. I found a gas stove tap among other things at the side of the garage.[66]

March 9^th 1965, Tuesday. Father Delaney was away and we got Sister (new). We had another assembly and the choir sang. I bought a scapula and lost it.

10^th March 1965, Wednesday. Today was Sport.[67] It was cold, I didn’t stay in very long. Phillip had to go to the Orthadontist. And I would not do the microphone today because.[68]

11^th March 1965, Thursday. I just dreamt that I had to go to the dump and my parents went for holidays for the day.[69] I was going to come back by half past 9 but I was coming [came] home at 12.30 so I knew I was in trouble. Second and third form are going to the carnival but I am not nor Philip nor Richard nor John nor William.

12 March 1965. Phillip was not here for choir. Today he had to go to the orthodontist and had half day. We got the new bus today. John was not so restless. Tomorrow M & K and I are going to Kings Cross to see Fantasia in colour and have lunch in town. I wonder what its going to be like.

Saturday, 13 March 1965. Today Mom, Kathy and I went to Kings Cross to see Fantasia. We missed out so we walked back. I saw the Pink Pussycat and Billy Thorp in the street. That well known fountain. We saw many, many Victorian houses, one 1853 one. Then we went right through the Art Gallery, then to the Library.[70] Then we went home. A lady tried to sell me an ‘OZ’ Magazine.[71]

Sunday, 14 March 1965. Martin and I went to the dump [Cromer]and found nothing except a paw of a dog. Then we went for a walk to Vowels Hill (hill behind Collaroy Plateau).[72] We found a cave with Aboriginal symbols in it.[73] We went home. I watched TV.

15^th, Monday, March 1965. Mr Tuke died (I can’t believe it). He died of a heart attack. Mrs Moore, of Cordaiy, died last week.[74] Mr Casey was away.[75]

15 March 1965 [My obituaries]. I have the most unpleasant news, Mr Tuke died. He was about 40 to 45 years old and he had a wife and small children. He was my 1964 English teacher. He gave me the cane and I should have many souvenirs of him. I just can’t believe it. He knew me well.

Mrs Moore that Cordaiy and I knew died last week (Thurs). She was so healthy looking and you would think she’d live for 110. She died of a heart attack. You would think Mr Tuke and Mrs Moore would live forever.

16 March 1965. The funeral of Mr Tuke will take place tomorrow (I still can’t believe it. Mr Casey was away again. Richard is an absolute know nothing Y.N.[76] Richard and Philly got into trouble two times today. I hate homework. I have to do two hours. Half hour is hist.[77]

19^th of March 1965, Friday. 19^th of March 1932 was when the Harbour Bridge was completed, today is the anniversary. Today the choir is going to sing ‘Wandering’ with Gino Cunico.[78] P. Script.

25 of March 1965, Thursday. Bob just came up and we had a discussion on school.[79] (I am supposed to be doing my homework now). I gave him 9/- to buy two walking fish. We went outside and fed the fish and he caught the turtle. Then he ate a radish. He almost died when I showed him a 5^th class book, he was very surprised, Then he had to go home. Tomorrow is the last day at Narrabeen Boy’s High School for William Myors. He is going to some other school.[80] I got into trouble today.

26^th March 1965, Friday. Today Bob Bottger got me one walking fish (newt) for 12/6.[81] Myors left today.

26^th March. New Zealand. ‘This transmitter is modulated from the control terminal in Wellington. This transmission for circuit adjustments perpasses [sic] from a station of the New Zealand Post Office’. I close at 10 to 8.[82]

27^th March 1965, Saturday. Bob came down to see my newt and Phillip came down. Bob left at 5 past 11. In the arvo embarrassed Phillip about dinner (Patty’s place).

28^th March 1965, Sun. Bobby came down. We went to the Lakes, we trod and trod in mud and I covered my legs and arms with thick mud.[83] Bob caught a lizard and tried to drown it. I saved it. RV.

29^th March 1965, Monday. A new school day. I hate school. Phillip gave up choir. I miss Willie a bit. No orchestral concert on the 2^nd of April.

Today I don’t think I fooled anybody. I did not try too hard. Mr Brown got tricked two times during the morning.[84]

2^nd [April 1965], Friday. Today I went with Bob Bottger to the Brookvale Show. I bought a red fox tail and went to see an Indian side show. We had altogether a rather good time.[85]

2^nd. I stayed home and went to the Brookvale Show with Bob Bottger. Bought a red fox tail for 4/-. We went to see an Indian Show.

3^rd [April 1965]. Phillip Cordaiy came over and stayed and had dinner with us. Dad embarrassed me by (sensored).

[86]Saturday, 3^rd April 1965 by Phillip Cordaiy. Today I Phillip Cordaiy was asked to stay for dinner at Rob Varmans Place – through very embarrassing experiences. Dear he is horrible to me. Well I must close before Rob comes back or he’ll be furious, he, he, Zooby Zoo. Sorry Rob for when you read this. Bye. Now don’t get angry pput that axe away you don’t want to kill me, do you. Get away – HELP! I’ll, I’ll tell your mother – Help.

4^th April, Sunday. I read the papers, fixed my birds and watched TV some of the afternoon. My writing is shocking don’t you think?

5^th April. These scribbles done on this page were done by Kathy when she was 2 to 3 years old. Today Phillip gave me five pieces of salted liquorish. The day ran quite smoothly. We are having hard Maths work. Robert Varman 3E4 with Mrs Funnel.

CHANNEL 10 OPENS OPENED TODAY 5^th April 1965. I am now listening, looking at channel 10. It’s been open for an hour now. Robert Varman.[87]

6^th April 1965. Phillip Cordaiy, Richard Spicer, William Myors, Bobby Bottger, Kim Webber, Phillip Lound, John Murray, Kevin O’Tool, Richard Bradley, Christopher Fossic, David Alford, David Harland, Robert Heslop, Bill Atkinson, John Joass, John Lester, Graham Peak, Reginald Clair, John McMahon, Peter Joass, Malcolm Dunwoodie, Peter Zwartjes, Ken Barnes, Stephen Riley.[88]

The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson, Pollyanna, Bridge on the River Kwai, Oklahoma, The Vienna Boys Choir, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, Dr No and To Russia with Love.[89]

7^th April 1965. Today we start our Winter sport. I took soccer. Phillip and Richard wanted to take paddle tennis but they were refused.

8^th of April 1965, Thursday. Today Phillip Cordaiy said he would give up the microphone (he’ll never if he was paid). In Science he was beaten up by a kid and would not not let him sit next to Richard Spicer. Phillip has often said he will give the microphone up but he will never.

8^th April 10.30, no 15 to 9 (night). Mrs Zwartjes, Peter Zwartjes, Bart Zwartjes, Mr van Calkar, Mrs van Calkar are going to HOLLAND 15 15 Greece, Italy, England.

April 8 April 1965. Mr Zwartjes is STAYING AT HOME with the four cats and one dog. He was not all for his wife to leave Australia, even for five months. MRS ZWARTJES and Peter and Bart, Mrs van Kalcar and Mr van Calkar are going to Holland for five months. They are going to Sydney in about 15 minutes and are leaving Australia at 10.30 at night. It is now 15 to 8 at night. I envy them because I’d love to go to Europe. They will stop at Greece, England, Italy and Holland.

9^th of April 1965, Friday. Today Phillip Cordaiy sang in the Choir and so did I. We had an interesting Music lesson. About the only subject I sometimes enjoy. Bobby Bottger came over to give me a dead fish. He damaged my tree a little (I threw a few stones at him and mangled his roller board). Mom just gave me a new pencil box.

‘Lending Lament. I think that I shall never see. The money that I lent to thee. Money that I could have spent. For varied forms of merriment. Money I lent to thee gladly. The same which I now need so badly. For whose return I had such hope. Just like an optimistic dope. For money lent to folks like thee. Is not returned to folk like me’.

‘Eeny meeny miney moe, catch a nigger on your toe, if he squeals, let him go, eeny meeny miney moe.’ [o-u-t spells out and out you must go if I say so].

‘Inky, pinky ponky daddy bought a donkey, donkey died, daddy cried, inky pinky ponky’.

‘(Eeny meeny) maca daca day die dominaca chicalaca olipaca om tom toosh. I ra chica ra roony poony ping pong parny alawalla wasca Chinese ching.[90]

10^th of April 1965, Saturday. This morning BB ([91]) came over. Then I went down to Narrabeen to Richard Spicer’s place and we played a while. Then we went to SMPJ’s place[92] and worked. We explored the waterfall there deep in the wood. Mother [Superior] called us back and we had two bottles of ginger beer and sandwiches. We worked some more with all the silly girls walking past all the time. I could have had a lift home from them [the nuns] but I did not want to be embarrassed as the last time. RV PS M Sarpy

11^th of April 1965. We are today supposed to go to Minamurra. Hopes are not high. Dad will never buy land in Minamurra or elsewhere (I think).

12^th of April 1965, Monday. Today we went on a History excursion. It was very good, only it rained the whole way through. Richard and I had many conversations about relatives etc. and Miss Betty Watts heard us.[93] I got some new nails from St Matthews Church and we have signed our names three times. CBUA + Th C is only way.[94]

12^th April 1965. History Excursion. David Lennox, Australia’s first bridge builder. It is raining all the time but it is still fun.[95]

13^th April 1965, Tuesday. Today we had work as usual. Nothing much happened except Mr Casey walked near Phillip and said ‘Good morning Phillip, how are you’ and Phillip said with a load voice, so every one could hear, ‘Good morning sir, very well thank you’ and Mr Casey was not even speaking to him. Phillip C went red and charged away, everyone heard him.[96] Paddy stayed for tea and Peter too. I went with Peter to the shops to get a protractor. He was angry. RV GN GB

Wednesday, 14 of April 1965. Sport was horrible today. Richard and Phillip always make the silliest excuses when late for Sport.

15of April 1965, Thursday. Today is Holy Thursday. Last few periods proved interesting. I have made some new little stories. + RV I read them to Kathy, she seems to like them.

17^th of April 1965, Saturday. Today Richard Spicer came over and played.[97] We listened to records and then had lunch. We had quite an enjoyable time.

18^th of April 1965. Today is Easter Day. We first went to church and the most embarrassing thing happened. Mrs Brown went and sat in our row but Stephen Brown sat next to me.[98] When we got home Kathy and I were told to stay outside. And then Mom told us to come in and on the table was a package and in it was a house with one big Easter Egg and six smaller ones, two chickens and a packet of salted liquorish. Today Mrs and Mr van der Ven came over and had coffee. Iearned one pound for doing practically nothing. It was not work but play. I watched TV at night. + GN

19^th of August 1965, Monday. Today Richard Spicer and I went to the Royal Easter Show (we went by bus). We paid to go in (which cost 2/- or 1/6). We went right around the show ground and had a look around and I bought a Nestles Show bag which cost 3/- quite expensive but you get about 5/- worth in it. We went intothe mirror maze and stayed there for a while. You really get robbed there for you must pay 2/- for each ride or show. I had one pound ten shillings to spend (remember values go down).[99] Then we went home at 3.30, tired as hell. RV

20^th of April, Tuesday, 1965. Today I looked after Kathy my sister. We had a nice time relaxing. Tomorrow to school.

21^st of April 1965, Wednesday. Mrs Swinson[100] asked me to get her two packets of tissues 3/- I came back a little late. Richard and I missed the sports bus and we walked to Mona Vale. It was fun. We got quite a stare when we arrived at Sport. I went to the wrong oval and didn’t have to play. I walked up the Alexander Hill, or Road, too.

22^nd April 1965, Thursday. Me. Nothing much happened today except that I hated my PE lesson.

23^rd of April 1965, Friday. In the morning we had an assembly, then we had all periods except the last two periods. I was very nervous because of PE but we had to straighten chairs in the Hall. I found a lot of ANZAC papers which I took. After that we had an ANZAC ceremony and as the speaker spoke we got off on the bell.

25^th [April 1965]. Today is ANZAC day and I watched the marches on TV in the afternoon. Dennis and Elisabeth Robbie[101] came over. Liz gave me a lolly and a chocolate biscuit. I cut my grass plant and thinned my purple flower plant out. My goldfish was attacked, half her tail was bitten off and fins were in shreds.

26^th of April 1965, Monday. Today is Anzac holiday day. I didn’t do much. I nursed my goldfish which was attacked by my turtle. It’s tail was bitten off to the bone and is still living in good health.

27th of April 1965. Today my Goldfish died through maybe my fault. I forgot to clean its water. It died early this morning. I am very sad. I will try to preserve it.

27^th April 1965. Today my goldfish died from an attack from my turtle. My goldfish was attacked on the 25^th and died early today. My fish was worth five pound, the turtle fifteen shillings.[102]

28^th of April 1964 [sic], Wednesday. Mr Carney[103] would not lend me 1/- so I -borrowed 6d off Murray and 3d off Richard Spicer which I spent (he better never read this, he is quite a nice fellow). Richard and Phillip caught a private bus because they are bell boys (believe it or not I had a quite nice time).[104] I walked up the hill again with Kim Webber. When we got up the hill we both bought a 3pny ice block, you really get a lot for your money.[105]

29^th of April 1965, Thursday. Today is the 3^rd anniversary of my Diary. Unofficially I have the first bit of the Diary somewhere but I recognize this to be the 3^rd anniversary. H.A. Me and Phillip got into trouble today in Science. He was mucking up again. Richard told me something of great Interest. Mr Johnman said that Phillip must either do the microphone or the bell. (It’s just a rumour). Our School magazine on paper is really a success and it only costs 1/-.

30^th of April 1965, Friday. Today is Queen Juliana’s birthday, of Holland. I tried to ring Richard up this morning but a voice said ‘This is a recording, ring up information, your call has been unsuccessful’ and when I got onto Richard.....(I was singing into the phone). I just realized that when I rang while Richard was getting a pen and paper. I sang close to the phone and the lady thought my call was blurred. But then again I rang Richard up and gave him his homework.[106]

‘A man stood on the railway line. He heard the engine squeel. The guard took out his little shovel. And scraped him off the wheel’.

‘Australia is a free land. Free without a doubt. If you haven’t got a dinner. You’re free to go without’.

The school master is a good chap. He goes to church on Sunday. And prays to God to give him strength. To whack the kids on Monday’.[107]

Ist of MAY 1965. TODAY IS POLLING DAY 1965. Liberal 1 – Robin William Askin. Labor 2 – William Colin Bramwell. Communist 3 – Elfrida Margaret Morcom. STATE ELECTIONS.

1^st of May 1965. This morning I went with dad to Work. As soon as we got there my father fixed the chain. Then till 5 past 9 we had coffee and then we went back to work till about 12 o’clock, then we went home (we started at 6.30 – 7.00). I got two pounds for working all that time. I worked pretty hard I think. I had chicken soup for lunch. Mum and Dad, Kathy and Lassy went to the Narrabeen Lakes near the speed boats.[108]

And then I went to see how the elections went. I went to Mr Zwartjes and I walked his dog to Plateau West School. On the way I met Mrs Nox. We had a nice talk and she went and voted for someone.[109] I met Marten van der Ven and Michael O’Hara.[110] I found many voting cards which I kept. I even saw Communist on one at least. Liberals and Labors. Now I am at home writing this!!! My mother is still home. A Labor card found at Collaroy Plateau West School, Sydney. A Liberal Card. I think I like Liberal BEST. Also found at Collaroy Plateau West. 1 May 1965. CPW. COMMUNIST, found at Collaroy Plateau West. I hate Communism. State Vote.[111]

2^nd of May 1965. I do hereby proclaim that the great black RED ant that belonged to the three living neighbours that live on Lot 12 Berith Street, Collaroy Plateau, Sydney, NSWales are extinct.[112] This morning I went to the school to see if I could get any papers. I found some. Dad is giving mom driving lessons. I tried to kill some little Black Ants because they were annoying my orange ants.[113]

3^rd of May 1965, Monday. Every Monday we tell Phillip that we have gone somewhere exciting. Today it was Luna Park. Richard and I explored the possibilities of it and after we explained and told Phillip everything we found out Luna Park is closed for the Winter. I got into trouble today from Mr Casey. On the way home I saw three elephants running around at Long Reef. Ashton Circus is here.......................................about 30.....[114]

3^rd May 1965. Cost of matches 2d. Just recently heard last Saturday that new matchboxes will be issued explaining decimal currency.[115]

4^th of May 1965, Tuesday. Today Mom and Dad & Kathy are going to work. Last Tuesday we did not have Scripture and just had two long periods. We had a Science test today. I have no clue how I went. I got 61 for History. Schaapje, schaapje, heb je wol, ja baas, ja baas, drie zakke vol.............en een voor.......[116]

5^th May 1965, Wednesday. The microphone caught on fire today. Richard tried to blow it [out] with a book.[117]

6^th of May 1965, Thursday. Today we are on holiday because the Governor General is leaving Australia for England. I’m going to Phillip’s place today. I have to do two hours homework first and it’s only 5 past 8.

7^th, Friday, of May 1965. Today we started off from school to the Science excursion. We went right through Sydney and we saw Channel 7 and 9 vv. We went through Windsor and then arrived at Richmond where we went out to buy some lunch. After I had bought some things I decided to go for a walk through the town. When I came back to the two busses they went off in my direction. I stopped them and got into trouble. They had waited for ten minutes for me. We went to the Blue Mountains. We also visited Prospect where blue metal is mined.

8^th of May 1965, Saturday. I stayed home today. On the way to the Plateau where all the bush is (that is on the Dee Why side) is being cleared away, it’s a pity.

9^th of May 1965, Sunday. Today is Mothers Day and mom got hand cream from me, a great box of chocolates from dad and a powder cream pack from Patt and Pete. Soap and eau de cologne from Kathy. After reading the paper we went to Auntie Miep’s place, then we came home round 11 and I made a cage for my two turtles and watched TV for the rest of the afternoon.

10^th of May, Monday. My two turtles got away. Bobby Bottger just rang up and told me about when his mother and himself went to the antique shop. We had a nice day today.

11^th, Tuesday, May 1965. Today I found one of my turtles and I have changed the turtles’ cage into a wild plant sanctuary.

12^th of May, Wednesday, 1965. This morning after getting some new plants from the bush I found my big turtle, so now I found two. My hair is as long as Lassie’s almost. I’d like to get a new book called ‘They’re a Weird Mob’.

17^th of May 1965, Sunday. I have a sore throat and I was going to Phillip’s place and I have a cold. Mum just rang him up. This diary is mixed up because of the pagework.

24^th of May 1965, Sunday. Tomorrow is Cracker Night. I went to the Presbyterian Church with Phillip Cordaiy and it was good. I played with his big piano nearly all day. I stayed for tea and I didn’t even know it. Last Sunday I could not make it. My Rice Bird died today.[118]

Cracker Night 1965. 25 of May, 1965, Monday. I have 10/- worth of crackers, many sky rockets and many bungers. They did not have any fancy crackers in when I came there. Everything worked out fine except dad would not look at the crackers. Tomorrow back to school.

29^th of May 1965, Friday. Today we had a half day holiday for Empire Day. At school we heard many stupid speeches saying how England helped other dark countries so much.

30^th of May, Saturday. Phillip came over today and stayed for TEA or Dinner. He broke mom’s broom and was embarrassed.

31^st of May 1965. Today I thought it was the 1^st of June. Not much news is it? Today is Sunday.

1^st of June 1965, Monday. Today I gave Phillip Cordaiy a box of Dairy Box for his Birthday which he celebrated six months ago. Phillip is 15 now. Richard and I had to do something for his mother during lunch 40 minutes.

2^nd of June 1965. Today Mom went to get her drivers’ licence and she failed. Cathy stayed at Mrs Moore’s place till 11 o’clock. On the 5^th of June the CPW Fete is on. I have had a reall good holiday. I hate school, I hate school, I hate school. Monday wek is Queen Elisabeth’s Birthday and we get a holiday and on that day is Veronica’s Birthday Y.K.[119]

3^rd of June 1965, Thursday. I had a nice day at school. I have a student History teacher and a student English teacher and he looks like he is 16 years old. All student teachers are horrible, they won’t let you off for two minutes (I like the real teachers best). I am home now doing studies.

The teachers had a game of hockey against the pupils. Oh and it was so much fun. Miss Watts got knocked for a six and Miss Geddes was so funny as usual, she wore a girls tunic. When Phillip asked her a question about America, she answered, ‘Oh for the American prairie’, she had an expression while she said it like this...[120]

4^th of June 1965, Friday. Today we had a big assembly with the choir and I did not join [in]. It was quite a good ceremony but I hate school, it is the most unhappiest period of my life so far. Mum bought me a tape and Peter said he will lend me his tape recorder. New currency match boxes are out. I have only two so far. I saw a film at half past nine about Frankenstein monster with Abbot and Costello. It was fun. I also saw Heidi at 5 o’clock.

5^th June 1965, Saturday. FETE DAY at Collaroy Plateau West School. 5^th of June. Opens 1.30. Hoopla, Bargains, Sideshow, Exhibitions, Cakes. Lollies etc. June 5^th 1965 FETE DAY TODAY Annual Collaroy Plateau WEST. For this year I have one pound five shillings to spend. Kathy is coming too. I just came back from the Fete. It was so good. I made three trips there and back, actually four but that’s beside the point. Kathy rode on a little horse and Mom took three pictures of her. I bought three tickets for a transistor [radio] and I never won. I bought one doggy, one pig, one sugar basin, one coloured serving dish, one Christening cup, one packet of mixed herbs, one twelve tips for a French tutor, three pictures (wall), one ironish platish. one cake, three toffees, two powder tins, four plants, eight glass dishes, fifty music books or leaflets, I won three sheets of transfers, one parachute man, packet of tricks. I was given the two powder tins, one hand made large cup, one pottery basin. This day was truly wonderful. The ladies said I was a big help to the stall and I saved them. They thanked me and gave me the things I listed under ‘I was given the’. I also got two of the plants for 3d each because I was a good customer. I met the O’Hara’s, Martin and a host of others. One of the servers on the whilte elephant stall was the mother of (the skinny boy who is friends of Dunwoodie), Mrs Dunwoodie and another lady.[121]

The Brookvale Bus Depot band played for us but this year there were no marching girls, all other years there were. The first fete held at CPW was in 1962, second 1963, third 1964, fourth 1965. I saw the art exhibition, the flower arrangement exhibition and so did Kathy and mother.. There was a new game at the fete. There was a table and you got three balls for 6d and you would always get a prize – that’s how I won all my prizes. Kathy won a magnifying glass and she bought a shell necklace and a holy band. I went to the shops in the morning. I saw Mr Bennett (I.T.). [122]

6^th of June 1965, Sunday. This morning I got a phone from Phillip Cordaiy telling me how he was going to his grandmother’s today. I went to Peter’s and lent his tape recorder which I had fun with. Dad bought the papers. I read two of them when Mr and Mrs van der Ven came over and Mr Zwartjes too. Dad and Mr van der Ven went fishing and Mom went to stay at Mrs van der Venm’s place. Mom came back with Cathy herself and Martin who stayed for a while. While mom was gone I taped music advertisements, talks etc. Then Mr Zwartjes came over for tea at 8 o’clock. I watched ‘The Green Martians’. It’s 5 past 9 now. Today is Peter Zwartjes Birthday. Peter Zwartjes Birthday, 6 June 1965. 1962 ?; 1963 we had a party; 1964, I did not attend, 1965, Peter’s in Holland. This is the second anniversary of a bird who died in 1963 which was very old and pretty. I elected him or her as the Pope of the bird cage. He died during the party of Peter Zwartjes and I was very sad. Happy Birthday Peter. God Bless.

6^th of June 1965, Sunday. END OF BOOK. Due to the filling of this book I have but no choice toeither get a new book or less complicating, start from the beginning on these v type of pages which I have left out (so I will do it). When I sign below I will have officially signed off this section of the book. GB. Robert Varman +

11^th of June 1965. DTBF. At Maths today Phillip and I nearly got into trouble among 15 other boys for not doing working up[?] out. + RVWK 1963

12^th June 1965. Today Phillip came up (I think). Yes he did and we played with the tape recorder. It is also my Uncle John’s Birthday and we went up and Hady and Laurie and I contacted my first spirit, through the glass method.[123]

13^th June, Sunday. Richard and I made a cubby house. I rang up Phillip, he did not believe me. Richard came up and it did not work well.

14^th of June, Monday. Phillip only halfd believes me. Richard is away today and Phillip rings the bell.

15^th of June, Tuesday, 1965. Richard Spicer rings the bell all week but I do assemblies. Today I stay away from school because I am sick.

16^th of June, Wednesday, 1965. Today once more I stay away because I have a bad temperature and am quite sick. I can not get myself to study.

17^th of June, Thursday, 1965. I am a wee bit better and I found Richard’s been away since Monday.

18^th of June 1965, Friday. I expected to go to school today but I didn’t and I can’t study.

Saturday 19^th of June. Phillip came up again and made a will on tape. I think we contacted spirits(?).

Monday, 21at of June. I rang the bell today for the first time in years. We went to the hall and found our places. Tomorrow test.

Tuesday 22^nd of June 1965. Today test we have Science and Maths. I think it’s silly to have them all on the same day.

Today, Wednesday, 23^rd of June 1965, we had Music and Art was plain horror. I did not go to Sport today. Tomorrow we have Histor.[124]

Thursday, 24^th of June 1965. Today we had History which had only three questions (I hate those types). We went on to normal lessons afterward (I didn’t do PE).

26^th of June 1965, Saturday. Phillip came up today, he didn’t die. We had a nice time. We contacted spirits and played with the tape.

28^th of June, Monday, 1965. We got our Maths marks back. I got 44. Isn’t that disgusting?, Oh well.

29^th, Tuesday, June 1965. Today I went to an Allergic doctor and put 120 needles in me. We went to Town and I saw many historic buildings. Cats, rabbits, fur, animals, I’m allergic. Les Smith AMMA.[125]

2^nd of July 1965, Friday. I had to wait 25 minutes in the office because it was raining and they could not hold an assembly.

3^rd of July 1965. Today Phillip came up and we played with TAPE, SPIRITS. Phillip was embarrassed when my mother talked to him because he thought he was not welcome.

4^th July 1965, Sunday. Today all day I worked in my garden and we went for a ride to Oxford falls and I saw a dead dog, it’s very scary.[126] It’s all wild down that way.

5^th of July 1965, Monday. BUS STRIKE, TRAIN STRIKE. Today there’s a bus and train strike and I’m not going to school because of it. I’m so happy.

6^th of July 1965, Tuesday. A nerve racking day although quite exciting. I found out my Science mark, it was 38. Oh dear, whatever will I tell my mother. Oh well, what’s done is done.

7^th of July 1965, Wednesday. A certain person I sat next to. Mr Casey asked me a question I didn’t know, so certain person [told me the answer]. MC found out.[127] After school I went to Phillip Lound’s place to get some tadpoles and I got many and also some plants. Then we wnet inside and tried to contact some spirits (we got none). So we listened to records and Mrs de Lound gave me a huge Joan Sutherland record and drove me home (I am indeed thankful).[128] Mr Zwartjes comes to dinner every dog now which we all enjoy, I’m sure. But now as I go to sleep I feel down in the dumps. Oh well. GN. CPWWHV Inc.[129]

8^th of July 1965. OTBF. A certain person tried to stop me from ringing the bell and it went two and a half minutes late.[130] And I accidentally hit a boy in the head with my case. That’s all.

10^th of July 1965, Saturday. I met Bob at Dee Why. Today Phillip Lound came over and we contacted spirits and played with the clocks.

13^th of July 1965, Tuesday. Today Richard Spicer and I were put down from 3S2 to 3S3 and we have Mr Gelavic. Kim Webber is in that class. And also today we went to the Hall and PMG[131] man was coming to speak to 3^rd year but he didn’t arrive, so Mr Torbett gave us a lecture on religion. I’m so glad that I went down in Science because I hate Mr Brown.[132] Kim Webber at the busstop showed me an obscene picture (I think) so I gave him a wallop. Phillip Lound came over to collect the clock and I now own a 1897 money box. Patty and Peter came and had dinner here and so did Mr Zwartjes.

14^th of June 1965, Wednesday. Today is Bastille Day. Mom and Dad have gone to work and I am not doing Sport today. Richard and I did the microphone. I stayed in room I with Phillip Lound and we contacted spirits. After dinner mother and I went to see my doctor and she told him later how I have improved so I have to have more spray and we went home. We expected Mr and Mrs van der Ven to come but they didn’t.

15^th of July 1965, Thursday. Today R.S. and I had for the [first] time in two double periods Mr Jelovic. When Richard ran out to ring the bell Mr Jelovic shook his head and said, ‘I just can’t get over it’. All the day before Science R.S. had to do a Vocational Guidance test, leaving me and Phillip to do the microphone. Phillip got into my classes for the first three periods and the fourth period a man had to fix the microphone so I didn’t go to class. Except for SRA and after lunch Richard returned from Voc Guidance test.

16^th of July 1965, Friday. Today on the way to school we got a double decker bus and we arrived late at school. Phillip got into trouble in every period today. In Music today, Richard and I saw Mr Johnman and asked him if he needed the microphone and lights and he said yes. So at 7.30 we arrived there and put on the lights and all that but one thing I must admit, the St Augustine’s choir was the best I have ever heard. Only one embarrassing thing happened, I slipped off the stairs. Dad picked me up at 9.30. I am now at home. Time is 10.30.

18^th of July 1965, Sunday. Today it’s raining, it hailed and thundered. The storm was so bad it shook the house something awful. Soon we will go to my aunty Nice’s place, it’s her birthday. One of our trees has been uprooted. Kathy my sister is hoarding already. So we went to Auntie’s place and she told us cousin Andrew[133] nearly killed a worker by ulling a leaver and a car went plop on the ground. If he was under the car he would surely be squashed.

19^th of July 1965, Monday. Mr Jelavic told or shouted out to me that I must ask to leave [when going to ring] the bell, no other teacher minds.[134] A spirit called King Edward of Orleans died I think about ‘1628’ wrote out a tune and it turned out quite nice when Mr Neville[135] played it on the piano for Richard and I.[136] Last Friday a whole bus load of boys got caned four each and some of the toughest kids almost cried. Disgusting. (Just think of the first years).[137]

20^th of June 1965, Tuesday. Today dad’s car or truck broke down so he rang up the NRMA and they fixed it. Mom has to go to Mrs Johnson’s place, she is 76 and Mr Johnston ios 80. So now she is making coffee and I asked if I could have one, she said, ‘No, coffee makes you nervous’ – which I believe is a lot of rot but anyway, I’m only 15 years old. It rained quite heavily yesterday and the day before. We got a ‘coffin’ bus today again, as yesterday.[138]

22^nd of July 1965. PETER VARMAN TO ENTER PRIVATE HOSPITAL. Peter is going to hospital to have an operation on his ‘bottom’ (I think). He will go between the hours of 6 and 7. When I came home I knocked on Patty’s door and her eyes were red, get the hint? (Now this diary is really personal). I gave Peter a book to read at hospital. I will –borrow his tape recorder. Tapes cost 15/6 each, isn’t it silly. I don’t know when he’ll be out.

23^rd of July 1965, Friday. Today Mother bought me a tape and tomorrow I hope to go to PC’s place.

24^th July 1965, Saturday. Today at 11.30 dad brought me at Phillip’s place and we played with the tape recorder most of the day. For lunch we had soup with big pieces of meat. Mrs Cordaiy brought me home. We visited Peter today and he looked awful.

25^th of July. Mr and Mrs van der Ven came over and tried each a piece of cake I had made but said it didn’t have enough sugar but I thought it had too much.

26^th of July 1965, Monday.[139] ...taped things. Mr and Mrs... [van der Ven?] came over. Patty visits Peter every day now he is still in hospital. I transplanted a lot of my radishes today, they are very old.[140] I might consider writing a very personal story in here soon but not yet. Mr Zwartjes comes for dindin every day and Phillip thinks that there is a L affair going on ???!!![141]

27^th of July 1965, Tuesday. .....I know Hady’s boyfriend now. He is tall and has white hair.[142] We had an hour for lunch today. When I got off the bus stop I suggested to Graham Peek – lets go to school and see his mother and I had a good od talk about spirits and invited me home on Sunday with Mom to listen to a Mediator [medium!]. She will lend me some books.

28^th July 1965. Peter Varman came back from hospital today, Rockcastle Hospital for a bottom operation. He is well but dad sprained his arm or hand, you know I was very surprised he did it picking up stones... OD.

29^th/30^th July 1965. ....van der Ven’s place and Martin’s big brother[143] showed me his Dutch Stamp Album collection.

31^st of July 1965, Saturday. Today I stayed at home and I did not invite any friends over so I worked in the garden and enjoyed myself. Kathy still gets fascinated when she hears names she knows like Robert, Peter and many other names. Today’s TV programme is awful and rotten, pardon the expression.......hmmm. Mr and Mrs van der Ven came over and so did the Avon lady.

1^st of August 1965, Sunday. I again invited no visitors. This afternoon I went to Mrs Peak’s place and she lent me a tape and some boks on spirits. I was there before [?]. Ma and Pa went out to Uncle Laurent and Tante Miep.

2^nd of August 1965, Monday. I Got the Cane from Mr Laws for not showing my two books for History. It hurt considerably.

3^rd of August 1965, Tuesday. I rang the bell seven minutes late today. Today the afternoon was occupied by the Sports Carnival. In the morning I missed out on part of Scripture and all of History. When I explained to Miss Watts what had happened (I said it fast, I don’t think she heard me correctly) she looked stunned.

4^th August 1965, Wednesday. Narrabeen Boys High School SCHOOL SPORTS CARNIVAL. This morning at 20 to 8 I caught the early mixed bus where pupils from 5 schools go, mainly girls. Oh how embarrassing especially with my bombed up suit case.[144] Oh well, we arrived at 8.20. I immediately helped with the microphone. As the day went past I sat with PC and RS. Stupid Miss Redle made me sit away because two boys are enough. At lunch RS, PC and another boy and I sneaked a cup of tea out of the canteen. At 3 o’clock – we had to put everything away. We wanted to miss the bus at first but then we just caught the bus. When I got home I was very tired. ‘Good things come in glass’.

5^th of August 1965, Thursday. Mrs Funnell’s away, hooray. Mr Jelovic and Mr Brown away. Lovely free periods. I have a sore throat today. I’ll have to take some Condey’s crystals. Phillip said it’s the first sign of flu (what a granny). Somebody called Miss Watts something bad so the whole class [had to stay] till four o’clock or until someone owned up but no-one did, so I caught the 5 past 4 bus ... I got home at quarter to four.

Friday, 6^th August 1965. I am very sick today, same sore throat and the flu. Dad chopped down part of the banana tree because it was getting out of control. It’s so nice to be home in the afternoon. I watched TV and went to bed quite early. ‘Oh baby, not again!’. [145]

7^th August 1965, Saturday. I feel a bit better but I did not invite Phillip over. He said he waited for it all day. In the morning I worked in my garden a little while. And in the afternoon we went to Peter’s place and Auntie Pat and Uncle Bert (Mr and Mrs Dearden) [were there] and they told us of relatives they have who make a living on just picking specks of gold from the roads and streams (I hope you believe me for I tell the truth). Mr Zwartjes is in bad trouble with his wife who left him (or something like that).

8^th of August 1965, Sunday. At 8 o’clock today the whole family left to do two quotes and have a scenic drive. We saw many old buildings and Frenchs Forest has hardly any houses in it. After the two quotes we went to the Spit Bridge, which was completed a few years back. I can well remember the old bridge. We stopped the car and Kathy and I went for a romp on the water’s edge. I found a 10d bus ticket there. When we got home I watched TV. I asked if Phillip would like to come over but he had a visitor, a 14 year old girl something or other Best.[146]

9^th of August 1965. We have a new Science teacher, her name is Mrs Vernon. When she first came in we thought her name was Mrs Burn, then Burns, then Furn and then she explained wildly her name was VERNON. She has an angry face and an angry voice and she is strict. She will give us questions all the time she said. Phillip went on a Commerce excursion at Moorbank. I got 50 for a Maths exam. I am now sick in bed with the flu. Oh woe is me.[147]

10^th of August 1965, Tuesday. I got my old Californian Poppy hair oil and I sat in my old bus seat at the very back and the same on the way home. Continued here. First period we had Mrs Vernon for Science.[148] She said that she was nervous and she kept on making mistakes. She seems nicer than we thought she would be. Mrs Austin, a geography teacher from England, has left school at lunch time. Yesterday I caught Mr Diamond listening at the door of the Microphone [room] name to RS and PC he does it often.[149] Next Friday is Education Day and it will be Friday 13^th.

10^th AUGUST 1965, Tuesday, LICENCE FOR MOTHER. For the second time mother went to Manly to have her driving tested AND SHE MADE IT. She got the licence (Mrs Moore told me).[150] I have 3d which I cut and bashed: 1 I have broken the law; 2 destroyed the Queen’s property; 3 and robbed the Commonwealth. Terrible isn’t it?!!!

11^th August 1965, Wednesday. Today was the ZONE Sports Carnival and Mother had to go to work, so I had to stay home and mind Kathy. Mother decided not to go but I was still allowed to stay home. I listened to my three tapes and at about 11 o’clock Mother went all by herself and then went to Mrs van der Ven by herself.[151] Then while mum was away Bobby [Bottger] rang me up, he stayed home too. We made a plan when mum came home he would come to the door and say ‘Is Robert home?’. Anyway, we played with the tape and we Consri [?]. Then about 3 o’clock we went to his place and he gave me a photo. Then we went for a walk in the bush, we found many interesting things.[152] Paddy and Peter had dinner here.

Saturday, 14^th August. I was expecting Phillip today but he rang up and asked if I could go to the pictures with him and Mr and Mrs Cordaiy and his two brothers and two sisters and his sister’s friend. I said yes and arrived at 2.30. After being introduced to the company Phillip and I plodded around then. We arrived at the picture theatre [Manly] and saw ‘Dr No’ and ‘To Russia with Love’. Well we had a good time but it turned out a little (S). On the way out there were a lot of horrible kids from school in 3^rd Year and they said, ‘Oh no, there’s Cordaiy’ or ‘Oh Cordaiy’. They said to me ‘Where’s Spicer, Varman’. After Mr Cordaiy asked me what I thought of his silly stuffed and padded gold doors I went home.

15^th August 1965, Sunday. Dad and Mr Zwartjes went fishing today and did not come home till about 2.30 or so. In the morning Mom, Kathy and I went in Mom’s car to get the papers. I worked in my garden a bit and got interested in my birds again, so I fixed their cage up and put two breeding boxes in it. Then Mr and Mrs van der Ven came over with Martin and (Peter...) and loaded some river stones in their car then they went home. Paddy and Peter took me and Kathy along to look at pet shops and then go to Mrs Dearden’s place, they were not home. So the brought me home. I watched TV after that mostly.

18^th August, Wednesday. I didn’t bring my sports gear today so I stayed in Room 1. I asked Kerry Wright if he would like to make or draw a rose for me.[153] I had my hair cut, oh so short and I have a large head. My hair disguises it. And I caught the green bus. My school case is so rackety. I saw Phillip’s brothers on the bus and I saw Phillip on another bus.

19^th August 1965.[154] Mr and Mrs van der Ven came over tonight and with me is Martin. Say hello. ‘Hello’. How are you going? ‘very well’. That’s good. Now Martin please sign your name... ‘MvdVen, Maarten’.

22^nd August 1965, Sun. Mr Neville told me last Friday that he should have a violin for me on Monday. Oh, I went to R.S. place today.

23^rd August 1965, Monday. I got my violin at last and went to lessons today but the violin needs new strings and a bow and I can charge it to the school, isn’t that good. Phillip felt sick.

24 August 1965, Tues. Phillip didn’t come so Rich and I did all the microphones recess.

25^th August 1965, Wed. Phillip didn’t come today. We spent two periods in the Hall. Afternoon we did beach sports. I didn’t do anything.

26^th Thursday, 1965, August. Phillip did not come to school and Richard went home half day. You should have heard the Hooray when I rang the last bell. Before it was time to go the kids just went home and Mr Torbett couldn’t stop them.

28^th of August 1965, Saturday. The water restrictions are on full blast. No hosing or any watering of that kind. I just saw a policeman in a motor bike going down our street (our lovely street).

29^th of August 1965, Sunday. Today Mother, Dad and Kathy and I went to Terry Hills Nursery. After that dad had to go to the la de da in the bush. After that we went to Curl Curl and I found a radio. Then we went home.[155]

30^th August 1965, Monday. BUS STRIKE. Mrs Zwartz was expected back but she is denouncing Mr Zwarts. Phillip Cordaiy came today and stayed for dinner. Just before he came I was fixing my radio and got electrocuted. It was awful. Just before dinner Iheard a knock on the door. Oh no. Woe and behold, Mr and Mrs van Kalcar. Oh honestly, I nearly fainted (literally). Then after about 10 minutes row Mrs van Kalcar attacked Mr Zwartjes, who is his sister-in-law. I taped the whole doing. About 8.30 Phillip went home.[156]

Tuesday, 31^st of August 1965. Mother went to work today and I stayed home with little darling[157]

Well I went to the shops to see if they had any tapes for tape recorders. They didn’t. I was going to South Creek Road but Lassie jumped out of the window at home, so I had to go home and wait for the 10.2 bus but Mrs Calnon gave me a lift. After I bought a tape we went home and watched Joan of Arc and Beauty & the Beast and Cobb’s Column. Mother came home and I watched Pyjama Game till 10.20. Good Night.

This would have been the first day of my third journal, also written in one of Father’s disused work books (no longer in existence). It lasted till the end of November when I started the fourth in a thick new exercise book. I was very proud of this new journal but it also no longer exists.

The journal ended within a few days of the ‘August’ holidays. I faced exams and did progressively better academically from here on. I also tried to improve myself in as many ways as possible, including appearance, and as a mark of a new age I permanently changed my handwriting late 1965 and early 1966. After the exams was a very happy time when choir took over as my favourite, a very, very magic time.

Some fragments have survived from this time in two scribble books for sketches, silly writings, documentation regarding ‘The Game’, words to songs we sang and so on. Parts that relate to school I include here. The first book was begun by 19 March 1965, the second book by 14 December 1965.

4^th of October 1965. Hedy’s Boyfriend. Throws discus (at Sports Carnival). Had to go home at 3 a day or so before the Folk Concert. He is tall and has white hair. Looks sort of clumsy but not clumsy. Wore a blue jacket and sports jacket and pants at Sports Carnival. He is over six feet and is in 5^th year.[161]

14 December 1965. My birthday. The evening was taken up by the presentation of a festival of carols in which we sang in four part harmony, sometimes with a leading performer: The First Noel; While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night; It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Christmas Bush for His Adoring, Lift Up Your Voices and Sing; The Holly and the Ivy; O Come, O Come Emanuel; Angels from the Realms of Glory; We Three Kings of Orient Are; There is a Rose; Ding Dong Merrily on High; and the Gloria from Mozart’s ‘Twelfth Mass’. Mr Neville made sure we did our very best.

24 December 1965. On this day I must have taken an interest in astrology because I wrote ‘Wednesday, 14 December 1949, half past one in the morning’, my birth details. I also wrote, ‘I get on well with people born on the 15^th of October and on 14^th February.’ I not long after gave away astrology as a waste of time.

31^st of December 1965. I left our place at quarter to ten and arrived at Kerry’s place[162] at quarter past ten to find that only Kerry was home. He showed me around and we talked. He has such a cosy little place. Then at about 11.30 Mrs Wright came home and she seems very nice and then after we went to see if there was any post. We had lunch, I had two cups of tea, two sandwiches and two biscuits. Then we played a few games and Mr Wright came home and offered to bring me home, so I rang up mother. Then at 5.8 we decided to go home. When I got home we went to buy chips for dinner. Then we went home. I wasn’t going to go to the van der Ven’s place but here I am. Mother is talking about old times. Now it is 11.30 at night 1965. We came here at Mrs Van der Vens place at about 8.00. 1965. This is the last time I sign my name with this year.[163]

Late 1965. ‘Why the Bomb will Save the World. Country A and Country B will not declare war on each other for if they do one might use the Bomb and the other will follow. Sop when both countries have blown each other to bits there will be no-one left except for a few million people left in small and desolate countries. And so in a hundred years or so [they] would move in the old ruined countries and live after the radiation has gone. But if there was no Bomb there would be wars on all the time and farms and cities would be destroyed and people would be killed and plagues would sweep the world and starvation would kill the rest. So the Bomb will save Humanity.’[164]

The 5^th journal has survived in fragment form, six pages to be precise but fared better than the short 3^rd and substantial 4^th journals of which nothing survived after 1970/1971.

Wednesday, 18^th May 1966. ....for dessert. Robert has just finished reading my diary; now knowing all my secrets. He found it all quite boring but I find it most tantalizing. Daddy shall be driving Robby – home about 8 or 8.30. He’s so upset that he can’t stay for ‘Mavis Bramston’ Show at 8.30. I’ll say good-bye now Robert (and you maytake that in the literate sense). Bye Bye. Post Script. Robert said to mention his mother is working today – so am I. Have fun with Phillip in town tomorrow, and say a ‘Hail Mary’ in St Mary’s for me.

19^th of May 1966, Thursday. This morning I woke up rather later and had to rush because I had to go with Phillip to town. I was dressed semi-formal . I arrived at Phillips place at 9.15, fifteen minutes late. Mrs Cordaiy gave Phillip one pound and was told only to spend about ten shillings. We left at 9.25 and caught a bus at 9.45, a Manly Wharf bus. I wanted to go to Manly to see if there were any pianos for sale. We saw one, a black one. Phillip asked the price, the man said, ‘originally it was 30 pounds but we couldn’t sell it for that, so the lady agreed on 20 pounds minimum. He then said, ‘Would you like to try it?’, we said, ‘Yes’ and so we did. It was roughly in tune and chop-sticks was the first thing we played. He asked us if we liked it, yes we agreed. (This was an auction). The piano is German and iron frame. I decided not to be excited for I knew I would be disappointed if I were. Phillip and I decided to make a visit[166] and Mass was on so we stayed for the Mass. We discussed the price etc. We tried to ring up mother but she wasn’t home. Phillip bought a 5d sausage roll. We tried to ring again but to no avail. We rang up again and again, so we went to the Presbyterian church for a look. Then we went to the Catholic church again and prayed to every saint, Our Lady and Our Lord. When we rang up next, we got an answer straight away and mother agreed on paying 10 shillings. So I went and put a two pound deposit on it, so Phillip and I went to my place. Mother picked us up at South Creek Rd. I got Phillip to ring the ‘Auctions’ to tell them dad will be there between 5.30 – 6.00. I was tense all day and nearly took a fit when I couldn’t get mother on the phone. We watched TV most afternoon. I was growing very tense. I borrowed Peter’s tape recorder around 4 and by 5 I was in a frenzy but the clock struck 5 and Dad and Peter came home. I told dad I had to be at the shop between 5.30 and 6.00, so we left at 5.10. And low and behold outside of Brookvale Bus Depot a car accident. Firstly this Italian[167] banged into a lady, then backed out into us. We were delayed, Oh how humiliating! We arrived at the shop to collect [the piano] it was the heaviest piano possible and it took 30 minutes to get it in the car.[168] Phillip stayed for tea. Mother was very sick. To get it in the house we had to get Mr Whirle and his son (eldest) Peter and it took two hours to get it in the house (my room). We had to put it on its side to put it in my room. It was slightly damaged,[169] it must weigh a ton. Everyone commented on how unearthly heavy it was. I taped the first song it played. My room is a complete mess, everything is in the laundry or Kathy’s room.

26^th of May 1966, Thursday. Mr Rosmaneth has been away since we have come back – so has o[170] No Assembly. I got two letters from Kerry. Dad got a letter from his step-brother.[171] I came first in History, as usual – TYDLE. The bus came very early this morning. Maarten is as gay as ever. As far as all records show, 26^th of May has always been a boring day except for Fete day 1962. I am watching Steptoe and Son.

27^th of May 1966, Friday. KATHY VARMAN[172] 5 years. Yes Kathy can write quite a few words, she is advanced toward other five year olds. Queensland goes to the poles tomorrow. They say Queen Elizabeth is a horse lover, I agree.

A very eventful day. Mother drove me to Powderworks Road. Kerry came very late (he caught a taxi to school 5/3. I rang the bell mostly today. I let him ring the bell during Science period. I accidentally forgot to put a 1 in front of a 5 to make it 12.15, he rang it 10 minutes too early and Mr Torbett sent everyone inside again [some dumb bell ringer............][173] was one comment. We also had an Assembly in the Hall. I wore Phillip’s watch all day. Also at the last recess we (4^th and 5^th) year were supposed to go to the Hall. Mr Neville wanted us for the Opera but the girls were having a test. I caught a school bus home. M.Z. has a new car, a Hillman, 1957. Mr Zwartjes came for a visit. I practised piano as usual. Mrs Zwartjes is supposed to come back tomorrow.[174]

This journal is largely intact. It was begun on October 24, 1966 and closed on February 24, 1967.

24^th of October 1966, Monday. In the post today Mother received a gardening book, a letter from Grandmother and films – we have just seen them.[175] St Joseph’s school children had to catch the 4.00 160, it was quite a squash.

25^th of October 1966, Tuesday. Today I saw Mrs Say adjusting her stockings in the Microphone room, we were both dreadfully embarrassed.[176]Well, Mr Hall today added his comment to my reference ‘excellent worker, reliable courteous’. The Inspector of Music came, Terrence Hunt. In other words Terry came today. He spent half our music lesson looking at us studying ‘Spring Sonata’. Then he and Mr Neville.......[missing].

......I had a chat with her[177] about the lay missionaries. Both sisters then said ‘Goodbye’ and waved. Paddy gave me some sheep’s wool just off a sheep’s back. Also Paddy and Peter stayed for tea. They wouldn’t sign their name in this diary.[178] On the 160, Phillip made a few scenes again. I helped him with one, we decided we wanted to play piano so we played Rondo alla Turka on our cases which caused quite an uproar. They made some comments but when Phillip said ‘Empty vessels sound loudest’, the girls roared, squeeled – Mellie turned around, so I did too. I hope she thought I had nothing to do with it. Oh well.[179] The person in Woollies, when I asked for an UGH icecream but I called it a U.G.H....... Oh, he asked us if we were going to get drunk.[180]

26^th of October 1966, Wednesday. Today Kerry’s exams start. RS went home at lunch. Phillip was warned that if he didn’t go to Sport next week, Mr Hall will take us all to the headmaster (you see it included us all). Mr Rosmaneth has my reference sheet. Phillip and I had to handle garbage bins for Mr Torbett. Oh how dreadful. Mother drove Phillip and myself home. This morning mother went to work and I had to catch the Narrabeen Terminus bus because at 8.25 I had to bring Kathy to school. Anyway, I brought her to the Rose Avenue entrance. Kathy cried a bit. I had to walk her up the playground where the old house used to be. Lassie unfortunately followed but as I walked out the gate Lassie thought I was going home and so I lost her. I got to school at 9.25. It is Laurie Koevoet’s birthday – my cousin and we shall be going there after tea. I have just come back and Laurie is 15. Hady gave me lots of advice how to act ‘with-it’, also, Hady is going to marry Kjell. I saw Tante Joice for the first time for a long time. Hady has never held hands or kissed him, so she said. Laurie is rather with-it now.

27^th of October 1966, Thursday. Today I got my long hair cut and now I feel bald – Oh dear, all the hair that came off. The barber commented on its length. I waited till about 5.45. Dinner was already underway. Also I got off at Phillip’s bus stop because I thought the 160 was behind us. It wasn’t. At the barber was Rodney Maguire whom I knew in 2^nd class [1958] also Maartin and David Harland. Yesterday I told Mr Crossley that I spilled a cup of tea on my Theory book.

I just saw a marvellous film, Alfred Hitchcock, about a nun who risked her life for a statue. Also saw Phillip kicked me on the bottom today. R Spicer was away today for some unknown reason. Yes....I wrote a few more pages in my novel. Kelly decided he should write a scene but it was very immoral. Yes, well, mother and father are at van de Vens. PC rang up four times. I painted two pictures for class.

For each thing I do opposite to these resolutions I get a [cross] for each improvement I get a [tick]. I will also write an explanation.[181]

28^th of October1966, Friday. Yesterday I saw about 25 pictures of pretty girls in newspapers. I looked at one and said ‘She’ll win the contest’ and she did too. Her name is Ronda Johnston. I was so surprised when I found out she really won. Dad had the same phenomenon.

RS and Phillip were away and I spent the day partly with KW and P. Lound and company. I patted an elephant on the way home from school. I said hello to the other one. There were three altogether. They all had sort of red hair – Indian elephants. I also patted a black dog that was there too. At the terminus Kerry bought me a drink. That person told the lady that there was something about us. She grinned. We caught the 160. I rang the bell all day today. Assembly at 10.30 after that was recess. I accidentaly locked Kerry out of the school today and I couldn’t reopen the front door (Administration Block). And his exams had started too.

Dad told me that Lassie started squeaking (she always does that when I come home) and he was telling Lassie to stop it and a little while after (one minute) I came around Rose Avenue into Berith Street. Dad wondered how Lassie knew I was coming . Strange isn’t it? Peter has gone to a bucks party – Paddy (sister in law) caught me about to do a show in our driveway. Most people don’t like my hair short. Well, that’s all. My pen ran out. Bye.

29^th of October 1966, Saturday. I rang up Kerry this morn and he told me that every page in my novel is red because of all the mistakes.[182]

China on the 27 – 8 – 66 set off a guided nuclear weapon, it got the target perfectly. Oh how terrible. I am listening to it now on long wave radio. It is a Chinese broadcast and it’s abusing the United States and USSR (Russia), ‘Long live the Chinese Communist Party’ they say.

I changed my room. About where my record player was is now my radio. (Mr Macfarlane is here, it’s 6.30). I sacrificed a plant (fern) that’s all. I swapped my tree picture with the (Africaans picture) and the bellow with the Nambucca Heads motel (thing). MK came in the morn. Phillip’s grandmother is moving to Queensland on Monday I think or Sunday. I took down all my places flags and put them above my bed in a diamond or rhombus design and where my piano picture is (above the window) with a record on each side. The house near Mrs Knox is progressing very nicely.[183] We had chicken croquets for tea. I planted some more plants in my garden. Oh this broadcast – what propaganda.

30^th of October 1966, Sunday. This morning I bought one Kodac film. I have already taken all 12 of our street for a documentary. On taking the 10^th one I met Mrs Calnon and we had a lovely time chatting. Then I went to take the last two pictures and I met Mr Macfarlane and his ‘Mrs’ and his three children, two boys and the youngest a girl not yet a year old, called Sandra Helen Macfarlane. They came over to see my room. I played ‘Little Baby Jesus’, my composition (Moonlight) and ‘Oh Susanna’. Yes, Mr Macfarlane was most impressed.

Oh yes. I made two lovely orange cakes and they turned out spongy which I had expected it to do. Daddio liked it very much, he took two pieces. Paddy and Mum wore their two-piece costume. I think mother’s getting a little too old for it, don’t you?[184] We bought the three papers and ‘the People’. Oh Mrs [Charles] Cordaiy, Phillip’s grandmother left for Queensland today and I rang up to say goodbye. Oh I felt so sad. She wished me a happy future etc.

Well, I ruined my library book and now I must pay for it. I’ll say I dropped it in the fireplace. I put a candle there, lit it, and threw the book there.[185]

Dad yesterday fot a 20-50 binoculars and they are really marvellous. We have just come back from eating dinner at the beach.[186] I was looking through the binoculars when I noticed, as I looked bare eyed at an object, that a young couple were passionately kissing. Apparently the girl thought I was looking at them. I was quite embarrassed.

I hurt my head on the little tree near the main bedroom window and there’s a scratch on my head 2 by one-eighth [inches]. Mrs Lester on the corner where the Brays used to live, have four children all born in England, three boys and a girl.[187] Yes, Oh well. Yes you know it. The van Kalcars have returned a few days ago. Staying with Mr Zwartjes. I really don’t understand why Mrs Z doesn’t divorce Mr Z. This is the way.... Oh yes, last Friday I gave Mrs Say a forged absentee letter but it doesn’t matter because Mother gave me notes for being away on a Wed and a Fri afternoon. That was very exciting-—

31^st of October 1966, Monday. Well today has been quite nerve wracking. Mt Torbett told me he is leaving at the end of this year – he has had a long chat with RS and PC, And also I gave Mrs Lloyd this letter:

‘Dear Mrs Lloyd, My son has had the most frightful experience with his library book, ‘Francis Greenway’ and it’s completely ruined. Please inform my son on the amount of money it will cost to replace the book. We’re very sorry. J.C.Varman’.

I went to see her during assembly at 9.08. I told her I was sitting in front of the open fire....

‘No, no in front of an open fire..... you know a fireplace. I was reading my library book.....

‘Oh so you fell asleep...and what was the fire doing on at this time of the year?’

During Science I dropped my books and Groat took a piece of paper. I tried to ask it off him and I was told to sit down [by the teacher]. It went around the front row, it was then dropped. I tried to get it and Mr Crossley told me to see him after school. The whole class was in HYSTERICS.[188] I told Mr C, after school, I was entirely innocent and was sort of forgiven. I suppose I was a bit of a crawler saying that but I was innocent.—

I walked home with Phillip.[189] We bought salted grotjens and an icecream. It’s butchers’ holiday today. At South Creek Road I met Hady, my cousin, and she has completed her tests. She thinks she has failed.[190] We caught the 160. Peter Varman had dinner at our place. I had two double yolkers instead of eating chicken. I sat next to Peter for the first time since November 6^th 1964. Bye.

1^st of November 1966, Tuesday. Today is Melbourne Cup day. There are so many horses there, about 23. I wonder which one will win. It’ll probably be ‘Alaska’ or the other New Zealand horse. Well I had better go to school, it’s 8.04 am.

Yes I’ve just come home and I had an exciting day. I was thoroughly convinced either ‘Alaska’ or ‘Terrific’ would win but no..... I was in a sweepstake for a shilling. I had Beau Royal and he didn’t win. ‘Galalee’ won for 1966. I just heard it on the radio. Peter had bought a 2/6 bet on him too. Yes, there was quite a lot of excitement about it too (at school). The inspector came for Science and I was completely unaware. Oh dear, and he sat next to me, I nearly had a fit. Also I couldn’t open the door when I left, so Elmer (Mr Crossley)[191] opened it for me. I caught the school bus home. Lassie bit Debbie Brown and they went straight to the doctor. She’s alright now. Lassie also had a fight with the German Shepherd dog two doors away, it was a dreadful fight. Miss Watts had a scream with us about SPORT.

1 November 1966. I do hereby confess that I Robert V Varman wrote and sent a letter to Mrs Val Brown in 1963. It read:

‘To Whom iT MAY CoNcern. Please STOP THIS DREADFUL BEHAVIOUR IN SMACKING YOUR CHILDREN All THE NEIGHBOURS ARE DISGUSTED, Yours Truly, ANONYMOUS’[192]

III She blamed the letter on Mrs Lester. Before that they were the best of friends – after that Mrs Brown gave Mrs Lester the complete cold shoulder.

IV She told everyone about the letter and said whoever wrote it is (Mrs Lester) a coward. Why couldn’t this person tell Mrs Brown this to her face?

V She showed it to a ‘cop’ (as she said) but the police couldn’t do a thing about it.

3^rd of November 1966, Thursday. Today was the last Orchestral Concert for the year but we didn’t go to it because Mr Neville wanted us to come to Music lessons at lunch time and last period. At first recess RS and I were going to ask Mr Neville about the concert. These two boys (Music room patrons I call them) one is nick-named ‘Bat’ because of smashed front teeth, they’re sharp you see; and another one, he is rather fat and looks typically Queensland (B. Calnon)... Well, Bat wanted to borrow my coat. I’d didn’t want to give it to him so as I got to the music room door I ran up the corridor for my life but after a little way they caught me and dragged me to Mr Neville. I pretended not to know what he was talking about and when he asked me if I would lend my coat I said, ‘I can’t because I have a cold’ and made a fool of myself.[194]

Mr Neville said that my homework was the best I’ve ever done. At Lunch time John Harding sat next to me and RS on the other side to follow the music. He was showing me where we were and everything, while RS was nudging me, he thinks Harding is a bit of a show off.[195] Mr Alders (Sex Maniac) calls him pretty boy, so RS tells me. Last period Mr Neville got RS and I seats to sit on to follow the music; he was nice to me today.

Phillip told us this morning that he has an arthritic foot. What a laugh... but it’s quite true.[196] Mr Torbett has left his office. Yes. Oh, I thought I’d better write this down: two visits ago to Laurie’s place I found out she has a crush on John Harding but she’s very with-it now. She’s really looking quite attractive lately. Yesterday it was dreadfully hot and today it’s been freezing. It’s been hot these past weeks. Mr McKinnon[197] drove Piff[198] to school, he also said ‘Hello Robert’ to me, also Nev always greets me. Miss Watts was very nice to Phillip today, so Piff tells me. I also heard Miss Amn threw her books on the floor yesterday and burst out crying – and ran out of her class because her class was ‘annoying’. Poor dear, yes.

Half way between the school and the terminus Kerry, myself and Phil;lip (Piff) got a lift to the terminus because it was raining. I was really quite forward to him, I almost asked him to let me in. Piff and I bought a cream cake each. We were all mad at the shops including Kerr – we burst into hysterics[199] at least three times over an apple bun – Piff called it apple’s bum. Oh dear. We all caught the 160. Father was at the bus stop, got some chips.

6^th November 1966. Collaroy Plateau, Collaroy, South Creek Road, Dee Why. I have suddenly decided to go on a trip to the Jager’s near Dural. We are at the DY Shell petrol station.[200] This, going with, is a last minute decision. I can see the [Warringah] library is almost finished.Poor Lassie had to stay home. Bye, we’re going again – Oh no we’re not. The Norfolk pines in the parking lot are all about eight feet tall. I do hereby proclaim that Kathy Varman is the mistress of this diary, signed Robert Varman and Kathy. Oh Presbyterian church, St David (DY). Fire Station.[201] Narraweena, Beverly Job Park, N- Public School Beacon Hill, Tracking Station,[202] French’s Forest, Skyline Drive-In,[203] Bellrose, Bowls Club, St Stephen’s church, Terry Hills. We are now on the Mona Vale Road. We have stopped. St Ives, Corpus Christi church, Pymble 1880 house, Turramurra, Warrawee, Waroonga, Normanhurst, Pennant Hills, St Agatha’s Cath. Hornsby, Pennant Hills, Dural. We are now at Quarry Pt. We have already been. We have returned. I have had lunch (tomato soup). I just quickly rang up R. Spicer to ask him what time Mass starts, he said 6.00. Also Kathy has gone to a party at 3 Lantana Avenue for Beaches [Becky’s] birthday. Dad just took three pictures of us on the lawn, I took some too. Yes. Well I had better mow the lawn. Bye for now.

I have just been to Mass at St Joseph’s and have decided to go every week from now on. Father Martland celebrated the Mass. Oh yes, Mass was so marvellous in a different sense to the usual marvellous. Mother drove me up and down. I suggested as a joke we visit Mrs Wright, Kers mother, and she took me seriously. Lassie was so excited when we came home from Dural. I saw RS at Narrabeen too. Well Kathy enjoyed the party very much I hear. I sharpened all my coloured pencils some for the first time since 1962.[204]

9^th of November 1966. Oh dear, its raining cats and dogs – its been raining non-stop from yesterday to today. It rained heavily all last night and my Caster Oil plant (that was especially grown that way blew down.[205] Yes and it’s Mathematics today for my most important exam. I’ve been praying and am saying a Novena to Our [Blessed] Virgin and I started one on Our Lady Help of Sinners and St Jude (I hope to pass 4 out of 6 subjects so I’ll pass). Oh well best have lunch now. Flooding in New South Wales, Nepean, Hawkesbury, Windsor, Richmond, Bundena isolated. Everywhere floods – how marvellous. 488 points since 9am yesterday. + sample of rain. Well here I am again (exam sheet)[206] and the Maths exam was shocking. I failed for sure (Maths is my worst subject). Mother got Piff and myself. The rain went at about 9.30. It’s thundering a bit.

10^th of November 1966. Kerry’s Birthday. Well today we had Science and I believe that I did a little better in this. RS and PC said it was ahhzoo.[207] Mother drove Phill and myself home. We first, though, went to Dee Why for some petrol. When we brought PC home I went inside his place to ‘pick up a book’, I did and put it down again. I played Phill’s piano. It needs tuning badly but that doesn’t matter. Mma gave me a shilling and I bought a half a dozen scones for a shilling. It was the first time I’ve entered the shop at C.P.W shops.[208]

When we got home I had soup and studied English for tomorrow. I watched part of Casebook on channel 7. I dropped my envelope opener (it’s in a knife form) down a crack in the fireplace. I called my brother an illiterate because he didn’t know the nominative case of to run. Ha, ha, ha (Oh well either do I for ‘to run’ anyway). He chased me down the street and tried to squeeze the answer out of me. Kerry’s birthday today. My Fair Lady chocolates.

14^th of November 1966. Today I have History. Mother can’t drive me home this afternoon as she is going to visit Mrs Wright 8.11.5. Bye now. Well I might as well not ever have been to History this year – only about two topics we studied this year. We had to do four but I might have passed though. Well, PC didn’t come today as he didn’t have any exams. I came home by bus. We got out at 11.30. I bought one pie and six (half a dozen) scones and watched TV. I even rang up PC.

I made Kathy do her first scale of C up and down and then stopped! The Avon lady came and it was a different one, she sold mother quite a few cosmetics. I played a very nice game with Lassie with a stick. Yes, TV was nice yes. My garden is a mess. Last Saturday Mrs Moore gave me some ‘Balsam’, a plant. I hope they grow, I planted them everywhere. Prince Charles’ Birthday (Prince of Wales).

15^th of November 1966. Mick’s Hair.[209] Mick belongs to Roland Oliver’s [maternal] grandparents. Mick is a dog by the way and is very old. He always greets me when I go to school or past the house which is on the corner of Rose Avenue and across the road of the shops.[210]

I am staying at home because I have no exam. I just went to the shops to get a packet of film, Kodac Instamatic (Brand Chemist – 65c). Mother is about to go to the shops DEE WHY to have her hair done. Well best go now.

While Mother was away I set up a terrific CPWWH STUDIO and took one picture with the date 18^th of November 1966 (next Friday). Mother came home 3.30 and Paddy had to go to the Doc’s. Later after we had dinner, P&P had dinner here, after Dick van Dyke, we played a wonderful game of cards till about 8.30 or so. While I was thinking furiously about why PC hasn’t rung me up lately, at 2.50 (he always rings at 2.30 because of Dita Sauz and Beauty and the Beast. He rang up which I thought was seer strange.[211]

16^th of November 1966, Wednesday. I stayed at home today and I have not studied. I wrote two letters to two monasteries. RS rang about four times. I rang up this morning also I rang up KW and I rang Phillip. His phone call to DITA was read out on TV. PC rang me up also. RS phoned up two monasteries and said he was me and talked about me teaching art.[212] Muv went to work. I had mushroom soup for lunch. I watched TV and set up studio CPWWH again and took two pictures, one of Pussy and the other of Lassie. My room is a mess and I’m not cleaning it up till after the exams. Tomorrow is my Art exam, hope I pass, I really do. Pussy stayed in Muv’s room since early this morn to 6.30.

17^th of November 1966, Thursday. This morn I was awoken by Richard Spicer’s phone call. Kathy has gone off to school with Linda Moore, next door. Mother is now taking the car out to have a safety belt fitted on. I do hope Kerry does not forget his paints. I suppose I had better study as I don’t go to school till about 12.30. My Art exam goes from 3.00 to 5.00, so I best get ready, so bye till then. Oh before I go I must say that I got two letters in the post, one letter or parcel from the Marist Brothers with lots of books and that and a letter from Hazel Philips, actually it was a dreadfully taken picture of herself, they must have printed a million and she wrote me a little message on the back... very nice.[213]

Examiner commented how nice my painting was. The test was rather difficult. I rang Muv at the terminus and she had been waiting [for a] half hour on one side of the road and I the other. I walked home, mother came just as I was walking up the street. Kim Webber greeted me with a warm Hello Robert today.

Friday 18^th November 1966. Phillip came over today and took a few pictures of me in Studio CPWWH. We bought a pie for lunch and mother went to Mrs Johnson. She, after lunch, went to Dee Why. Phillip rang up the secretary of Stuart Wagstaff and pretended to be Andria[214] and PC got his phone number 921131. Phillip after being drenched rang him up and said ‘Hello Mr Wagstaff’, (SW) ‘Yes’ and so on. Phillip told SW that he didn’t know who he was etc., etc. I actually heard part of it.

Oh dear is not the word for it. Robert loved every bloody minute of it and.....[215]

20^th of November 1966.[216] [To some people]Mass is just a social must, they don’t come for Mass but just as a social engagement. Then there are those who are gossipers and starers who watch someone go by and then turn in and gossip madly about the disgusting clothes he is wearing etc. Others are just there for the real purpose. Yes well, I am now watching TV –

21 November 1966. [Music exam?]...came in singing it. About 4.00 the other musicians came in and Main said, ‘Oh that was easy’ when we all knew it was murder. RS later mimicked what Stuart Main said. Oh we’re always doing that. We’re really jealous of him, I’m thoroughly convinced. I caught busses home. Yes and at South [Creek Road]..... At 6.00 I played my piano for the first time since my exams. Ist Anniversary of Large Diary, 21^st November 1966. I went to school today at 12.15 and came home 5.20.

22^nd of November 1966. Yesterday RS told me he was leaving after today, I believe he is going to another school. Yes and we have been preparing everything today for tomorrow. P&P stayed for tea. I asked Paddy to look after my stamps and put the family treasures in my – cellar. I watched quite a bit of TV today as well. Kathy wet her cossies but she made me cross my heart so I wouldn’t tell (I crossed my tum). Piff rang up I said bye. Paddy looked throgh my diary. Lassy didn’t eat her dinner.

23^rd of November 1966. We are now leaving. I have just said goodbye to Lassie. Bye. 69150[217] Time 4.55 [am]. Narrabeen. Mona Vale Road. Bahai temple. Half house being carried along Mona Vale Road. St Ives etc., to building huge highway – Lane Cove bridge. Ryde bridge. Strathfield. 5.45. Dominican Hospital (Victorian), Enfield (dreadful place) (+ St Anthony). Liverpool 6.15. Cross Roads Hotel, Campbelltown 6.30.

We are now parked next to the historic church in Campbelltown and are having lunch, the church clock says 21 past 6 o’clock, St Peters. Fishers Ghost Creek. Just saw a rabbit crossing the road. Camden. Anthony Horderns tree, While I Live I’ll Grow, est 1823 (Brookside Creek, now Horserace Bridge). Picton.[218] Bargo. Steam train. Yanderra, Yerinbool. Yes. Mittagong 8.30. We have just had a milkshake. Chinaman’s Creek, Cutway Creek, Historic Berima – there are no modern houses here, marve. Three Legs O Man Creek. Well’s Creek, Black Bobs Creek. Paddy’s River. Uringula Creek. Marulan. Narrambulla – two small bridges (one is being constructed). Tworangs Creek, Boxers Creek. Goulburn; very large town, three grave yards so far. Many churches. Run O Waters Creek, Roth Creek, Burrow’s Bridge. Federal Highway, 49 miles to Canberra. Great Dividing Range. Willow Tree Creek. Collector. Lake George, just got a sample of its dirty, filthy water and some large feathers. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY.

We are now in Canberra and we are just (1.30) about to enter the place we are staying at [Beauchamp Hotel]. Mother has already gone in, ‘us kids’ are waiting in the car. Well we have just had lunch at a German place and I ordered soup – expecting to get the usual so called chicken soup[219] but I got the real stuff and it was half full of chicken, ugh. Well now we’re back and, by the way, I have my own little room. Mother is far away. It’s very hot outside but cool in here, well best get dressed. I went by myself to the city and shopped around for music. I now know Canberra City off by heart. While walking back to the hotel I saw mother drive up the street. I called out, she stopped and bought us a drink each and aspros. I had a rest when we got home (I have had to go with mother everywhere as I always remember any place I have been and never forget it. Oh and was dinner a drama, everything went wrong. Kathy’s manners, mom’s choice etc. There is a piano here. Good Night.

24^th of November 1966, Thursday. Hello. I have just woken up after a magnificent night’s sleep. Well breakfast is in ten minutes, best go now. I’ll have to get dressed now. Yawn. Breakfast was marvellous. I ate peaches da ?, egg and bacon with ruffled up hamburger[220] in yummy sauce. Cups of tea. Then Muth and Kaffy and myself sat in the dining room. We decided to visit the war memorial. Yes and there were thousands upon thousands of relics of wars. There were stuffed (poor dogs) and heads of horses, medals, guns, weapons, boots, huge aeroplanes which scared Kathy and she said she would forget it when she grew up. There were tanks, letters, statues with uniforms. There were hundreds of paintings of war scenes with dead and wounded etc. Relics of all sorts of objects that so and so had, had. Well my overall picture of the place is – it’s really abit sadistic, some parts, but it’s very informative and brings back the horrors of war.

After that we went to St John the Baptist church, built 1841. I found a very old nail among other things. Kath and I went through the cemetery and I went partly up the bell tower, also the old school. After I had a milk shake and Coca Cola at W.M. Kiosk. We had lunch at a marv place (Esquire) and I had chicken soup (a lot) then mushrooms on toast and chips, then two cups of tea. After going to Woollies and David Jones (it was wonderful there) we went back. I played a of piano while mother spoke to a lonely Lady who had recently lost her husband. She was about 62 years old (she looks like she lost her husband even before she told us). They spoke for one and a half hours. I then had a lovely shower. Here I am now.

At dinner I had French onion soup, then I had cheese and something puff. Then vegetable and whatsie, then I had two helpings of a sort of cake with custard (hot, then coffee. My favourite matron (I call her this) matron. She is very nice and has so many cute features. I like the way she walks. My only identification I can give is that she reminds me of....[221] yes, well she even said bye to me. After dinner we went for a longish drive and got some Lake Burley Griffin water and the drive was marve. I even saw Parliament House. When we got back mother, Kath and I watched a bit of TV but I stayed on and saw a Yugoslavian film. Marve. I am now in bed writing this [222] Well I’m sleeping now and it is about 10.00 and well, must go to sleep. Marve day today. The water here looks very dirty and unclear, it develops bubbles and dies not taste nice. Bye for now.[223]

25^th of November 1966. Hello. I just woke up and am ready to begin the day. I shall draw a picture of my room.[224] Room No 44. Mum is 37. This hotel resembles an American Colonial (Kentucky) place. because of its columns. It also has a slurp of Australian colonialism. It has huge fireplaces and one is in my room, it dominates the place. Door knobs of brass and copper. This city is completely planned. The streets are so wide and the buildings are not large. The shops are scattered everywhere and one can knock one’s self out trying to find something. The whole city is engulfed in trees, which I think is marve. There is a funny looking church or cathedral being built on the other side of the lake[225] basic structure. It’s been very hot here since we came. Breakfast time 7.45, dinner 6.00. It varies on Saturdays and Sundays. From my room I can see trees and a few bits of buildings popping up here and there.

25^th of November 1966, Friday. At breakfast we had a different matron. I had All Bran (for the first time and....yuk) then I just had two pieces of toast and a cupp.[226] There is a person with us and he couldn’t stop talking. He started with [the topic] people shouldn’t talk about the weather to who should be elected. At 9.30 we went to the wharf and I got some leaves. We then got on a large launch and had a guided tour around Lake Burley Griffin from end to end and that was marve. Then we went back to the hotel and got the car and went to yet another restaurant and had the very same menu as yesterday. Well, after lunch we went to the Institute of Anatomy and firstly there was an Aborigine section and then a section with human eyes and lots of human brains, skulls, bones and even an human embrio, I think they are called. There were bisections of heads of animals and all sorts of gory bits and pieces. I had my hearing tested. It is 2.2 so both ears are the same. The meter went from 1 to 10, I got 2 for both ears. We returned to the hotel and I played the piano for three quarters of an hour. I then went upstairs and had a shower.

At tea that one lady was there again (her daughter is in hospital) she reminds me of a fuller version of Mrs Spicer. I had pea soup, vegetables in season and cake with custard or something. I then had coffee. We had this morn’s matron, she has a boy of 2 years but looks as though he is 4 years. After tea we went into the city and mother bought me a box of Dairy Box and a drink. The shops stay open till 9.00pm, all of them in A.C.T. After that Muv watched TV and Kath and I walked around the hotel here. And mother just came here for no reason at all and asked me what I’m going to do tonight. Bye for now.

26^th of November 1966, Saturday. I just woke up and have been to muv. Breakfast begins shortly, must go. For breakfast I had rolled oats, sausages with sauce and something and a cuppa tea and toast. We spoke to that lady who reminds me of Mrs Spicer for quite a lengthy spell. She lives at Goulburn and has two sons and one daughter in hospital who is becoming a librarian, she has room 42. I just changed into a white shirt and black tie. Well best go to muzz now, bye.

This morning we went for a drive to and around Camberra. We saw Gov’t House and Parliament House. We saw about everything, we even went to the Government Nursery and it was beautiful. It was absolutely enormous, also the forests in and about Canberra are beautiful. We didn’t stay there for long. I showed the way as usual. (I am now eating a box of Dairy Box). My face is slightly burned from the boat trip. We had lunch at Esquire. After that we set off for the Memorial for the thanks to America for the help they gave during the war. That was extremely tall. Then with some difficulty we arrived at Blundells Farmhouse which was absolutely marvellous and has an interesting history. We also signed the visitors book. The little organ there was not to be touched, that was quite disappointing, not to worry.

When we arrived back in Civic we had a milkshake each. In the Civic buildings. In the footpaths of some places are [grooves] to allow bikes to stand in an upright position. When we arrived home I got some Canberra dirt and then went to play the piano. In each room of this hotel are bibles for people to look at, it’s a custom I believe.[227] By the way, we are staying at Beauchamp House. Oh... I’ve nearly finished one layer of my chocies. Bye for now. At tea the lady that was here when we first came was here and we chatted... KATHY VAMAN O light switcher, says Kathy.[228]

she has deep set eyes wide, medium length nose, hair like this [229] quite short, bags under her eyes. She came from South Australia. Had grey (dark) hair and brown eyes. Rather petit. (Cape Town). She has travelled all over the world and told us about everywhere. Mrs ‘Spicer’ lady said that she looked like she didn’t have 2/- but apparently she is quite loaded. She is really very nice and has an English accent with a touch of African English. She has glasses but often takes them off. For tea I had vegetable soup, cheese and tomato and soufflé pie, then vegetables, then two helpings of custard and cake, then coffee. We all chatted, we were second last out. I went outside to get some plants for a living memorare of Canberra and this hotel.

The elections are on today. Holt will win no doubt but I hope he doesn’t. I hope either Labour or Liberal Reformed. Mother has gone to see the results. I am minding Kathy, I put on quite a show for her, stories etc. I think she is asleep now. Yes....Yes.....mmmmm.

27^th of November 1966. Here we are and after breakfast we leave for Sydney I’m afraid. Breakfast is much later today but not to worry.... actually I am starving to death (someone (probably Kathy) knocked on my door). My stay in Canberra was very pleasant and exiting. I wish to return again soon, it’s so marvellous. I now know every street off by heart, especially in Civic (yesterday mother found with luck a petrol station). All TV antennas are banned, also all petrol stations are grouped together disguised as much as possible. There are not many fences.[230]I had a dream that I was sent back to 6^th class with a group of kids to do special study but I didn’t want to, I wanted to do choir (I’ve had this dream many times before). Yes it was Kathy and it’s 20 past 7. Oh I can’t wait for breaky.

We had such a nice talk with that lady and we found out she was an English teacher for, I think, 40 years. She used to run a flat[231] and she is on a pension but still teaches pupils. She said that she is always interested in talking to young people and asks them what sorts of books they read etc. She wished us a good trip home and a happy Christmas and she was glad she met us all. I wished her a good trip to Adelaide. Then we departed. Oh I’m so sad. She was so nice.

Well, we’re in the car and we are about to leave the Hotel and Canberra. Bye bye, we’re going now. Oh we’re leaving Canberra. It’s been so good here – It’s 9 [and] 139 miles to Sydney. We are in NSW now. We stopped at an old church in ruins in the middle of nowhere. Goulburn now, meter is 474 in Goulburn. It’s 10.30 now. We are now in Berrima, it’s 11.40. We stopped for refreshments and now it’s 12.10. We are at present in Picton etc., at a B.P. station. Some houses that can be viewed from the station.[232] We are having some tyre trouble at present. The time is now 1.49. The service station attendant is Estonian. Bye for now. We are at Camden and had lunch at Capital Cafe.

28^th of November 1966, Monday. I caught the morning bus after half an hour of rush and calamity. At school I met everyone and I didn’t do much work there. Choir at 2 o’clock brought many happy mems of last year. It was quite marvellous. There were two roll calls and no Assembly. Mr Hutchins gave me lengthy and humorous instructions on how to ring the roll calls and Mr Laws gave me lessons and demonstration on the new way to ring the bell, very long bellmmm and hooters. It’s been so hot, 95 degrees in Narrabeen. Also in choir Mr Neville told Kerry [that?].....[233]

29^th November 1966, Tuesday. More demonstrations by Mr Laws. Also this morn Mr Torbett told us to go away as far as possible as he wanted to ring the bell all by himself because he wanted a ‘go’ for once. At lunch time we went to the Girls’ school and we were shocking and Mrs Holt wasted no time telling us. We took up one period and I wasted Mathsin trying to get a text book. We had Mr Elmer Fage.[234] Phillip is in my Science class also. I’m in History I with Mrs Say. The water restrictions have been over since the heavy rains around 9^th Nov. I bought four cream cakes. Kerry Wright of 10 Mactier Street rang me up at about 4.30 to tell he got some more marve presents from pen friends. Also PC was rather nasty today but he is always like that, so now and then I learn to live with it.[235]

Our Refrigerator {29^th November 1966}. We arrived at Brookvale early September 1955, soon after, we got the fridge.[236] Our refrigerator is about 4 feet 4 inches tall and about 2 feet wide. This refrigerator has been with us since we lived at number 5 Victor Road, Broekvale (sic) and it has served usin the garage, or flat. Soon now it will be replaced because the repairs are too expensive. It makes a nice da-te-da noise. Once in the garage there was a dead mouse stuck in the back for three years which made the fridge take fits for three years. The dead mouse was devoured by a kookaburra about 1959.[237]

3^rd December 1966. The first we were to meet was Tante Lini. We all kissed and shook hands. Then we met Tante Joss – for the first time I found out that she had children, the eldest being Linda Becker,[238] she is three days or two older than Kathy. She is of very plump proportions and is a head higher than Kathy. She resembled the boy in the Adams Family on TV. She wore striped tee shirt and red tight pants. She has very short hair and very thick small glasses. Then there was Wendy, she had fair hair (Lindy had black) and had large blue eyes with long eyelashes. She is an extremely pretty child. Tante Joss is quite sturdy, very, very loud deep voice and laughs heartily and has a rather large mouth which makes her look very hearty and nice looking. Tante Lini, Tante joss’ sister is rather plump and gay also, a loud voice and is also of rather dark complexion. They all have blue eyes. Their house is beautifully furnished . Tante Lini is very proud of what they have done to it. She showed us completely around. When we arrived Tante Nike and Cousin Laurie were there. Oom Hans is Tante Nike’s brother. Laurie and I helped the children clean the back yard.

Only recently Tante Joss and Oom Hans and Tante Lini owned a hotel. Tante Lini told us how Tante Joss kicked a drunk out of the hotel. She says ‘I don’t care if people get drunk in the hotel but when they come in drunken, I’ll ‘escort them out’ or words to that effect. I had a nice cup of coffee and two bikkies. Wendy is really a very smart little girl and so is Linda – she is going to be sent to a Catholic school even though no-one is Catholic there. Tante Joss and Tante Lini are very shrewd businessmen, or women. We left with kisses for all after a nice discussion about me playing the piano and being artistic. We then went home. Before we went we powdered Lassie of the prevention of flees. We are having crockets for lunch. Bye.

I saw Phillip’s two guinea pigs (it was raining). Said hello to his mother and showed our costumes to her. We then practised upstairs – choir. Helen asked us if we knew certain boys. For tea we had peas, mashed potatoes, chops (I hate meat), carrots and sour kraut or something. For dessert, icecream. Mr Cordaiy was dreadfully annoyed with his children and chased Phillip about the house in vain. Helen said it was my influence over PC. After tea we went to school and I believe Phillip and I had one of the most well done costumes. Mrs Lindsay doesn’t like music it seems, as she told me nicely to SHUT UP. Merrilee Robb put on my tan for me and another girl [did] my make up. Mrs Lindsay touched me up and I looked like a barbaric fat Mongol invader dressed as a shepherd. After a tiny romp about I sat in one of the seats to listen to the orchestra. The girl in front of us ‘someone Tassler’[239] commented to the boy sitting next to me that she would rather have (Bradbury) sitting next to her than------as he gives her strange scary looks. Then she went on, ‘Yes he always rings me up, what a waste of time’. I commented, ‘a waste of 6 pence too’, arousing many varied comments. I had a little chat to her. She asked me if I still had a dog called Lassie. I said ‘Yes’ -- and she talked on to me. The Bradbury fumbled in and banged into the door. I said to her, ‘Here comes you hero now’, sending her and everyone about us into hysterics.[240] After a few more words, they both left the Hall.

Emahl [and the Night Visitors] is marve, the actors are terrif and the choir was ugh. Mother in Emahl was so funny and went past me outside in the dark and asked me who I was, I just told her I knew who she was. While she was [saying] Goodbye to Emahl [in the play] and is partly turned from the audience, you should see the faces she pulls. Oh it’s so funny. That girl’s name (Bunny) is Susan by the way. After getting all the yukky make up off, PC and I walked to the telephone and rang up Muv. A policeman stopped us, approached us carefully and thoght we were three baddies he was after, even though only PC and I were there. I got to sleep at 12.20.

7^th of December 1966. In Hall about to practise choir and later Emahl. Next to Christoff.[241]

The Key: ‘Hidden meaning of squashed banana is rising sun in evening (Earth); Hidden meaning of squashed orange (heaven) is sand falling down cliff instead of waterfall at midnight; Hidden meaning of squashed passionfruit is sand going down sewer pipe at night; Saying for the Key: When on earth, squashed banana, When in heaven, squashed orange, But in hell, squashed passionfruit’, P. Cordaiy, ‘But this is not to be published without my position (sic)’.

8^th of December 1966. I am now back after a very successful night. The Hall was packed and a couple or so had to stand. Only one error – the tenors didn’t come in, in the last verse of Amahl. I had a few nice chats with Lyn Taselaar also another gilr insisted I take off my watch in an angry (naughty-naughty) way but I told her it was tradition. Mrs Lindsay and Miss Watts put on the make-up. After the whole thing was over Mr Neville told us how good we were and that 1963 has eclipsed for him again and that when he first came here he wished he could go back to Bourke where he came from and that we probably wished the same.[242] Mr Neville’s favourite record was presented to him from the Choir etc (I gave some money yesterday) and I had to borrow 6d to ring up mother. I now owe the chemist 6d and Mr Laws 6d. All the music teachers etc., got little presents and we had to pose and pictures taken probably for the next years magazine. Mrs Dearden enjoyed herself and so did dad. The Festival of Lessons and Carols went beautifully especially Gloria (best ever) and there were no obvious mistakes and Mr Neville was extremely pleased. The orchestra were marvellous except the strings made a little what’s it. At the end of Opera I was outside looking for Frank[243] shading my eyes. Two girls walked by and shaded their eyes and made a comment as to suggest I was staring at them. Also I had to tell dad to bring Mrs Dearden home as I had to have pictures taken. On my way back a girl commented, ‘Swingin Shepherd’ as I flashed by. Getting the make-up off was no problem by the way. The magazine came out tonight and most teachers were there including Mrs Say. I had to move from my window place as those kids stood in front of it but I got a better place near Kerry. The student teachers were in the choir also. The soloists were marve. Mother’s asleep, Lassie and Pussie. All the fruit was eaten that were in the basket.

12 December 1966, Monday. I got my pocket money a little late. This is the last time I get 10/- or 1 dollar. I stayed at home today and I wore my Shepherd uniform for about three hours – very comfy. One Dollar ACS 036749.[244]

I went to Kathy’s concert (Carol Festival) and it started at 2pm. There was a very large crowd at Collaroy Plateau West School. They sang such Chrissy favourites as ‘Away in a Manger’, ‘Merry Christmas’ etc., fifteen altogether. Their voices were very soft and pleasant to listen to. Kathy got presents she made for mother and father and a report. I watched a bit of TV. Paddy rang up while I was in the bath. At present Kathy has the twins [over here] (two identical boys both with glasses) and two girls, one is Christine (lives up the street). Mrs Ross is absolutely marve with the kids and so is Mrs Irish (her teacher). Muv went to work. I am now a member of the Warringah Library in Dee Why (An Outline of Psychoanalysis).[245]

13^th December 1966, Tuesday. I got four pots, I could have got more [because] I did a job for Mr McKinnon and he threatened to hit me over the head with a chair if I didn’t take off my coat. I did and did a marve job and got them, thanks to Mr Mac.[246] I let father and mother believe I did them. I had to make a copy of tomorrow’s timetable for teachers. I received a birthday card from Kerry. I also bought a roll of film at Plat West. Kathy has gone to the dentist, [Dr] Alcock, for the first time because of a toothache.[247] We now have six huge periods and have not done any work as usual. We wrote those timetables in the deputy headmaster’s office. Phil and Kerr were making beep-beep noises imitating Mr Laws and some teachers looked in. I mainly read my library book I got from Dee Why Library last night. First period I had a nice chat with Mrs Lloyd about Vanity Fair and D.Y. Library. They had tons more people than had been expected.

15^th December 1966. Phillip did not come to shool today much to my surprise. Chris Mosely did and he and I are now well aquainted. He really is very nice but he is introverted. Paddy has to work overtime and Peter, my brother, had his last tetanus needle today. My Bus Pass. Bus pass expires today.[249]

16^th of December 1966. Walt Disney died at St Josephs in America, California. Born Dec 5^th, aged 65. Oh how very sad.

Hello Robert – we have a marvellous day ahead of us – we are going to antique shops at Dee Why; and we are going to do our Christmas shopping at (D/ee) Warringah Mall. This note is really for the purpose of saying Robert arrived about 10 minutes ago and it is now 8.30 – I shall write more when we return. / We have returned from our expedition now; and oh!, we had a wonderful time (I am writing this at my kitchen table looking south of our archaeological and shopping excursion. Firstly we got a 9.5 Wynyard bus to D.Y. post office where I....[250]

< Well. 19^th Dec 1966. Robert and I were just discussing what we’d do if we failed the S.C.[251] Believe me it would probably be suicide. Robert said that the best way to do it is to put a knife near your heart and fall forward. No I don’t think I could do such a thing. I’d probably just run away. Dear, Dear. It’s hot today. I also just told Robert about the Italian man at Wisemans Ferry and we are both revolted. Robert is playing ‘Come O Shepherds’ – from Amahl. It’s 8.15pm. We are both going to buy the Moonlight Sonata. Well best be going. Toodles. Phillip.[252]

20^th of December 1966, Tuesday. I woke up very sleepy and tired after a dreadful asthma last night. Mother went to Mrs Higgins and she got a nice modern Italian ash tray in that blue look I always love. Also when she went to Mrs Johnson last, mother got a set of six glasses. Well, Kerry phoned and told me to bring some white oils. I started with a lot of bad luck. I couldn’t find my sunglasses and my blue jumper (the sloppy one). Anyway I came 20 mins late at Kerry’s leaving Lassie and Pussy inside. K and I caught a City bus to Spit Junction, we only paid half fare, 5 cents. I often get away with being 14 even though I am really 17. We got off at the Spit [Junction] and we went in and inspected every antique shop and used furniture shop to the City. We walked all the way from Spit Junction to Hyde Park by way of Castlereagh St. We went into St Philips church and we asked the Minister’s wife if..............yes. I have al[ways....]. We then went to Castlereagh Street and then walked up the street where Hyde Park is visible and went into DJ’s and went up about six escalators (?). At top floor K and I both had a pot of tea each, then an orange drink.

When I rang up PC this morn Helen answered and said ‘Just a minute Robert please’, I nearly fainted.

After that we walked to Circular Quay, the very long way. I had to pay 25 cents to catch a ferry across the Harbour. It used to cost 6d children and 1/6 adults a few years ago. This is the first time I paid adult fare. We saw a very large ship leave for overseas. Oh I felt so sad, all the wavers, ship called......... Ay Manly we visited some other antique shops. We tried out many pianos. We caught a Narrabeen bus to South Creek Rd, said goodbye to Kerry. When ringing up mother the phone was out of order but mother said that if I was at South Creek Rd I should hang up and dial again.

[253]....y harbour bridge. When the electric train cluttered across, it really rocked the bridge. Upon reaching the middle of the Harbour Bridge I sat down in the middle of it on the ground, I felt rather dizzy when I looked down the bridge.

Today I saw a girl in a mini skirt for the first time. I also saw a man in a mini suit. Also I today delared at about 9.00 on the corner of Rose Ave and Veterans Pd that St Rose of Lima is my patron saint. Muv and fath have gone to visit the VdeVs.[254] At Wynyard Station we went down not to catch a train but to have a nice fizzy drink. Well I’m tired – Ohhuemm. I had to do so much walking and waiting in shops and had a nice milk shake and cream bun at shop[ping] centre before BIG BEAR and at BB we bought a hot dog each. Bye for now. Yes.

25^th December 1966[255] Happy Christmas 1966. It took one hour, 10 minutes to unpack the presents:

Robert: A straw waste paper basket/ 3 handkerchiefs/ LGS.35 tape for tape recorder/ another tape/ packet of salted liquorish/ orange liqueur/ one pound note[256]/ a feather and ball of Kathy[?] hair from Kathy/ a book of old furniture from P&P/ a beautiful recorder[257] /Pate de Or chockies/ tute [?] chockies/ stamp album/ photo films/ glass beaker, France/ 2 packets of Scotch tape/ salted lesyrs [liquorish?].

Kathy: Barbie and Migie clothes/ salted liquorish/ Neo Magic (small)[258]/ Nibbo chocolate/ truffle chocolates (Mocca)/ teenage fashions for dolls/ Tanya fashions for dolls/ A Barbie doll/ Tiddley Winks/ Donald Duck/ A Basket/ Mary Poppins game/ skipping rope/ chocolate tiles/ a feather from herself/ salted liquorish/ chockies etc.

Mother: Droste chocolates/ orange van Houten chocolates/ two packets of cigarettes/ Droste chocolate tiles/ elegant umbrella/ a feather/ lalk & ash or vase [?]/ a lovely blouse/ scent/ Cherry Brandy/ sapphire ring – light blue.

Father: expensive clip-ons from P&P[259]/ three pencils from Kathy/ three feathers from Kathy/ shorts, very stylish/ Yardley odecologne aftershave/ tie and socks/ tie[?].

25^th of December 1966, Sunday. + Christmas Day + Mr and Mrs van der Ven are here and also Paddy and Peter came and Maarten is here. Hello Robert. Hello. Yes and its true. I’m wearing my coat and pants. All last week I wore my cool outfit – white pants and white shirt except for Mon, Tues and Wed. We went to Tante Miep’s and I found out what grandfather died of and of what Oom Willem[260] died at the age of 56, 8 years ago – it was lung cancer, also with grandfather.[261]

Well at lunch I didn’t have anything and I read some books and ate all my chockies. After that Dale and Neville visited Peter[262] and now we have just come from visiting Peter. I had my first alcohol drink, two inches of beer in an eight inch glass filled with fizzy drink. I didn’t like it but I drank it.[263] Peter and Margaret[264] seem to be very interesting persons, very humorous anyway. He likes playing with children’s toys, he and Kathy were playing with Barbie.

We have just finished turkey dinner, I don’t really like that. Paddy and Peter think I look like an I-tie (Iytie) Italian, in other words. I told them that if they knew anything about genetics they would know they would probably have a couple of them.[265] Paddy told me her grandfather[266] was a twin and she was in line for twins. Well, we certainly enjoyed ourselves. Kathy got along with Peter in P & Margaret, he played nicely. Well to End Christmas, P&P&FD & Muv are all going to play cards. Thank you God for a marve day. O.W.S.N.I.M.T.

Just before the Opera[267] I found out Sheba, Mrs Fielder’s dog, has been put to sleep. Oh what a sweet and loving dog Sheba was. She was a bull or boxer, little one.[268] Timothy George Lea Dearden, Mrs Dearden’s little kitten, is staying with us.

26^th of December 1966, Monday. Well at 7.00 we were all off for a boating trip at Cole and Candle Creek with the Van de Vens. It was pouring rain and when we met them at Lantana Avenue we for a minute doubted the idea of going but we did. Maarten came too, in his board shorts. I wore ordinary shorts for the first time since last time – that was months ago. We got the boat started. Mother, Kath, Mr and Mrs Van de Ven in their boat and Maarten, me and father in our boat. The motor started successfully. We arrived at a small beach across from America Bay, not the small one, and there Mart and I explored the surroundings adthe two streams. On the right side stream we found Aboriginal shell deposits where for centuries Aborigines brought shell fish to eat and dropped the remains.[269] What beautiful rocks. Many people came, during 12.10 young people! I dug down very deep in sand until I came to water. I later buried myself in it, one lady commenting on it. We left at about 3.30 , arrived home about 4.30. I had a shower – was covered in sand. Well here I am with [270]

27^th of December 1966, Tuesday. I spent a morning at Paddy’s playing with the little kitten and I took two pictures of Lassie on the letter box (she walked there herself) and two of Pussie on the barbecue. I took L kitten’s picture and so I finished the entire film. PC rang last night. I was asleep. I rang him this morn. I got the tape recorder off Peter and taped a radio CPWWH [programme]. Father came home at 7.0 after a day of fishing with Mr VdeV at Jerusalem Bay and America Bay. I decorated a large bottle with candle wax I dripped all over the bottle. The TV is on the blink. I learned to accompany Chop Sticks and the Woodpecker and others on the piano. I rang up KW at 8.00 and played him the tape and played the recorder accompanying the piano – on tape. Bye.

28^th of December 1966, Wednesday. It’s ten past 1.00 and Mother is talking to Tante Bett (Kook)[271] this very minute and Jan is married and has a child and I think Ciny is also. Oh how marve. They now live at Dural (they are still talking in Dutch). This is the first communication with the Family since the death of Tante Bett’s father, known to all as grandfather. He often stayed here. Once for a very long time and he cleared the backyard like a miracle. He used to put Kathy on his knee and sing a sort, Op,sa, op,sa, op sa sa[272]. Kathy always enjoyed it. Jan is also in the Air Force (Gilford). Still speaking..... Oh how exciting, yes.... 6511215 DURAL is their phone number. Hunts Avenue, Carters Road. Ciny went to Holland (They came out with us) for a trip. Dad’s talking now. Ciny has gone to Europe for two years. Correction, Jan has two children. 1.30 phone call ended. That’s all. This morning I went to Paddy’s flat and played with kitten also I brought away three films to be developed.

31^st of December 1966, [Saturday]. My life-long ambition was fulfilled when I got my piano and also when I began to learn this year. I have also started learning to play the recorder. Also oil painting has given me an extra path to walk upon this year. My new writing has also made a difference to my year. + This year has been kind to me I believe. Decimal currency has not effected me in the slightest. Yours Truly, Robert Varman 1966. PS This is the last day of this year by the way.

31^st of December 1966. A Note Jammed In Between. I met Kjell and that’s that, after being so embarrassed and nervous for nothing. We had a marve dinner with Tante Nike’s specials.[273] Later two girls came, one was called Kerrie and we were all in the garage together. They both taught me the modern dancing step or wiggle – both at different times, the one more than the other led me by the arm. Hady introduced Vodka in Orange drinks I found out later after two of them. I felt dizzy and light headed. The girls tried to tell me it was Bitter Orange and if I had heard of Bitter Lemon.[274] It was really marve. I had three alcohol PUNCH. Bye for now.

[1] Gaps as appear in the journal. I was about to comment about how John F Kennedy Jr was [1]but got no further than the word, ‘Little’.

[2] Kim Webber and I had been the best of friends soon after he arrived at our previous school, Collaroy Plateau West (now Wheeler Heights), in 1961 – fresh from exotic New Zealand. He was born in the UK. The alliances of our old school gradually broke down during ‘first year’ at high school and we did grow apart but remained friends until he left school after fourth year.

[3] He was grumpy in those days and sparing with praise but got particularly angry at our school reports. Brother Peter definitely got the worst of it in the past – some of my earliest memories are of books flying through the air and father’s booming voice. I had done quite well that year, unlike the following two years.

[4] Peter Zwartjes was his actual name but because the name was difficult to pronounce they usually said ‘Zwarts’ but spelled it in the Dutch way. He was the son of Wim and Nel Zwartjes (nee de Haan). They moved across the road around 1960. He had a younger brother Bart.

[5] Beginning of Journal vol 2.

[6] Henk Iddink who married my mother’s sister Dini van Bommel.

[7] In Dutch it was the tweede Kerst dag, literally translated as the second Christmas day. We didn’t call it Boxing Day then.

[8] I wasn’t being ‘precious’. I had never before or after seen so many flies in my life. I will never forget that barbecue where we started to barbecue the meat. We saw this low grey cloud emerge from the bush and approach us – flies. I don’t know how we ate. The flies got in everywhere, many in our drinks even though we covered the tops.

[9] Ten shillings (one half of a pound). Ten shillings became one dollar in 1966 but could purchase considerably more in those days. It was a generous pocket money for those days I thought. Father was generally cranky with me then.

[10] No comments made for those years, or those left blank.

[11] One factor was that the holidays seemed long in those days and without means of money you couldn’t do anything special.

6 Almost certainly a Mad Magazine. An expensive comic in those times.

[13] They both did a scribble. Linda Moore (now Kite) and Kathy Varman (now Sutherland) are still friends.

[14] Richard Spicer and I were best friends first in 1959 when we attended the St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School (convent school). We resumed as best friends in 1963 to about 1966 when he left school and eventually became a brother. He would have made a fine priest and probably still is.

[15] South Creek between the Rose Avenue track and the site of the Wheeler’s wooden house.

[16] Postage stamps [note dated 23.10.1985].

[17] First entry in fountain pen. Previous entries in ball-point. The earliest were in lead pencil.

[18] Prince Edward.

[19] Javanese Rice Birds.

[20] Town meant the City of Sydney, then a vastly different place, a Victorian city with many fascinating arcades with small specialty shops. The AMP Building at Circular Quay was the first ‘sky scraper’.

[21] An evening at the Methodist Hall, Collaroy Plateau, to be dreaded more than anything else.

[22] Sister Mary Peter Julian at Mater Maria, Warriewood.

[23] Richard Spicer. The procession took place in the grounds of the ‘Cardinal’s Palace’, St Patrick’s, Manly.

[24] Val and Dennis Brown built their house on the vacant land next door around 1961, once covered with thick barked Banksia trees and scraggy gums. No 12 Berith Street. Three children, Debbie, Leanne and Fiona.

[25] Brother Peter found a branch at Narrabeen Lakes near the base of Nioka Road around 1958 (where people dumped garden rubbish) and brought it home, stuck it in the ground and it actually grew into a fine tree. Handy for feeding silk worms except that I wasn’t permitted to keep them because father thought that they would take over the Mulberry tree. I kept a first lot around 1962 and got into trouble because Debbie Brown from next door wandered in and ate some of them!

[26] The date is confused, below it is ‘24^th’ and just above it a later ‘2^nd’ crossed out. On a loose sheet the date is 30 June which appears to be the actual date of death.

[27] The bus stop then was on the south corner of Veterans Parade and Rose Avenue.

[28] Located on the north corner of Veterans Parade and Lantana Avenue. They were walking along the east side of Veterans Parade.

[29] He lived on the opposite corner from Bobby Bottger and they were friends on and off over the years. One day he said to me, ‘Do you want to see a match burn twice?’. He lit the match and poked me on the hand with it. That hurt. I was not amused but the match did burn twice.

[30] Big gap in the journal. The following were written on pieces of paper later sticky taped into the journal.

[31] Last account for the year.

[32] This entry was on a loose sheet of paper. To be generous, I think PC was a little jealous of my new pen. That birthday was brilliant. I received a cuckoo clock – the best present ever. I could hardly sleep.

[33] Richard Spicer lived at the first bend of Nareen Parade, Narrabeen.

[34] ‘The Game’, as we called it, involved dividing up the world into nations between us and whoever else was in The Game. We’d have wars, peace and diplomatic incidences, intrigue – just like in real life. Those in the group that had fallen foul of us ended up having countries confiscated or were excommunicated. My main country was Tiddy de Vacckk, Phillip had Plutonia, Kim Webber had Den Arkel. The Game in one way or the other was never abandoned

[35] Narrabeen terminus at the shops, near the tram shed.

[36] Mr Peter Moore, his wife Shirley and children Linda and David lived next door at 16 Berith Street from about 1961 and continued to live there until recently (2000). Mr Moore collected birds’ eggs and bottles.

[37] I got to know Maarten van der Ven at Collaroy Plateau West school in 1962. When our parents met they became friends. Maarten’s parents were Anton and Rie (Marie nee Peters). They came from Braband and spoke Dutch in a pure Braband way. When I first heard Mrs VdV I thought she couldn’t speak Dutch properly. I didn’t know about Dutch dialects until then (1962).

[38] Anni Marie Baskerville. She came out with her father from Birmingham, England in the 1890s.

[39] My parents and Mother’s brother, Jan van Bommel, and wife (of Darwindale) exchanged tapes.

[40] About once a fortnight or month Mother’s friends would take turns at having afternoon tea at one of their places. We’d joke about all the gossip going on at these gatherings. Regular members included: Nel Zwartjes, Attie van Kalcar, Miep Koevoets (father’s aunt) and Rie van der Ven.

[41] My great uncle Laurent Koevoets owned the petrol station at the corner of Fisher Road and Lynwood Avenue, Dee Why from about 1963. This incident split the van Kalcars and Koevoets for ever. It must have been ‘big time’ because a few years ago I heard via a neutral source that even Lammert’s son knew of the incident and the name Koevoets even though the incident occurred years before his birth.

[42] I had this fascination for a dancer called Tikky Tailor of around 1960/1961.

[43] This was written on a loose sheet from a printed diary book. What a contrast to the official account!

[44] Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences at Ultimo. My favourite exhibit was the Strasburg clock.

[45] It should actually be No 12 if it was directly next door (north side).

[46] for dinner? I placed the live fish in the big fishpond in the front garden but.....

[47] Nancy and Bob Calnon (and son Barry) built their house two doors down (No 10) in about 1958. We all thought the name Bob very unusual at first. Peter and Barry became great friends and I loved it as a kid to be able to tag along (rare occasions). Barry left around 1962 as his step father (Bob) didn’t like him. They came from Queensland originally. Mrs Calnon had one of the most modern ovens in Australia, her kitchen was built around it especially. She also had a white asthmatic cat. They had a thing for ballet judging by the numerous blue hued framed prints. Every Saturday Mrs Calnon would buy a delicious cream and sponge cake with passionfruit topping. Mrs Calnon always placed an appropriate ribband out on special saints’ days, they were Anglican but not very religious otherwise. There was a (red) Bull Ants nest under the back stairs for years, so I preferred the front entrance.

[48] The new smart Waltons store mainly. The building is now divided into a number of shops.

[49] As in the ‘Munsters’, a favourite television show.

[50] The ‘box’ began as a box of old toys, cards and things but became a sort of archive which I still maintain.

[51] Good Night. I filled a page of scribble in order to show how pictograms evolved into writing script.

[52] ‘d’ stands for pence. In 1966 it became cents.

[53] This is when I collected a lot of the early bits of my archaeological collection – nails, wood from St Matthews, a brick and some other bits and pieces. These were just laying about St matthews was being restored at the time [Note dated 17.05.1984]. There are crude sketches of St Matthews, Windsor, the Post Office at Wiseman’s Ferry and the double towers of St John’s at Parramatta.

[54] I collected chiming clocks. The two named ran at 22 and 25 minutes to go the round of an hour on the faces of the clocks. Needed some adjustment.

[55] Crocodile tears. I just loved it when I had the place to myself. I think that they went to South-West Rocks (Seal Rocks?) where the great stone prison is. They had a fabulous time.

[56] van den Elshout. Probably Eddie or perhaps Frans. I have wondered since if I made a mistake and it should have been father’s full brother oom Zieg (uncle Zieg) who did have a similar operation.

[57] I think he was saying aloud for all to hear that my father was a dunny carter (sanitary can carrier) and my mother was having an affair. I just wasn’t used to that sort of joke and of course it became a regular feature, with variations, for some time.

[58] The 2 was made into a 3 but it was actually two ridges, now the still undeveloped area to the north of Cromer where the small plane crashed at the end of World War II. I visited there recently but couldn’t find the wreckage site again but may have found a panel. My brother used to collect the bullets around 1957/1958 and take out the gunpowder (in the converted chicken coop) until father found out. Trouble!

[59] Mr Johnman. He introduced a new era and a high standard to the school. He was highly esteemed in the teaching profession and respected by the boys. He wore academic gown to all assemblies.

[60] Occasionally the odd word appears at the end of an entry like this one. I think I just liked the sound.

[61] As good as my word, I did as soon as I raised the money, leaving on 5 August 1970 and returned around September of the following year. Mother was saving up for a Volkswagen.

[62] This was the old school bus stop I used to get out of when I attended St Joseph’s in 1959, Waterloo Street the corner where they later built the new church. PC said something like, ‘Oh, aren’t confessions expensive these days...’ I was mortified.

[63] God Save the Queen. This was the Australian National Anthem until the late 1970s.

[64] Mrs Bourke was the mother of Michelle, a good childhood friend of mine from about 1957 to 1960. She was about the only one nearest my age in the district in those days and of the same religion. We planned to get married and have about 10 children. She made me agree that I could smack the boys and she’d smack the girls. The old people from the War Veterans Home sometimes made a (pleasant) fuss over us.

[65] I have no idea what the last seven words are supposed to mean.

[66] March 7 and 8. I was using basic archaeological method in excavating between the garage and No. 16, so possibly my first excavation and I didn’t even know it. I was even able to day some of the stratigraphy.

[67] Swimming at Collaroy pool usually, in First Year it was mainly North Narrabeen.

[68] I was given the job to ring the bell, early in 1964. Richard Spicer got me the job with him. He used to ring the bell in First Year. It sounds like a nerdy thing to do but it was seen as an important job. We used to get the times from the Deputy Headmaster, Mr Torbett but after a while we were asked to draw up the times for each day. Morning recess, some still called it ‘play time’, and Lunch had fixed times, as did the start and finish of the day. The tricky part was dividing the time into 7 or 8 periods after assembly. Assembly could last from five minutes to 15 minutes. The good part was being able to give less time to periods that I hated if I had a spare minute or two that couldn’t be divided. The other good thing was that I left classes early and started late. Eventually we got to do the microphone for assemblies. The mechanics were so complex that we had a microphone room. By this time Phillip Cordaiy joined the bell ringers. We didn’t actually ring bells but pressed buttons for a hooter and a buzzer type bell. They wouldn’t let us do the Hall fearing that we would become too indispensable and miss too much class. We held on to the job, as a group covering five years. PC and I continued after Richard left school. We gained quite a lot of power. A couple of the teachers made official complaints about us or were furious when they didn’t get a long enough period but all to no avail. One day several of them banded together to get rid of us. Mr Laws gave us a talking to, ‘Now boys, some teachers are saying that you run the school.... well, ummm, you do of course..... but would you be a little more subtle about it’. We held on to the job, as a group for five years. PC and I continued after Richard left school.

[69] Two of my favourite things. I just loooooved going to the dump. Father used to complain that I used to bring back more stuff than we took in the first place. I was banned from going with him for a long time.

[70] Public Library of New South Wales. This was a day of important memories where I got to know what interested me - history – I experienced a real feeling for the past particularly when we ended up walking through the slums of Woolloomooloo trying to find Kings Cross. Mother was in too much of a hurry.

[71] ‘OZ’ Magazine was a naughty satirical magazine that I would have disapproved of but was probably brilliant at times.

[72] West of South Creek, above Cromer Golf Course, west of the present Cromer development.

[73] I sketched two unlikely symbols. It was more an ex-wombat hole below two massive rocks.

[74] Mrs Moore was a wonderful woman with real life and gusto. Once when PC and I were going into Town with Mr Cordaiy, Mrs Moore entertained us all the way. She remembered as we crossed the Harbour Bridge to when it was opened in 1932 and ‘that lunatic’ de Groot opened the bridge and no-one could do anything about it. She thought, good on him. She was born on March 13 ---- and died 10 March 1965.

[75] This was welcome news. Mr Casey was my strict Maths teacher. He was an excellent teacher and a perfect disciplinarian. I feared him in the early years of High School and received the cane from him. In the later years we got on really well.

[76] Y.N. means you know, so there must have been some robust disagreement.

[77] Hist is short for history. I objected strongly regarding the homework but it wasn’t enforced immediately.

[78] ‘The Happy Wanderer’ sung in four parts. Gino was a budding pop singer and a good artist too.

[79] Bobby Bottger went to Manly Boys High in 1963 because his mother thought it a better school. Hmmm.

[80] He moved with his family to Strathfield. We corresponded for a while. He was very sensible.

[81] We placed it in the front pond and that is the last I ever saw of that expensive newt from Paddy’s Market.

[82] I spent some evenings seeing what I could pick up on short wave radio. I crudely mapped out the different positions on the dial. I just loved picking up foreign broadcasts. Used to be spellbound by the outrageous outbursts by a very uptight sounding lady on Radio Peking talking about Chairman Mau, Madam Nu and revisionist etc., USA. Most of the stations were fairly local, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan but also the USA, Caribbean, France and Britain. Busybook 1965 I, p96. Also 2 April.

[83] This was either in the swamp once below the waterfall not far from the base Nioka Road or the low paddock at Wheelers. The covering of mud was due to the difficult progress across the swampy land.

[84] Mr Brown was an earnest young teacher. He was my Science teacher from First or Second Year.

[85] There are two entries for this date. The second one was retrospective, that is, written on the 5^th.

[86] This entry was written by Phillip.

[87] I often signed my name under an entry but may not indicate it in this transcription.

[88] ‘People I Have Known’. Fellow students I had been on speaking terms with but the list is not exhaustive. Alas I don’t remember many of them now. I must have a lot of this day scribbling. Entry in 1965 I Busybook.

[89] List of films I had seen up to 1965. I had seen lots of Westerns films up to 1960 but that’s about it.

[90] Decided to write down rhymes that I had learned by about age 8 (except for the first one). I wrote these during homework time. The fourth one was the first nonsense rhyme I had learned (from Michelle Bourke) around 1958. My brother or Barry Calnon taught me another one at an early time. ‘One fine day in the middle of the night the ocean caught on fire. The blind man saw it, the deaf man heard it and the dumb man rang up the fire brigade. The fire brigade came rushing round the corner, ran over a dead cat and half killed it and arrived ten minutes early.’ A complete nonsense one I learned after this time, too good not to include here, was, ‘Flea. Flea fly flo. Vista. Cumela, cumela, cumela vista. Oh no, no, no davista. Eeny meeny decimeeney, oohwaa, waa, lemeeny. Eximeeny, zaalemeeney, oohwaa le waa. Beep bidly oten-doten bobo bedeeten daten, Beep bidly oten-doten bobo bedeeten daten. Shhhhhhhhhh.’ (PC 1974?). These have to be said in a certain way difficult to describe in writing.

[91] Illegible, looks like ‘tucanns’.

[92] Sister Mary Peter Julian of the convent school at Mater Maria’s at Warriewood.

[93] Miss Watts was a smart teacher and a smart looking young woman. No nonsense, modern. We admired her and almost everyone liked to get her attention but she was sensibly aloof too.

[94] Often initials were just prayers or standard messages, for example, ‘nr’ means, not really. + = a Roman cross. The initials were also consciously intended to create intrigue and interest. I’ve forgotten the code.

[95] My notes on the excursion, signed by Richard Spicer. 1965 Busybook I.

[96] PC is still embarrassed by the memory of this incident. What made it worse was that Mr Casey held out his hand ready for a hearty handshake, so PC did the same but Mr Casey walk straight past him and shook the hand of a favourite ex-student of his. When PC realized, he made an ‘Ohhhhhh’ sound as ran in the direction of the toilet block, bent over and with his hands behind his back. We really felt for him but it was the best thing we’d seen in years. The incident happened just west of the podium of the assembly area.

[97] I used the word ‘play’ as a conservative carry over and for want for a better word for mucking around, just talking or making something. I was totally unaware that the word could attract sniggers until PC pointed it out in later years.

[98] Stephen Brown was the first really great friend I had. I had seen him on the bus coming from the Catholic school when I used to go to Ocean Street Infants (dubbed ‘Protestant’ by the Catholic students) in 1958. He was one of the few students that didn’t take part in the riotous daily ‘Silly old Protestants, Silly old Catholics’ chants and banter. The situation often became violent, the bus conductors and drivers hated it and once or twice refused to move the bus unless the madness stopped. Anyway, Stephen and I became best friends when I enrolled at St Joseph’s at Narrabeen for 1959 (also in Ocean Street). Richard Spicer (an alter boy) joined our group not long after. Lost contact with Stephen as of about 1962 or early 1963. Mrs Brown, his adoptive mother, was the kindest woman I ever met. She was very, very religious. I remember being shocked to the core when I first laid eyes on the large pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sacred Heart of Mary in 1959. Despite trying, I’ve never, ever been comfortable with those portrayals.

[99] I was aware that in the future 2/-, or 20 cents, would seem very cheap... and it does but it wasn’t then!

[100] Another legendary teacher.

[101] Dennis and Elisabeth nee van Iersel (or Liesje as she was also called) were Peter and Paddy’s great friends since their teens (and still are). Both lived on Collaroy Plateau. A few months ago I discovered that we are distantly related to Elisabeth on my father’s side.

[102] Busybook 1965 I, p138.

[103] Art teacher.

[104] John Murray. ‘d’ is the symbol for penny. 6d became 5 cents in 1966. I was having a break from the bell.

[105] 3pny was my abbreviation for ‘thrupenny’. The shop was Blue Waters on the corner (now again closed).

[106] Put in a more efficient way, I was singing loudly while I waited for Richard to get pen and paper for his homework. The exchange probably thought it a faulty connection and cut me off.

[107] I heard these 1964/1965. The first is a William Myors, the second a Bobby Bottger or Kim Webber, the third from Richard Spicer who heard it from an uncle (Great Depression period). Busybook 1965 I. An early (ca 1960/1961) Bobby Bottger one was, ‘Oohey Gooey. Oohey was a little worm, a little worm was he. He climbed upon a railway track, a train he did not see. Oohey Gooey’.

[108] Since the late 1950s at least speed boats used start off from the north shore of the lakes (Wakehurst Parkway) along a wide beach – very popular with water skiers.

[109] Mrs Knox lived on the south-east corner of Berith Street and Rose Avenue in a small cottage on the block directly to the east (compound block facing both streets). Mrs Knox’s sister, Mrs Elliott, lived in a very low shed on the corner block – her husband had been killed during WWII. They had lived there since the War and knew about everyone. I met Mrs Elliott collecting firewood even before we moved in there.

[110] I knew his grandparents as early as 1958, the loveliest neighbours of the Bourkes in Rose Avenue. His father built a house in front of the old O’Hara’s, closer to the street.

[111] How to Vote cards pasted in the journal with those comments.

[112] This was a nest of Meat Ants that lived under a great dead tree (frequented by huge crows) at the back on 16 Berith Street (Lot 12) when I first saw them in 1957. They were at the side of a wide track (for vehicles) that came in from the north side of the O’Dells from the site of the school (across Berith Street) and followed our driveway and veered into No 16 about 15 metres from the back of our garage. It left the back of No 16 and took a north-west direction until it ran into the track that predated the lower half of present Rose Avenue. The track dated to at least WW II. There was a WW II jeep wreck just where the track led off into No 16. I found traces of the track through the site of the school to about where the first school buildings were erected during 1960.

[113] Sugar Ants are largish, non-stinging, native ants. The Black Ants in question are an introduced species.

[114] Lower part of the page missing.

[115] Busybook I. 2d is equivalent to 2 cents.

[116] Ditto. We (Richard) had already worked out ‘Baa-baa Black Sheep’ in French, so now here in Dutch.

[117] Huge hilarity when we sent up Richard secretly and valiantly trying to stem the fire by waving a book in front of the smouldering amplifier unit.

[118] Javanese Rice Bird. Had it since about 1960 when father made a walk-in aviary for my birthday.

[119] Y.K. = you know. Veronica was a code name for Susan Veronica Daubeny, one of my best chums, 1958-1960. A lovely person. She, her sister Angela and father Stanley (Stan) came from England and took over No 16 Berith Street from Audrey and Arthur Butterfield (baby son Garry Butterfield) in 1958. Stan (I was allowed to call him that) was a builder and began to build the present house in 1959. I virtually lived at their place (when a garage type structure). They were the first to get television in the area. We watched the Micky Mouse Club. All bets were off when father and Stan fell out. They returned to England in 1962.

[120] One arm raised the other as if to embrace. Miss Geddes was a delightfully eccentric. She was often seen walking through the playground reciting some part of a play and waving her arms about dramatically.

[121] Malcolm Dunwoodie was in the same class at the school as I was. In 1961 Lassie (Border Collie) bit his lower leg as we were running one day down the slope toward Rose Avenue. He was obviously hurt. I don’t know how I persuaded him not to report the incident. Lassie was just chasing his foot (as she did cars).

[122] Mr Bennett was my 6^th class teacher (1962). I learned more during his year than the previous two years combined. He was a strict disciplinarian but worked on corporal punishment and humiliation principles. He looked at my nails one day and called me a gravedigger. I often received the cane from him but not as often as I received in 1961 (Mr Allen). Mr Bennett was the one who inspired us to keep a journal. He was then a man of dignity, married and with a young daughter. I spoke with him at a reunion during the mid 1980s.

[123] Hady and Laurie Koevoets were my second cousins. I remember Laurie as a baby just walking when Oom John and Tante Nike saw us before we left for Australia. We always got on really well, even then. Our families have a close association since at least 1913 when my grandfather married their aunt. Father rented their flat at 11 Victor Road, Brookvale 1955 and 1956, so we grew up together for a while. The ‘contacting spirits’ started off a silly fad but I never once saw evidence of any spirit... thankfully.

[124] Pet name for History. Here I mean history exam.

[125] Anniversary of his death in 1964.

[126] Came across it suddenly, teeth exposed and blood. Someone had placed it on a large Meat Ants nest.

[127] I forget who it was. It could have been someone like Bourke or Adams. MC = Mr Casey.

[128] Mrs Lound in particular was very strict. They lived across from Collaroy Plateau Primary School but a couple of years later purchased a large house along Pittwater Road, Long Reef, overlooking Dee Why Lagoon. They said that the family name was originally de Lound.

[129] Collaroy Plateau West Wheeler Heights Varman Incorporated.

[130] It was a good natured event. I think it was Haynes second year.

[131] Post Master General.

[132] He was in fact a very good teacher, strict but good natured. I later crossed this sentence out.

[133] Her relative.

[134] I remember Mr Jelovic to be humourless. He resented from the start the fact that he had bell ringers in his class and was going to make an issue of it but , as it happened, to no avail.

[135] Our brilliant, exacting, super enthusiastic and ever popular Music teacher. He later went to Cambridge.

[136] The spirit who composed the song was actually called Richard Spicer.

[137] A couple of years later I got caned for exactly the same thing. I was even more disgusted then.

[138] These were the old style angular busses with a curious cut-away of the cabin over the engine.

[139] This entry and those to the 31^st have the upper part of the page missing. I am not sure of the dates.

[140] They resembled miniature Bottle Trees and were over a year old.

[141] PC was like that. The personal story would have been about the rumours that Mrs Zwartjes wasn’t ever coming back!

[142] This was Kjell Anderson, a few years ahead of me at school and a distinguished sportsman. Very friendly and a good man. She later married him and they had one son.

[143] Peter van der Ven. He was the eldest of four boys. I liked him best. He sometimes worked for father.

[144] School case. It dated from 1963 and was pretty ragged, the locks didn’t work properly, so I had to keep a finger on the lid to keep it from flying open. Parents were slow to act when it came to upgrading my school things and uniform. I was just beginning to realize that I needed to look smart.

[145] Advertisement slogan for wet nappies.

[146] I think this was really the wonderful Miss Best who was about 80.

[147] My 1959 teacher Sister Mary Carthage used to say things like that, another was, ‘woe betide anyone....’

[148] I really loved Mrs Vernon, what a contrast to my previous teacher. She was a God-send.

[149] name = according to? Mr Diamond was the head PE teacher. We always had interesting conversation going, so we were worth listening to I suppose.

[150] She had an unblemished driving record (bar the time her car slid off a gravel country road with me in the car). She drove until her 85^th year, giving up her licence around August 10, 2001. It’s Oct 3, 2001 now.

[151] In her Volkswagen which she had saved up for. She then began saving up for a brand new Volkswagen.

[152] We had been nature freaks since 1960 and used sometimes to ‘wag’ school for a few hours to explore the bush or muck about at South Creek or the Lakes. I used to love those excursions more than anything.

[153] He was the most consummate illustrator. He was a big snob and proud of it. I was surprised that he agreed. We later became good friends even though he was one year ahead of me.

[154] Top of page missing. Lost an entry on the following page.

[155] The main dump was then at Curl Curl, north side of creek. By 1958 it was near the beach near the bridge

[156] One of those landmark events. PC and I heard it all from my bedroom. Mrs van Kalcar tried to blame the separation on Mr Zwartjes but she got so frustrated that she ended up whacking him with her slipper saying, ‘Oh Wim, Oh Wim, you make it so!!’ whack, whack. That became a catch cry between PC and myself for the next three decades when something difficult comes up, ‘Oh Wim......’ etc.

[157] Kathy was the little darling.

[158] Busybook 1965 I.

[159] I have no idea what I wrote. I added a note in pencil on 13 Jan 1984 ‘She always seemed like a middle aged suburban lady who had come here during an absence of mind’. I must have liked her.

[160] Busybook 1965 I, p148 and houses on the 28^th.

[161] Hady Koevoets (cousin) dictating to me about her boyfriend Kjell Anderson. Busybook 1965 I.

[162] This was probably my first visit to Kerry R. Wright’s place, Mactier Street, Narrabeen

[163] For many years starting with 1965 I began to include the year as part of my signature. I kept this up till the 1980s. Banks didn’t like that because theoretically I changed my signature every year.

[164] A nice way to finish off the year 1965. Draft in Busybook 1965 I, p204.

[165] I wrote that at the van der Ven’s place at the bottom of Lantana Avenue, Collaroy Plateau.

[166] A ‘visit’ to Catholics then meant a visit to the church. The Catholic Church was just round the corner (from the main road).

[167] A phonetic slip for Italian. Many people in those days said I-talian.

[168] Truck or ute. I’m not sure if father had the Dodge pick-up then.

[169] So was Peter Whirle’s finger when it got crushed between the piano and the wall as it was being lifted up the front stairs.

[170] the last three words crossed out. The last is actually a symbol, a six spoked wheel.

[171] Eddie van den Elshout. Then living in South-West Africa.

[172] Kathy wrote that in my fountain pen.

[173] Written in Vacckk script (square brackets). The dotted line represents a censored section!

[174] MZ = Mr Zwartjes. Mrs Zwartjes never came back. She lived in Switzerland, Netherlands, W.Aust., etc.

[175] Oma Dina Elisabeth van Bommel de Vos. Oma = grandmother. They were photographs not films.

[176] She had one foot on a chair (cabaret girl style). I saw here stockings and suspenders. I suspect that I was more horrified than Mrs Say was. We still got on really well after that so all was OK.

[177] Sister Mary Peter Julian of Mater Maria convent, Warriewood.

[178] Peter relented. All I wanted was proof of their existance.

[179] My old pal Michelle Bourke sat a few seats in front. I don’t she would have realized who I was anyway.

[180] Woollworths at Narrabeen, then across the road from near the tram shed. Peter worked there once.

[181] I left 10 lines to fill in improvements and failures and the reasons for improvements. I kept it up for about five comments but by Feb 1967 I wrote ‘BLOW RESOLUTIONS’. I did try and I did make improvements, so they weren’t a waste.

[182] It was badly written and thought out. I later found out that Kerry had changed third person into first or vice versa, accounting for much of the red ink on each page.

[183] This was on the block directly to the north of the Zwartjes. A Dutch family moved there, the Oijevars.

[184] She was 50 then, one year younger than I am now!

[185] In other words, the book burned down. I thought of a better excuse later. I can’t believe I told such fibs.

[186] Collaroy, to the north side of the Arlington building where there was a new parking area.

[187] South-west corner of Rose Avenue and Berith Street. The old flat of No 16 used to be located there.

[188] Meaning in uproarious laughter.

[189] Walked home means walked to Narrabeen shops, then referred to as ‘Narrabeen terminus’.

[190] She didn’t of course. We all used to say that after exams.

[191] As in Elmer Fudd.

[192] The note was written in eccentric letters, capitals and lower case so as to eliminate my handwriting.

[193] Everyone agreed that the letter made a huge difference for her children. She used to scream at them full volume with menace and hit them. This was so upsetting for us because the houses are close together. My father used to get really irritated and complain why someone didn’t do something. This doubled the irritation for me. I got so sick of the situation that I wrote the note. The results were just magic. The only thing I regret was the unexpected effect it had on poor Mrs Lester but it did infinitely more good than bad.

[194] I was actually reluctant to lend my coat in case I had body odour. I learned my lesson.

[195] Harding was showing off but for a lark.

[196] Turned out to be gout!

[197] Mr McKinnon, art teacher, was my favourite teacher without a doubt. He was the only one of the art teachers who was supportive of my art style and gave the best lessons ever. He’d sometimes break off and discuss some of his friends and, for example, their war experiences.

[198] A nick name someone gave PC, short for Piffle.

[199] Hysterics means hilarious laughter. We often said, ‘Small things amuse small minds’ but that saying didn’t refer to us of course.

[200] This was on the south-east corner of Dee Why Parade and Pittwater Rd at Dee Why. It was converted to a music shop by the late 1960s/early 1970s and remained as such until recently. It was just demolished and preparations are being made to build a new structure at present (Oct 2001).

[201] All of this is much the same as it was in 1966. The Norfolk Pines have grown. The mid ones along Pittwater Road are much older. In the mid-late 1950s there were a couple of tall ones and some smaller ones, they never looked very healthy. They were part of the Salvation Army lands

[202] I was ever fascinated by the Tracking Station as a kid, especially those big moving tracking devices.

[203] It was a great treat for kids to be taken there during the late 1950s/early 1960s. I saw BEN HUR there.

[204] With all the detail, not a word about the Jagers. Father and a daughter lived in a tiny house in the bush.

[205] I trained it to grow like a tree by nipping the side branches. I did the same at 7 Allen St, Glebe, 1980s.

[206] Sample of rain smudging my writing and sample piece of the pink exam sheet.

[207] This was a R. Spicerism which we generally adopted, meaning breathtakingly terrible.

[208] Collaroy Plateau West shops, otherwise known as the Augusta Shopping Centre.

[209] Sample of one hair.

[210] South-west corner. The Olivers lived in the new house directly to the south of the 1930s? corner house.

[211] ESP! Dita Sauz, better known as Dita Cobb. Seer = zehr or zeer, meaning, very. We developed a sort of short-hand language over the years based on bits of Dutch, German, English with an outrageous Dutch accent and our own words for things. We still speak it without even thinking about it and it’s still evolving. Es yesno furresit, for example means, it is just not worth it. I yes no no, means, I just don’t know. Some phrases took on different meanings, like, ‘gone to Queensland’ (kon to Kveenslent) means that whoever has gone there is on the outer and is not being spoken to. Frozen apple means, Tasmania. There are some constants: w became f, v became f, d became t, g became k, b became p, r became a rolled r or an l, th became s or sometimes t, ch became (sometimes) s, z became s. The vowels are much as in English but ‘a’ somtimes becomes e (lenkwitz = language, Frenk = Frank, black = blek; u became u-umlaut). Words ending in ige and age became itz (helititz = heritage, flitz = fridge). The ending ‘ing’ was often added to words not appropriate to them. Grammar was simplified to absurdity. Most peculiar words dated back to an actual event, like on my birthday in 1964 when my mother cut her finger and told us that there was blet (blood), so from then on.....

[212] It was Richard that ended up with a permanent calling (after a few years with the Maritime Services Board). He joined an order in some remote place. Knowing RS, he would be a credit to the order.

[213] Hazel Philips and Mrs Nel Zwartjes were best friends since the days they lived at Engadine. They both appeared as extras in the series Cobb & Co but Hazel’s career really took off and was also a regular with Beauty and the Beast. Mrs Zwartjes was told not to open her mouth (Dutch accent). I got to meet her two boys when they stayed for holidays with the Zwartjes; really nice, regular kids.

[214] She was a great radio personality just known as Andria. She had a very particular way of speaking which PC could copy precisely.

[215] This is PC writing. I had to sensor the rest because he wasn’t quite as straight laced as I was, though to others pretended to be.

[216] The top of the page is missing in the following four entries.

[217] Mileage.

[218] Some basic sketches of a hotel in Picton and a house (Denfields Furniture) at Tahmoor.

[219] Meaning Continental Chicken Noodle Soup. I had an aversion to real chicken then.

[220] Our word for mince was hamburger. This must have been a sort of meatloaf.

[221] In several codes, including Vacckk script but I can’t make it out except for ‘...dressed as.. ‘. There was nothing I needed to hide but used the scripts just to make it more interesting than it actually was and to fire my own memory as to the comparison.

[222] More Vacckk script I can’t work out. At the time the script was being modified.

[223] Speaking about the obligatory glass of water next to my bed, a custom I have always maintained.

[224] Actually a plan.

[225] Mini sketch probably of what became the National Library.

[226] Meaning, cup of tea.

[227] Gideon’s.

[228] Kathy actually wrote her name. The O represents a sketch of a light switch.

[229] Bette Davis style. I don’t remember if the ‘wide’ applies to the eyes or the nose, I suspect the eyes.

[230] My enthusiasm for Canberra didn’t last much beyond my teens. Good place for a kid to visit.

[231] Boarding house.

[232] Basic sketches of four houses.

[233] Part missing.

[234] Elmer Fudd, that is, Mr Crozley.

[235] PC hasn’t changed over the years, in fact......

[236] Victor Road 11, Brookvale, now a corner of the Leagues Club. John Koevoets owned the house. The road at the back of the club was then a vacant lot covered in dense weed growth, had a deep open drain.

[237] It was our second major purchase in Australia (after father’s first ute). The dead mouse period may actually only have been about 3 months, not three years, it probably seemed like three years.

[238] These were all Tante Nike’s relatives, the children of her brother Hans Becker (Bekker I think). They lived a little way west of the bridge over Queenscliffe lagoon, south side of the main road.

[239] Lyn Taselaar, pronounced Tazler. Dutch family from Veterans Parade up from the terminus at Collaroy Plateau. Her brother Jackie Taselaar was also at Collaroy Plateau West, 6^th class in 1961. He was pretty wild for the standards of those days but we got on. I really got to like Lynn within minutes of meeting her.

[240] I think this was mean of me, it wasn’t and isn’t my style to ‘bag’ people unless it is richly deserved.

[241] Christopher Mosely. His parents were heavily involved in an international peace organization, I forget which (United Nations?, UNESCO?). His mother was known to pounce on visitors and demand to know if they were hawks or doves. Christoff (as we referred to him) was quite eccentric and much respected.

[242] Mr Don Neville taught at Bourke High School and came to Narrabeen sometime late? in 1964 or early 1965. In 1963 the girls’ and boys’ school put on a brilliant Gilbert and Sullivan opera. We were urged to see it and it was so hard to believe a school group could put on something so excellent. Just magic. I know that Merrilee Robb was involved. I met her years later at the University of Sydney.

[243] Frank van Laar, of Narrabeen, brilliant musician and linguist at school. He was one year ahead of me.

[244] I drew an outline of the dollar and wrote the above in it.

[245] This was the beginning of a whole series of unusual books but it, at least, encouraged thought. After this are several pages of tickets, programmes and keep-sakes.

[246] Uncollected fired pots made by various students. I think I cleaned the large art room (the one opposite the Hall).

[247] Dr Alcock was our dentist from about 1961 well into the 1970s. He had a practice at Manly and the other shop, next to the post office (or near Hollingworths Chemist) at the Plateau shops. I was afraid of needles so suffered the drill without anaesthetic for years. He was the best dentist but I thought him a sadist probably because he had no sympathy for the pain suffered by patients. I’m still mortally afraid of dentists.

[248] December 14 is missing! My birthday.

[249] Pasted into my journal.

[250] This was Kerry Wright. The account would not have been earth-shattering but the rest of the account is missing.

[251] School Certificate.

[252] By Phillip Cordaiy. On the following two pages are abstract compositions by Cousin Hady, dated 16 Dec 1966.

[253] The top of the page is damaged. I returned to the day’s events, when crossing the Harbour Bridge....

[254] Ton and Rie van der Ven of Lantana Ave.

[255] The accounts for 21-24 December 1966 is missing. Christmas begins with a list I wrote up of presents as they were being unwrapped. The list here has been rearranged to suit typing format. Things like bars of chocolates were not recorded. The part of the narrative about going to Mass is missing.

[256] Actually a two dollar note.

[257] As in musical wind instrument.

[258] Textas were just taking off in a big way.

[259] Sunglasses clip-ons for prescription glasses.

[260] Uncle Willem Gelens, my grandmother’s eldest brother, surnamed Gelens. Tante = aunt. Oom = uncle.

[261] My father’s father.

[262] Also part of Peter’s group. A lovely young Jewish couple who later moved to Perth. Some of their parents had been incarcerated here in Australia during the war! I don’t think they were nicely treated.

[263] Known as a shandy.

[264] Veere. Also part of P&P’s group. They are still firm friends to this day, almost like family.

[265] And they did! Well, Joanne and Michael have olive skin and dark hair.

[266] On her mother’s side by the name of Conroy.

[267] Amahl and the Night Visitors of December 8.

[268] The Fielders lived next door (south) of the house once owned by the O’Dells (house called ‘Hey Dell’). They were the ones that built the house on what was light bushland. Sheba used to come to visit and was particularly keen on me. I’d come up in rashes wherever she licked me, I was so allergic to her.

[269] Also found 1890s-1920s stoneware bottle fragments.

[270] In an extinct code, probably says Kathy or Lassie.

[271] Tante Bep (Elisabeth Kok nee van Lunteren). We met the Koks (Kook in Australia) on our way to Australia in November 1954. They were our dearest friends and I loved them all. Parents fell out with them when Ma declined to go to Opa van Lunteren’s funeral (1962/1963). We had already gone to the hospital and taken formal leave of Opa van Lunteren. Ma had a sort of phobia about funerals. I thought I’d made a mistake in writing Tante Bett until a few years ago I found a card dating to the early 1960s where she signed as Bett – apparently a short-lived attempt to Anglicise her name. I always call her Tante Bep.

[272] Op-sa, op-sa, op sa-sa, while bouncing her on his knee. There is a Dutch song about the month of May that goes something like that which begins, ‘Hey sa, hop sa-sa, nu is de maand van Mei ya-ya...’

[273] Tante Nike was the best cook in the world as far as I was concerned. She doesn’t cook anymore. Things were getting serious between Cousin Hady and Kjell Anderson, they later married and had one son, Jamie.

[274] I must have observed that the orange had a bitter edge to it. One of the girls said, ‘Have you ever heard of Bitter Lemon?’, ‘Yes’ (me), ‘Well, that’s Bitter Orange’. Yeah Right.

Preface

The Journals