VARMAN'S SCHOOL JOURNALS

Narrabeen Boys' High School

January - June 1967

1^st of January 1967, [Sunday]. I woke up crying this morning because of a happy-sad dream. About meeting ‘grandfather’ (not my blood ones). I broke into tears in front of him and was comforted. I then awoke. I awoke about 8.30. Peter noticed that I wore a scapula. I told Paddy about the Orange and Vodka trick they played on me. I rang both PC and Kerry. Mrs Wright wished me and our family all the best for the N Year.

P&P and Dennis Robbie went fishing at the rocks. Dennis heard me play ‘Gloria’ and asked me if I could play anything modern, so I played ...etc.[1] I pruned the tree thing (with red little flowers) drastically. Snails were ring-barking it. NC.[2] I found two large ticks in Lassie. I burned them ceremoniously with Kathy two feet from the north corner tip of our house. Lassie now has rheumatism in her front foot and can’t walk on it. I cleaned my cupboards. Bye for now.

2^nd of January 1967, Monday. Today I tried to play ‘Gloria’ on the tape but alas I was too nervous and kept on making silly mistakes. Pussy spent the day in my room, I taped her also. I had soup for lunch at 11.30 as I was v hungry and bored. I rang up Kerr. After lunch I painted a picture of a bleeding cross [?] of a dog and horse and an aurora and a dark forest of dead trees.[3] Susanne[4] was intrigued with my painting, she spent the afternoon and after tea with Kathy. Yes, well, that’s about all. At lunch time at 12.00 I saw a film on the Abominable Snowman at the Himalayas. Father had to spoil it by telling [me] that I should be outside etc., etc., etc., etc., etc > 8 [infinity]. I am now watching Pic-a Box, then The Man from UNCLE, then ‘Wacco’. Bye for now. Robert Varman 1967.

2^nd of December 1967. Views of Pussy. Pussie has yellow eyes and is P. grey. 10 Mactier St, Narrabeen, Sydney.[5]

Jan 1967 Iind. C.P.W.W.H. The Truce That Never Was – Christmas at Vietnam. That’s all that described the situation at Vietnam during Christmas. ‘Profiles in Courage’, Anne Hutchinson. Boston. What does Aunt May really look like?

19^th of January 1967[6]

21^st of January 1967[7]....a later addition than anything or room and a tap in the laundry. The drainage system is also very primitive. Section C [external bathroom]. Drainage system [with notes]. The wood in Area C overlap. Example. The shed consists of overlapping wood and a feature of old wooden structures are that they are brown. The roof is of galvanized iron as Section C is. The toilet is of the loose can type. The toilet is so old (old enough) that it leans. The yard is very long, there is no back yard. The Wrights were not allowed to add or repair any damage for 31 years. Rent is 30 shillings a week from the Church of England Vicar, Rev Brown.

22^nd of January 1967. At this moment heavy smoke is just above us from a large bush fire between Mona Vale Road [?] Forest Way. From what we can see from here there are some little houses in danger from the highest point in the area and houses situated in this area. You can see large flames on the bifocals. It is 6.45 and the fire began on the other side of Mona Vale Road. At 6.40 I finished reading ‘The Visitors’, a marve 248 pages book I read today – in about 7 hours I think. Dennis and Liesje came to visit Peter and Paddy. It is now 7.00 and those houses are out of danger I believe. Paddy has been quite sick today, she had diarrhoea and vomited (two times on the beach). When she spoke to me later she could hardly stand on her legs, she looked very exhausted. It’s 7.08 AND THE WATER SUPPLY IS OFF!!!! ! ) 102 degrees TODAY. The water supply returned at 7.35.

Keith a work mate of Peter’s is on standby. The fire is as bad or even worse than before. It is the strangest sight. There is a large red haze in the sky where the fire is burning. The clouds reflect the slight red hue. The flames sometimes die down then flare up to a frightening height. At present (8.00) there are two main sections of forest fire.

23^rd of January 1966, Monday. Mother went to work and Paddy stayed home because she felt very weak and sick. I finished cleaning up my treasures. Mark came over for a minute.[8] Kathy went with Kathy to the shops. I rang up Kerry but he was in the bath as usual. He rang up ten minutes later. I gave him the words for the ‘rite of exorcism’.[9]

26^th of January 1967, Thursday. I fixed a sore on Lassie’s back with Dettol and a nice little wash. I watched a little bit of TV, yes, Dita, Hazel and then Beauty and the Beast. In the afternoon father became bored and lashed out at me because I said I was bored. I received a phone call from Kerry. I told him I’ll probably have to leave school. We were both shocked. He phoned from a public telephone. Bye & Gn.

Twenty Seventh January 1967. Hello it is I Kerry R Wright and I am writing this as Robert sits beside me in our new living room at 6/14 Pacific Pd., Dee Why. Today is a Friday and we moved into our apartment on Wednesday, so this is the first time he has visited me here. I rang up last night and invited him and he told me that he shall not be going to school this year as he had a vocational guidance test yesterday and was advised to leave school and go to work (Oh, I’m so sad!). Now to get onto today. Robert arrived about 9.30 and I showed him about. We had a cup of coffee for morning tea while my mother was out shopping and we also went around the shop in the morning and bought a cake each. We had lunch while Dorothy dropped in for a visit and we ate tomato soup. After lunch my mother did some more shopping. I forgot to mention that before lunch we did some skating. Lex[10] arrived (blew in) about 3.00 and he is now laughing in his usual fashion listening to ‘Mellow Yellow’. We have just finished afternoon tea (5.03) and Robert and Lex will be leaving soon. I’ll say good-bye now and I have some plans and a drawing to do for you Robby. Hope you had a good day... loved having you; I do so enjoy having you even though you do have innumerable eccentricities. Bye!

Mother came for me at 5.11 and or really while Kerry roller scated. I am now at Narrabeen. Mother is buying fish. We just went past the old Wrights place and the poor old house looks so old and sad. The mist on the Plateau almost suggests anger. Muv bought two pies and soup at Dee Why.

27^th of January 1967. Lassie Varman. Born 6^th of March 1960. Purchased 23^rd of September 1960. It is not certain that Lassie was born on the 6^th, it could have been the 4^th or 5^th.[11] Signed Robert Varman 1967. Lassie has lived all her life at 14 Berith Street, Collaroy Plateau, except for her puppyhood.

24^th of February 1967[12]

24^th of February 1967, Friday. I am now at Narrabeen Boys High School in room 12, in Mr Reid’s Maths class. Phillip Cordaiy is very jealous and says I associate with KW too much, I wrote a half page letter to KW. He forgot that he had a raving conversation with KW yesterday. He soon became quiet. Must go now.[13] I don’t know what time I must ring the bell. Bye for now, it’s 9.15. It is 10.57 and I am in English in Room 1. We had our first Group Meeting – not much action. PC and I will soon have a go at driving cars. We are friendly again. Oops he’s Mr Laws...

I am now at home. At lunch time PC and I decided to go to the Music Room. We forgot it was Friday and were tricked into I.S.C.F., but it was interesting. They sung songs and two people put on a bit of a play.[14] We went to Opera rehersals and we are now doing Yeoman of the Guard with Phoebe. We heard the record and then sung it. I missed the 5.00 Plateau buses. I bought a cake at the terminus and an UGH at South Creek Rd. I bought a GI to drink there, a pretty little girl of about 8 served me. TV is still broken. GN. I caught the first morning bus yesterday.

25^th of February 1967, Saturday.  This morn early I finished Smith’s Odyssey and it must have effected my eyes. I was half blind for a while, this followed by a migraine headache which I could not bear. I locked myself in the darkness of my cupboard so as my eyes wouldn’t get hurt. I played with Kathy in her room, I just lay there. Paddy gave me two Aspros. I felt better after a ‘long’ while. It was about 11.00, I went to the animal graveyard and sifted the soil, this was hard work. Went up to have lunch (I found a green frog). I had soup (tomato and vegetable) with two mushroom cubes.

I got the grave[15]stones and went back to reconstruct the cemetery. When I got there I saw a Blue Tongue lizard sneaking away. I put up all the graves as they were before. Later I took cuttings off the old grave plants and planted them in pots. Paddy gave me a drink of Fizz, had a chat. Later I bought a bottle of Cola from the shops. Mother was away most of the day.[16] She visited Mrs Borger. I am writing this at Dee Why. Long Reef, Sydney, 25-2-67 from a car (Mother’s) outside 8 The Strand, Dee Why.[17] We are now at the beach where the Shelley’s advertisement was made with Long Reef in the background. I have just [had] my soup and will begin my rice and curried prawns.

26^th of February 1967. These two drawings were created by my mother.[18]

26^th of February 1967, Sunday.

This morn I woke up at 6.00, let Pussie inside, then later Lassie inside, crawled into bed and fell sound asleep for the next hour or so and had nice dreams. It began to rain at about 11.00 last night and it rained non-stop all day. I promised I would not step outside. I read the three papers and I was about to do some plasterwork when the Van de Vens dropped in. I drew every plaster house. I had hamburger for lunch. Father will no longer eat hamburger[19], sugar, animal fats etc., etc., etc., etc., etc and will get some seaweed to eat soon. After lunch we went to the Van de Vens. Dad borrowed some books. They also talked about grandfathers etc. I learned that my grandfather used to slash up the ends of cigars and cut them anywhere in the house and leave them there. Also that my great-grandfather used snuff all the time. Father used to envy him.[20] Grandfather de Vos was a penny pincher (saved, saved).[21] Had not so good dinner. I let Mother see my diaries – the pictures in them. Father is trying to draw out of the books. Pussie stayed in my room all day. Got a phone from PC this morn.

27^th of February 1967, Monday.  It’s raining and I don’t want to go to school and opera lessons. Oh darn! I would rather stay home and draw or something. I’ll be seeing Hamlet by Shakespeare, that might help. We’ll see how ‘it’ goes... Bye.

Maarten walked up to me and let me try the first Swart Op Wit I have tasted since I was 4 years old. I have longed for it ever since then and today I bought a small packet off him for 2/-. It’s sheer heaven. I am eating some now. The smell... heaven.[22]  I saw Hamlet and it is so dramatic. I was so embarrassed in some parts.... all the emotion. Four men actors, ages between 17, 18, 19 and two lovely ladies, same ages. Start 9.30, finis 11.00. KW was away to a head shrinker.[23] I got a post letter from him. Mother painted two terrific paintings. Opera rehearsals: I was quite angry I couldn’t see the music properly. When PC and I came to the door [of the Hall] I carried the microphone and Pc the wire to it. Mr Walton opened the door, PC went to one side, I the other. Mr Walton said ‘Thank you’ but the wire between us caught Mr W up. He said, ‘That’s a clever thing to do isn’t it?’ in that sort of voice. We burst into hysterics.[24] I will be slowly replaced. I didn’t ring the bell some periods, 1A kid.[25]

28^th of February 1967, Tuesday.  I have almost been relieved from bell ringing. Mr Torbett presented me with two taker-overers. One is Craig Baker 1A, the other is Robert Mills 1A both from Collaroy Plateau. I taught them as much as I could and tomorrow I hope to be relieved after ringing the bell at Narrabeen Boys High since March 1964.

Had a rather fascinating day. My stars foretold I’d have a disgusting day. I didn’t really. I sort of promised God I would give up reading the day by day stars predictions as it effects me and makes me worry about what’s going to happen.[26] I really hated Scripture today. Frank is also in my Group 8.[27] The piano was in the middle of the Hall, I embarrassed myself by playing, ‘Cobbler Cobbler Mend my Shoe’. Phillip imagined that Mr Neville shut the [Music Room]door in his face at lunch time, he was annoyed (PC).

I bought 30 sheets of giant paper for 5/- during Art. I went to Opera Practise, ‘The Yeomen of the Guard’ by W.S. Sullivan and A. Sullivan. This time I had my own copy and went well. I was shocked and petrified to learn that we all had to go to Room 13 and we would be called out one by one. I was lucky last. I opened the door and told Mr Nev I might have to go to base, ‘so cut out those scales’. He said, ‘Ah, at last, Robert Varman and I have a sing-song again’. I said. ‘We’ve never had a sing-song before’. He laughed. I had to sing, ‘Here’s a man of jollity, jibe, joke, jollify. Give us of you quality, come fool follify..’. ‘That’s all you have to do... now scales’. I said, ‘No not that’. Anyway, I did two very high ones. He said, ‘Right, that’s all’. With that he asked me a question and I left. John Harding and I had the alone to the bus stop and we talked all the way to South Creek and at the bus stop from school about everything from Elizabeth Myers to black sheep of the family. He thinks RS is really funny, he doesn’t like PC at all. He thinks I should get some black jeans. I said, yes I missed out on the looks somewhat (V.V.),[28] he said  [he] didn’t agree (whatever was said, it came out the same).

Addendum.[29] During Scripture father divided the 4, 5, 6^th form into two discussion groups and we were asked if we would like to discuss if there should be two types of marriages: 1 a try out one with no children and [2] the real one. Peter Haylen described [the] first one as being a ‘sleep in’. I was embarrassed all through the not-so-tactful discussion (it wasn’t bad or anything). I was happy to get out with my neck. Father commented that I do my job well. Outside I met Sister Tarcissus and she said ‘Hello’ whilst yards away ‘and how are you?’ I said, ‘Very well thank you’. She said, ‘Where is your friend?’ I said, ‘Oh, he is speaking to his minister’, pointing to him.[30] She said, ‘What’s his name?’ I said, ‘Phillip Cordaiy’, then I said, ‘He’s Presbyterian’. She said, ‘Oh is he?’ Then Sister (SMPJ)[31] hurried out hiding her face behind a folder (very obviously). I said, ‘You forgot’. Sister Tarcissus said, ‘What is it?, I’ll remember’. SMPJ explained. SMPJ told me that RS phoned her. I told the sisters that I am saving up for a deposit for the most expensive organ I can get because small ones don’t get the lower notes. Both sisters were surprised and both asked me something. I replied to S.T. Then Father came along. I said ‘Father, about scripture, (the nuns left) I am sick and tired of your scripture lessons’. His face went blank, ‘We have been discussing that subject since third form’. He said, ‘Yes, bit the other kids seem to want to discuss that subject’. He told me that I should have voiced my opinion in class – and burst into wide smiles every so now and then and clasping his hands. I’m sure he was slightly....... 11.03.[32]

28^th of February 1967 [continued]. As going past Dee Why lagoon, he said it smells. I said, ‘Yes it is rather smelly’. He said, ‘Smelly is not the word’. Then I said, ‘How the birds like it though’. He said enthusiastically, ‘Oh do you really think so?’ I said, ‘Yes, they use it for their breeding grounds’. He replied surprised, ‘What do you mean?’, ‘It’s good for breeding birds.’[33] When all of a sudden I realized he thought I was talking about girls, ‘birds’ being a slang word for grils. We both laughed. Every so now and then he’s burst into song, ‘Here’s a man of jollity’. I found out that girl was really his sister I saw in the bus [and] that his eldest is to get married. I am now supposed to be doing homework. Paddy and Peter stayed for tea. I being as stupid as ever (I don’t know what happens to me when P&P are here, I’m so stupid and act an idiot). They are here now playing cards. Oh I’m sick of school. Last year, first recess, Able and gang came to our group and suggested we go............. I did not write this down last year as I was so deeply shocked (he was only jesting).[34]

1^st of March 1967, Wednesday.  I didn’t do sport today. Smooth morn. I taught the new bell boys to divide the periods. An Assembly today, reduced two periods to 20 minutes. PC and I went to Room 15, he left a minute later and went home (12.00) as he had to brig his brother to the doctors. I spent lunch with Frank. I went to Room 1 but was soon called out again by Mr Torbett, he and myself had to read out time tables – which took about one hour and a half. Very difficult and I strained my eyes.

I went to room 3 and had a very interesting chat with Stuart Main and Jim Mason and some other fellows. They thought the Catholic Church was very old fashioned and ruled people’s lives. I overruled Stuart this time in conversation. We then went to Room II. There Stuart left and Peter Hall came and we all, J. Mason too, discussed spirits. JM couldn’t believe that I believed in spirits. Peter Hall wanted to know all about it. I said it would take two years, they all replied, ‘We’ll wait’. At the terminus I bought ether. I saw Barbara Kirkwood[35], we sort of smiled. I sat on  seat, she soon followed and I chatted with her, till the bus came, for the first time since Dec 1962. She goes to business college. She thought I was going to be a teacher. PC rang at 5.30.

2^nd of March 1967, Thursday.  It began to rain around 1.00. Second day of Autumn. Phillip was at school before me. In the mornings I always get a good seat as there are now two busses. Shack 1, 2, 3 have been open for use now since Monday. They are reconstructed school buildings.[36] I’ve been dying to go to one but the Girls beat us to it.

In Economics, Phillip accidentally kicked off one of his shoes, to our surprise. Mr Walton is a very rude man, he is always using ambiguous statements. He was talking about a bishopric, a boy laughed. Mr W said, ‘Oh, evidently this boy thinks I’m talking about a bishop’s p........’ He was talking about bishops in the French Revolution and how their areas (bishoprics] were reduced and breaking off relations with the Pope etc., etc., etc., etc., etc........

The two new bell boys are doing their job well but I’m afraid some stupid teacher frightened the livcing daylights out of them. All I could gather was that a teacher came up to them and said that bell ringers were bludgers (he probably said RS, myself and PC) and that they fail their exams, which is an outright lie. Stupid teacher, I’ll tell Torb tomorrow. It was teeming when we rang the bell and PC and I were going to walk to the terminus instead we crossed the road and waited for a bus (it sprinkled all that time) but we were refused entry – the boys but not the girls. So we walked to the terminus. We saw Miss Watt (she left).[37] PC said, ‘Hello’. We bought a cake and an UGH each. The icecream we ate there. At long last the 160 came. We got on and Jenny Northey (as always) passed silly comments [like], ‘Hey bib where’s your but’ [38] as he ate the cake (I wasn’t game enough to eat my cake – about squashing cakes etc). PC said, ‘Shall I squash it in a gril’s face?’ I said, ‘NO’. About eight girls were involved. I like the one Italian girl with lovely teeth. He got off and made his usual comments. I fed the birds and handled the oldest new one (light blue). I had a stupid, pointless argument with parents, not a violent one. Frank and myself played the grand piano in the Hall for 10 minutes. Father is doing a marve drawing, he began last weekend. It’s going nicely. I had to have a rush shower this morn. I always have them at night. I met one of the bell ringers at 4.30, Rose Avenue. Bye.

3^rd of March 1967, Friday.  Phillip was away with the flu, so I had to keep myself from idleness. I did not supervise the bell in the afternoon. I decided not to go to Opera rehearsals. After I rang the last bell I saw Mr Nev in the playground. I walked up to him and said, ‘Mr Neville, would you excuse me from Opera rehersals’, he said, ‘What!?’ While he said that he went through the motions of a person about giving another person a punch which would puncture one’s stomach and then he laughed and said yes, or alright. I said, ‘Thank you, you see, it’s aunty’s birthday....’. Stupid me, I can usually make up better lies than that. He said, ‘That’s a good one’. I said, ‘It’s true, it really is’, turning a bright scarlet. I was walking away (Peter Hall approached). Mr Neville yelled out, ‘May I use that excuse some time?’, ‘I beg your pardon?’, ‘May I use that excuse...’, Ireplied ‘Yes sir’. I was so embarrassed.

The prefects sworn in today, very moving........... naturally it is a mock pledge; 5 years I’ve seen the same thing. I walked with remarkable speed to the terminus. When I got there everything was out of order except the lemon machine. I drank that. I waited for the bus and Miss Watt came walking along. She hesitated for a minute, then walked by (she wore a floral, tropical, moo-moo, or shift, as they are called these days). She turned her head and said, ‘Hello Robert’ (Robit), very smartly, as she used before she left our school. I said, ‘Hello Ma’am’. Later two fellows in my year came by and said ‘Hello Robert’ – one was in last year’s History class (Stingrays).[39]

I caught the 160. No incidents. When I got home I was surprised with a letter from the PSYCHIC  Res [?]. I was very pleased. We are going to have seafoods for tea and I made some soup. Urky Purkey.[40] Mother bought a new - tiny saucepan.

On the 2^nd of March, at lunch time, we began our first choir lesson for the year. For a while I decided to go bass with PC but I hate singing bass. After I heard the combined effort I went back to tenor. We learned two new songs, one being, ‘Oh Let Us to the Bagpipe Sound’, four part song, then ‘God Save the Queen’ [four parts] and a marve song, ‘Twenty Eighteen’ – ‘As I walked thru London City’ etc. HAD SO MUCH FUN.....

An Experiment with Green. 4^th of March 1967. Notice the areas (minus the glaze or thin glaze). [41]

4^th of March 1967, Saturday.  This morn was a rushed hullabaloo (so to speak). I had to have a white shirt ironed and then later my white pants. Then I couldn’t find my belt and my good tie. Mother threatened to not take me to get a drivers’ permit. When we left we absolutely hated each other (so to speak – again). When we arrived at Manly the place was closed. Oh well...  We went to visit Oom Laurant and Tante Miep, Pim[42] and the tropical fish. All were well for once. Pietertje, 11 Nov 1957 to 31 Jan 1967 (the bird).

For lunch I made scrambled eggs. PC rang up before I went to Manly. He has the flu and at about 3.00. [43] Paddy and Peter played shuttlecock for a half hour at about 5.00. Mark had a game with Peter. I found a citrus plant (lemon)  but the shuttle went into the Moore’s yard...[44] I cut down the Caster Oil tree because it had blown down during the last two storms and grew firmly whilst lying almost on the ground. A four feet shoot is still growing. It [the tree] was very thick, the main stem had a hole in the centre. I painted a bit today VINALS. Played piano, as I always do.

5^th of March 1967, Sunday. I read the two papers and People. At 10 to 12 last night I woke up – it rained very heavily for about ¾ of an hour. Peter bought the newspapers. He at 12.30 received visitors, the English couple, Peter and Margaret. I think one of my Port Morton Bay Figs has hatched. I hope so anyway, I’ll buy one if it hasn’t.[45] Oh dear, I am saving up for a deposit on a Hammond or larger organ (when I go to work I will buy it on hire purchase). It is now raining fiercely and the man, Bob Maclarence, is here trying in vain to get our house enclosed with an aluminium covering but he hasn’t a chance, he doesn’t know it yet. Kathy is playing Monopoly with the girl Ranken. As can be observed, I need a new pen, the slope is about 30 degrees. I taped the rain. A clipping above. I have been one of the 200 whoenquired into the spititualist Society (Psychic Res). Rain, rain, stay, come again every day. I love it when it rains. Weeeeeee.

At 4.30 went to library with P&P and Kathy. I borrowed ‘Bones, Bodies & Desire’, and ‘Doc of Silence’.

6^th of March 1967, Monday.  I finished reading Bones, Bodies & Desire at 5.30. Mr Walton told Phillip to be quiet and then, ‘Shut your face son’ and he didn’t even speak – I was. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lassie Varman, 7 years old. To celebrate mother bought some cakes to eat. Mother won $10 in the Lottery. Choir rehearsal at lunch time was marve. The Girls came. There were so many that all the seats in the Music Room were taken. It was marve, we are singing Halleluiah not Handle, it’s beaut. PC and myself had our first Maths lesson since early Jan and it was hilarious. I burst out into laughter on a number of occasions. He thought we were nervous, not co-operating. He was the nervous one and we’re just plain dumb when it comes to Maths. PC and I walked home. I bought two cream puffs and an UGH. Said hello to Barbara Kirkwood. Tina Donkers sat in front of me.[46] Walked home with Maarten Van der Ven.

7^th of  March 1967, Tuesday.  We had choir at lunch time and the girls came, they got the seats. That boy in First Year sat next to me as he didn’t know the words – he is in 1C and can play the piano a bit, very clever. Stupid Lilly snatched a note from PC. PC in the morn asked me to write a note to his mother about getting a permit tomorrow – this I did. Phillip suddenly discovered he had lost the note when I gave him the Spritualist circular. We couldn’t find it. During Roll marking, G[roup] 8 in the Hall. Mr Donnelly gave me the letter, he said he found it in the playground. I went as red as a beetroot but I tried desperately not to look surprised or shocked. PC’s father went to Brisbane yesterday at 11.00 am.

We went to Opera rehearsals and later walked to the terminus. We met a not-very-nice-person and he wouldn’t let PC past him. PC couldn’t get passed. PC said at last, ‘Well, my uncle is a policeman at Collaroy’ (he got past). I told this boy, ‘I’m glad to see you attacked one of us whilst you were alone and not with the mob (I had to repeat myself two times). He said, ‘I’ve nothing against you but he gives me the ‘----s’.

Phillip was very nervous and shakey because he had to do scales for Mr Neville. Mr N said he probably has the highest range of notes in the school (he might be[come] a yeoman I think). At the terminus we both bought a cream cake and then sat down. I took out my score and realized it was George Osborn’s. I caught a single decker (I hate ‘singles’) and there was Main, Peter Hall and George Osborn. Peter Hall said ‘Shalome’. I said – hello.  Peter went on about Salomie Spiritualistic Medium. Peter raved on. Stuart Main said out loud, ‘He’s a nut’, referring to me. I didn’t care about, it’s that the bus was crowded and P. Hall’s ravings were embarrassing. He said it all in fun though.[47] When they left at Collaroy, PH said ‘Bye’ to PC and then ‘Goodbye Spiritualistic Medium’ etc., etc. and asked us when we were going to have our next séance. We replied, next Friday. ‘Where?’ PH said. I replied, ‘In Town’. PC said, ‘Oh at his place’. PH said, ‘Well, I’ll come too’.

Peter [Varman] has had his trailer fitted with lots of lights, it looks like a Christmas tree. Yesterday I cleaned my room so I could take flash pictures of it. I’ll probably give up the Bell completely tomorrow. I saw Peter and Margaret on a motor bike today. I rang PC to see if he was coming with tomorrow, his mother said no! I saw Robert Heslop in bus (Navy).[48]

Addendum, 7 March 1967.  Oh my goodness.........discussion for Scripture was about kissing and all that. I thought I might be forgotten but Father Martland [was] sitting next to me. All of a sudden jerked me and said, ‘What do you think?’. I must have looked stunned. I shook my head violently. Kraglietto made a joke about me not having experience (kissing). After the lesson I went to see the nuns. I firstly saw Sister Theresius and she asked me how I liked Scripture (‘How’s Scripture?’). I said, ‘Oh not too good’. She said, ‘Oh, why?’ ‘We’re having group discussions’. She said , ‘Don’t you like talking about SEX’. I nearly fell over backwards when she said that but I showed no emotion whatsoever. I said, ‘Yes’, I added, ‘Half the time I don’t even know what they’re talking about’. She said, ‘Oh, I see’. I said, ‘Yes, the younger kids don’t talk much either’. She added, ‘I suppose it was above their heads’. I then said, ‘I don’t really know enough to take part in a discussion’. This wasn’t all the conversation but it was a generalization. SMPJ came out embarrassed, she forgot again[49], she added, ‘Oh well, now you know how much I think of you, aren’t I dreadful. I said, ‘Yes’. Both sisters said goodbye. I said ‘Bye’. Seeing Father Martland  I’m afraid I must have looked stupid. I was red. He said something like, ‘Ohh, see you’.

8^th of March 1967, Wednesday.  Today at [9.45] I officially gave up the bell. Bell ringing – 1964-1967. Today at the bus stop we waited and waited – in the rain. No bus came. so the 9.35 came. We all waited at the shops and at about 9.45 the Bus came. We all came late at school. Second period went to see Mr Torbett and gave him my note to go home at lunch time. I then went to Art (we had an Art test, Egypt). After Economics I accidentally ignored Mr James when he asked me something. PC and I played something in Rm 15 briefly.[50] It was raining cats and dogs. We went to our usual place, I put on my raincoat and hesitated for about 5 minutes and even rang up father before I went [on my way]. It rained all day long. I walked through the very heavy rain all the way to the sheltered bus stop. I was wet through and through. Some louty fellows were there, some without a note but they were OK. I caught the first double decker. Manly Wharf bus. The conductor did not ask my fare or looked at my pass, so I had a rather nervous bus ride to the Department of Motor Transport.[51] Once there I filled in a leaflet and waited in a que. I heard a VW and sure enough there was Muv. We soon found out I needed a birth certificate. We tried to prove it by bus pass. We went home, had a cuppa, unloaded mother’s shopping (the bag fell open). We left soon afterwards. This time we were served quickly. I had to have an eye test, with difficulty I must have qualified. I was presented with two ‘L’ cards, a book of questions and a Motor Traffic Handbook, Dec 1965 and after a minute or six of waiting I received my Learners’ Permit. Mother did some more shopping. We got here at 3.10. I began with HW.[52] PC rang at 4.00. I told him the news. I read one story in ‘John Silence’, it was marve. It’s still raining. It’s 8.30. Chris Mosely is trying to get his licence for the second time today. Results unknown. Bye & GN.

9^th of March 1967.  Hate, hate, hatefulness, I’m left out of cards and am the family servant while they laugh with merriment. I sit here with upsetment. I rang PC and we made vague plans for tomorrow. Mother decided to go to work and I have to mind Kathy till she goes to work ruining the schedule. I was so annoyed. P&P here also. Father hung up on PC. I was absolutely angry, now mother is going to talk to me tomorrow.

Karry fainted again. I first found out when John Wilkinson stood on the threshold of the Clinic and halted me and [said] ‘Oh don’t come in, Kerry is having an epileptic’. I said ‘Oh, is he?’, not realizing what he had said. He was very protective. Soon enough the ambulance came and he was carried. Mr Blue asked for his address. Choir practise 5^th and 6^th period with the Girls in the Hall. I have been put in a very degrading place, I was so annoyed. Maths with Mr Torbett is shocking. Everyone knew I had gone for my permit. We walked home. I’d love to write pages more but I couldn’t be bothered.

10^th of March 1967, Friday.  Today is Brookvale Show day and we had a holiday. I walked to R. Sterling’s place, there I met PC.[53] We caught a Wynyard and four nasties were on it. We went immediately to the Psychic Res., and the building[54] it is in is very old and drab. The lift operator wore a 1930s hair cut and clothes. The lift must be the most ancient in Sydney. The lift operator was singing some inknown song as we got off on the sixth floor. We immediately saw the Psychic Res[earch sign]. I hesitated and PC and I stood outside the door at last. We had already heard the lady we spoke to on the phone. Phillip introduced himself and me. She remembered my letter and phone call. She had a marve talk with us. She reminded us of Aunt May. We noticed that there were a lot of old ladies there. She let us look through her spiritual library. We were then offered a cup of tea which we accepted with a biscuit. We left soon after, walking down the steps this time. I seemed as though there were about twelve or more stories rather than six. We went madly from store to store searching for hypnotist tickets until we reached the Royal. We had lunch first [at] David Jones. I ate much too much for my own good.

Yes tis me again, yes. My throat is better. Robert is here. Yes and I’m sitting on a rainbay-bow. Robert is playing it. Bye. Phillip Cordaiy. I bought mum a box of chocs – etg tuffeds ni het otn uder ayw! Yeb. Hillipp Ordaiyc.

At the Royal Theatre we bought the tickets. The lady asked PC how old we were, he said 14. We got the tickets for 5/- We soon caught a Wynyard bus home. It’s really humorous. It’s a seat a seat happening affair. I’m popping up and down for ladies. I nearly fainted a few times but one doesn’t tell others such things. We went home via S Creek Rd. The only bus was too full with Brookvale Show-ers so we rang up father. He came for us after ‘half a minute’ (quarter of an hour). Phillip had a shocking headache and sore throat but ASPRO FIXED IT (for ever maybe) R.I.P. Made a few tapes but we were not mentally prepared for a good séance or hypnotizing. He is now about to go, at 5.15. Bye you hope.[55]

11^th of March 1967, Saturday. I woke up at 7.30 and read more of ‘John Silence’. Went to Paddy’s flat – she gave me two large prints of Holland. I started to decorate a bottle with paint sprinkled with sand. I also doctored the vine on the porch.[56] At 11.30 I had lunch, two pieces of toast, then mother brought me to PC’s place and gave me 4/- [to spend]. Mrs Cordaiy and myself had a bit of an argument about Franquin. I almost shouted but nicely (?)!!! We went to the bus stop next to Denny’s Book Store (Collaroy) L.R. On the bus I saw Stephen Riley[57] but he didn’t acknowledge me. A nice ride into town. 12.25 bus. I paid 1/-[58]

as always. Once arriving in town we first went to have my half yearly record picture of myself taken. I always look weird and different in pictures – maybe it’s my real self.[59]  After that we went to the Theatre.

When we arrived Phillip had to go to his usual 40 minutes toilet but he wanted me to go into the waiting room with him as he was afraid of being ‘attacked’. I decided to go to the toilet too when he came out. I had an awful lot of trouble getting my zip undone (I wore my rain coat). We were shown  to seats 29 and 30. We sat down. I took off my raincoat and burst into hysterics – literally when all of a sudden I saw a screen being lowered wobbling to the ground for advertisements, it really struck me at the right time. PC soon caught on. At this point anything made us laugh. I was a bit uncomfortable in the hard little seats so I put my raincoat on the back of the seat as a cushion. After a while I looked down to get my handkerchief when all of a sudden I noticed, to my horror, that my zip was completely undone. I also noticed that it was broken. I had not forgotten to close my fly. I couldn’t help laughing madly – everyone thought I was mad. I tried to make out to PC that I was laughing at a sentence in the Programme. I hurriedly put on my raincoat and told PC, we presently laughed like never before. But what really took the cake was when a fat lady walked up to us and told us we were in the wrong seats. We had to squeeze past scores of old ladies – fat ones etc., etc., etc.  I finally got comfortable in my new seat and enjoyed the show. P.C. was not game enough to volunteer himself. The show was hilarious, started at 2.15 and finished about 5.  We rang up mother at the General Post Office in Sydney and asked muv if PC could stay for tea and then bis MUV [?] When we came out of the GPO the bells struck 5 and we raced to Wynyard where we caught a Mona Vale. I enjoyed the trip out of Sydney. I studied every old building, I sometimes felt like touching the rocks as we went by them in the bus. At SCR we rang up Muv. We had a nice dinner and tried some automatic writing with some success.[60] Dennis and Liesje are at P&P’s. PC kept on calling some of my ways ‘complexes’. How silly.  Oh well, bye for now.

12^th of March 1967. It is now 9.05 and I have just finished ‘Algernon Blackwood’s ‘John Silence’: 1. The Psychical Invasion, 2. Ancient Sorceries 75; the Nemesis of Fire p 143, Secret Worship p245, the Camp of the Dog, p295 to 390 – my favourite.[61]

I had some interesting results in tie-dying. I tie dyed three [pieces of cloth] and painted and dyed one, I have already hung them up in my room – they brighten things up. Also I decorated a VOC bottle yesterday. I painted a cross and some decorations and then sprinkled it with purple-brown sand today. I painted the rest of it and submerged it in sand. I will use it to put Holy Water in. I had my first DRIVING LESSON from mother and I now know how to turn on and off a car, the gears and the pedels and brakes, it’s so exciting and fun. I found the graveyard and chapel has been tampered with slightly, one stone is missing, two large stones have been added, a stone with a cross on it broken in half, one half being found near the people on the right hand back side. Damage slight. I have disembalmed[62] most of the graveyard and will soon close it. Cleaned room.

13^th of March 1967, Monday.  On the 7.30 news this morning I heard that two buildings at Narrabeen Girls High had... burned down. I later found out it was shack 2 and 3, shack 1 only being slightly burned. The shacks 2 and 3 were both completely damaged and by this time shack 2 will have been pulled down. – these are the ashes of shack 2. 5^th and 6^th period was passed away in choir practise in the Hall with the girls – it was very good. I caught the school bus home and nearly fainted – what I mean by this I felt dizzy. When I say that I nearly fainted I usually me[an I] had dizzy spells. I felt very lousy this morn and now I am suffering from eye strain.

SPEECH NIGHT. Mrs Cordaiy came for me at 7.30, she had a hair piece on. I had to take my coat off as I sat in the younger section. Allelujah was very impressive. The National Anthem was AOK. The Annual Report was hilarious. The Vocal Ensembles were so perfect and beautiful, ‘Ave Verum’ and ‘Cum Sancto Spiritu’ (Rossini – Mass in A Minor). ’20-18’ was good. The Deputy Principal is leaving and he made such a marvellous speech that I felt sorry about anything nasty I have ever written about him. It was the best speech ever. AFTER that we sang BRAVO BRAVISSIMO  and a B-R-A-V-O-O-O BRAVO! which was sensational. Mr Torbett thanked Nev.

Mr Askin was there and his speech was very informative and humorous. It seemed quite a family affair atmosphere. Lyne Tasler sat in front of me – she couldn’t stop talking and John Wilkinson sat next to me – he couldn’t stop annoying her. Mr Neville seemed pleased with our performance – there were more boys in the Choir this year and two times as many girls – the choir is huge. Mrs Cordaiy took us home after, ‘Now Let Us to the Bagpipes Sound’ (Bach) which was so triumphant after Mr Torbett’s second little speech. He is to be Deputy Head of a correspondence school. I arrived home at 10.15. It’s now 10.40. Bye. Kjell Anderson got an award (Hady’s boyfriend).

14^th of March 1967.  Today is the second anniversary of Mr Tuke’s death. He taught me in Second Form. Mr Johnman announced it on morning assembly two years ago. We were all so shocked. PC went home at 12.10 but he didn’t go to the orthodontists. I didn’t do Sport. I went to Room 2 and a fellow was ticking away at a typewriter. They are laying out foundations of some new school buildings. Hope they don’t chop down the little Christmas trees.[63] Everyone was asked to give a donation for Mr Torbett’s farewell present. I caught the school bus home, there were only about 17 people on the bus. That (Nawo[?] fellow) Stephen --------- he is a Jehova’s Witness...is very shy about it. He told me that Paul Lester told him that I ‘don’t like people and if kids talk to me too much I get sick of them and I don’t like them any more’. I didn’t know that!!! It rained quite a bit this after[64] and most Narrabeen [Boys High] swimmers and others went home at 2.10.[65] I had so much Economics [homework] I can’t do it. I’ll get into trouble. Peter went to Squash. Father is drawing - Mother is reading – Kathy is sleeping. I’m writing. Paddy is in bed reading. Bye.

16^th March 1967.

It is raining this morn and I don’t feel like going to school. I hereby officially take off my old Scapula.[66] I have two old ones, one Maarten gave to me (one I am wearing now) and one I bought off SMPJ that’s in the holy jar. I now cut off the St Christopher’s medal and tie it on the new one with the white string inside the brown Scapula which has been exposed and do hereby tie on the gold crucifix SMPJ gave me with some string. It is done. Amen.  It’s 9.55am.

Moth got me a new pen, the slope has become a bother. This is my old pen. (This is my new pen, it will not write properly). This is my old pen. I’m so upset my new pen floods and is bloody useless. Today was a very ordinary day, nothing much happened PC went home at 12.10 and I had to hand in an Economics essay. Also [had] a  test, I didn’t finish. Father picked me up and I had my first real driving lesson at Dee Why Beach. I had open paddocks,[67] I learned to drive with first and second gear and touched third. P&P stayed for tea and played cards. My letter was published in Anne Saxon’s column today. ‘Bert’ Collaroy.[68]

St Patricks Day. 17^th of March 1967, Friday. Today is St Patrick’s Day. I must now get dressed and go to school. GB&I. We didn’t do much work at school today. We had Mr Torbett for Maths. He made a little speech at the end, he said, ‘Boys, I’ve been teaching Maths for forty years and this is probably the last Maths class I’ll ever teach’.  During the period he left the class twice to walk into the Music Room because Mr Neville played his favourite song, Largo. Second time he made a bow. Mrs Lindsay. She said to the class that Mr Torbett is a real gentleman and a fine man. She also said later that she loved Italian films because she loves sex films – not heavy love stories. She said, ‘Maybe I’ve got a filthy mind but I love films with excitement, that’s why I like sex films’. I asked Mr Neville if I could borrow Dido & Aeneas. He misunderstood me, later I said, ‘What I really meant to say was ...may I borrow Dido & Aeneas. At 7^th period all went to the Hall and us choir‘ers’ got together.

Mr Torbett walked in (official part) and with Mr Johnman and Peter Montgommery.[69] Mr Torbett was given some good presents and the cleaners gave Mr Torbett a present also through Mr Sheffield. Peter M made a very loving speech about Mr Torbett and after – what I believe to be the longest and loudest clapping ever performed in the Hall. Mr Torbett made the most wonderful, touching speech ever and talked about him being bullied in high school. Mr Torbett was one of the youngest persons admitted ti University. His mother’s mother had four brothers. and told us how (sic). He was telling the staff this morn that there has never really been a bad accident while he was here at school. Mr Neville sent a boy to Mr Torb later saying that there had been a bad accident in the Music Room. It was only a joke. Mr Nev was forgiven. The choir stood up and sang FOR HE’S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW and that was the end. Now (I’m so sad) there was a HIP-HIP HOORAY which echoed from wall to wall thrice – raising the roof.

I caught the school bus home. (Dead Body) had the honour of carrying my record and was very nice!! Peter Hall offered his Dido & Aeneas for me to borrow. There was an awful rabble on the bus – mmmmm. Bye. Parents went to the Van de Vens.

18^th of March 1967.  I woke up at about 8.00 to find that a little baby was staying at Paddy’s place. Baby’s name is Jody (girl) Laurienne (D) fiancé’s sister’s baby. I think. I carried [her] around Paddy’s place for 15 minutes to stop her from crying – she’s very cute. Peter went fishing with Mr Dearden. Dennis Robbie visited Paddy to give her an Easter egg for Dale.... (Neville is her boyfriend). She has never had an Easter egg as she is Jewish. Mother got wool for my jumper (sort of grey). I made some grave headstones. I later cleared Section D as part had not been overturned since Kathy’s birthday (and a tiny bit of E2).[70] I went over the Economics tape. The Ranken’s are having a barbecue. GN.

Palm Sunday. 19^th of March 1967. I went to 7.30 High Mass at Dee Why Catholic Church. An organist played very nicely and a choir of about 12 men and women sang some church songs and answered the priest. As the priest sang the Mass, two times the priest came unto the alter, first time wearing a gold vestment whilst blessing the palms. It was such a beautiful ceremony. Whilst one of the alter boys (there were six) helped with the incense (which was in a container like this – only better) the whole congregation took blessed palms, some kissing them, especially the older Italian women (they always wear black in public). The priest looked on like some of the saints do in the old church murals etc., in Europe. After everyone had collected a palm the priests proceeded out and in a few minutes they came in again wearing purple.[71] The Mass lasted till 8.45. I asked the younger priest to bless Kathy’s rosary, which he did, he pinched Kathy’s cheek.

Mother came and she gave me a driving lesson which I was annoyed with at first but I really enjoyed myself later on. I can now do third gear and reverse. I planted my plants when I got home and I read the three papers and ate my chocolates. Mother has asked Peter two weeks in a row to give me a car lesson but he puts it off – result NILL. I built a little path through the section I cleaned yesterday and buried some snails under the lavender bush. There will be a regular Mass at 7.30 at the Collaroy Plateau Progress Hall from April the 2^nd. We went to Tante Miep’s place at 3.30. That’s all.

20^th of March 1967, Monday.  I was brought to Mactier St and from there I caught the double decker  to the school, on the bus I met Phillip Cordaiy. I also discovered that I had left Dido & Aeneas in the car. Had a joint[72] Opera lesson as Mr Nev didn’t turn up till 8.55. We sang right past the second bell. Mr Neville discovered that there was an Assembly.

PC and I sneaked out and listened to the new headmaster deputy. He is a rather fat man – exact opposite of Mr Torbett. PC thinks he has a ‘hunchy’ head.[73] I have already acquainted myself with the new deputy three times. We had Mr Jennaway for Maths. Had a marve lesson with Mrs Lindsay about castrates etc., and evolution – which I believe in.[74] I walked home by myself and went to St Josephs to look at the organs – the new one is so disappointing. I said hello to Father Sobb. He is really aging, I was quite shocked. He asked me how everyone was and was really nice. I forgot about asking him about the organs. He asked me how Richard was (he forgot his name for a while). When I told him my name he knew immediately where I lived – Collaroy Plateau, Berith Street. I said ‘goodbye’ and he also said ‘goodbye’. I caught the 160 home and when I got home I began with my Maths. Mr and Mrs Moore were having a dreadful row after a friend/salesman came. Mrs M was complaining how Mr M was making out to the salesman that she couldn’t be trusted etc. At times they shouted madly and Mr Moore told her to go back to her fat mother for all he cared. Mrs M protested, she said, ‘If I had the money, I’d go’. She at last said, ‘Get out’, and he said, ‘No, you get out’. She—began to cry and Mr M was calling her a nasty person. Later Nel van Kalcar rang up to ask us if the van Kalcars were home.[75] I had to at last knock on the door. I saw Mr Zwartjes rush to the TV. Tina van Kalcar opened the door (not a smile on her face) and I told her what [‘to say’ crossed out] the [sic]. Mrs van Kalcar came and she expressed great relief when I told her what I had to and thanked me for going to so much trouble. Just then, Lammert van Kalcar, in his police uniform, stern-faced, marched past me. I forgot to say Bye. Now I’m so depressed, I could die without caring. No car less[ons] & no a wed’s.[76] No Lib(rary) today. Bye. GN.

21^st of March 1967, Tuesday.  At Scripture we were asked to fill in questions to find out what sort of people we are. I asked Father [Martland] about the new church. I told him about Father Sobb meeting and FM asked me why I didn’t ask Father Sobb about the old organ. Later I asked if I cold play it in the afternoon, he said, yes certainly. Today I broke off all relations with KW, he didn’t seem to care.[77] We had the Deputy Headmaster for Economics, he is really good............ Phillip made a stupid error – [he said] invisible instead of indivisible. Phillip went to Opera practise. I walked home. The van Laars beeped the horn at me. When I reached St Josephs I opened the door to the room and closed the door, opened the organ. The chair was much too small. I was shocked to hear that it had a beautiful tone, as I heard it but alas I couldn’t play properly as the pedels put me off. You have to peddle the organ to play it. I had to wrestle with the keyboard. The conventional church songs did not turn out as I couldn’t get a continual sound. I made up a beautiful tune.[78] I missed the 4.00, 160. I went to the library and borrowed ‘Dreams and Dreaming’ and a book about devils, BOTH FICTION. Bye.

22^nd of March 1967, Wednesday.  Today is my parents’ 28^th wedding anniversary. I stayed home and I studied (did homework) for about six hours and in between read ‘The Domain of Devils’. I had little opportunity to do anything else. I received a letter from the ‘Redemptorists’. I rang up PC in the morn and he rang me in the afternoon with nothing new except that we don’t like the Deputy Headmaster, he is a trifle fake. When mother came home we were given some nice cakes to eat. Paddy and Peter came for tea and we had a delicious Chinese dinner. After that I played a game of Euchre with Peter, I won! Mother got a nice box of chocolates ([Red] Tulip’s).

Dale received the Easter egg Paddy gave her with slight embarrassment but was real glad to receive it and said, ‘Paddy, you’ve made my day’. As Easter is earlier this year (reason is unknown to me) Jewish people are not on fasts. They usually go on a fast around when we have Easter in April.[79]  This was Dale’s first Easter egg, Neville her husband hasn’t had one either. During the war Dale’s parents sent her to Perth as it was the furthest part in Australia where the Nazi’s would come. They painted their house with swastikas and robbed all their furniture (some disgusting thief or terrorist). It must have been terrifying to be a Jew during the Second World War – millions and millions were killed. God bless all those who have suffered during the two world wars.

23^rd of March 1967, Thursday.  It is now 3.08 am and I just woke up. A very strong wind is blowing at present. Bye. This is my old pen at 8.10 and mother brought back the old nib part and bought a new pen. This is my new pen, as you can see. We didn’t have English as a lot of people were away. I borrowed the complete work of Dido & Aeneas from Peter Hall. PC and I walked home to the terminus in order to play the organ at St Joseph’s church but we were too late (this is my old pen). I got a lift home from Peter at South Creek Road. At school a few little incidents and questionings were slightly depressing and nausiating. Otherwise a nice day. Oh my dear Lord I’m upset, this is the second pen in one week – both don’t work. The Lord knows I try but I have no luck. At present Paddy and Peter are playing cards with parents. Dennis and Liesje Robbie are here. This B pen will not work for more than a minute. Oh hell. It won’t run out – Bye. Robert Varman 1967. Yes it’s me yes.

23 March 1967. Last night I dreamt I had to get glasses off Miss Watts. She gave me some ‘Miss Prissy’ ones [pince-nez] to put on my nose. This happened in Rm 3. I did not like them and I told her so –n I couldn’t get the proper ones.

24^th of March 1967, Good Friday.  After having a nice shower, I cleaned my room and at present Phillip Cordaiy is here and I am listening to Dido & Aeneas. I have just finished drawing the cross.[80] ‘We are just about to go and make a secret brew or two. I gave Robert a recipe for one yesterday. Happy Easter Robert from Phillip Charles Cordaiy. Good bye for now dear Diary.’

We accidentally ate a bit of meat. One slice of rookworst.[81]  We had tomato soup. We played a lot of piano and used the tape recorder. In the morn we both made very interesting experiments. My experiment was one stem of Elephant Ear (from sacred plant twelve leaves of front hawthorn, three leaves from original Hawthorn and one thorn from front Hawthorn. Boil these then add two silver Birch leaves and boil, sift and bottle. I found a dead bird when I did the cross of steps tradition. Mother and Phillip had an hour long discussion whilst I played the piano – wonder what they talked about. ‘Well it’s time for me to fo, had curried eggs, puree and peas and muchrooms. Very nice. No meat. Merry Eaaster. Didn’t bury treasure. Good Night . Phillip Cordaiy, 8 minutes past 8pm.

In the afternoon we got the Neocolours[82] and painted hangy faced scars on my and Phillip’s face. We then got a cork and burned it and put the black on my face until I looked like a black fellow. We showed Paddy. It was difficult to get off. Whilst I played the piano  Phillip spoke to mother about Kerry Wright – about everything and mother said to him, ‘Yes, we’re very worried about Rob, he never tell us anything. When he used to go to his place he never told us anything and we don’t know what he doing there’. Also about how I’m so secretive etc., and when I used to want to be a priest mother didn’t know – she was worried because all of a sudden I changed. And she hoped that Kerry didn’t influence me. Phillip told Mother how he met Kerry. Mother told PC that she knew there was something wrong with him the first time she saw him. PC has told mother that he broke away and me breaking away. Mother said, ‘I used to listen at the door and you be surprised how much you can learn about Kerry’ etc., etc.[83] I caught mother listening to PC and I in the kitchen when we were there, mother was near the radiogram. It’s now 9.30pm GN & G. Bless. [84]

25^th of March 1967, Saturday.  I was extremely upset when Peter & Paddy left with their friends Peter & Margaret, Dennis & Liesje[85] - all went to Wiseman’s Ferry and Windsor. They brought some Bullrushes back. As they left I sat ‘melancholy’ behind the waterfall. I carved a statue in sandstone about 15 inches high. I used chisels and a file and that took me about two and a half hours.[86] I also did something I haven’t done in about five or six years – first time I did it was in about 1957-8. I got some, I think, Sheaoak  twigs (wild Chrissy tree) and arranged it in a forest fashion (I put a smoothed altar stone which I made while Mark [Ranken] was here talking. I put a sacred Elephant Ear bit on the altar surrounded by twigs. I set the whole thing alight – like a forest fire.[87] Later I gathered Marigold leaves from the two large plants in the yard, one in my place and the other where the chickens house used to be. Cut the leaves up and boiled them, sifted and bottled it in an Electrique bottle. Smells good.  (Yesterday Phillip was making (Abuh animal noises and blaming them on me)). It was the most beautiful peaceful morning of the year. R. Spicer rangme this morn and we had a very nice long chat. I read him the latest letters from K.Wright. Bye.

Easter. 26^th of March 1967. This morning I awoke at 1.40, got out of bed, went to the toilet and then to the kitchen. I boiled two cups of water and then got a tissue and put one spoon of tea, tied and wrapped the end of the tissue in two bottle tops – curved them and put it in the hot water – thus making a lovely – two lovely cups of tea with biscuits (4) and I read three magazines. Had a marve contented while. It is now 2.40 and presently I will go back to beddie bye, so bye for now. Happy Easter Diary.

I got dressed as soon as I was woken up. We went to 7.00 Mass, it was so embarrassing. We had to sit up the back and when we kneeled we had to walk to a kneeler. I didn’t take communion. I saw john Murray. He saw me from a distance so I didn’t wave. When we got home we found (Kathy and I both) a large box with a large Easter egg, St Marks. Then father came with two packages, one with a bunny and an egg for Kathy and a large egg with bon-bons by Red Tulip [for me] – lovely package. For breakfast we had eggs – double yolkers and now I have had sufficient. I had, before breakfast, started the cuckoo clock...I stopped it before lent (sorry – the additional words)[88] and also the M clock. Mother saw Peter and Paddy going to church. I took two colour pictures of our family before breakfast. Kathy wore her new dress. Mr McFarlane came to borrow a sieve. I wore my s. jacket and best pants – unfortunately. Father is now after the paper.

After a bit we went to Tante Miep’s place. She didn’t come for about 5 minutes meanwhile Tante Nike and Oom John came with Laurie, my dear cuz. We had a nice chat about Scripture lessons and what D[avid] Alford said. He knows Laurie is my cuz.[89] I played a lot of piano and impressed everyone, especially Tante Nike and there and then she decided to take up the piano (I wonder). We stayed for about two hours. Hady went on a camping trip with Kjell and his family). On coming home Lassie gave us a rip-roaring welcome and squealed, I mean squeaked. A lazy nothing afternoon. I discovered the phone had gone dead. It was fixed at about 7.00. The Family mainly lazed about in the sun in the back yard. I wanted to go to Green Fingers but to no avail.[90] I got some Thyme (we have four sorts) and (English type) put it in my room. I burned some. I went to where the Old Lady lives (Mrs Norton) and found in the empty block four Norfolk succulents and planted them in the bush house.[91] In 1957 Mrs Norton gave me one of those plants and now I have many. I could not penetrate the thick bush in the spare block next door to her (where Hazel Phillips was once going to live). I have nearly finished the large egg from Muv. I just tried to ring Phillip but there was no one at home so I can’t wish him happy Easter. Laurie is quite upset that she is a little on the plump side.

I learned today Liszt’s ‘Dream of Love’, it’s quite nice. Peter took his tape recorder back. I told him only about the slipped reel but not about the other thing. Kathy has a tadpole and it has two little back legs – there are also other smaller tadpoles and mosquito larvae. The Patio at the Rankens place is semi-finished but they are sitting on it etc., already (since yesterday I believe). One of my Wandering Jews in my room has one branch five feet long, it’s quite nice. Father always carries Kathy to bed on his shoulders whilst Lassie barks madly away. Bye Diary. Red Tulip chocky is from Daddio and the large Easter egg (red, white and silver wrapper) is from sweet Mummo. Kathy got a double Easter egg from Peter & Paddy and one egg from Tante Miep.

27^th of March 1967, Monday.  I sneezed most of the night thus I couldn’t sleep well. Father is chopping down the other half of the Pussy Willow – TIMBER -. Kathys Corner: ‘The girls run toi the boy’. Most of the day was probably spent in utter boredom – as I can’t really distinguish between severe depression and boredom. Feeling more adventurous I went half way down the bush  property next to the Norton’s. Tracks have not been used for 10 years, I’m sure. I only went 40 feet down for fear of being caught. I sat on Ray Holaman’s ‘new’ fence which is about 9 years old and is riddled with White Ants. Next to this, going into the bush, were poles with wire attached, like thus:[92] Each pole [post] is very black because of the awful bushfires that swept through here every so often. I’m sorry about the crude way I drew the bush but it is very thick bush. The old fence is also riddled with Borers, at least the first one is. Well I sat there when this boy on a bike rode along. Lassie chased and barked  [at] the boy on the bike. He got off uttering the most awful and unholy swear words (he is in first year). He picked up two stones and was about to throw them at Lassie (he did not see me sitting there, I was sort of enclosed in a grotto of trees and bush). I called out to Lassie. He looked around stunned (the boy) and with a completely bewildered look  on his face  - it was quite comical. I said, ‘You needn’t throw those, she won’t chase you’. I then whistled at Lassie, she soon came. He said, ‘I should have thrown these at you’. I said something like ‘Really? ’ All this time he just stood there bewildered. I said, ‘You can take the other way around next time’. Then told Lassie not to chase the naughty boy. Then; I forget the rest, he soon moved on. I had a nice walk about the street and returned home. The Pussy Willow has been chopped down to the trunk.[93] In the afternoon we went to Green Fingers, then to the Bahai Temple for the second time since it has been built. The religion has good ideas but I could not possibly accept it at all, simple.[94] I ate most of the bon-bons (chocolates) today. I really seem to be seeking out old Berith Street this week, it’s like a dream.[95] I’ve found it – near the spare block, the Old Lady’s place and Ray’s place.[96] Phillip rang up. I can see my tonsils in Peter’s car mirror. Had nice chats with Mark Ranken.

28^th of March 1967, Tuesday. Oh my, I’m sick and tired of this hum-drum. I wish I could spread my wings and fly away, far away. I’d like to live – really live. It is now 5.25 and I have a dreadful head cold, an awful sore throat – worse than ever, nothing can fix it – it must be tonsillitis. I can’t stop sneezing. Ohhh—It is traditionally Children’s day at the Royal Easter Show. Today is the last day of the Easter Holidays and the Royal Easter Show. Tina van Kalcar is getting married today (she has been married already) in a registry – how unfortunate – it’s not recognized by the Catholic Church.[97] The reception is now on at the Zwartjes house. Her husband [ten Brinker] works on a ship as second mate, I believe.

Mother went to work and I stayed home with Kathy. She was quite a good girl today. Those silly children, Susanne, Marita Fielders and brother, Allen Mc Farlane and his brother Andrew and other children, later Linda [Moore] went into the Ovens’ place (Ray’s). I told them to get, they left.[98] The Fielders child Marita and Linda were quite nasty to Kathy twice, first time Kathy cried. Mr and Mrs Moore singing and yodelling together to [Country and] Western yodel and other Western type records, mainly American.

Hady caught a large trout when on her camping trip. At 11.50 Tante Nike rang up to ask how to cook it but parents were away. Laurie then got on the phone to ask me who asked me about her but I wouldn’t tell. David Alford asked me if I had a cousins in Blandford Street (he asked me this question in 4^th class)[99] I said Yes etc. Anyway, he told me in colloquial language that my cousin was kissing people.[100]  Well, I found out a bit more about Patricia Lester. Laurie said she was a bit of a creep (she is in the Opera) and wore clothes in an untidy fashion etc. ‘All in all’, Laurie said, ‘Personally, I don’t like her’. Well, I wouldn’t tell her who talked about her, she tried to bribe me but nothing worked. Apparently she thought I knew more about it than I really know. She said she kissed Jeff (I don’t know who he is, he goes to my school. Lauw-Lauw thinks he is in 5^th form or maybe 4^th . I said that this certain somebody said that you were kissing quite a few people. She denied this (I believe her) and said, ‘Yes, there was quite a bit of kissing and petting but I don’t think I’ll do it again’. I said, ‘Yes but I am thoroughly convinced that loved every minute of it’. She replied, ‘Who told you that?’ I said, ‘I did because you know it’s true’. She tried to make out that she didn’t care about who spoke about her – but every lapse in conversation she’d ask me who [he] is – what does he look like etc. We talked for about 35 minutes. Conclusion: I believe Laurie has grown up remarkably since I last saw her. She referred to me as ‘Father’ (priest) because I was giving her advice. Later she asked me not to tell anyone.  I was extremely bored today and have finished the bon-bons and nearly the egg. I had a nice little roll about in the grass with Lassie. The sun shon incessantly all day. ---- [101] I made tea today with the tissue method. I told Laurie. Peter brought the tape recorder to the electrical fixer. ---- One.50 Yes it’s true. Pat Lester is in my cousin’s class.

[STATEMENT] I again make it clear that in every edition of these diaries I have abolished certain English Grammar. I abuse new sentences and paragraphs and generally start a new sentence when I feel like it. If there is a spelling mistake, there is no excuse on my part. I mix up certain topics as if I were having a conversation.[102]

[Addendum][103]

29^th of March 1967, Wednesday.

I was terribly sick last night with a sore throat and a solid blocked nose etc. Mother gave me two Aspros. Well, this morning I feel worse than ever. Mother hasn’t even asked me how I am, she doesn’t recognize it or she won’t recognize it. I mean, I feelI am being corroded by these cold germs and my eyes are watering. It’s Sports day, by the way and we are starting Winter Sport. Bye it’s 9.30 – must get dressed – must return Peter Hall’s record.

I’m still alive but I feel as weak as a kitten. Oh woe is me. Sick, sick, sick. I went to Winter sport with Phillip. We were put into a group of fifteen and a half and over with Mrs Lindsay and that other funny fellow. Mrs Lindsay told PC that he had to go to sport and couldn’t go to the Music Room or Art Room or where ever he went during Sport – he had to go out and fill his lungs with air. With that we went away to pull the microphone down etc. When we came back no-one was doing anythingbut sit and talk or play a little soccer. PC went down near the creek (Mullet Creek) and made crucifixes and sailed them into the water.[104] Three soccer balls went into the creek and had not been rescued. I later told Mrs Lindsay that I didn’t even know how to play the game, after we were told that we had to have special gear and that we would be playing grade (against other schools). She said, ‘Oh well, you chose soccer’ and then said something  very amusing. We were let home early, at 3.05. We walked to St Josephs and first had a drink at the taps; heaven, hell, purgatory, limbo, heaven, hell. The fibro sink has been replaced with a metal one.[105] We went into the church and sat down.[106] Father Martland came in and asked us out loud in the church weather we wanted to play the organ. I replied in whispers – he couldn’t hear. Anyway, we ended up playing the lovely old organ till 3.55. We played it in turns, we didn’t play just church hymns either, it was marve. I could play much, much better and could pedal. We caught the 160 home. I believe Harding is leaving. I felt so sick today, the organ gave me a lift for a while – which proves when sick or in pain, do something that will keep your mind off your afflictions. Pat Lester was selling tickets for a raffle for a spin dryer. No luck here, Oh well. People are continually asking me about my driving licence. Mrs Knox stopped me this morn to ask me how I was getting along with music. I told her about my first organ experience. P&P are staying for tea.

30^th of March 1967, Thursday. ‘GREAT WAR 1914~1918 18^TH BATTALION A.I.F.’ ‘In memory of the members of the 18^th Battalion A.I.F.’ This is to go up at St John’s Church of England at Gordon in Sydney. We have the plaque here and it will go up next day. Father also made up a container to hold an old bible, last year I think.

I felt a tiny bit better this morn and went to school. Kathy had her Easter Bonnet Parade and nearly won the prize (I bet that everybody who has a daughter in the Easter B.P. says that). Kath wouldn’t smile I’m told. At school I had to do an awful Maths test. Phillip copied anything he could and when he had to complete it [at the ] later period he just leaned on his desk and stared at my book and asked me some of the answers. He also tried to find some of the answers from the text book. He was telling me that it was Christian to copy (share he means). I let him openly see it as I couldn’t stop him anyway. During recess he said that he didn’t know what a rational number was and after the testhe told me that he really did know but didn’t tell me because it was for my own good. Listen here – he just wanted to get more correct by hook or by crook. John Harding left today, Mrs Lindsay said, and rejoiced. K. Wright seems to be pretty bitter about me breaking off all relationships and contacts. He is corresponding with PC and said, ‘I don’t know who this Robert is you’re talking about. Is he a friend of yours?’ I was picked up from school by Muv and was taken to the barber at Collaroy Plateau West and had my very, very long hair cut which Mrs Cordaiy and Mrs Wall (their neighbours) commented on. It is now very, very short. Paddy is loosing her voice. Mr Dearden had a truck smash into his car [which] he was so proud of – he is so upset and his leg has been injured, not very badly but it is in bandages. I borrowed ‘Hawaii’ [book] from Paddy.

After my hair cut (Kathy was present during it all and whilst I was still sitting in the chair Kathy was picking up pieces of hair). We walked home and we met Mrs Knox – she could not believe that Kathy was who she was and called out for Mrs Elliott (her husband died during the last World War). Mrs Elliott knew and gave Kathy some seeds from a sort of sun flower plant. Some children were playing near the road and a driver came along in a modern large black car. Mrs Knox started yelling at the little boy and told him she wasn’t worried if he got run over but she was worried about the man (whilst Mrs Elliott tried to shush her). Mrs Knox left to do the shopping and Mrs Elliott took us through the back and went through Mrs Oyevaar’s place.[107] I heard the Nortons may move to the Mountains.[108]

Mr Laws told us that Mr Walton will not be back at school till next Monday. I took Pussie up for a walk when I got near the Fielder’s place a car came and Pussie tried to struggle free and in the process scratched my arm. I would not let her go. I put her in a harmless position and walked home.

31^st of March 1967, Friday.  It is morning and nearly 8.00. I’m not dressed and it’s raining a bit. I have Opera lessons this morn  - urk – Oh well, Bye. When I arrived at school (I missed the early bus) I forgot all about Opera till the last minute. A rather smooth day. Mr Cocking (Deputy Head) said we may sit on the lawn, I mean occupy it. At lunch time the most dreadful... yet hilarious thing happened. Numbers of First Years, Second and Third Year students were rushing and crowding near Room 20. After five minutes of this we found out that somebody put a Frenchy (Wet Checks) on the doorknob of Room 20. People asked PC what it was but he said he didn’t know but I said I did but PC said I was only acting innocent (?). Later I didn’t dare look for myself. That nice Geography teacher and another teacher were standing near it happily talking while Mr Laws was shooing the kids away (this is 30 minutes later). A Commerce teacher removed it.

I had a marve lesson in Science and Mrs Lindsay took lots of frogs and snakes and one mouse and stuffed birds etc., out of preservatives for us to examine them. I really felt appreciated, I was even called mate which is quite a compliment here. I abused it when I was 6 thinking it meant something else.[109] I caught the school bus home because of the rain we had. During Science it rained very hard. Someone said to me, ‘Has anyone ever called you Frankenstein?’ I said, ‘No’. I was studying a preserved mouse. The bus ride home was quite comfortable. Only walking home with Paul Lester and S. Scarlet was a bit of a trial. I was red faced and embarrassed by the time I reached the end of Rose Avenue as they were shouting  - how stupid! Last period Ronald Brice was jokingly telling me that PC and I are widely known for being the most sinful boys in the School. The whole period long discussion was stupid and senseless and not worth 6 pence. PC got a bit annoyed as he tried to say nasty things when he found he got the butt of some comments. I paid Peter four dollars (that is all he would accept) for the broken tape recorder – it is now raining  - how nice. P&P promised to take me to the Drive-In next time they go, on their honour.

1^st of April 1967, Saturday. APRIL FOOLS DAY.  It is now 11.35 and I have already tricked Kathy. I am very nervous about the car driving lesson I am about to get – Oh dear. I just tricked mother and then Paddy. I said, ‘What’s this huge crack in the wall’ - and she came out to see, I said, ‘April Fool!!’ Oh well I hope everything works out concerning the driving lesson.....

Azoo. The driving instructor arrived at 11.55 in a red Mini Minor on behalf of COLL-ROY Driving School. Her name is Mrs H. Jeffrey. She drove to where Rose Avenue and South Creek Road meets and gave me brief instructions and told me what to do (repeat). I drove by myself from South Creek Road into Fisher Road and then into South Creek Road and onto Pittwater Road (the main road) all the way to Mona Vale and back to Collaroy. It was extremely nerve-wracking but I survived. There were dual controls –she did not have to use them often. She gave me a small booklet. She said that she was very pleased with my performance. It cost three dollars and worth every cent. I spent most of the afternoon reading HAWAII and am up to page 132. Laurie rang up at 11.00 or so for her tassel for her tunic. I turned the house upside down and rang her up to tell her I found it 15 minutes later. She hates David Alford she said. She guessed. Oh well. Pat Lester doesn’t know me by name apparently, so there you have it. At 3.00 Laurie knocked at my window while I was abnging on the piano (playing). I got the tassel and goew en goed music book for Auntie. Laurie looked quite surprisingly different. At 7.30 I found out that I was supposed to feed Mrs Calnon’s cat (mother grey cat with green eyes and her son a black and grey (striped, suedo[110])). It was pitch dark, I had father’s strong torch and found the key under the mat at the back. I got the cat to walk through the house. I gave her a lot of Kangaroo meat from the fridge and then proceeded to call out for the male cat. I tried to imitate Mrs Calnon’s voice, it came. It was very dominant over his mother. He’s very friendly and rubbie but I didn’t want to handle him as he might bite a finger off, you know how male cats are sometimes. Paddy and Peter are playing cards with parents at present BORING GAME OF CARDS (yawn). It’s 10 to 11 pm. Had a long talk about school with Mrs Ranken (Ancient History). GN.

2^nd of April 1967, Sunday. 1^st Mass Held at or on Collaroy Plateau, ‘A HISTORIC OCCASION’ (Father Sobb). 7.30 – 8.30. I awoke at 7.00 and got dressed hurriedly and so did Kathy. At 7.20 mother drove us to the Progress Hall at Hall Avenue. We walked inside, it was awfully crowded and we had to stand. Acrude altar was set up and Father Sobb celebrated the mass facing the people. It was really spirit[ual]. I had a feeling of early Christianity, there were two candles and one cross and a white table cloth. The chalice was behind a frame instead of tabernacle, as far as I could see. There was a rather long and patriotic sermon. He urged us to pray for a blessing for the Plateau’s [church] functions. The service ended with hymns.

We are about to leave for Dural. Bye..... Kathy, mother and myself are now at Dee Why, Shell petrol station and I am looking at the very bushy land behind the asphalt parking lot.[111] It’s 9.50. The intersection near French’s Forest Public School has really changed beyond recognition – almost. I knew the bush fire was bad at French’s Forest and Bellrose  - but this is ridiculous. These hills formerly covered with thick bush and giant trees has been reduced to charred logs and black hills – its a miracle that these houses were not burned down. These hills will probably be reduced to cheap suburbs...... I hope not. We are in Hornsby.... Galston Gorge – first bridge (concrete) and the WOODEN BRIDGE, we survived.[112] There are six hairpin bends down the hill. Up [hill] first waterfall with water – dense bush, tall trees and eight water ways till Calderwood Road. We are now at Galston. [Fancy] roof [house]. Galston Road HISTORIC HOUSE with thatched roof. Here we are, Hunt Avenue. Oom Jelle. Bye.[113] We are now about to leave. Bye everyone. Details of visit  - see later. We just stopped at a lovely country place to buy eggs. We are still here, I bought a choko for five cents to grow in my garden. ‘The Grange’ it is called. Wooden bridge – we survived again....+ Pymble. We have just stopped to buy an icecream from Mr Whippy – Garden Street, Narrabeen. KW’s grandma’s house has been burned down.[114]

At the Kooks place we were pleased to find that everyone was home: Mr Kook [Oom Jelle], Tante Bep, Charles (Karel), Elizabeth (Sissy)[115] and Tilly. All the time I hardly spoke at all. After coffee I did my Maths homework which took about two and a half hours.[116] I don’t think I really like Oom Jelle (Mr K). I don’t really know why.[117] I would have liked to talk to Elizabeth but I didn’t, I was hoping she would lead. Had a few monor chats with Tilly and Karel and Tante Bep. Oom Jelle cracking crude sayings. He is very anti-Catholic (he likes us though) and doesn’t like anything much to do with churches in general. A very Protestant family. Tante Bep has ‘very ways’ of describing things and has an accent to match. You have a really cosy feeling there but they are so sorry that they are stuck with such a tiny house (for a while). You always feel at home there. Upon returning I fed Mrs Calnon’s cats. Susanne played with [Kathy?].

3^rd of April 1967, Monday.  I missed out on Opera leson this morn, tut-tut. I handed in my History homework. Mr Walton told us to shut our faces, I wasn’t even talking, that filthy idiot (I suppose calling it that is un-Christian).[118] I beat Phillip by one mark in Maths, he got 14 out of 50. Mrs Lindsay went crook on me for always being last to get served – well I can’t understand why the whole class rushes out to be served while really everyone could come out separately. HAWAII is getting so interesting I can’t stop reading it, I’m up to page 220 so far today. It’s now 8.10 pm. I caught the 175 to the terminus – a school bus – and bought a large 22 cent chocolate and later two cakes. We caught the 160. That stupid Phillip Cordaiy put on his Aunt Sue-Suebelle voice – everyone knows who he is and everyone catches the bus day after day. Worst of all they all know me. Well he left me high and dry as usual.[119] Mother went to work and father went fishing all day. Kathy’s tadpole has been evicted from the green bucket and is now enjoying heaven. Mother’s fault. Lassie gave Ruffy next door a beating with a nasty wounds for Ruffy because of Ruffy’s bone. They never fight.[120] RV Bye GN.

4^th of April 1967, Tuesday.  We now have our rolls marked in shack 1 which is really the very modern and comfortable [of the] primary schoolish buildings they put up [last] Friday week. They planted some poplars next to the new buildings today (old shack I still exists without a roof). Sister Tarcissus took over 3^rd form Catholics and was amused by a long haired fellow she told me. Father later on told me I may use the organ at St Josephs whenever I feel like it. I missed out on seeing SMPJ, as she was talking to the new lady Scripture teacher for First or Second Years. I asked Sister Tarcissus (which I will call SMT from now on) to get me the cheapest Bible she can get me. She asked what PC’s name was as he was standing next to me. She called me a bit of a scrooge (jokingly). She brushed some dust off my coat (very embarrassing). Day went rather smoothly. A Reserve Bank man came and told us about his bank today. Choir at 3.25 as always on Tes. It was really fun as basses and tenors were united. Finished 4.30. At lunch time the Senior Choir met in the Music Room to sing Carmen (Toreador’s Song) for the Concert this year. I’m bass for that. Bye. GN. GB. + Hawaii page 268. 10.10pm.

5^th of April 1967, Wednesday.  Every spare moment I get I read my book HAWAII. I rushed to get a note not to do Sport and to go home at 12.00. Kerry fainted again and Frank van Laar burned his hand rather badly from an accident this morn. K. Wright really has a non-Christian outlook on his fellow beings. He looks down upon almost everyone and when he sees a coloured person he says ‘urk’ and looks down upon the person as if he or she was a male dog (he hates any male animal). And he isn’t a Catholic (yet) and is going to join the Carmelites (he is already sighning his name as R.P.W. Os Carm). Poor fellow, he’s such a hypocrite. Oh yes, he is going to take up Psychology – Oh my goodness.

At 12 o’clock I waited with PC (Mr Hall gave me his blessings and wished me safe driving), he has to go to the orthodontist. At 12.05 Mrs Jeffrey came. I hopped in the car, started it, moved and changed the gear with a bump. A group of 6^th Years cheered loudly (I was on the other side of the road) which was embarrassing and I drove off. [121] [Drove] all the way past the Mall to Manly, up the Esplanade and in a side street near Manly bridge over Queenscliff next to the sea. Back onto the main road into the Esplanade and back a different way across the main bridge at Queenscliff. Back to Dee Why, up Fishers Road and into South Creek Road, up to the Plateau and down Rose Avenue and home. I did not leave the car once on the entire trip and drove all by myself. Only one really embarrassing accident, I made the car jerk – she said that’s what breaks the axel. She was very nice about the whole thing. I got home at 10 past 1. It cost $3. I had lunch, a bit of soup and toast, then made a folder and did some homework. Shack I. Unsuccessful drawing. This is a better one.[122] (Hawaii, 10.30 page 348). Kathy was examined by a doctor and her eyesight is not 100%. She liked it as far as I could gather. It is now 7.20 and it’s raining. My original Cosmea has flowered on a large scale for the second time, first time only about 30 flowers appeared – these died and the plant grew bigger, it has a thousand flowers now. Bye.

6^th of April 1967, Thursday.  Although today was not boring, nothing really outstanding happened except that first period Mrs Stephens let us have a free period. She told me that it was not worthwhile because the cadets were away. I found out that the choir has to sing for the R.S.L. but I am not going to go. DEFINITELY. I think.

Stuart Main came into my Economics class to ask for My Violin if I had finished with it. I said ‘Yes’. Those two Second Year fellows are always jolly and funny with many stories to tell, they sometimes come to talk to PC and myself.[123] I had an embarrassing bus ride home with one person being indecent with a cardboard tube, details I’ll omit. What a heathen, pagan fellows we have. Frank tells me he can only play left handed pieces [on the piano]. He can not write because of his burned hand. I passed in Science – only three people passed. I failed History Essay but got an average mark. Hope I passed Maths test on Chapter II. Kathy played with Sue Ranken and Mark Lester – later Paul Lester on the front lawn. I made a folder and fixed my violin and got some music books.

7^th of April 1967, Friday.  I caught the Palm Beach near PC’s bus stop with my violin in one hand and my Art folder and case in the other. We didn’t sing at this morn’s rehearsals but had a nice time anyway. Main told me that the cost of the strings broken aught to be one dollar. At playtime or ‘Little Lunch’ (as Bobby Bottger used to call it)[124] I went to see Nev, he was in room 17. I walked in, in hysterics and told him about the violin, he said, ‘Oh it won’t cost you anything, we’ll let the Government pay for it’. I couldn’t believe my ears. I was overjoyed. He said, ‘Yes, leaving an old violin in a store room moulding away, there are bound to be a few strings broken’. He told me not to tell anyone. ‘A.E.SMITH & CO., LTD., VIOLIN MAKERS & EXPERTS. 68 HUNTER ST. SYDNEY. I took this as a momento.

I got my violin on 23^rd of AUGUST 1965 and gave it back today. I saw K.Wright has a terrific folder, highly praised. Had choir at Lunch at Girls School for Mona Vale hospital fete. I decided not to let Nev down and go (I also brought back five music books). I played the organ at St Joseph’s today, it’s so nice. At History I was stared at for 5 minutes just because I moved to the front near the door and read a book upside down, last period. Oh well. Lassie is getting a little fat. My Art Eassay is not getting along very well. GN. Bye. RV.

8^th of April 1967, Saturday.  This morning I was very nervous about the driving lesson. I went to Dee Why, bought to yards of plastic, that cost 5/-.[125] Then I bought three bottles of waterproof ink – yellow, green and purple, that cost 53 cents [each].  I bought a roll of Sellotape for 43 or 46 cents. The Library wasn’t open. Kathy went with me, I bought all at McDowell’s. When we got home I read Hawaii, I’m up to page 441. Mrs Jeffrey came at 10.40, 10 minutes late. I drove to [Plateau] east shops and to Top Dog and Manly that way.[126] I had to stop in the middle of a very steep road and start and go and stop and go again – that was quite difficult but I managed. I went in streets and out streets all through that part of Manly – and out Queenscliff and home by way of South Creek [via] Fishers Road. PC rang and Mrs Kook [Tante Bep]. It was 12.00 and I had to get dressed in my school uniform after a bit of supper etc. I managed to get to PC’s 15 minutes later. For lunch I had two Vienna frankfurts, rye bread and minced egg with curry rolled in Devon or something and a cuppa. I met the current fellow Helen is going out with. PC and I went through some choral parts. Mrs Cordaiy drove us to the place we had to meet Nev. PC was ashamed of his mother because she wore a shawl around her head. Mr Nev came shortly and the Hains boy joined us and we proceeded to the fete at Mona Vale HOSPITAL.

We were assembled near the little shop and then we walked to the main door and we first sang ‘Alleluia’, then ‘Let us to the Bagpipe Sound’. We were dismissed and we walked around and had a look at all the stalls. We came back and sang ‘God Save the Queen’. We were marched in a circle, facing the door and we heard some typical speeches. The fete, or fair, was opened by Anne Devestation, really Anne Deveson who is really very tall, her husband was also there. She gave a very interesting and humorous speech and told us how she went to the hospital to have a baby and she said that if the ambulance didn’t get there in a hurry she would have to have it in the street. She has very buckish teeth and is quite typical.[127] The Olga Show Dancers were marve. First there were hula dancers (fast one) and then ‘Go-Go’, both I enjoyed. PC and Hains wanted to go and so they both made fools of themselves in the bus shelter, it was crowded. P. Lester and a girl were talking about bras. One said, ‘I have a brown one at home’. (Mrs Cordaiy’s cream bun), (fat ladies joke), (any old lady).[128] Finally a bus came. I got off at PC’s. I stayed. We later got a car and copid[?]. Mother picked me up. Mrs Calnon gave me two 50 cent pieces for the CATS. I bought ‘The Book of the Pig’ at the fete, P&P played cards. I made a large new folder. Bye & GN. It’s 10.30. Kath sleeps in my room.

9^th of April 1967,  Sunday.  I slept in Kathy’s room and Kathy slept in my room, it was really a welcome change. Kathy and I were driven to the Progress Hall where Father Martland celebrated the Mass for the first time. This was the second Mass held on the Plateau. The cost (overall) of the new church will be 52,000 dollars and they have not yet got a loan from the bank. They will begin building the church next Monday. Kathy and I had to stand during the Mass. Kathy could not see the altar ad I forgot my English translation. I saw Mrs van der Ven. We walked home together and had our usual chat. She can make the sign of the cross, I hope. It is rather cloudy but warm.

These are my ‘Kandahar’ waterproof D inks. This is magenta (colour). We are now going to Browns Nursery. Bye. Want a cream bun hun!? or ‘You giva me a cream bun hun?![129] At Brown’s Nursery I bought a packet of mixed seeds and packet of carrot seeds. Mother bought many seedlings. I cleaned away many common plants from S, particularly the leafy fat plant.[130] I prepared my essay for Art and will read it to the class. Oh well. I had two eggs for lunch and after that read my book – I spent most of today preparing my essay. I cleaned the house up a bit. At 4.05 Mr and Mrs Kook came (Tante Bett without any children). Kathy was a bit disappointed. I planted a carnation in my garden. Kathy patted a green and red frog at the nursery. It is 7.30 and Tante Bep and Oom Jelle have had dinner. It is now 7.30, 30 seconds and I will soon use my toothbrush which I received last Thursday. My old toothbrush which I have had probably since 1962 or 3.[131] Father showed some slides after 3 boxes Mr Kook grew bored according to Father and we had a cuppa. They left at 9.00.

10^th of April 1967, Monday.  Mother drove me to the main road – I slept in. Kathy’s room again – I caught the Palm Beach. Choir was rather good (Opera practises). I was continually nervous about the lecturette I was about to give during Art. M. Sinnot gave his first, about Early Christian art (Mr Rintoul gave a little lecture before his) and Michael S was finished 5 mins after the second period. Smerd persuaded me to give my lecturette next as M Tandy forgot his and was quickly doing it in class.[132] I began mine with a long stall – and began. Oh dear, I hated every minute of it but I finally finished. One question, ‘What is the difference between Byzantine art and Early Christian art?’ which I answered very well. Mr Rintoul said my lecturette had many interesting facts and later he said that it was a good lecture and that I had a good speaking voice.[133] Had a raffle to see who would look up a book in the Library (Science). I walked to the terminus by myself and said three decades of the Rosary. Bought two puff cream cakes and a bag of chips. Caught the 160 home (didn’t stop in the right place). To my surprise, on the church site, the whole property had been cleared – all trees chopped down, except the one with the notice ‘CURCH SITE’. It looks like a ploughed paddock (only half the property was cleared with not a reed of grass on the cleared area). Had Mr Simpson for Maths. I beat Phillip by two marks in the Maths exam. Yes! Bye.

11^th of April 1967, Tuesday.  Mother went to work. Sue came over. I went to school at 8.30, so did Kath and Sue. Arrived at Narrabeen at 9.10. Arrived at school at 9.20. Mr Cocking, or Mr Cock, Cockly, Cocky, (Depihead) said there will be no punishment. Oh I was annoyed. I brought my folder , Mr Rintoul was pleased. Choir practise for Carmen etc., cancelled. A funny incident happened with Mr Diamond[134] and Kerry. PC was about to tell me – he started – when he noticed Mr D looking out – also PC was making funny squeaking noises and tilting his neck whilst emitting a sound like EEEHOOOOWEEeeeeeee and then using his Aunt May voice and blaming it on me – and swinging around poles (he wanted me to mention in my diary about all this).

Opera practise was OK but felt a bit squashed in my seat. I’m No 5 and Mr Neville will get a No 5 girl for me in the Opera. I don’t know what we are going to do with them though. PC made a character sketch based on me, I get taken to the Loony Centre in the end. I’ve got such a sore heel, It’s like I’ve got a piece of glass inside my foot, no sign of sore.... It’s 8.30 and I’m up to p534 so far tonight. Oh well. Bye. A bit of rain today. I wonder how I’m going to get out of sport tomorrow.[135]

12^th of April 1967, Wednesday.  I got a note to get out of Sport. PC forged a note. The bus didn’t come till 5 to 9 and we arrived at school at 9.15, got to class at about 9.25. At lunch time I went to Room 15. Later the Violin Group came, I had a go at my old violin. PC, KW, FVL and I left after a while. PC freely talks to KW now. I must say KW looks healthy. PC was putting on Aunt May voices and blaming them on me. NC. Spent the afternoon in Room 1. I hoped to get so much work done but I couldn’t so. Oh well. I caught the 775 to the terminus and I played the organ with PC, it was very nice today.

Along the main road there was an empty block with sloping property [land] which I have admired for years. It is now being dug up as a building is being placed on it (it is before the property No 869. What a pity. It is Linda Moore’s birthday. She got a large rag or pop doll. It is also Uncle Laurent’s birthday and mother and father have gone there with the Van de Vens. I’m all along with Kath, I’m so upset and annoyed.[136]

[Church construction site]. Along certain parts there are those seat things which mark out the foundations. Yesterday I said a cross prayer at Section 3 [illustrated], Our Father facing school, Hail Mary the other way, Glory Be on the other two sides – on these will be built the foundations +.[137]

13^th of April 1967, Thursday.  The day started off on the wrong key with a little bit of trouble on the bus concerning Felix and his mob and PC. We listened to Carmen at lunch time. I am shocked to report that there are quite a few people that do not believe in God. Caught the 775 to the terminus to help PC tell Father Sobb that he found his folder (PC and his father thought he left it in the church and he and his father spoke to Father Sobb [looking for PC’s folder]. Father Sobb got out of PC and his father where they live, what name, what religion, if he does sport (and how good it is), if I (me) mix with bad company etc., etc). I played a bit of organ too. Caught the 160 and at South Creek Road , Bobby Bottger got on. Later on he sat next to me and said, ‘Long time no see’. I replied a hello. He said he hardly recognized me I’ve lost so much weight etc. and that I am now in 5^th form etc. I told him about opera. He is going to Paddy’s Market tomorrow. We talked till the Augusta Shopping Centre[138] where he hastily said Bye. I walked home with Paul Lester who shouted out about the organ and Michelle Bourke happened to be about six feet away. P&P stayed for tea. I painted an egg and painted a picture of Joan of Arc being burned.

14^th of April 1967, Friday.  Mother drove me to school. I returned K.Wright’s flute with a letter. I got a long one back saying that we shouldn’t have gone that far, even divorced people remain friends. My Joan of Arc burning at the stake got top votes – awarded to my picture. I was pleased. Some interesting developments concerning Kerry. I nearly spoke to him – he really has changed, in strange ways it is odd.

At Science today Mrs Lindsay decided that our class of 12 go for small excursion for an hour. We walked along the creek and up a track to the hill near the school.[139]  Mrs Lindsay led us through bush around there and near Richard Spicer’s place.[140] Mrs Lindsay was going to turn back but I told her it was possible to go on from the quarry. We went back to school. Very interesting. I walked to the terminus by my self and caught the 160. I went with mother to Dee Why and brought my library books back and took one out.

I am now at SKYLINE DRIVE in French’s Forest. It really is fun, Kathy is here also. It’s about to start. I can’t see, oh dear, Cinesound Review. It is now intermission (before they started GHENGIS KHAN. They played Happy Birthday for kids with birthdays – they have done this for years. We have just seen Ghengis Khan. It was very good. Oh there is hardly no light. Mother backed into another car going from South Creek Road to Pittwater Road. Car number is---------- It was a Herald car. We were going to buy sea foods. Mother won’t get anything to drink. I’m wearing my potato bag school pants, I can’t go. It cost 8/6 for adults and 15 cents for children. Oh I’m so annoyed. [Speaking of the future] when I go somewhere I won’t go unless I will be comfortable and neither hungry or thirsty – at present I am both. Mother has bought a small box of Maltzers and said before I could wither buy drinks then or at interval. Oh well, nothing like being extravagant. Kathy has gone off to sleep. Ads are on now. Lights auturn [?] We have just seen Jackie and Ted (two kings one whore [?]). We are now going. It’s 11.00 Bye. We are now at home. P&P went to see it also. I got a letter from Seven Seas Stamps Limited. Lassie is wide awake. I’m so tired. I went to bed at about 11.30 last night.

15^th of April 1967, Saturday.  ‘It’s Sat morning and I Phillip C am here. We have just had a feed of chocolates from Paddies place. Robert has just come back from doing poo and is cleaning his teeth, I wonder what for. Does he eat it or something but who am I to question what other people do. It just seems odd that’s all. PC’.

PC has gone absolutely mad. He is poking the piano keys and making queer EEEEE ALL noises. We went to where the new church is being or going to be built and tried to say the Rosary but I remembered that I have to have driving lessons so we said the Rosary, five decades. Mother bought Kathy a hula-hoop and I gave mother 15/- to buy me a tape, I got a Magnetophonband BASF. PC has almost used it up. Mrs Jeffries came at 12.00. We went down Iakee [?] Road and up through DY and I learned to park behind a car and to do U-turns and 3-way turns. I was surprised to learn that Richard Bradley drove us home.[141] We paid Mrs Jeffries her $3 and promised to ring her up when I know everything. For lunch we had chicken with vegetable soup and an egg each, PC had the broken one.

‘It’s five past eight and Mrs Varman has just put the kettle on to make tea. Yes, we’ve just had a fight on what cards to play. Robert wants to play ‘Pester’ whatever that is.[142] “You know that this is my right hand” [PC]. Hello this is my left hand and this is my left hand yes.” Phillip Cordaiy is a left-handed person, by the way. “For ooby fits you get a tense feeling in the back of your neck and then you hit it and then you take zooby fits because your entire body becoimes tense. And there that’s how to Zooby fits. Bye. I’m playing Euchre now.” [PC]  We play Euchre (card game). I won. It’s 9.03. Bye. PC had OOEEEI fits all afternoon and on tape. We taped tea time.[143]

#rd Mass. 16^th of April 1967, Sontag. This morn I woke up very tired and rushed to get dressed for Mass. Kathy and I walked to the Progress Hall. I thought the congregation might have been reduced because of the dreadful storm last night (there was a violent thunder storm which made me wake up, there was one thunder which was so loud and the lightning was immediate I said the, ‘Oh my God I am very sorry that I have sinned against thee because thou art so good and I will not sin again’.[144] I waited for the large tree to fall through my window. Mother said she was calling Lassie when the lightening flashed in front of her. Father said he thought it hit the house and it was falling in.

Father Sobb celebrated Mass. Kathy and I had to stand as always. On the first day we had Mass [in the hall] there was a picture of Queen Elizabeth (it’s always there) but on the second Mass and today there was a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I was glad to see that Maarten was there and Mr and Mrs V de V. Later I noticed my cousins Hady and Laurie. I was very pleased to see them, they had flowing hair. The Gospel was interesting. When all was finished we sang the hymn we sang at the first Mass. I can play it on the piano. Maarten squeezed my side as he walked out before the hymn. The priest[145] faced the people with the altar boys behind.

The car door was locked and the key was inside, Peter wired the door unlocked through a partly opened window. I couldn’t find my permit and spent most of the day looking for it. I cleaned out my drawers and everything. We went to visit the Van de Vens which was partly boring – they have thirty chickens, or chooks. Their dog is ‘in season’ and takes barking fits whan a male dog approaches. Mrs Van de Brook came for two minutes.[146] For lunch I had La Spaghette and Meatballs. I continued to clean my room. I found my permit in a shirt pocket – it was in the form of pulp, it went through the wash. Mother took me driving down South Creek and into the Highway. Mother was confusing me and was contradicting my teacher’s driving lessons. At Collaroy I had to do a U-turn. I was so upset and confused, I refused to drive home.[147] I cleaned part A of my garden, reducing the Cosmea to a stump with one branch, it is not yet dead. Planted the nursery plants and yesterday the seeds. Measurements of the Cosmea, eight feet long, five and a half feet high and five and a half wide.[148]

17^th of April 1967, Monday.  Rehersals in the Hall turned out good this morn. For Science today we saw films on heredity in the Hall. It took up ten minutes of lunch. I beat PC by one mark in the History essay. I got 13 out of 20.

Father had a large rock drop on his foot last Saturday.[149] I walked to the terminus, bought two cream buns and two cream cakes. I caught a Wynyard bus, at South Creek Road I got a 180. I asked if I may keep mice, if I buy a cage, ‘for Science’. After a lot of trouble, yes, only for Science. I will use Mendal’s theory on heredity on them (they will also become loved pets of course). I spoke to KW indirectly today.

18^th of April 1967, Tuesday.  School Rhymes (playground).[150] ‘Fatty and Skinny went to a dance, Fatty lost his underpants.’[151] ‘Fatty and Skinny went to war, Fatty got shot by an apple core’. ‘Fatty and Skinny had a race all around the fireplace, Fatty said it wasn’t fair because he lost his underwear’. ‘I’m Billy Banana and I’m here to say, if you don’t like your teacher this is the way, peal a banana skin, place it on the floor – watch your teacher go flying out the door’. [later than the others]. ‘Inky pinky ponky, daddy bought a donkey, donkey died, daddy cried, inky pinky ponky.’ ‘One potato, two patato, three potato, four – five potato, six potato, seven potato more (you’re out!)’[152]

Mother is going to work this morning and I am planning where to put the mice. Oh well, I wonder if anything outstanding will happen. Hello, nothing happened. Phillip often speaks to Kerry at least two times per day. Today I spoke to Kerry (about 10 words altogether) and PC is telling me I shouldn’t talk and that we shouldn’t speak to KW. It’s him that speaks to Kerry sometimes for three minutes (on at least five occasions) on ‘important’ matters. I am sick to death of PC. He asked me if I’d rather have Kerry as a friend. I told him to shut his ‘B’ mouth. I said it aloud in Maths, no-one heard – they heard but by some miracle it didn’t register.[153] We had Opera practise in the Hall with the Girls, it sounds quite good....some parts.

Sister Mary Tarcissus asked how I liked Scripture. I told her it was OK, we were doing the PSYCHO[logical] test but I didn’t do it. She asked me why not. I said, ‘Oh they get a bit personal and I don’t want to tell a lie’. She said, ‘Oh you’re a funny ked’. Father came along and said, ‘Oh he’s the chalk boy’. I have to make sure there is chalk. I said, ‘If I have time’. I came into the MIC[rophone room] making stupid noises and threw a psychology book on PC’s head. He picked it up and said he was going to take it home. I got so angry that I smacked him as hard as I could on the head. He kicked me and I kicked him back not nearly as hard. He gave it back at 3.25. Everything was OK though – just a friendly fight.  Mother spoke to Mrs Bottger and found out that Bobby is leaving school to enter a trade, toolmaking or something (mother could not remember). Mrs Calnon didn’t give me a lift at the shops. She apologised later when I said ‘Hello!’ She pointed out some red Cosmos which I dug up with a little shovel, she let me have it for a while. I planted it not far from the trunck of the giant pink Cosmos – all my previous Cosmoses were pink. I showed her my painting, she was fascinated by the egg painting method. Oh well, I borrowed Experiments in Psychology for Animals. My card has disappeared.

19^th of April 1967, Wednesday.  Had an Art test on Assyrian and Persian (difference between). The driver that brought us to school had his motor on only half the time – when he was gliding down slopes he would turn off the motor to save petrol, as there is a petrol strike. If it doesn’t stop by tomorrow, no busses will take us home from school. I left school at 12.10. I brought a note to go home at lunch time so as I could renew my Drivers’ Permit. From the sheltered bus stop to South Creek Road I was stuck by God’s beauty he has created, I was quite emotional for a while. It felt so..... Summer’s day. I sang madly away alone at the sheltered bus stop[154] at South Creek Road until mother came.

It cost $1 to have my Permit renewed. We stopped at the Mall to see about a mouse cage, the dearest cost $2.55. They had three different coloured mice. At Dee Why one pet shop had only cages, the other had nothing. On the way up the Plateau a Girls bus was behind [in front!]. I thought I saw Laurie and a girl waved at me and they were all turning around, Muv thinking it was Laurie waved. At the Augusta Shopping Centre I went into the fruit shop for the first time, it’s a help yourself. I went to the pet shop  and found they had a cage the same only it was cheaper and also three mice (cheese gives them indigestion). P&P stayed for tea. My Choco is sprouting. Kathy was very nasty all day to me. Bye, RV. GN.

20^th of April 1967, Thursday.  I went to school at 8.15. I am now back home at 8.37am. About five or six school busses did not turn up; some [people] went home, others walked or got lifts. Mother’s car is being fixed or PV is using it. Oh well, I’ve got to walk to school. I walked down to Collaroy (at Rose Avenue two girls informed me no busses were coming, I said I was walking). Half way from Collaroy to Narrabeen a bus came.

An extremely boring day at school. I caught the school bus home. The busses returned to normal. After I got home I took Kathy with me to the pet shop and purchased  a mouse cage with three mice, two white and one a caramel brown. The white ones are male for sure but I think the brown one is female, this one is about 40 days I believe. One of the white mice hurt the other mouse quite badly on the unmentionable, or private, part, so I had to separate them – I don’t know what to do. I put the lively bully one in everything, even a bucket but he got out, so I put him in the cage and the injured one in the bucket. TYDL&OL. Kathy and Suzanne were quite excited. I introduced myself to the mice one by one. Mr and Mrs VdV are here. Oliver and Stevenson found out I bought mice. NIW. Bye. Yours RV.

21^st of April 1967, Friday.  MY MOUSE CAGE.[155] I got (yesterday), or purchased, three mice . One brown caramel mouse about four or five weeks old which I suspect to be a girl and two white (albino) mice. One being larger than the other and very aggressive, he has what looks like ‘the mange’ but is probably the result of a fight or some other injury. This mouse has a habit of blinking and has smaller and less colourful (red) eyes than the other. The other mouse is the picture of health except for the tail injuries and a ....... injury, the latter he received yesterday. For now I will call them A.B.C. respectively. Later today I will christen and name them. I told Mrs Lindsay of my troubles (about the mice) and she gave me (for a lend) two laboratory mice holderers, or cages, and some saw dust and information. SIDE VIEW.[156] The bottle has a hole in it so as the mice can lick the hole and thus obtain water. The bottle is filled with water to the very top, the cork ... is put on it, may then be placed in the iron cage part for the mice to have a drink from.

EVENTS OF THE DAY. Arrived at school at 10 past 8 by the usual way and went to the Hall. We were first of all put into groups, I in a group of four boys, others were put with girls. PC was put with a girl who looks exactly the opposite to him, she is taller fatter like MALAMA [?] but not so fat – she has to drag PC on stage (my mouse No 2 is crawling all over me and the place). It was so much fun.

At recess I went to see Mrs Lindsay (I saw her first period while the staff meeting was on. Staff meeting took one period because they have made up their minds to add 10 mins to each day so school will start at 8.50 next Monday. I think it’s disgusting.  At 4^th period I went to the Music Room because of the Cross- Country. I didn’t bring a note nor my clothes. Tandy told us he asked Mr Cocking to let him go to Opera practices. PC and I got permission – even though there were no practises. At the Music Room (we were there for quite a while) I saw Mr Diamond, so everybody rushed into the store room and Mr Nev told us to go there also, so that’s where we stayed until it was over (I got some saw dust for my mice there Cain spilled some – can’t stand it. I spoke to Kerry directly three times today. PC fumed as expected. There was an Assembly at lunch and that took one period. Mrs Lindsay went home for our double period to have her hair done etc., because of a convention or something – her husband cames home only on the weekends. I caught the school bus home. I managed to fit the two cages in my case thank heavens. I have already started my mouse study book and have written three pages on my two white mice – they smell a bit. Well, Bye & GN. It’s 9.30.

22^nd of April 1967, Saturday.  This morning I transported my mice cages under the house next to Paddy’s toilet.[157] I got the old large bird cage and put it over the two mice cages (they rest on a sandy platform). I baptised the three mice No 1 at 9.34am, I called Marie Antoinette de Vacckk (this is the girl, caramel mouse), No2 at 9.50 I B Demetrius Dotte, No3 Marseilles de Berith at 9.37am. I spent part of the daystudying the mice. I found out quite a bit. Mother visited Mrs Dearden and Mrs VdeV to get eggs. I planted the choko in my garden also rememb Cosmos [?]. I rang up Kerry and spoke to him for a long time whilse Marseilles crawled around in my jumper. It was extrememly pleasant to speak again. Paddy gave me many chocolates to eat and magazines to read. Uncle Laurent came briefly and also saw my mice.[158]

23^rd of April 1967, Sunday.  Got up quite early to go to Mass. As it was raining mother drove us to the hall and we stood up for quite a while until we were ushered to a table thing where we stayed for the rest of the time. That fat, red haired girl sat next to Kathy. Father Martland celebrated the Mass as I had predicted. I’m afraid that I have forgotten what the sermon was about, my thoughts were elsewhere. I didn’t see anybody I knew. They forgot to take down the picture of Her Most Majesty. After Mass I met John Budd, I haven’t spoken to him for about a year and a half. I have known him since and around 1960 and was particularly friendly with him during 1960 when our house was just finished or being completed.[159] I tried to explain to Kathy Holy Communion but failed. The Mirror really did it this time, they had two very rude pictures and disgusting pictures of a girl with no top and she covers ‘them’ with her hands. I read all the three papers. I took Marie Antoinette out of her cage and let her explore me, she made a little nest on my jumper whilst I had a look at my model monastery. For lunch I had spagetti and meatballs and toast and vegemite. Also yesterday I used green toothpaste for the first time since late 1960. We used to have it all the time.[160] After lunch cleaned my garden, Section C and I planted some third generation radish seeds. I cleared away probably 500 [big leaf succulents] plants and leaves. This plant is a succulent and was completely under control until I started to collect each leaf and cut them into pieces until a new plant grew on each leaf. This I did for for a half year – these grew and their leaves fell and grew – now they dominate the whole garden. Before I treasured each plant but now there must be about 2000 or less. I found out that mother and father do not intend to have the television fixed because they fear the same trouble as before - I won’t go to bed on time. Also she said,, ‘If I could be sure you would only watch TV for an hour or so when there was something on, instead of watching TV every day, I would have the TV fixed’. I said, ‘I’m sorry but I would watch TV just the same as before.’ Oh well, even if I would agree the TV will not be fixed for about another year and a half – that’s all. Sorry about this awful writing. It is one year ago today that I got my large rosary and its medals which I put on in St Mary’s Cathedral. Jan is back with the Kooks. Oh well, Bye for the present. Marseilles is here now. Bye, it’s about 4.00pm.

24^th of April 1967, Monday.  Opera practise began the minute I arrived, 8.10, and we praqctised going on and off stage, that was a lot of fun. The bell to go in at 8.50. Frank’s hand is much better now. For Science we went to Elanora Dam, we walked. I walked ahead of the mob and said two decades of the Rosary (two times around) whilst I walked up. We had an interesting time. I was first back at school, I really walked like mad. I borrowed a book from the Library called ‘Life’ (Biology). PC was frantic because I came half way through lunch and we had to tape God Save the Queen. This took us two periods and part of the next. Then the Anzac ceremony began, it was so typically Australian (I think it was, or possibly, typically Commonwealth). We were so afraid that the tape of God Save the Queen would come out wrong (after all that trouble). I told Mr Nev that he did make us frantic and put us through strain when he asked us to do this – when he asked us. I walked to the terminus. I have the most awful eyestrain and horriblew headache. There was a special 160 bus at South Creek Road. Maarten gave me 10 or 11 keys. There is now a full eclips of the moon at 10.00. RV. GN.

25^th April 1967, Tuesday. ANZAC DAY.  Today was a public holiday. Mother went to Mrs Higgens. I stayed at home and had a pretty depressing morning and early afternoon. I felt as though life was passing me by .. which I think it is and I was all alone, you can imagine how depressed I felt. Radio was good to listen to. I had my soup for lunch.

Father pesuaded me to go for a long walk with Kathy.......... he wrote me a note not to do Sport tomorrow.........sounds suspicious doesn’t it. I went with Kathy down those new roads just behind our place, near behind the Van de Vens’s place [below Lantana Avenue] to the new Wheeler’s stone house down some stairs (I’ve been there ages ago, 1963). Kathy was scared so we went to South Creek to the small overflowing dam [weir at the base of Rose Ave]. My word that place has changed. When we first came to live[161]...... there was only a tiny track, heavily overgrown in most places to the creek and there were ruins of an old bridge there instead of a dam [weir][162] We then proceeded to the old Wheeler’s homestead but to our dismay that place has been demolished and only the foundations and the water barrels [tanks] and Cassia plants.[163] I’ll draw a picture of how I remember it later.[164] I met a boy from English class. We were tired coming home and played an imaginary (being home already) [game]. When home I exercised Marseilles and Maria Antoinette. We also got some nice cakes off father before we went. Oh well. Bye.

26^th of April 1967, Wednesday.  The morning bus didn’t come. I walked to Collaroy at 8.50, there I bought a female mouse. I got it in a box. It got out of the box a few times at school. I arrived during 2^nd period. T. Schubert told me that I had to have my eyes checked.[165] The lady said they were about the same as last year and that she would get the doctor to check them later and not to go to the eye doctor until the doctor had checked my eyes and if I need glasses. Muv could get a discount.

During Art I tore up pieces of paper for my mouse. The first time Mr Rintoul said, ‘Are you going to a wedding or something’. The second time he spoke to the class for about two minutes on my coming in late and starting to tear up pieces of paper into fragmentary pieces and that it must be an obsession. PC did not have a note and so put on a marve dizzy attack and he was held by the Deputy Headmaster to the car park and driven home. He even carried PC’s case and helped him down the stairs at his place and went inside – his muv wasn’t home (we planned the attack hours before). I stayed at school and later went to Room 15 and mostly played piano. I caught the 760 home. I baptised the new mouse and called her Zunika Popple-Dropple. The Zunika was a sudden inpulse name I got at Collaroy, it just popped in my head. I wasn’t even thinking of a name. I also, after that, thought up Popple Dopple (I thought about that). Bye.

27^th of April 1967, Thursday.  I missed the bus and walked to Collaroy and later found out the bus route has been changed. Mrs Lindsay was away. I had to fill in a report at roll call.  Frank van Laar gave me 11 keys. Choir at lunch time was nothing. Mrs Stevens was pleased to receive my work. She asked me for it when I came to school. Mr Cordaiy had a dream where this word was repeated all the time, he looked it up in the dictionary and it meant ‘close to death’ or something of that nature (yesterday night not last night). The Economics test was stupid, I got 56 out of 100 I think! I was going to catch the 175 but it was crowded so PC and I decided to walk. Near Narrabeen bridge Father came and took us home. I prayed all the way Y.K.!!! I didn’t do much homework, sometimes I just don’t feel like it. On the 24^th I asked Mr Walton to let us out early because of God Save the Queen (see the 24^th). Later he said [to us], ‘I won’t give you notes as so many people have gone to the cadets and have to go for God Save the Queen reasons’.

28^th of April 1967, Friday.  Laurienne’s [Dearden] car was recovered after it was stolen yesterday. The thief must have had quite a time with it as the whole car was rattling.

Opera practise was quite a lot of fun as we had to stage the funeral scene and we had to rush everywhere. First rehearsal I got completely carried away with the crowd and I got lost. The second rehearsal I was pushed when rush[ing] into the block of humans and landed on someone else. Oh well. It was Ian Smerd’s birthday and people sang Happy Birthday which embarrassed him very much (in class!!). I passed my Art essay again. Mrs Lindsay was away and I spent the double period doing my History essay. I didn’t get far. Also my English teacher was away so I continued my History essay. Mr Walton was away so I just spoke to PC. We left to walk to the terminus seven minutes early, the whole class left early – no one saw us all I hope. At the terminus I bought three cakes. Caught the 160 at SCRd. Paddy and Peter stayed for tea, we had Chinese dinner. Dennis and Elizabeth are here – P&P [playing] cards.

Oh my Good Gracious Lord have mercy upon my soul. Whilst I was bringing out the bottles[166] I heard this object in the sky which looked like a thing like multi-coloured lights – it looked quite large and moved with grace upon the black sjky.. I took quite a start when I saw it , going all funny as I sometimes do. I told my parents but they poo-pooed it, so I dismissed it as an aeroplane. I thought it looked a little too coloured. Now at 9.00 I just heard on 2SM that the switch board is jammed with phone calls from people in the Western Suburbs reporting a ball of fire or something larger than the moon and people from the Northern Suburbs reporting a multi coloured lighted object in the sky. Oh my dear Lord protect us. It is probably something like a ‘USSR or USA experiment. I might find out tomorrow. I am now getting funny feelings in the back of my neck... I do not believe in flying saucers. When I found out my hair went all tingley at the back, even now ten minutes later. NOTE. ‘The sighting I saw was real and it was reported mainly around Dee Why. It is some sort of recepulsion of the star Venus (I saw that red was the most outstanding colour. It will probably be in the papers tomorrow).[167]

28 April 1967. Appeared in the Daily Telegraph.[168] The newspaper overstated the amount of fish that was really caught on the 25^th when Paddy and Peter and Paddy’s sister Laurianne [Dearden] and her boyfriend Barry [went fishing]. He is not married to Laurianne yet and is not called Barry Dearden. They caught 7 hairtail and one jewfish, not seven, among other fish, and two blue swimmers.

28 April 1967. My favourite radio personality Eric Baume who did so much to help people in trouble. Worked mainly at 2GB and the beast in ‘Beauty & the Beast’.[169]

29^th of April 1967, Saturday. Collaroy Plateau West Fete. This morning at 8.45 wen arrived at Phillip’s placew and we went to the Mall. Before that we went to the Dutch wholesale store and it smells so continental. We went to David Jones firstly for school pants and as Phillip said, I tried on nearly every thing in the shop until I tried DJ’s 100 a school pants which Phillip has. I liked that so that’s what I got. I also got a new white shirt. We then went downstairs and I chose a pair of corduroy pants. I firstly had my waist measured and then tried on some very tight corduroy pants which were very appealing but something disastrous might have happened details I will not disclose.[170] I got a size larger as it shrinks.[171] I spent about half an hour finding a shirt. I really wanted some skivvies but ‘mother dear’ doesn’t like them. I’ll get the shirt next week.

5^th ANNIVERSARY OF MY DIARY. We then went home but it wasn’t five minutes and we were off again to the vet with + Pussy. She has nephritis and he found this out by squeezing the poor cat half to death. He then stuck a thermometer in Pussy’s bottom and then got a little bottle and hoped aloud that Pussy would oblige – then he squeezed the cat’s tummy until Pussy was no longer in control of her bladder. Pussie continued on her little widdle in the box which she put herself in after such treatment. She then got a needle in the back leg and then had her mouth opened and a pill was thrust down her throat and then the vet’s finger thrust down Pussy’s throat in no uncertain manner and for good measure this was repeated including finger down into Pussy’s tummy almost. Pussy by this time in a complete state of shock and she seemed in a trance on the trip home but it is much better now

We had pancakes for lunch. I had five and a half and PC had three and a half. At 1.20 we lkeft with Kathy for the Collaroy Plateau West Fete. However we left [the school] within a quarter of an hour. I bought two records and two lovely vases which are hand painted. Kathy had 2/- to spend and bought one arnlette and a necklace. When we came home we contacted spirits – have particular luck with the automatic writing device.[172] We first married Marie Antoinette and Democrates and then Zunika and Marseilles on the fireplace outside with the sacred altar stone. This is the third anniversary of the death of my four birds, the mother who tried desperately in vain to save them. We lit a candle in the area where they died and said three prayers. I also fed the birds, it is traditional on this day. We had a nice dinner but after it we could not control our laughter. After tea we went outside to see the stars. I saw a bit of a shooting star and took a fit and scared PC out of his wits. PC saw an orange flash over a wide area. I saw many owls with their huge wing spreads. Today was a really exciting and rare sort of day. Mother received lots of cakes of rare soups from Elisabeth yesterday. I saw Michelle and her sister Sharone. I imagined her a lot taller but then it’s been six years. I’ve grown a bit.

30^th of April 1967, Sunday.  Unfortunately I missed out of Mass as I, or we, all woke up too late. I read the papers and I got father to buy a magazine. I was dreadfully bored  after that.[173] Parents left at 10 until 2.oo and during this time I had an even more boring time. I rang up PC and felt much better after that as he announced that he was going to save up 75.00 dollars to buy an organ (I remembered that ad from this morning’s tabloid). He was very surprised and upset when I told him it was only the deposit. At first he couldn’t believe it but when he saw for himself – you should have heard the reaction . I was in hysterics for the rest of the conversation which made PC even more down-hearted. Oh well.

At 3.00 we wnet to Tante Nike’s place. Hady and Laurie were there but I did not go to their room  but just spoke in the living room or in the kitchen. About various things: Hady has to go to an engagement party (very formal) and she had to get dressed – she wore tights and walked from Laurie’s room to the entrance of the bathroom with her fly undone. Oh dear, instead of ducking into the bathroom she just stood there and apologised. Later when we were about to leave she only had undies and bra on (pink) all covered with a bath robe which naturally came undone exposing her bra and I could also see her unders – which is nothing unusual for her. She always seems to be exposing herself in some way or another. She looks so typically ‘youth today’.[174] – Laurie has made the most remarkable progress possible. She really looks very modern and wears a pale lipstick. Her mother told us that she wears eye make-up to school and everything. We left at 4.30. I cleaned out one of the mice cages and now until I get another cage the Marie Antoinette and Democratania (I call him Democratania) live there permanently.  I tried to put the two couples together with instant turmoil and calamity. Democraties attacked poor fat Zunika and made her side bleed profusely and had the most awful fight with Marseillaise. Whilst breaking up the fight I was nipped by the latter as he did not look where he bit – no blood was exposed, thank goodness. Pussy bit me when I didn’t remove my finger fast enough when mother stuffed a pill down Pussy’s throat. P&P went to Brookvale oval to see the games. I have become very interested in Pop music these past two weeks or so.[175]

1^st of May 1967, Monday.

Had a marvellous time at Choir rehearsals today, didn’t sing, we just rushed about the stage. It was really hilarious. Art was so boring that I managed to do some of my Maths homework. Mrs Lindsay was away and so we went to Nev’s 1^st period and back to Room 8 second period – in this time did my Maths homework. I wore my new school pants to school instead of my old pants which resembled potato bags. I also wore my new shirt. KW was away today. Frank called him a queer Carmelite in a shop last Friday and other places several times. KW has assumed the title already it seems – which is really a sin – he must be patient. I came second place in the English Half Yearly [test] which is quite good but not good enough. I walked home with Frank van Laar and we had quite a brisky conversation. At the terminus I bought two cream puffs and a packet of Chips (chicken) and was lucky enough to catch the 160 (special) at South Creek Road (SCRd). Mother bought me a new tie and forgot to get folder sheets, now I can’t write in my folder, Oh well. Bye.

2^nd of May 1967, Tuesday. JMJT. I’ll start from 3.15, that’s when I entered the Hall and sat down to listen to the girls singing. At 3.25 the rest of the mob came and Mr Neville had a talk with us about the next scene. He told us, ‘If we don’t make the audience sob we will have failed.’ The staging was hilarious, we were rushing about the place and poor Phoebe is almost seduced with people pulling awaqy her ribbons and trying to kiss her and the Man of Jollity[176] being molested etc., by the low down mob. It’s all so jolly. Some of the time I’m touching the girl next to me.[177] The shoe is (the Jester’s) is passed around the mob, including me. Mr Neville practically begged us to stay on till 5.00 so on we went. I really loved every minute, only I kept getting in people’s viewing area which isn’t nice of me. I got away with my bus pass. Got home a little before 6.00. I just lazed around till dinner. At 7.30 Peter and Paddy took me to the Library. I borrowed two books, one called History of Campbelltown and the Power of Darkness. I did not do any homework today. P.G.&O.L.P.D.N.L.M.D.S.T.[178]

Mother went to work and so I went with her as far as Mactier Street, nearby I caught the Palm Beach. While at school had a nice chat with Kerry and later Frank van Laar and Christopher Mosely. PC thinks he can foretell the future. He said that he foretold that I would speak to KW after a while - when I begged him to tell me what he had foretold (and it had come true) without him telling me. I promised I would treat whatever he told me with due respect when he said what he did. [When he told me his prediction] I told him he was an idiot and played on chance and that he made that up just then – he admitted this after a while and said he was just testing me and seeing I reacted to his forecast in such a manner he wouldn’t tell me what his successful forecasts were. Oh well..... takes all types to make a world. I sat next to Peter Hall at Lunch time choir as I had forgotten my St Nicolas music. Had a Science test and I’m afraid I failed that as we had not had the work, only an essay which I hadn’t handed in as yet. PC and I spoke to KW quite a few times. KW wants his own will back. I could find it if I want to but I’m not sure where it is so I said truthfully, ‘I don’t know where it is’. [179] Bye for now. GN. GB.

3^rd of May 1967, Wednesday. TYDL+.  The bus services on the Plateau have gone completely mad, now only one bus at 8.11 comes by Rose Avenue, the others through Telopia (telephone st) Street. I caught the 8.11 one – there were only three people on it when it came, however there were about twenty nine people [waiting for it] at my stop.[180] I didn’t do sport and went to Room 15 and played piano. We were later disturbed by some desk movers but didn’t open the door till much later. I walked home with KW and Frank. Our religions were put down on registers. I went to see Mr Hall to get permission to go to room 15. Yes. Mrs Jaason and Mr Hutchinson are called Natasha and Boris Badenoff (respectively). P.C.  I gave him a bad time. I spoke to Frank and [Nevin] Smoge – Kerry’s group. PC grew mad. Whilst he protested in the Microphone Room I told him to shush and then after a while of this he ordered me out of the Microphone Room in vain. I pretended he didn’t even say it. We are still friends though. I think I saw Laurie, my cousin, go into the Hall (I was in Room 15). Paddy and Peter stayed for dinner and it was as mad as usual with Peter making rigor mortis hands while I was the only one looking. Oh well. Muv and fath are at the Van der Vens (I hid in K’s cupboard and scared mother).

Thursday 4 – 5 – 6 7. 4^th of May 1967.

Mr Cocking threatened to get new bell boys as they always ring the bell not on time. PC was as boring as ever in the morn but brightened up in the ARVO.[181] At lunch there was supposed to be choir lessons but Nevvy didn’t turn up and we all had a great old muck about and I wrote INSANITY all over the place – all over desks, chairs, blackboards, windows, cases.[182] PC grew angry when I persisted in speaking with KW and thanked me when I went up to him to sit next to him and told me that he didn’t think he will be friends with me any longer (two minutes before he had a raving conversation with KW). So I went back to Smoge and Frank etc. and he joined us – we played a duet and then I played parts of the Opera to impress others. During the next lesson (Maths) I found out PC beat me for once but I also found out this was our main mark, so PC has more marks than I. Oh well, I got 5 out of 30, he got 12. I made an utter fool of myself in Economics. I was asked to draw a certain graph but I didn’t understand what he said and I just stood there. He said, ‘Well, draw a line’. I did a straight one, it was supposed to be a curved one. Oh how stupid I must have looked. I was asked to give a letter to Mr Hayes about two Italian fellow MAFIA etc., they say they cannot speak English – but we all know they can – they have been grossly insulted but it was their own fault.[183] I was given a letter from the eye doctor (a lady) to give to mother (I had to leave History [to see her]). I walked home with PC. They are pulling a lovely house down at Collaroy Beach.[184]

Birth of Mice in compartment G, 4.5.67. Zunika gave birth to (as far as I know) five small red mice today.

5^th of May 1967, Friday. THE LORD GIVETH AND THE LORD TAKETH AWAY. Today the Lord took away the small mice in the form.......[185] today I was shocked to find the mice missing. I searched the nest completely and found three tails and two small paws – in the other I found one tail and one paw and I think a head. Which one committed the murder – only God knows. + IN+RI, Gloria in Excelsis Deo.

5^th of May 1967, Friday.  Quite a bit of trouble concerning PC, myself and KW but was all sorted out in the afternoon. At lunch time I had my lunch and went with Mrs Lindsay and our Science class and a few ‘extras’ [people] to Warriewood waterfall. It’s so beautiful there. Even the dense bush track is so tropical, there is one huge log fallen across the track – it’s just so large – and there is another one but you have to go under that one. Around that area there are many small farms and places to keep horses. On the whole, the trip was very interesting. I spoke to Mrs Lindsay about the birth of the mice (they have now been eaten up) and she told me the basic heredity formula. Later when near the School I asked Mrs Lindsay about the language they used to speak in Scotland. She spoke a few words in Gaelic, which the Scots call ‘The Gaelic’. She said it took ages before she was accepted in her husband’s family. When an aunt (now dead) spoke to her in Gaelic she didn’t understand. The aunt was very annoyed. When she said to them that she came from the south they said, ‘Oh then.....’[186] They referred to people from the south illiterates and the people of their[187] part [of Scotland] thought not as high of females as in other places. She was gradually accepted, though scrutinized, and especially when she had two boys, otherwise she would not have been accepted at all. There was also a discussion between Mrs Lindsay and that Westaway fellow about a fellow he knew, like Kerry Wright or Phillip Cordaiy, and he would say ‘Friends, Romans &............ and someone would yell out ‘Countrymen.’ This fellow would say, ‘I know, I know’ (What the point of this all is I’ll never know). Mrs Lindsay said something about......[188] I nearly fell over backwards. Oh well, wecan’t all win. Sixth period, English [class] spent their time in front of the Administration building and a bus of girls came and yelled at the top of their voices. It was a double decker filled with girls. Walked home with PC to the terminus. KW and Frank were there. That’s all.

LAST FRIDAY WAS THE LAST FRIDAY CATHOLICS MUST OBSTAIN FROM EATING MEAT.

Today is the third anniversary of Tootsie Louise Wright [cat]. She died of an injection to put her asleep. She was seven years old at the time. +

6^th of May 1967, Saturday.  I went to the Mall with mother and Kathy and got my mustard coloured corduroy shirt. I didn’t get a belt as they were all belts with giant buckles[189] which are quite unrespectable (I’ll get one next week or so). I entered mother in the David Jones’ Mothers’ Day Competition, she can win a Hillman Imp. I wrote Mother has always wanted a car, especially a Hillman Imp, as she says a Hillman Imp is both comfortable and economical. The pet shop didn’t have a large mouse cage so I didn’t buy one. I found that the shirt (L.Y.) was a bit too small or something but I took it anyway. I also bought two 25 cent black candles. At home I got the large green curtains and hung them in my room, so now I have one green curtain, one red and one green, this gives  my windows (from the inside only) a stained glass window effect. The rest of the day was relatively boring. I spent some of it exercising the mice and collected all the rice bird and finch eggs. I had a poke around in the garden. I planted a .... water plant in father’s pond after I discovered it had multiplied in my pond. Paddy gavce me a try of about everything she’s eating tonight. I fixed my room put the + [crucifix] up etc.[190] Had croquettes for dinner. PC rang 11.30.

7^th of May 1967, Sunday.  Mother drove Kathy and I to the Progress Hall for morning Mass. Kathy was in a rotten mood, this lasted all through Mass – thank heavens she kneeled at the Consecration but other times she refused to kneel, for a reason known only to herself. Father Martland served Mass and we saw him put on his vestments and the altar boys came wearing orfinary Sats instead of Sunday best. THIS was the last Mass to be said at the Progress Hall, next week it will be said at the Youth Club in Blandford Street – that’s where Hady and Laurie live.[191] The sermon was about how much influence TV had on the lives of the children etc.

Well, a typical Sunday again. Had an embarrassing experience. I was exercising the mice in the sand store when a man came and saw me . I was so embarrassed, thank heavens he saw the mice. Got a call from PC at 10.30, he told me we had to add Postal numbers [Post Codes] when addressing letters. Last Thursday was Grandmother Dearden’s 94^th birthday. P&P went to visit he today. Mother had a long talk with Mrs Ranken. The Van de Vens came over and got a lot of plants from parents. I planted three different coloured Cosmea [Cosmos], one original, one red from Calnon and one white from Ettalong Street I got a fortnight today ago . I have not yet had a chance to wear my new things.

8^th of May 1967, Monday.  This morning was Opera practise. Kerry painted a marve scene of a priest-poet’s funeral. The excursion (Science) to the beach was called off as it rained during the morning – had an interesting lesson though. During lunch time we spent most of the time in the Music Room listening to hand organs (?) - Smoge and two other fellows. I wrote INSANITY on KW’s case and he didn’t find out till it was exposed when he entered the Maths class with the class laughing. PC gets so angry when I even walk near KW and he also spoke to KW but less than I. Oh well. I did my Maths homework in English(no teacher came). I got 23 out of 100 for Maths, I came 6^th (out of 7). Had a jolly History lesson and we were requested to give Mr Walton some magazines for a sick friend of a friend. PC walked to the terminus. I bought two cream puffs and a packet of chicken chips. Caught Manly Wharf bus. I caught 160 with embarassing  experience when walking down Rose Avenue. I did lots of homework at [till] 8.00.I rang up PC – he will supply the soup and I the tea for tomorrow night, for we stay at the Hall till 7.15. Giant old house being pulled down at Collaroy Beach [corner Pittwater Road overlooking the playground].

VAMP! LIVE ON LOVE. ‘Baby got Vamp. Lucky Baby – you’ve got Vamp........and remember Vamp live on love. By Kayser.[192] Yes it’s really true. VVarman NR   JCVarman NR.[193]

9^th of May 1967, Tuesday.  A most exciting evening for years. At 4.00 after a lot of delay we started. Mr Neville tild us all to look sloppy and have Iqs of 50 and he said, ‘Robert, put your arm around the girl next to you.’ I nearly took a fit and the whole choir went into a roar of laughter. So I put my arm limply around her shoulder and Mr Neville complained and said, ‘No that looks too polite.’ He went up on the stageand put his arm around the girl and then his hand across near her neck. I had to do this! and I did. I had my hand right around her as if to choak her almost. After about 10 rehearsals of this certain part I thought it was very exciting and fun to do this – I don’t know about her though.

We practically finished most of it. At 6.10 we had a rushed dinner. PC brought a large flask of tomatoe soup and myself a large flask of tea – which was extremely hot and delicious. Sue is here this year again and is as mad as ever, she never rally knows where she is etc. Also Patricia Lester is there looking very ‘Rule Britannia’. The whole opera so far sounds real good – excellent, is better. At 7.30 we finished as much as Nev was going to do and we won’t see him till after the HOLI’S. I got a few real good chances to shove Malcolm Dunwoodie about – during scuffles – there is such a rabble, no one knows who hit who.[194] When we left there were a lot of parents listening. Father was in his truck but not to worry, I was in a state of ecstasy at this time – I get so emotional sometimes it’s just not funny, I just don’t know how to express myself. Oh well, I bludged a note off Father not to do Sport. I am now at home.

Events of the day. I complained to Father Martland about the way he said the Hail Mary and that the statues at St Joseph were back to front but he explained himself out of both.[195] I spoke briefly to Sister Tarcissus and a long talk with SMPJ who Presented me THE HOLY BIBLE, KNOX VERSION. It costs $2.80 cents. When she presented it she hoped I’d use it often and in a holy way. I gave Mr Walton the magazines and he was overjoyed and thanked me and told me it was very good of me. At lunch time we went to the Music Room and found out what our costumes will be like, I’m a peasant and we were issued with white socks [stockings] for 3/-. Mr Cocking did not come for Economics. PC came to Art class. I did nothing however. Oh well, went to the ladeda at school for the first time this year.[196]

10^th of May 1967, Wednesday.  Again I didn’t do Sport. Mr Walton said he would give the cane to anyone who came to school tomorrow, also he thanked me in class again for the mags. Maths is getting me down. PC caught me speaking to KW, he made threats etc. Went to Room I and read the Bible, GENESIS.

I got my School Certificate and it even has the ‘lowers’ marked on it. Caught the school bus home, did a lot of homework. I showed parents the design for the opera stuff and now I’ve made an appointment for choosing everything[197] Oh to hell with it!!!! I’m so annoyed. After I made plans to stay for tea at P. Cordaiy’s and go to the Mall etc., mother tells me I have to look after Kathy: AND Kathy is not very well off in my books at present! It seems as though I will be baby sitter for the rest of the HOLLS. My life is so plain and ordinary with no excitement. I’m really fed up with life as I am living it at the moment. DAM! DAM! DAM! I’m so annoyed I could scream and yell. Let’s face it, I’m missing out on life, I really am. It’s 8.00 now. Bye.

11^th of May 1967, Thursday.[198]  Today is the last day of school and we broke up at 3.20 with Miss Warren, she let us off five minutes early. It is Rocky Polito’s birthday today.[199] I found out that Mr Neville is getting married some time this month. Mr Neville was formerly against marriage and all for bachelorhood. Ah but that was two years ago. Mr Nev lives with his brother and sister-in-law. His sister-in-law won’t let him watch the Mavis Bramston Show.

Thank heavens I did the correct Science homework otherwise a note would have bee sent home. Also all this morning I was frantically doing my History homework and felt shattered when Trevor Schubert told me that I was probably doing the wrong work. Not very much work at school only one staff meeting and nothing else. I caught the 760 home and did not do any homework. I walked Marie Antoinette and Democratania about the place. I found time to do about seven decades of the Rosary as on Saturday is the 50^th anniversary of Our Lady’s appearance at Fatima. Paddy and Peter came to play cards (Paddy stayed home because of a kidney and bladder complaint (she went to the doctor’s). I rang up PC at 7.45. Oh well.. Bye for now, must have a shower.

12^th of May 1967, Friday. ‘I Phillip Cordaiy came over today and we started by having ringing up the 2SM two-way radio. I waited 40 minutes but I got on. Rob taped it. In the afternoon we had a long fight (Kath, me, Rob) but it was all settled and forgotten when I got two of Kathy’s dolls and pretended that they were playing mums and dads!! This made Robert laugh and he camed it on to[?]. It was hilarious. Once he had laughed I knew that all was well. We had soup for dinner and I had rice and brown beans and sauce[200] for lunch. Also for dinner we had fish and chips. Robert (8pm) is making me a cup of tea now as I write this on his bed. I am desperately in love with a girl in the choir. I think it could be and is very nice the way it is. Well that’s all for now as I’m getting a cup of tea. “Zijn oom had heel lang op zee gevaren. Hij was van scheepsjongen to kapitein op een groot schip opgeklomen.” You know it’s true. P. Cordaiy.’[201]

12^th of May 1967, Friday.  This day a dream came true that I had months ago to the very detail. I dreamt that PC rang up a station and I taped the results on tape and I got Paddy and PC and myself to listen to it. The first thing that would come on is the word goodbye and then the tape would commence. This happened today. Oh dear was I annoyed with PC around 12.00 to 3.00 but we really had a marve time after that. I got an ice cream tin and filled it [with] paper, then a bit of metho, {more] paper, metho. I lit this and it burned for 15 minutes. Mark Lester, Sue and Kath played with the fire, so did PC and I.[202] When it was very dark and tea time, Pat Lester collected Mark, an event I had waited for but alas it waqs at a distance. Paddy Dearden got a new green dress and she went shopping at Dee Why for four hours. She is a bit sick [still]. PC rang up a lady and said Mr de Vacckk wanted to talk to her and gave the phone to me. I was shocked and didn’t know what to do, so I said, ‘Is this Mrs Jones?’, the lady said ‘Yes.’ I thought it may have been the wrong number and so she said, ‘What number was it you wanted’. I said on the spur of the moment No. 8986175, She said, ‘6175 (tra la la) you must have the wrong number’. She was so nice about it. PC shouted, ‘No, it’s a lie’. I said, ‘Bye’. Oh dear. Bye. GB

13^th of May 1967 50^th ANNIVERSARY OF OUR LADY’S APPEARANCE AT FATIMA at Cova da Iria, Portugal.[203]

13^th of May 1967, Saturday. Before. After.[204] Before: sloppy jumper, some shirt – all depends on what day it was. Grey pants or dirty white [off-white] pants and black shoes. After: mustard-orange shirt. Dark brown corduroy trousers with wide leather belt.[205] I’ve been dying to so this in my diary since I got the new clothes. Sorry about the illustrations – didn’t work out! This morning I enjoyed the idea of wearing my new clothes and played the Piano. I also exercised my mice and built a maze of tunnels with Kathy’s blocks. At 9.00 I finished reading Genesis and started the book of Exodus. The Bible is so interesting. For lunch I had sliced meat which almost made me vomit. [Also} some soup which Paddy gave me – beef and vegetable. After lunch  I thought it best to exercise Zunika and Democratania and whilst I was outside Paddy commented on how good I looked and that all young people my age wear belts like that. I said, ‘Oh do they?’ I let Marseilles swim in the pond. We went to Dennis and Liesje’s house and Liz was so nice and we had so much offered. Their’s is a modern house. We had trouble finding it. Later Paddy and Dale drove to Elizabeth’s it was all so joll. Later Dennis came. I changed clothes when I went there. Paddy came back in our car. Had soup for dinner. Ugh. Bye for now.

Pentecost, or Whitsunday. 14^th of May 1967, Mothers’ Day. JMJA. Upon this day at 6.30 I got dressed and got my present to give to Mother. I gave her a double white [............], this cost $1.50 cents. I then had breakfast (Mother got two other ones of those plants and a very expensive perfume and a pair of white fur slippers (artificial).

I was dressed for Church and had everything ready and we were about to leave when dad locked the key in Peter’s car – which blocked the way of Father’s truck and Mother’s car. I missed out on going (last night I did the ful Rosary). I so much wanted to go to the Mass at the Youth Club at Blandford Street. Oh well. PC rang and we made plans. I was left alone for three hours when parents and Kath went for a drive. I listened to the radio and put on my shepherd’s uniform and ironed my corduroys. I had spaghetti and meatballs for lunch. After lunch I built a maze for Zunika and Mar. We went to Tante Miep’s place and it was rather jolly. P&P gave mother a flowery underdress or nightie? Yes, we had chicken for tea, I didn’t have any though. I’m listening to Mass now. Yes, Bye. Amen.

15^th of May 1967, Monday.  It was so cold this morn so I put on my opera stockings. Mother then went to Miss Borguer’s house. Phillip came at about 9.45 and he almost immediately rang up 2SM two-way radio and a half an hour later was put on. He spoke to Mike Walsh for about three or four minutes about religious sects knocking at his door etc. After that Phillip made some delicious Dutch cocoa.[206] We are now enjoying some incense. Yes it’s true.

‘Robert is now playing Largo. Robert goes to the eye doctor today at 2.30 and after that we are going to buy our dyes and patterns for Yoeman of the Guard. Ronbert just announced that he is going to put the Bible to music. Mmmm those incense are strong.’

Yes, that silly Phillip Cordaiy told Mark Lester that I was very fond of Patricia Lester, his sister, and told him to ask her over this afternoon. Oh dear. We had an egg for lunch each and after that it was 1.10. At 1.30 we left for Dee Why. There we got calico, two yards, 36 inches, we couldn’t get the correct shoe pattern. I made a fuss as usual. PC bought some dyes. Mother forgot the school letter and went home. We went to Dr Sweeny’s office and there was an English lady, that reminded me of Platt[207], tested my eyes. She made me read a chart through a mirror reflection. She put a heavy pair of iron spectacles on me and put various lenses in this. My eyes grew tired and blacked out sort of thing. Yes I really am far-sighted and will have to wear glasses when I read, write, watch films, shows, football and when my eyes are tired. I also had to see when the black writing was brightest behind a coloured background (these were lights) red and blue. I was allowed to choose what sort of glasses I wanted – they are sort of brown and I will come next Monday to have them fitted. Mother came half way with Kathy. I bought a new $1.25 cents mouse cage and a new BASF tape and a cream puff. I met Rollinson and were greeted, he had a girl with.... We stopped at Lamberts[208] and then Plateau West Shopping Centre. At home I transferred the mice, Marie Antoinette and Democratania. PC and I tried on our skivvies, I like them. PC and I played on the tape recorder. He is now about to go. Bye. 5.20pm. Father spoke briefly to Mr Cordaiy. We are having rice, sauce [sjuu] cauliflower and tomato sausages.

16^th May 1967, Tuesday. This morning mother at 7.30 left for work and I just listened to the radio and at 9.40 got dressed. I wore my corduroys, my skivvy and my jumper after I came back from the shops to get some Cobbity Farm bread and two cakes. Kathy bought some Kit-Cat and gave me half of the 1/- packet. Yes it’s true, really! At 11.00 I was shocked and horrified and saddened to find that little brown Marie Antoinette had been killed by her companion Democratania. I really can not express my sorrow about this. I buried Marie Antoinette in the corner of my garden where the first Marigold (G) grew. I planted four burrs around the grave and I will change my outlook when the last burr dies. I received about three phone calls from PC and KW. I had nothing much for lunch at all. Kathy went with father at about 11.30 and came back about 3.00. I borrowed Peter’s tape recorder without asking but it wasn’t working properly. Oh well, so I chopped a large piece of the large tape.

17^th of May 1967, Wednesday.  Awful arguments started because mother misunderstood me about the dyes for the opera. Oh well. I arrived at Phillip’s place at 9.30, mother drove me and I brought with me my stockings and my skivvy in case of dying. After saying hello to everyone and with Helen’s usual greeting, ‘What are you doing here?’ and goes on to say that nobody told her I was coming. We left for the Reef shops and there I bought (black dye between us) Olive Green and Gillseal Light Brown. Then we went to his corner milk bar shop and we bought an icecream 1/-. Before that I tried to get Donkey Brown at the hardware shop but in vain. PC told me afterwards that my reaction and [manner of] walking out of the shop was that of a moron. He also commented on the fuss I made with the icecreams.[209] When we got home to his place we decided to dye but his mother did it for us and put black with PC’s and his stocking turned out blackish-blueish-greenish when it should have turned out reddish-brown. My one was alright. Had toast and peanut butter for lunch and watched TV – Girl Talk, Dita and then PC rang the Psychic research to ask exactly how to contact spirits and found out. He later phoned up a lady and asked if she used ‘One-Go’, answer was ‘Yes’. He said, ‘Well if you identify this music you will win one time of ‘One-Go’.[210] Then PC gave me the signal and I played ‘Gloria’, Mozart’s Twelfth Mass. She guessed wrongly, thank heavens.

Also when we had a brief religious argument Mrs Cordaiy came in and told PC he was blasphemous and that we didn’t know what we were talking about and asked us who started this ‘religions business’. Oh well, very exciting. In the morn also we visited dear Mrs Best, she’s 80 something and we were shown a piece of wood shaped like this...... by the famous explorer.[211] She has also such lovely furniture. She told us she was just making herself beautiful before she went out shopping, she had her thin white hair rolled up in a small bun [she] has rosy cheeks. At the dinner table Helen confessed she rang me up last year claiming to be a girl sho wanted to take me out – I had an idea it was her or a friend of hers. We had a communal pie, peas, mashed potatoes and chopped carrots. For dessert we had black berry pie and Neapolitan icecream. Before tea we watched the Adams Family and Gidgit.[212] We helped wash up and dry. Later had a cup of tea and I discovered Helen’s floral bra on the table, size 34 or 35 – PC said they were ear warmers and put them around his ears, then put them on and later threw them at me. We went at 8.35. At home the Van de Vens were here. Yes. Bye. Lock No. is 146.

18^th of May 1967, Thursday.  This morning at 8.00 Mother and Kathy left for Manly to catch a ferry across to the City. I listened to 2SM two-way radio till 11.00 and during this PC rang me up twice. At 11.00 I got dressed, I wore my corduroys, skivvy and jump. I was patting Pussy in Kathy’s room when I heard this awful loud humming noise, I thought [it was] the hot water system or the radio was about to blow up so I went to see. I quickly turned the radio off but the noise persisted. I realised it came from the phone, I also saw it was partly off the hook. I put it back on and off but the noise went off and on – I did this for a few tries and I heard a voice – the man told me to hang up and expect a phone call. Two minutes later PC was on the phone, he told me when he dialled he got on to a phone service and they were trying to correct our phone. Oh well. I spoke to Mrs Best on the telephone, she told me to teach Phillip to speak properly and not for him to say whhhhy (why) and then she smacked PC with a rolled newspaper (she always does this. She insists PC never says OK (all right) and hundreds of other grammatical errors (between 9 and 11 am PLAST). I listened to the radio and prepared my lunch. Spaghetti and meatballs. I’m glad also to say Pussy is almost better.. in a months time I hope. Yes it’s pun, hun!

At one o’clock I set the electrical stove’s oven to 350 degrees and then added ¾ cup of water and two eggs to the cake mix, hit the beater for eight minutes – this was the beginning of two cakes I made in the Arvo, they were snow cakes, they turned out excellently. I made myself a cuppa and had a slice, giving the first slice to Lassie. I taught myself two tunes on the piano, ‘Let the Sun Shine In’ and ‘You Are My Sunshine’. Mother came home at 3.15 –  Kath and Mother had a marve time according to them. Mother bought a pair of red shoes and a strip of white fur for her new dress. They tramped the town it seems – Yes. They all loved my cake. Peter would only eat a few crumbs. At about 4.30 or 5.00 I rang up PC to tell him to be ready by 8.00 tomorrow for Bankstown Square. I asked Peter if I could say hello to him there, he replied, ‘Oh yes,.... if you could lower yourself to do so’ and went on to say something [like] that my nose had lowered itself considerably lately and that it is not facing the sky at the same angle – you don’t call that[213]..... never mind. P&P came for tea. Paddy felt sick because of her tablets after, and told me a few things about the Bible (I’m up to the book of Numbers (a boring bit I think)). They are now playing cards.

19^th of May 1967, Wednesday.  First anniversary of my German piano. Today we are going to Bankstown Square. I don’t know how we are going to get there, all we know is that it is in Bankstown and we are not at all positive where [that] is. Forecast: there will definitely be frustration in getting there. I have absolutely no idea of and what the place looks like. In my mind it seems to me to be a glorified and giant David Jones or Mall (Brookvale). Oh well, we are about to go and collect Zphillip. Kathy is also going, yes it’s true. I’ve got $3.50 which is an absolute marvel, I didn’t ever think I could have that much to spend there. THE WEATHER IS FINE. We are about to go from 14 Berith Street, Collaroy Plateau. Bye Lassie. We are in the car and PC is probably taking fits and anyway, as Phillip says, ‘Punctuality is the politeness of Panzies’. Rose Avenue. TOTAL[214] at the Plateau. Now going back home, mother forgot money. Augusta Shops, Rose Avenue. It is 8.15 and we are already at home. Lassie just came to greet us. Ettalong Street, Hall Avenue – Paddy’s old place. Now at Phillip’s 17 Hay Street, Collaroy. PC is in the front. De Burghs Bridge,. Municipality of Ryde. ‘Heello Rob, we just went round corner’. Concord. Bankstown.

We are now at BANKSTOWN SQUARE. We have just come back – yes we have, it;’s true. We are going. ‘It is 2pm. Oh dear, the most dreadful thing happened today. A dirty Chinese – well Robert can explain. We first saw a marve show which included one lovely dog and three monkeys but this was marred slightly, or as PC says ‘somewhat’. A dirty old Chinese[215] was hanging about – the dirtiest thing out – and as PC says (I didn’t actually see) he was a pervert and yes... I feel like calling the police. After PC told me it took me about an hour to get over the very idea of it.[216] Well, after having the most revolting milkshake I have ever had and the tea tasted as if it was grass (literally) and a tough bit of cake, I was glad to leave the joint [cafe].  We then went to visit Peter and this was historic as last time I visited him while he was at work was when I was attending St Joseph’s Convent school in 1959.[217] After saying ‘hello!’ we went to David Jones I bought a huge red candle and a purple 25 cents one. I bought an Apparitions (ESP etc) [book] and I saw an illustrated book on Witchcraft and the Supernatural for $3.95. I must buy it. I also bought a box of huge matches – cost original 85 cents. PC also bought a box.[218]

We had lunch at a marve huge restaurant and I had curried sausages with two veggies and mashed potato, PC also. Mother was angry as we couldn’t make up our minds. I later had a cuppa-tea. We left soon after and before this time PC and I explored the whole place. We left at 2.00 and got home about 4.30 as we had to go to Dee Why (also at the Chemist there we got some booklets on eye care). I had to get some meat at Lamberts.[219] As soon as we got home we unpacked the candles and PC was anxious to try some hypnosis experiments there, after we looked at Marie Antoinette’s grave. At 5.00 we had Chinese dinner which we all loved. I got a letter from the Immigration Department. I have to get a recent photo of myself etc. Peter gave me a headlock when I refused to get Naturalized.[220] After coffee I had my parents sit on my bed in the dark with Kathy and PC and myself come in and I put on all the candles, in ceremony, with the giant matches. We played traditional Chop Sticks which was the first thing I ever played on my Lipp System piano – and many others. PC played Happy Birthday for the piano, mother sang it.

!st Anniversary of my piano. Manufactured Expressly For Extreme Climates LIPP SYSTEM. G. Simon Stuttgart. Stuttgart 1881.

And Phillip played all the popular songs on the piano. Sorry about the poor copy from the original above but I wanted to give you some idea of what it really looks like. It is now 5 to 8 and this time last year we have the piano almost in my room, thanks to father, Mr Whirl and his eldest son Peter and myself. PC didn’t help, he just hald my sister’s hand. Also this day I left my old cylinder record holder (where I kept my money in at the shop where we bought it. XXXXXXXX shall we start again.[221]

‘Yes that is so true. Robert is going to get cuppacuppa tea – No tea – So Robert is going to make one. Mummy’s in the kitchen baking fishing chips, daddy’s in the toilet bombing battle ships. Mrs Varman calls cockroaches ‘Cocker roots’ well I suppose these two words are so basically related. Robert is just emptying the tea pot and he just let out a mad lady laugh. Hmmmm. Well today at lunch Mrs Varman went crook on me for not deciding for myself what I want for dinner. She told me not to take any notice of Robert (in an angry fashion). I’m not embarrassed though, I found it amusing. We had Chinese din din. Yum Yum. Well, that’s all for now. Good Bye Diary from Phillip Charlkes Cordaiy and Robert V Varman.[222]

Phillip just made the loudest pop-off and then rushed out to blame me – me overcome with horror just sat here. PC was crossing his heart and everything. Mother believed him, I threatened to jump out of the window but she still did not believe. Now he did it again and blamed it on me, I could just die. Mother believes him. Oh well, I know I’m innocent.

20^th of May 1967, Saturday.  Father and Peter went to work together. I wore my skiv etc. I started to read my book on Apparitions. I couldn’t stop reading it so I didn’t and read it for most of the morning. Kathy played with her group of neighbour friends. Mark Lester asked me if I was in the opera and I said yes and a lot of other rubbish but he mentioned that his sister Patricia but I am afraid everything is ruined as PC told him I loved his sister etc. I don’t know how I can face her, now everything has been set back. Zunika is so fat it doesn’t matter. I’m sure she will have about ten mice. I can play those two tunes perf[223] now. PC rang up; after ten minutes I said Bye and hung up. I said to mother, ‘Pick up the phone’ and she did. PC was making weird noises – do-do-do-do-do, ahhheeeeee etc. PC felt so embarrassed. Oh well. I had rook flesch for lunch (horse) I believe. I made cream for the cake I made. Paddy likes my new songs. Mark Ranken has been at his grandmother’s most of the holiday. Lassie was a good girl and Pussy didn’t move at all oput of Kathy’s room. Father just came home; the handle of the gear box came off and Peter and Father had difficulty in getting home in the car. Bye.

21^st of May 1967, Sunday. TRINITY SUNDAY.  I was woken up early and had my breakfast and got dressed and wa driven to 7.30 Mass at the Collaroy Plateau Youth Club place, the seating arrangement was like this ......[224]  Father Martland served the Mass. A picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was there. When the Mass ended Kathy waited on the porch for mother to come for about four minutes. It was sprinkling and so we decided to just walk down the street but we ended walking down Telopia Street and up Veterans Parade and along Ettalong Street and down Berith Street. It was so much fun to walk in the light rain with Kathy. Mother thought it [Mass] would take at least ¾ of an hour. Oh well. I have not yet read all the papers. Collaroy Plateau W Catholic Church Construction 16-5-67 – foundations were being laid and most of it was completed, the foundations I mean. It was something like this: [225] and around the 17^th the bricks were brought to the church site. 21^st of May: today I was surprised to see a large steel frame to be laid over it – the skeleton.

This is my Stuttgart piano-forte. I mainly read in the afternoon and went for small walks in the back yard. I rang up PC after parents had gone to visit some friends at Dee Why – and PC was quite ill, his mother told me, with a stomach ache of many sorts. Oh well. After lunch we went briefly to a job father did on the Plateau and then mother, Kathy and myself went to Tante Nike’s place. Hady and Laurie were there, nothing much happened at all except that Laurie had knitted parts of a jumper to fit an elephant – it was really for herself but her sense of proportion must have left her when she was knitting. Mother pulled it apart for her to do again. Later Robin, across the road, came. I ignored her [but] not snobbishly. Hady is going to a football match of some sort or other. Yes. Tante Miep just rang up. Chicken (ugh) for tea.

22^nd of May 1967, Monday.  The time is now 1.22 in the morn and I have not been asleep since 12.00. I went to bed at 8.35. At 1.00 I got out of bed and made myself two cups of tea and had three biscuits (I still cannot spell that word). I read the NRMA newspaper. I heard a few strange noises so I called Lassie to stay near me a while and gave her a piece of chicken and a bickie. The noises you hear in this house at night really amaze me sometimes. Well, this is the last day of the May holidays and if last year is any indication, this next week of school should be a bit nasty. What with..... Maths homework not done, Science homework not attempted, English homeworks ignored. History homework put off AND inspectors are coming to the school this week. So it seems like a lot of fun is in store for me. Oh yes and with PC sick I’ll have to face Sport alone. I’ll have to pray very hard. Oh, Art homework!!! Well I’m at the mercy of Our Lord.[226] Lassie is now making get-me-out-of-the-house-quick noises. They’re so strange, they really sound like a person speaking in the next room raising his voice something like, ‘What! Why? Well it’s 1.35am now and I’m quite sleepy. Good Night. Bye.....yes it’s true..... zzzzzzzzgzzzzzz........

Well I got up at 7.55 and played the piano a bit and generally mucked around until I got dressed at about 10.00. At 10.30 we left for Dee Why and there we were helped right away by that nice lady. She brought out my glasses and put them on me and generally they look OK. I got a nice leather case, ‘Northside Optical Centre, Balgowlah & Dee Why. These are Optima glasses and [the frame] clear, fluid brown. I am wearing them right now, they make me, in my opinion, look fat. Paddy says they suit me. After saying goodbye to the Optometrist we went to Brookvale Depot to get my buspass. We had to go to a different place and here I used my glasses first time in public. I used them first when reading the Bible. I am now reading the book of Deuteronomy (Bible). When we got home I had sanwiches for lunch and after that I cleaned my room up and after that played the piano and read the Bible. I taught Kathy to do finger knitting and French knitting. I have a bit of a cold and after dinner at 7.30 I went to bed and started to write in my diary.  At 8.00 my brother came in asking for ‘STUPID’ and then informed me that he was going to the library. I quickly got dressed but felt as sick as a dog. I borrowed ‘A Haunted House’ and ‘Fundamentals of Psychology’. Peter swerved along the roads testing his tyres. On coming home Peter noticed in the sky in the Narrabeen direction a twin star arrangement moving in and out moving along. We watched it disappear behind the trees. It is lightening in the distance but not many clouds. Bye for now.

23^rd of May 1967, Tuesday. I didn’t go to school today because I feel quite sick. I think or actually I have a bad cold. Mother was going to work but changed her mind when it began to rain. At 9.30 we left to go to the doctor’s ... a new one, Dr Burrow.[227] I have a bad case of sinus trouble. I had my lungs and heart listened to and I’m alright there. My ears are OK. My, he seemed surprised when he saw into my nose – it was not blocked but not with snot and as a result I have to have three different types of pills, 50 clear-up sinus, 40 anti-allergy and 16 penicillin. I have an inflamed tonsil dipped in puss. I saw a real good continental store at Plateau West. We had the prescriptions carried out at Hollingworths (east).[228] We met Mrs Brown when muv did some shopping and her little girl (she can walk) she is so tiny. Had Crumpets for lunch. Mother was away at Dee Why and then Liesje’s mother’s house (she is going to be divorced) Catholics! I read my book on Psychology, I don’t like my Virginia Woolf. I have become used to my glasses and at times I forget that I have them on. In the morning 11 to 12 I listened to Pussy & Charlie.[229] Mother gave me square salted [liquorish]. Oh I feel so ill. I woke up at 2.00 last night, I coughed like fury. Oh well at 4.35 I was allowed to ring PC. [Just] before mother said, ‘I’ve got a feeling PC is already in hospital’, I said, ‘I know he is lying  on his couch, with a blanket around him, watching TV’. Stephen [Cordaiy] answered the phone and told me that PC was in hospital and had already had his appendix out. Mrs Cordaiy came and talked to Mother. PC had his appendix removed at 11am today at Castlereagh [Private Hospital] and if the operation had been delayed it would have burst. I was going to write a detailed account but I don’t feel like it anymore.

At 7.00 I went to bed, everyone had quarrels against me about asthma. All I can say is, if you don’t want to believe something, you won’t believe it.[230] I happened to to have tuned in on as very interesting conversation between my parents. I was the topic and, my word, Father complained about me from A to Z. He was disappointed that I didn’t go with him to friends at Dee Why because they have a daughter, ‘she is so jolly’ (in Dutch) and that it’s not normal about me, something about girls. (M) [said that] I love going to Hady’s but I’m too shy to speak to their friends. Robin!, that’s who she meant. Oh I’ve spoken to her and was present at a discussion where she claimed she was ‘afraid of becoming a mother soon’ and ...[?].. going through Laur’s purse and saying, ‘What are these.....[?...?...] meaning (...........).[231] And (M) about buying shoe pattern at Dee Why with me and girl. Father said he is going to ask Peter to take me to RSL Club so I can mix with girls – etc., etc., etc. I had to lie on the ground and listen under the door for this and freeze to death but it was worth it. I only have on cotton long night wear. Good Night.[232]

24^th of May 1967, Wednesday.  Oh well. I have to go to school today for the first time since the holidays began. No doubt I’ll have a rotten time as I feel rotten – blocked nose, cough and generally I don’t feel fit at all – I’ll get out of Sport but at this stage that’s no consolation. Oh well, best get dressed.

I wore my glasses all the time whilst at school and strangely enough not many people noticed. The day went by quite happily. PC got 2 out of 10 for an Economics essay. He is away as we all know. I went to Room 15 and played the piano softly as Nevy was in the storeroom[233] and I’m afraid I spoke quite loosely; I said, ‘Yes, I think my parents expect me practically to perve at every girl that walks by.’ Later Frank came. Before we had our names marked off I went to see Mr Neville about when the next opera rehearsal is – next Monday and he commented if I had ever worn glasses before. I said no, then he said, ‘They suit you’. I replied, ‘Do you really think so?’. He said, ‘Yes! and that’s more than I can say for some others.’ Miss Matthew marked my name on [the roll].[234] When I have my glasses on I feel I’m in a world of unreality ad that I seem to be covered with plastic. It’s funny! Caught 175 home. P&P are staying for tea.

25^th of May 1967, Thursday.  Mother went to work. I nearly missed my bus. During first period the inspector came into our oetry class and when Mrs Stephens asked me to interpret two poetic lines I just murmered ‘ummm’. Then later on in the poem she asked me another question ans my answer was dreadfully mixed up that after a minute I was lost. Then I said something more to the point – ‘What I mean is........ She said ‘Yes,....’ bla etc., bla etc. she went on. The Inspector also came into my Science class after 10 minutes. [Earlier] Mrs Lindsay gave me my book back – before she did she told me that I had done ‘very excellent work’ and when she handed my book back she told everyone in the class how good it was and asked me to leave it on the desk so the Inspector would see it. The Inspector came in and went to the back and my book was the first he looked at – then he looked at another person’s book which was not up to date. He inspected my practical book by the way. Mrs Lindsay made a spelling error [on the blackboard]. We don’t know if the Inspector saw it as he only stayed 10 minutes. When he left she sighed [but] nearly took a fit when a boy pointed out a spelling error. Mrs Lindsay asked me soon after he left if he had looked at my book. I spent most of the time in the Music Room. I walked to the terminus alone (alone! Phillip Cordaiy!)[235] and said five decades [of the Rosary]. At the terminus three girls asked me if the Eleanora bus had passed. I said, ‘Oh I really don’t know’. Girl, ‘Oh’ in aposh way. Later asked me how long I had been here, I told her I don’t even know what the Eleanora bus looks like [so] she told me. KW and Frank came. I spoke to Phillip on the bus (the monk in the Opera). I caught the Girl’s 160 from Warriewood but there were no girls.

Today is HADY’S birthday and she is 19 years old. Today is also Tante Miep’s birthday (Hady’s grandmother) and is 75 years old. We will soon go and visit Hady. We stayed till 8.30. We came while they were in the middle of their dinner. I watched the Monkees on the TV and News and Ben Casy. Things went pretty slow and I amused myself by the comments about my glasses. I just realised I can’t really communicate with Oom Laurant. He doesn’t know what I am talking about, he can’t speak English very well. After all the food, Hady’s boyfriend came. Laurie came and sat next to me (whilst knitting) and we spoke abstractly about school. Tante Miep was there also.[236]

On the 24^th of May 1967, Zunika gave birth to 7 or 8 mice. They are still alive today, hope they live. Muv rang Mrs Cordaiy – PC is making good progress. (Carbon copies).

26^th of May 1967, Friday.  I am now at a Dee Why parking lot. I was shocked to see that all the trees along Ettalong Street have been chopped down. The street is a red/yellow dirt road. They are probably going to put a tarred road in. Mother is at present getting fish and other sea foods. Mother also picked up Paddy at Fisher Road taxi stand (men’s wear) because Peter failed to come home – Paddy rang at 3.55 to ask Peter to get her at 4.40. Oh well. I was surprised to get a phone call call from Kerry Wright at 4.55 – he sounded so excited. He went to the Catholic Presbytery and had three rosaries blessed, a St Christopher’s medal and two paintings with the holy water blessing in certain robes. We spoke for 20 minutes. He told me to tell Phillip to ‘get well sson’.

At school Mrs Lindsay said that it looks as though you are going to be first when I handed in my last bit of homework. ([by the way] this parking station is near KW’s flat – I am writing this in the feeble car light). Key.[237] We are now leaving to visit Phillip Cordaiy at Rockcastle hospital. It’s 6.45pm. Everything was the same as when we wnet to visit Peter when he had his appendix out in 1964 or something. We were told to go up the stairs, turn left and go into the first dooe. There was Phillip in a large room with three other patients. He was next to the door and he looked quite well. I was absolutely shocked when I saw his appendix (the doctor said it was the largest he had ever seen). It was about two and a half inches long and twice as thick as your thumb – it was gangrenous. PC told us he was very bored and that he wished he could go home as fast as possible. He had a small TV in front of him. Mother did most of the talking. Later Mr Cordaiy came and made his usual kind of jokes, he told my mother that when he was told he was going to have his appendix out, he hypnotised himself and kept saying over and over again, ‘I will not feel any pain’ and ‘I will get better immediately’. At 8.00 the thing went and we all left PC alone. Mother gave me some money before to buy PC a chocolate. The man in the shop was very kind. There was a marvellous red moon coming up from the sea at about 9.00 that night, you could see it was half popping out of the sky. Bye.

27^th of May 1967, Saturday.  I did a rough pencil drawing of the lady and after that, at about 11.00, I did a painting of an old haunted Victorian house surrounded with large leafless trees in tempera – that took all day. It was completely complete at 7.00 when I put the final coat on it.[238]  Mrs Dearden and Mr Dearden came for a little while today. Mother got some high heeled shoes. The baby mice are still alive and well. I cleaned out Democratania’s place. I wore a pom-pom hat this morning. Yes.[239] Mother and Father have gone toi Tante Miep’s birthday celebration. It was really on the 25^th but today is the party. The van Kacars will be there and the Van de Vens. I just finished some stupid Maths. The Monkees are a popular singing group and have their show on TV.

Trouble with Israel and Egypt etc. Oh dear, another war! That’s all for now folks. Bye.

28^th of May 1967, Sunday.  Father Sobb served Mass at the Youth Club today and he gave a long sermon as father Sobb can do. A lady gave Kathy a beautiful little crucifix. I read the three papers including the Daily Smut Rag (Mirror) – it had a lady with no clothes on (Princess Ira) covering up with her hands her private parts. Mother went to the Kooks at Dural with Kathy at 9.00 and father is also out all day. I am still alone at 3.30. Oh we’d a rather boring day. The mice are OK. The radish plants are an edible size. Had an awful tomato soup for lunch. Well, tomorrow I have to stay at school till 7.30. So there you have it. That’s all.

29^th of May 1967, Monday.  Firstly I found out today that the rehearsal is not on but tomorrow till 8.00. Mother drove me to the main road and then discovered I didn’t [have my tie on] so off we went back home. I got my tie and back we went. I saw the Palm Beach but I thought I’d never reach it, mother went full speed and I rushed out of the car and hastily put my arm out [to stop the bus]. I brought my paintings (Kerry Wright was also on the bus). Oh well, I put my paintings in the usual spot and then decided to go to the shop up the street to get some tea for this night (see Sheet I0. During Science I saw a marve film on animal distribution (with bears etc). After that I saw Bradbury[240] and Montgomery give speeches – that was R good. At lunch time I happened to pass Mr Cocking’s office when I saw KW in there. I found out that he had, had a seizure (petite mal), or a fainting as we usually call it. This happened in Science. I went up to Room 15 and told Smoge and Frank, they were surprised. I spent lunch time there. I also saw Mr Rose (Sideburns) about PC his work etc. Maths is shocking. Oh I’ll fail for sure. Oh well. I walked a small way home with Frank and got a lift from his mother to the Terminus, there I immediately caught a 160 and got home before the school bus. So I fed my mice – the baby’s have turned a reddish white instead of dark red and are twice as large. I rang up the Cordaiy household and found out that PC will leave the hospital tomorrow and I have work already for him – what a surprise. Q. Why did an elephant paint himself all the colours of the rainbow? A. To hide in a Smarties packet to surprise Lou-Lou.[241]

30^th of May 1967, Tuesday.  Gave Stephen [Cordaiy] PC’s lessons [which] he must learn. Had to watch a film on the brotherhood but the whole thing turned out a complete mess. Sister Mary Peter Julian is still the Scripture teacher but there is a new nun – she is somewhat more like the nuns I knew at St Josephs. I grew very depressed from the end of the Scripture lesson till about 3.30 or so, for some unknown reason. I felt as though something happened that was disastrous. I paid SMPJ the $2.80 cents for the bible. She was surprised when I told her that I was up to the book of Joshua. That’s all for that part of the day. Mr Rintoul was away during our Art period with most of the class – had Miss Hutchins (she is English – when she first was here only about a month she used to call book, a booook, or like bouk).[242] When the bell went at 3.25 or 3.20 I had to go to the toilet madly and I waited 10 minutes before the place was empty. I could have gone home at playtime, I had diarrhoea. Once at the Hall we began to sing. Nev was in a very bad mood and said ‘bloody’ in a sentence as an adjective. We did Act I right through and he screamed and yelled and I had to do that to the girl twice. At dinner time I ate my din and chocks and did nothing much at all – rather boring that part. After lunch [dinner break!] we did more and went home at 7.45. I waited.... and waited till every car had gone (with my Art folder) until Phillip came (monk)[243] and we spoke for about one third of an hour. I got myself into a mess about cars. I was last to go when Father came along walking. He said he had waited from before 8.00 right down the street – apparently he had waited near the group of cars, looking at the football training across the road – right down the end of the Girl’s school. There was not a car in front of the Hall or Boy’s school or even the main part of the Girl’s school. He went crook on me as usual. Mother had to go to a lady’s place (Liesje’s mother) about a dress. I had some pea soup and I fed the mice and went to bed.

31-5-67. On the Monday after the 6^th Sunday after Easter in Holland, Grandfather van Bommel had lost his balance due to a clot in that part of the brain and fell and lay on the floor for three hours until Grandmother (who had always been afraid of leaving him alone) found him there. They Uncle Henk, Tante Dini’s husband and a neighbour put him to bed with hot water bottles. Doctor said he will recover. Grandfather is suffering from leukaemia (a blood cancer).

31^st of May 1967, Wednesday.  I was really surprised to see Phillip at school today. I thought he wouldn’t come for weeks yet. I had to carry his case as he wasn’t allowed to carry anything. Mr Cockingfound an apple core in Room 15 and said, Only an insane person could leave a core like this here, only a low self degrading animal could have left this here’. At lunch time I found out Frank left it there. I brought PC’s case to where Mrs Cordaiy waited and took us to 17 Hay Street where I rang up Muv and she said she would be there at 1.00 (it was 12.15 at the time). I had lunch there, four sandwiches and a large piece of cake-bread. Watched the Marriage Game at 1.00. Mother came and we went to DY and after going to banks and Woollies etc., we finally got a new pair of school shoes, the same as my last pair. After trying on all the suedes [shoes] in the shop I chose a square top shoe with laces (there are stretch ones). After going to the Plateau butcher[244] (and before Lamberts) we went home. I fed the mice, the babies are covered in a fine light white hair and eyes are still shut. I then fed the birds and then did ‘homework’. It is now 5.15. Patricia [Lester] smiled directly at me, I smiled back – (I sat next to her mother in the bus).

1^st of June 1967, Thursday. I was glad to hear that Phillip was coming to the rehearsal this afternoon. Had a very nice poetry lesson, I really like John Donne poems and wrote about two pages on the poem which I finished off at lunch time in the Music Room (where we ate our lunch). At 3.20 I went with PC’s bag (I’m PC’s porter) to the Hall. There the make-up lady asked if we had any questions. So we went to the right side of the Hall while Mr Neville went over the girls special part where they dance. Mr Neville wanted them to smile whilst they danced simply and slowly. Mr Neville stopped them about three times and screamed wildly at them and said, ‘If you don’t smile I’ll come up and grab you by the shoulders until you smile. He was screaming at the top of his voice. Then he told them to start again – after a quarter minute he said, ‘Stop! You and you’, pointing to two girls in the foreground, ‘get off the stage and into the dressing room and smile in the mirror until you learn to smile...... you two don’t even know how to smile.’ One of the girls was Patricia Lester. She pointed to herself in amazement. I was almost as shocked as she was. I felt like telling Mr Neville off --- poor Pat must have felt so embarrassed and humiliated. About four minutes later she was summoned to return.

I found out from the make-up lady that we needed a wig and a money pouch. Oh well. We did various things that we had done before until near the end we had to do the finale. I thought, I don’t remember this part, and continued up the steps and found out that we were all married. PC and I didn’t know who to, so we rushed around to Nev, who made a sigh of anger and told me where to go (and PC). I’m married to a girl who I hadn’t seen before (so I thought then). Then I rushed on stage and put myself in place. A fellow in front of me turned around and gave a sniggery smile and then I looked my wife ‘in the eyes lovingly’ and in this confusion I got a smile in with Pat who is in front of me.[245] In a certain part wife has to put her hand on my shoulder and one on my forearm as I had my hands clasped in front of me. I’m afraid I was a bit rocky (to and fro-y). The end bit of dinner proved interesting and before I played ‘Buy my Onions’ Lynn Tazelaar came and had a word with me. I told her [she could] sing ‘By your Onions’ to it. That’s all that happened there. Later in the Hall PC and I caught Lynn and Phillip Gear mucking around so I threatened to excommunicate them, as Lynn is a nun and PG is a monk in the opera. Lynn came up to me a few seconds later and said that PG was sitting on the large vase. I said, ‘Oh maybe he’s doing that because he wants to go to the la-de. She was quite amused by this and told PG. So they rushed outside. I decided to intrude again and Lynn mentioned something about the Girls’ school so I asked her if she would take us for a guided tour of the Girls’ school. She agreed and over the wall of the steps those two jumped, PC and I went around and off we all ran – this was all jolly until we realized that we were on stage, so we all ran back and saw that Mrs Holt was standing leaning on the wall. PC and her had a small talk about something being suspicious. PC while on the tour must have said about seven times, ‘Oh, isn’t this suspicious’. How stupid. In the last finale my wife had already gone home so I just stood there and sang. Mr Cordaiy came and later mother, so she walked in and sat to listen to the very end. Mr Cordaiy and mother spoke to each other. We drove home. I was shocked to find out that Peter my brother had an accident with his car. Was the lady’s fault. Peter’s left mud guard was ripped off and the bumper bar. Dennis and Liza was there. I had my dinner and fed the mice and went to bed.

2^nd of June 1967, Friday.  I caught a single deckered bus, Palm Beach, and arrived at school a bit late. We didn’t do anything, we just sat and sang. It was rather good. PC wasn’t there. Had a nice Shakespeare lesson. At roll call I had a note given to me which read (see below).[246] I was so nervous, I didn’t know what to expect. I first went to Mr Cocking and then to Mrs Stein [247] - there I got a message from PC to fix my wwig and hat for the opera. Frank was with me. Kerry is at the headshrinker at North Sydney. At lunch I went to the Music Room with Frank and Smoge (he gave me a piece of music he had composed last Tuesday). At the end of Science lesson, Mrs Lindsay was talking about paintings and got around to KW’s  - she said she didn’t like them, although his paintings are perfect in an Artist’s realism way but she didn’t like the subjects, Chopin’s death mask etc., etc. Then said that she wasn’t trying to criticize my friend but bla bla bla etc., etc. Later we talked on and she praised a painting I did last year about a group of nuns. All this was very exciting. I told Frank later. Mr Johnman had us for History and gave us an interesting lesson. The bell went and I walked to the terminus having a brief conversation with Ronald Brice who has perfected a copy of Mr Walton’s voice and manners of speech, like PC sometimes likes to do. I spoke to Phillip Gear [Grear?] about Lynn Taz and other girls etc., when he caught the same bus. Paddy and Peter stayed for tea. Mrs Cordaiy rang up – trouble with costume etc.

3^rd of June 1967. Saturday.  Mother went to Mrs Johnson’s place this morning with Kathy. Kathy is now at the stage where she is aware of her surroundings. She told me that Mrs Johnson has to be helped upstairs (Mrs Johnson is blind in one eye – not totally – and her sight in the other eye is also very bad but she still gets around at her place. After having my bath and shower I got dressed and went to the shops with Lassie – to the butcher – I was three cents short of the price – I felt so embarrassed. I got some rope from under the house and untwined it so as I could make a wig for myself for the opera. I rang up PC and spoke to him briefly (brother has Tjawanan Brass record). I then rang up Richard Spicer and spoke with him for more than an hourI found to my surprise and was shocked to learn that he thinks nothing of putting 25 shillings per week on a horse or horses through the TAB.[248] He now works on a counter where he serves people and has his own phone, 20545, extension 231. I must ring him.[249] Paddy found a huge moth (a lady one) with a huge tum. Mr and Mrs Dearden came. I was very upset to learn that father took three [of my] pot plants away, one which was very precious to me.[250] Paddy and Pet4er are here playing cards with parents. Lots of fun. GN. Bye.

4^th of June 1967, Sunday.  I got out of bed reluctantly, it was so cold. I got dressed and wnt to church. Father Martland served the Mass and the candles were put on with a lighter. There was only one candle on the left side of the cross because the other one broke before Mass began. During this time I made up my mind to go to confession and confess all my sins at St Mary’s Cathedral next Saturday and get that book in Town. I’ll ring up tomorrow at school. --- When I got home at 8.15 PC rang up and is coming down with the opera things. He thinks my choice of girls ridiculous. --- Bye for now. I’ll read the papers. It’s about 8.30 at present. Peter just got his paper, the Telegraph.

‘Hello Huns, it’s me out of Hospital and I have never had such an embarrassing time in all my life. I shall say no more. Well, it’s fun, fun, fun. Ohnnnn. P. Cordaiy Do Do.’

We made (or I really) a skull cap before lunch. After lunch we got the twine and I sowed it on the skull cap. It proved to be a hilarious wig. PC and I trimmed it to a De la Renzo’ fashion style.[251] No!, actuaqlly it turned out quite nicely. For lunch we had spagetti and sausages. Parents went away after lunch and so we fixed the wig to perfection. I got PC to phone up St Mary’s Cathedral to ask for the confessional times – which are 11.30 to 12.30. I think PC knows what Pat is. Oh well. I found the book called, ‘The Catholic Boy Examines his Conscience’ and we read it right through, it;’s very helpful. We later played with the tape recorder and did an old house thing. He stayed for tea – we had chicken, I had sausages etc. PC spoke about his appendix operation etc. After tea I lit a fire in the front strip up the place outside the wall and ran up and down the street to get branches etc., to burn. PC went home at 7.45. Marvellous day.

5^th of June 1967, Monday. A lot of nonsense and stupidness. Father drove me to PC’s. I knocked, Helen oipened the door and she actually said Hello in a very nice tone of voice – I was completely startled. PC was late and we missed the Palm Beach but caught the Church Point. Pat came in late again. – Sat next to PG. Rehearsal excellent – we just sat.[252] I didn’t do my English so I explained to teacher that I had been so very busy with opera rehearsal and costume making – she sat near me whilst I was telling her. PC went home at 10.30. Science was marve. At lunch I spentmy time in Room 15 being stupid. At last recess I rang up Dymocks for the ‘Pictorial History of Magic and the Supernatural’. $3.95 but it is out of stock until six weeks time. I’ll have to ring up some more. A nice one period in Mr Walton’s class 2 part also OK [?] Shocking Maths period. I walked to the terminus. I bought two puffs and one cream cake. Bus to South Creek (bus to the Plateau only at South Creek Road). Main started to [go on] about religions, Catholics and bombarded it left, right and centre [Catholicism] and called it the biggest money-making organization in the world. [He] asked about the burning of candles. He got the last statement before jumping off the bus. Paddy rang to ask Muv to get her at Dee Why. PC also rang up. Mother started my costume.

6^th of June 1967, Tuesday.  WAR is on in Israel. I will put in some clippings from the newspaper later. This could very well be the beginning of World War III. Some Scripture classes have had intense prayer (the minister praying). Father Martland told us to get (or that we should) on our knees and pray for this war in Israel and that to pray for peace everywhere.

PC was making fun of my blocked nose in Library today.[253] He also told me that he told John Lester about me being fond of Pat. I pointed out that he repeated last year and can’t possibly be in his Ancient History class – but apparently he was then. PC, I hope, was only lying because if this gets back to Pat – trouble will only be the outcome. There was a debate at the Girls’ school – ‘I no went’. PC bought me a cake for five cents, truly this is also a historic occasion. Rest of the day was OK but I caught a school bus home and everything went wrong. I had to go in the other end, I was so squashed and the bus went before I got in properly – it closed on my bag. Oh the bus ride home was sheer hell, lucky it was cold. It rained lightly practically all day. I will have an orchestral rehearsal at 7.30. Mr Cordaiy will pick me up. We’ll see what happens, will we? See (P). I saw my first five dollar note today, it’s purple. It was PC’s but when I got home mother had a couple.[254] Peter was left with two cars to drive home, father is going with him  to take one home. After tea TDLAOL. [?] Everything reeled off OK. We started at about 8.00 (I had a bath etc. Mr Cordaiy picked me up). Spent first 15 minutes in the Music Room. I managed to get first row. Mother came about 8.30 – spoke to Mrs Holt but mother didn’t know she was the music teacher. I let John Wilkinson put on my glasses and it ended up half the Girls’ choir put it on with Lynn to be the last. I had a talk about them [with Lynn]. Everyone commented on the thickness etc. I found plenty of time to speak to people. The person sitting next to me was so out of tune, it wasn’t funny – so was Dunwoodie. PG still wants to know what the VARMOBILE is, I promised I’d tell.

7^th of June 1967, Wednesday. I am now in Room 2 at school. Nothing much happened this morn. At lunch time PC and I went to the Girls’ school   after seeing Mrs Holt. PC was too shy to come into the building so I went in. When I saw Mrs Grace I summoned PC, we had to just stand there looking at paintings until we were asked to come. I can’t stand Mrs Grace, she’s a snob I believe. She said, ‘What do you want’ bla bla bla etc. We weren’t even given privacy – here was I.[255] However, I showed her my shoes, they were OK. I asked her about Donkey Brown etc. Robyn Crichton came up and said, ‘Oh aren’t they gorgeous’ and later, ‘Did you see Mrs Moran?’. I said, ‘What Mrs Moran... Oh never mind’. However, I did not find a hat pattern. I told PG. It is a citrone. I spoke to Mr Nev two times about it. Ah well. I missed out on Sport thanks to Muv. We rang up Grahams Book Co, corner Martin Place and Elizabeth Street AND THEY HAVE THE BOOK and have put it away for me.

‘My goodness, this diary will just have to be censored. All the raving love affairs going on in this diary. It’s almost as good as Payton Place or Lady Chatterley’s Lover: it could become a best seller. So it’s bye again. RV L PL. I mean to say, for heavens sake. Good grief. Quite so..... Goodbye. Phillip Cordaiy. 1967. R2.’

This whole thing has been quite dramatised to a great extent. I’m very excited about a plan I am going to put into action before the 19^th (with God’s Grace). I hope PC may accompany me to Town next Saturday as I am going to get, ‘A Pictorial History of Magic and the Supernatural’, $3.95 cents. We have been talking about Pat and Robyn Crichton etc. PC is now doing a huge multipication. I will catch theb 775 to South Creek Road. Goodbye for now!  I am now at home. I got off near Narrabeen Public School (1914) because I saw the 160 but they put  ‘Collaroy Beach’ so I quickly caught a Wynyard and those hooligans were on it, so was KW. I thought by some miracle we might overtake it  but alas in vain. However, upon reaching South Creek Road a Collaroy Plateau bus from the Catholic School came. I was so grateful TYDL. I found out that the large Sheaoak near the bush house [was chopped down] (the large moth was still alive to my horror). The ols Pussy Willow was also chopped out of the ground and pulled out (the stump) with the truck. The Ovees  have moved away from their property. Other people with a Samoyed and another dog live there – the Ovees had a German Shepherd.

8^th of June 1967, Thursday.  At 3.20 I left to go to rehearsals. The Girls had their things on. I spoke to Lynn Tazelaar about piano – later we got into a rather prolongued discussion. Mrs Holt walked up and told us either to shut up or go outside to talk so we went outside and sat on the verandah. PC stood and talked about all srts of things getting into such things as PC’s sister getting into trouble bla bla.[256] She said, ‘Oh my brother does it all the time’. We didn’t quite know how to take it. Other things like that happened and she explained what sort of crowd she went around with before etc., and for a minute we were left alone. We then sat inside all together and we spoke about Richard Spicer and PC had to get in, after discussing confessions etc., that I do Voodoo spiritualism[257], bury snails, --ceremonies. She told Mark that I do Voodoo. Oh that was the end of it. PC also told of my INSANITY fad. I tell you, my name will be ruined after all this. Also while Mrs Holt was sitting next to Lynn we were all getting into suggestive conversation about PC’s sister being shapely in different places etc. We spoke to Lynn for about three quarters of an hour. Everything else went allright that night. PC rang to say that Gail Thompson is going to tell Pat that I liked her. PC has definitely gone too far. PDLPM. ---

9^th of June 1967, Friday.  As mother went to drive to Collaroy Plateau Total [petrol] Station her car broke down on the Plateau and mother had to ring up father to get [her]. It was when she arrived home I found out that she is getting a new car, another Volkswagen. We will soon leave to get the car. Noo in father’s car DODGE and will soon be at Freshwater Motors – when we get there. We are now at a side street in Dee Why (DR Road) because of the traffic (Chesi’s Grocery shop where I got PC’s chocolate when he was ill.  North Curl Curl (a girl (15) just fell down when running out of her gate). Harboard Public School 1928. Near Queenscliffe lagoon, six pine trees, three Sheaoakes, on Peninsular at Manly where the old tower used to be. I am now outside. I am standing where the old tower used to be (in the showroom).[258] I am now sitting down. Here there are green lights. Mother will soon sign the papers to buy the car. I haven’t seen it yet. This is how high the tower reached. [259] Here is a sign which says, VOLKSWAGEN. This is where the tower used to be but alas my memory fails me on how it looked. I am sitting on the guttering. Kathy is playing around. I will go inside again. ‘Kathy [class] 1C.

Across the road is the Senior Citizens’ Club. I am now in the ofice. Oh. It’s 23 past 5, mother has to pay $1.35 now. 5.30, car is being filled up with petrol. Am now in the car. Mother has to push the gears – has now staqrted, not much noise, only at the back rather than everywhere. Mother has to put on her [driving] shoes. The car has a lovely ‘new’ smell and now off we go – really marve. Father is [driving] in front. Mother just put on the windscreen wipers, it’s raining and it’s dark. I can’t see very well. We are now at Collaroy and mother has just said that she is going to give me some extra money because I did so well in my report. Mother has just gone to get some Chinese delicacies. Ohw I have a sore tum because of some exercises I did on Wednesday. We are parked outside the TAKE AWAY FOOD BAR – it used to be a grocery shop[260] Restaurant, Take-away meals. Golden Rose.

I had a rather ordinary day [at school]. Last two periods a General came and we had a marve ceremony, the cadets marched etc. We walked to the terminus at 3.00 and caught a bus at 3.20 and I caught a Catholic bus [SC Rd] and got home before Mark Rankin.

10^th of June 1967, Saturday.  This morn early I was not very sure how I would get to PC’s place but later Peter (or I talked Peter into taking me and Phillip to Mosman – Spit Junction). And so he picked up PC – I told him Peter was in a bad mood (that’s when he drives fast). Peter wasn’t really but PC gets scared when you drive fast. From Mosman we caught a double decker and sat upstairs in different seats. Once in Town I went to have my picture taken at Wynyard station because of the immigration department. We proceeded to Graham’s bookshop at Elizabeth Street and York Street and got the book ‘A Pictorial History of Magic and the Supernatural’. Then we went to do a bit of window shopping. PC had to go to the la de da as usual. We went to David Jones across the street and had a look at the records. I was so dreadfully nervous at this stage that I didn’t wait to have a cuppa – but PC made me have one, so to speak. I also bought two biscuits, this was at 11.00. After that it was time to go to St Mary’s Cathedral. I calmed down a bit in the Park and when I entered the cathedral I was nervous at first but calmed down after some prayer. I sat in the back of the Church with PC till 11.32 – about when we decided to move closer to the confessional. At last the priest came and after he went into the middle compartment I sat on the bench of the confessional. Two ladies were in front and it took practically no time before I found myself opening the door. I carefully shut it and found myself in a larger compartment then usual. I had just enough time t take out my pieces of paper with all my sins on it and knelt and made myself ready when I found the little door or window opened. I could only see a vague outline of the priest with his hand holding up his head, sort of thing. Ansd so I reeled out my sins since 1964 confession. After that he gave me such a warm advice and told me to take communion as often as possible etc., and I asked him some questions and gave me absolution of my sins, preventing excommunication etc. But I had to say one round of the Rosary as penance. This is what’s left of my CONFESSIONAL ROLL, or paper, which I tore into a hundred pieces and put some in about twenty or more bins at Hyde Park.[261] PC had to go to the la de da AGAIN, after that we went back into the cathedral and found mass had already started, so we attended and I had Holy Communion, the Lord God’s actual body in the shape of a sort of bread. I was so nervous getting it. We attended Mass there. It was so marvellous. After that I bought four little books, one called ‘Passport for Pilgrims, the other two small stories of saints and one about the Rosary.

At length we left and walked past the law courts,[262] the Rum Hospital[263] and down the street, St James church [and onwards] until we reached the Menzies Hotel. Here we bought a pie and two donuts. We caught a bus home. I managed to read part of P of P and got off at PC’s place where I played the Girls’ chorus (marriage) and part of ‘Day of Terror’. I was given one cup of tea and nothing else (POOR ME) and watched a bit of TV. The Cordaiys have probably as many crackers as they had last year. However, I couldn’t stay – PC didn’t ask. Found out that DALE & NEVILLE came this night to P&Ps.

It is Cxracker Night and the sky is occasionally filled with arteficial rockets and sparks. Bangs are going incessantly and Lassie is quite nervous. I was shocked to learn I was for a half hour in the confessional. I have already said my penance in the proper manner.

10^th of June 1967. A REPORT ON MY MICE. On Thursday 8^th of June I was very happy to notice that the mice were all well formed and had opened their eyes but made no reaction other than just look at me. On Friday 9^th I was pleased to see the baby mice squirming about and one explored and poked his head out of the hole and ate a bit of bread I held in my mind. I counted my mice and there are nine mice (baby mice in all). I learned that the Van de Vens got a new car today I believe but they haven’t shown it to us yet! It is nearly 8.00 and before I had a little cracker night  ceremony with Kathy, I lit off three Tom Thumbs, one red and two green from last year. Then we lit up practically one box of matches around the front.

The War in Israel finished on Friday THANK THE LORD + with it regaining Jerusalem, the HOLY CITY for the first time in 1900 years ago.[264] I am really thankful to the Lord for all that happened today.

Some crackers are going off quite loadly. Lassie is in Kathy’s room which is quite dark and I’m just about to open my book about Pictorial History etc. I will then say my prayers, get a cuppa tea and to bed. Good night and God bless readers!

11^th of June 1967, Sunday.  Oh! I had two small sups of tea (not cups) at 10 to 7. I hope I can still have Communion at Mass.[265] It’s 7.02 now and I had best get dressed. I sat on the straight row and had Holy Communion. When I came back Kathy bombarded me with questions, however I couldn’t answer because I was in Prayer. I asked Father Sobb if I could take Communion because I had something at 10 to 7, he told me that it would be alright because by the time the Communion part came it would be past 10 to 8. I read one paper and then my book I got yesterday, read this till parents went away to the Van de Vens. [Father] asked them what night they wanted to go to the Opera and they said Thursday+. At three minutes to qw, low and behold!, the Family Kook came and I was the only one home. Elizabeth and Tilly came also – I didn’t know what to do so, most of the time, I just stood there and prayed. Thank Heavens parents came five minutes later. Elizabeth came into my room and I urged her to play something on the piano. After a while I played the Girls’ chorus (Opera) and then she played with one finger a Christmas tune. After a small discussion (She is going to become a kindergarten teacher). She left for Kathy’s room. I read on my book and when I finished I covered it [with plastic]. Had to have lunch. After lunch I went down to feed the mice and I found time to get and put on my hand each baby mouse – they all look the same to me. I counted 10 mice, the mother one did not seem to mind at all. After this they all seemed very adventurous. I also did a bit of gardening. I am going to take the (1) plant I planted before Kathy was born out because it is dying and will replant it. I went inside and brought my tape recorder into Kathy’s room and played those phone call tapes to Elizabeth and the Kings Cross GOOD FRIDAY tape. When it was finished (three tapes) the Kooks had to go. After they went I dug around my (1) plant and then went inside to find Mrs Ovee here on a visit (I can hear their voices NOW! at the Moore’s place). I said Hello etc. They live at present at Narrabeen and are planning to return to Holland as soon as possible. After they went I mucked about and before dark I managed to [transplant?] the (1) plant from its growing place, however my giant Marigold snapped and one huge branch broke by its own weight (the second one to go) and then I heard the other main one go, so I got large ropes and bound them together and tied them to old gas pipes near the top of the garage. It was too dark to do anything else. It’s quarter to six. Bye.

12^th of June 1967. Monday.  Hello it’s a public holiday and I stayed home. This morning I was shocked to find my Merigold had completely collapsed except for the tied one. I took this out and replanted it all along the wall porch to where it was before (after I took it to bits). I planted some Casteroil plants along the remaining part of the wall. I later put the log from  the Sheaoak in where the (1) plant used to be and replanted the edible radishes. I had a cup of coffee and two biscuits at Paddy’s place. I had some chicken soup with Kathy. Mother came back from Miss Borgeur’s place. I then made my money bag for the Opera when along came Kevin O’Tool and Phillip Lound. My room was a mess. I played some things and then went outside to the fish ponds and the mice. They went after about an hour.[266] Kathy and Susanne, next door, played together. I had my hat [?] fixed. K&S read my Magic and Super., book . Later Mark came over till dark and he looked at the book also. He thought my rosary was an ‘idol’ thing to him. I found out that the people at Ovee’s place are Hungarian or Czechoslovakian people. Yes it’s the truth. I rang PC in the morn. I’ll get into trouble for not doing homework. Oh dear. Bye. I just found a baby white mouse crawling under the cupboard – I knew I had missed one. I caught it with difficulty.

13^th of June 1867, Tuesday.  We had two periods then roll call (we had an assembly first period) then after that Scripture. Father Martland came at the beginning of playtime [morning break]. I showed him my book I got and asked him if it was OK to read it – said it should make interesting reading but it’s ‘a bit rough’ or something. He disappeared after that and didn’t turn up for Scripture. However, the day passed at last till 3.20 and off we...... wait a minute...

At lunch time we had to go to the ‘Gents’ dressing room and we had to change into our 16^th century uniforms – it was quite funny actually – my over the shirt-shift thing was a bit too short. At 3.20 we went to the Hall I think we must have almost gone through it twice. During a scene we could watch the main characters. Lynn Tazelaar sat next to me and came so very close to me on two occasions and made a >[267] with a name and phone number. She borrowed my pen and tried to write on her hand but it smudged – so more hysterics. Before when we first began I sat next to a rather tall girl – before I sat there she said, ‘Sit down, I won’t bite you’ and Lynn sat in front of me and we talked even though we were interrupting. Near the end of the rehearsal (about half an hour before FINIS) Mr Neville read out a few complaints ad comments and neat the end he said , ‘There were only three boys who have broken the segregation between the boys’ and girls’ schools, these are bla-bla, bla-bla and Robert Varman. Give them three a clap – everyone clapped wildly and cheered. I was quite startled +. Before at a ‘rest’ for the chorus, Pat and I exchanged smiles, however, my pursuits are in vain – I have ample proof that she likes or loves Malcolm Dunwooodie – how do I know? Firstly, (I) PC found out a bit about her and found out that she loves someone with an unusual name, Malcolm Someone. (II) I noticed that at chorus rests she usually stays up in the wing, however so does Malcolm Dunwoodie and his mob. (III) At the last chorus she is always looking in the direction of Dunwoodie. In (II) she is the only girl at that wing, ‘Myne is a heart of massive rock unmoved by sentimental shock’ (Yeoman of the Guard).[268] Mr Cordaiy came about 9.30 with Stephen and took us all home. After three quarters of an hour I was DEAD with aches, my legs were so sore, it just wasn’t funny (it’s 14-6-67 now). I got home about 10.15 or 10.30. However, the day was rather good all the same. I didn’t come to this conclusion about Pat until I put 2 and 2 together. PC threatened if I didn’t stop talkie walkie with the girlie whirlies he’d tell his mother not to take me home. S-I-C-K. However he regrets saying it and really meant just Lynn Taz (she told me her parents were brains at Maths etc).

13^th of June 1967. TODAY MY GRANDFATHER van BOMMEL DIED IN HOLLAND. DETAILS ARE NOT YET KNOWN. GRANDMOTHER SAID IT WAS NOT LIKELY HE WOULD RECOVER. DOC THOUGHT OTHERWISE.[269]

14^th of June 1967, Wednesday.  I got a note not to do Sport quite nicely today. I am now up to the book of Ruth in the Bible. I found time second period in ART to do it. Mr Hall accepted my not very nicely when he went crook on the other kids +

I found out that (I let Kerry borrow my new Book Supernatural yesterday) for the last two periods yesterday Kerry and Mrs Lindsay and Christopher looked through my Supernatural book. KW says Mrs Lindsay knows so much about witchcraft and said all this came out in the Middle Ages because of suppression of sex. KW told her about my ‘Voodoos’ etc. but he only told me a tiny bit and kept the rest in because he said she spoke (or they discussed) for about one period [?]. I found out more at Lunch time. At 12.45 when the bell rang AFTER a heated religious discussion (I believe that God knows everything past, present and future – I believes he knows already whether we are to go to Heaven or Hell and if PC was to die tomorrow, it would be God’s will)[270] ...we asked Mr Neville if we could go to Room 15, he said Yes. Later we had to get the Tympany, two kettle drums for Mrs Sparks. We did one and returned the seats. Later Mr Neville came up to us all. Kerry went home at 1.30 [with] Frank and Christopher. So PC and I went through the Girls’ school. We met Lynn TAZ, she asked us what we were doing and PC’s partner and the other girl asked us if we were ‘dead’ after last night. We had to go to a hardware store and bought two packets of tacks and so it was done. I was no sooner back when Mrs Holt came in and asked if any of us had a chest measurement of 36 inches and each of [us] said No – so and so has, not I. Anyway I was chosen and off I went to have a chachet [?] thing put on me and she measured my hest – however it was quite small for whoever was to put it on. At last it was time to go. We got our names marked off and we went. We caught a bus, I to South Creek Rd and a 160 from there. Got home at 4.00. When I got home I was shocked to learn my grandfather had died, however, I don’t think the shock has been registered yet to me – mother was very upset. I fed the mice – the babys were all out of the box – the babies are still so tiny towards their mother. I am now doing my homework. P&P are staying for tea. Yes, ‘Oh no – no, it cannot be’.

15^th of June 1967, Thursday.  I just got home from dress rehearsal and it’s 12.15. Had a marve time – yes! Write more tomorrow. I caught a Special 160 at South Creek Rd and went home. I fed the mice and the birds and then packed my costume for the dress rehearsal. I packed everything in my school case. Father went crook on me because I didn’t do my homework. After a rushed dinner, mother brought PC and I to the rehearsal – we were a bit late so we quickly changed. Mrs Mediati and Mrs Lindsay put our make-up on. I think I must have been a Guinea pig as Miss Matthew was constantly looking and other at how I was being made up. This time I looked like a Red Indian in ordinary light. I had Pat rush out the door and say, ‘Oh excuse me’ etc. However the focus again went on Lynn Taz. Let me get it straight, I just like her as a friend and am not in love with her or anything like it.[271] The whole thing went off like clockwork, only the last tiny bit at the end had to be repeated. The orchestra was a mess. I had to blow my nose and Mignon told me all my make up had come off and the tall girl with the red hair also told me the same. Mr Cordaiy came at 11.30. We finished at 10 to 12. I read the paper and ate a packet of chips. Went to sleep at about 1.00.

16^th of June 1967, Friday.  I was awoken by my darling sister at 6.00, she was pretending to be a ghost. I could have murdered her  - but was too helpless to get out of bed. At long last at 9.30 I got dressed in my school pants, my orange shirt and my jumper. At 10 to 10 I left here but soon returned to lock Lassie inside. Kathy went to school at 9.00. I was surprised—to see Pat sitting on the fence near the bus stop so I said Hello and sat next to her and we talked about the Opera etc. Soon the  single decker came and I asked if she minded if I sat next to her, she said of course not. And on we talked about everything, mainly strange teachers, she even used the word sex. However we got off at South Creek Road and soon a double decker came and we spoke this time of people going together in the Opera. She told me what Gail Thompson said to her. Gail Thompson asked her if she knew me etc. Gail Thompson said I was a creep. That’s all I got out of Pat on that matter – then we spoke about going out – she told me her brother wasn’t interested in girls etc., and that in that matter was a bit of a nut or unusual? I asked her about if she knew anything about the girls contacting spirits. I told her I used to do it practically every second Sunday. I asked her if she knew my cousin Laurie Koevoets. She said, ‘Oh, is she your cousin, I didn’t know’ etc. I forgot to ask her what she is like at school. She told me when she first put her arm around Paul Doherty he jumped (she didn’t expect it at all). I said I think we’re all like that at first but you soon get used to it. All this was most exciting. When we got off the bus we parted and didn’t really say much for the rest of the day. This is when Lynn, or Elizabeth, came along and she stayed with me every single opportunity for the rest of the day. We went over to where PC was sitting. The Third Years (Girls) came in and I saw Kerrie [Leslie?][272] ....At long last she said that she thinks she is ....because her girlfriend Frances was just standing there once when along came Mary [?].... Also she said at basket ball or squash or something ....but that’s what she said.

Other classes from the boys’ school came at lunch time. Anke de Reuver and other girls... Mignon Cochrane and another long haired girl (black) delicate girl and they had a seance in the boy’s dressing shed trying to get ‘Richy’, later they did it on the floor of the Hall. I was tempted to try but I just sat there. Lynn, PC and I just walked about and mucked about at lunch. We really began rehearsing and Lynn gave us two Milkos each, she went at 3.00 with a ‘Bye’. I had quite a bit of conversation with other girls. The Opera aught to be a real success. Mr Neville grew very emotional during the very end of the rehearsal and thanked every one etc.  So everyone went. I had to wait at SK Rd for 25 minutes. Yes! We had Chinese dinner for tea. PC is getting a bit on my nearves sometimes. He is always trying to make me look queer in front of girls – or telling his father half truths about me to make me look quite mad. ---

17^th of June 1967, Saturday. Rose of St Mary.  Today was a rather boring day. It began by being very cold. I did nothing else than read till 12.00. I rang up PC to ask him to come down but he couldn’t. I later rang up Hady to see if she was coming to the Opera. I don’t know whether I can go to Communion tomorrow or not. I’ll have to think. Parents went to Dural [to visit the Kooks]. Kathy stayed home. I had veggies and meatballs and made Kathy some soup. I flashed [?] the rest. I fed the mice and birds and fixed a few wind boards to stop the wind from coming in. I decided to begin a series of pictures on the life of St Rose of Lima in pen. I completed the first after dinner (we had soup). She had such a wonderful holy life + Paddy and Peter came to play cards at 7.00 and Peter [gave me a] test. I put [273], triangle = ambition, o = friends, square = security, ‘s’ = love etc. You have to put one of them three times and all in order of importance to your knowledge – you are not told what they are [signify]. Lassie is moving her two front paws vigorously to the beat of the music (radio). That’s all really.

18^th of June 1967, Sunday.  On the way to church I [saw] Patricia in her home looking out of the window—I had Holy Communion as I have not yet committed a mortal sin, however I will go to confession next Saturday if I’m not too busy. Father Martland served Mass.  I went to the chemist in mother’s car and had the last set of black and white developed and bought a new roll of film. We then went to the chemist in DY after going to the Plat West chemist but it was closed – went back to Augusta but it had closed too. At the chemist there [DY] mother had to wait five minutes so I took Kathy with me and took a picture of the old house.[274] We arrived at Tante Miep’s place and both uncle and aunt were sick, however they got around quite nicely. I took a picture of their house and one of their 300 year old clock.[275] We left at 12.00 and went to Tante Nieke’s house. H and L were there, Hady was on the phone for an hour. Laurie told me that Lynn was thought of as a dag, ‘but don’t let that worry you’.[276]  Found out that it is true that ---[277] comes to school with love bites on her neck. We left at about 2.00. Got costume ready. Mr and Mrs Jager here, I found out Mr Jager can’t read or write – how unusual. Bye from Roving Reporter.

19^th of June 1967, Monday. PC and I went to his place after school to pack his bags and after a lot of argument (his mother said that he was leaving school next week) we caught the 160 (Girls) to the Plateau. When we arrived we got everything ready. Had such a rushed tea and left. I was greeted with a Hi and a why are you so late from the other nun. We got dressed and had make-up put on us in five stages, even our hands were made up. After that I went outside to see if I could see Laurie – I did, she wore a green dress. Pat twice. Pat on a lot of nonsense, however I don’t know what it implied. Later on in the Art Room we were being mad and I was chasing her and another girl with paint. Later I found Lynn Tazelaar and PC and I  and all talked away. She told us a dirty joke and repeated it, I just listen to it to be in it (which I regret). I then spoke to her near the door of Room 16 while she was speaking to the two girls with glasses. I eventually asked the smaller one if she attended Narrabeen Infants [Ocean Street] – she said Yes to my surprise. I asked her if she was in Miss Poxon’s[278] class – she said Yes and she said that my name was familiar and we spoke about kids in our class. I eventually said that at the time I could hardly speak English and that I came from Holland. She said that I had a cultured voice - said a few times that she liked my voice (her name is Ruth).[279] She hates some of the voices of the kids in the choir – then the other girl (she lives on the Plateau) said, do I know a family called Coronel [Colonel more likely]. I said Yes, so she said she had learned a few words in Dutch – example, ‘dag = bye etc. I was told that she has travelled all over the world and she asked me if I had been to England. I said No. Ruth told me a bit about herself. They had to go then and have their make-up put on. I said a few words to Cousin and later we were summoned on stage. I wasn’t really at all nervous. We were on at last. The orchestra weren’t too good, the Yeomen went flat and the trumpet wnet bubbly. ‘Here’s a Man of Jollity’ went OK – had a bit of trouble putting his arm around Mignon. The ‘Prisoners’ Comes’ went OK, I couldn’t get on first step. Intermission I spent with Lynn and later outside on the porch by ourselves by a space of ten feet – we covered all subjects. Before that had a small chat with Ruth again. Later Lynn and I went into the ‘Smooch Room’ we had a lot of fun there with a large lantern – Last chorus was good. We got four curtains or five. There were quite a few encores. After waiting with Lynn and PC, we left after the audience had gone and I quickly got dressed and Paddy and Peter took us home. Two of four tickets used on the night of the Opera, Paddy and Peter and the Deardens.[280]

20^th of June 1967, Tuesday.  Hello, I’m home. It’s 6.22. I haven’t done anything yet. Bye. I got dressed as soon as I arrived and played cards with a whole lot of girls, I was the only boy. Ruth and her sisters were there. We played snap of all things, before that they played poker and other such – they then played Old Maid. I was a drum [?] old maid at one time (that’s when you pick out the other person’s card, you can only throw away pairs. Later the girls had to be made-up. Denise Kelly is an atheist, I was shocked to learn. I managed to play cards until it was time for the Opera to begin. Here are my cues: [281]

Everything went off perfectly and in the Smooch Room Lynn was leaning her head against mine. We had quite a hysterical time during the end when we had to wait for the audience to clear away. Everything turned out quite OK. I spent most of the time with Lynn – we must be getting sick of each other. I gave her a lend of my rosary beads {for her part as a nun]. She told me that she always runs out into the street when she sees my father’s truck go by, hoping to see me.[282] She asked me if I still liked Pat. I said No, not after all that gossip, how could any friendship remain after all those rumours.[283] She then said, ‘Who do you like now?’ I said, ‘Oh someone else and I’m not going to tell you anything as I haven’t told PC either – because if I tell you the whole school will know about it the very next day - I learned my lesson when I merely mentioned Pat to him when next morning Pat knew’. She laughed and said, ‘Is it me’. I said, ‘No! of course it isn’t and I’m not telling you who it is. Anyway you’ve got about ten boyfriends chasing you about the place’. She said, ‘No I haven’t, I’ve only got B’. Really she only has one, however, I’m not even going to write down the name of the new someone etc. PC reads this more than I.[284] I refused to recognize openly that John Harding was there – he got so ‘angry’ – he tried to be ambiguous in mentioning that I knew him. Mother took us home.

21^st of June 1967, Wednesday.  I got out of bed at 7.40, got dressed etc.,etc. and got a letter to go home half day – this was not necessary as Mr Neville allowed the choir to leave at 12.00 anyway.[285] We had a Maths test, I didn’t do it properly as I was so excited about going home half day.

At 12.00 I left and walked to Powderworks Road. Near the [corner] garage a person’s motor scooter fell over, not entirely but stupidly I ignored most of it as it wasn’t bad at all, however I am truly sorry for not doing something; not that anything could really have been done but just ignored it mostly. Ohhhhh.[286] Along came a bus and I got off at SK Rd. Father was there in his truck and took me home. I had two fried eggs. Mother went shopping. Father gave me the car flaps for the wheels [mud guards]. I paid $2. I went to the shops and collected my film, eight [shots] worked but I’m very pleased. I also bought three bulbs for 12 cents each! Batteries cost 41 cents each. I also bought a new packet of film.  Bell ringing at Plateau West [school] now this minute. 25 past 3. Kathy just got home and I took her picture but I moved!

MOTHER’S BIRTHDAY, 21^st of June 1967. Mother is getting: a large box of chocolates, a car mirror, a car wheel thing (flap), a beautiful real stone? bracelet – it is made from a bluish stone, and a keyring for her car. She got a nightie from P&P. (THIS IS THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR). It’s 10 to 4 and we are about to give mother her presents. We have already eaten our traditional eclairs. Paddy and Peter stayed fro tea, we had delicious Indonesian dinner – we had about five different dishes plus dessert. They stayed to talk, that’s about all that happened. Mother got a birthday wish from my Rhodesian uncle (he sent his family to England) then they all went to Germany, now he is in the Philippines – his wife will soon join him – Mother’s brother Jan [van Bommel].[287]

22^nd of June 1967, Thursday.  [---] = my make-up.[288] ‘Well today is the day, I’m at RV’s for tea, then to the opera. Bye. PC. Zoo’.

We were allowed to leave after last recess because Mr Cocking was away. PC went to my place and we had Indonesian dinner left over from yesterday. TICKET (LEFT) from one of my parents. Ruth Ward played a game called moat or something, you use the men [pawns] and the king of the Chess game. I played cards with Ruth’s friend and some other boys. PC didn’t play, he was having raving nothing secrets with Lynn Taz, she burst into wild hysterics [laughter] – they did this in a dark art room. I was very annoyed however! It rained quite heavily and a girl I know slipped over in the rain, it was all Ruth’s fault, so she said. As far as I know we went alright, however, during intermission Mr Neville came up and he was furious, he wanted us to sing much louder. Lynn, PC and I were all stupid and ambiguous again, Lynn burst out into hysterics as always. I didn’t see much of either till about 10 minutes before the last Girls’ chorus and sat with Lynn in the Smooch Room. I sat on a place where I knew she couldn’t sit near me because I don’t know what PC said to her. My wife introduced herself by saying, ‘I’m your wife’, I replied, ‘I know, I’m your husband’. Peter Hall came in and talked a bit to us. I commented to Lynn that the name Devonport was marvellous (she had a headache).

The end chorus tuned out marve. Mr Neville did not turn up to say something. Lynn came down to talk as usual . I also had a small talk with Leonie Gill, she began. I rushed over in the rain with Lynn after getting my rosary back. I got dressed and rushed back to the hall, I left my cap somewhere. In the rain we managed to reach the car (mother’s). Mr and Mrs Van de Ven had already gone. Mother was perfectly delighted with the whole affair. I cleaned mself as soon as I got home. It was very kefufenating.[289]

23^rd of June 1967, Friday.  Father drove me to school and there was an awful lot of trouble over that truck etc. I went home with PC at 2.20 and walked to the sheltered bus stop, a bus stopped and we got on. PC forgot his folder so the bus had to stop and he had to get off and get it. I went to South Creek bus stop and there I had my hair cut, it was so, so, so long, however the cut wasn’t so bad. Father came to South Cr Rd and I got home early. Mother had already gone to collect me. Tante Nike gave mother a pot-putter-on-er [pot coaster], she made herself. on the door.[290] That’s all that happened that day.

YEOMEN OF THE GUARD (was borrowed from Mrs Holt this day).

LADIES OF THE CHORUS: Penelope Baker, Mignon Cochrane, Colleen Colville, Stephanie Davenport, Lyndel Deane, Lyndall Flew, Pamela Grundy, Ann Jordan, Kerrie Leslie, Denise Kelly, Patricia Lester, Susan Lindsay, Christine McIntosh, Margaret Mead, Marieke Mom, Margaret van der Muelen, Susan Murphy, Gail Norris, Marylin O’Toole, Ankje de Reuver, Suzanne Ross, Merrilyn Sawyer, Leslie Sherrin, Carol Shirley, Janet Sowinsky, Lynn Tazelaar, Lynette Thorp, Kathleen Ward, Ruth Ward, Judie Williams.

DIALOGUE: Shirley Holt [‘Aunt Shirl’].

MEN’S CHORUS: Stuart Adamson, Richard Black, Phillip Corday [sic], Robert Davidson, Malcolm Dunwoodie, Geoffrey Etherington, Phillip Gare, Alan Gilbert, Peter Haberle, Philip Hobson, Ian Horton, Bruce Mundle, Jo Polito, Jeffrey Rowlinson, Anthony Smith, Paul Stevens, Mark Tandy, Robert Varman, Robert Wadell, Gregory Woon.

STARS (not all students): Robyn Crighton (Elsie May Ward - a strolling minstrel); Nicola Lewis (Phoebe Meryll); George Osborne (Wilfred Shadbolt – head gaoler), Peter Haylen (Jack Point – strolling jester); Ross Williams (Sergeant Meryll); Leonie Gill (Dame Carruther’s niece), Peter McMahon (Colonel Fairfax); Peter Hall (Leonard Meryll), Stuart Main (Sir Richard Cholmondely). [Don Neville was producer, director etc., etc].

24^th of June 1967, Saturday.  PC is unable to come as usual. I spent today trying to listen to records and pasting these pictures in the book,. I’ve got an awful cold. I’m goping to Confession this arvo, that’s in about one hour between 10-11, 4-6 and 7.15-8 o’clock. I have already made out my confessional roll. Father stayed home, lots of trouble with him annoyed by me playing the record too hard[291] etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.  I went to confession and confessed everything. The Priest told me that I needn’t tell him such tiny things as I told him - he talked on for about 5 minutes asking me questions etc. I must have been there for about a quarter of an hour. Mother stayed in the car all the time. I took a picture of the church [St Kevin’s] before I went in. Visitors are coming tonight.

25^th of June 1967, Sunday.  I woke up at about 8.20 or 8.15 which is the record for sleeping. I got dressed and mother took us to 9.00 Mass. Kathy said she didn’t want to go but she decided to go last minute. We sat next to Tante Miep and I was so surprised that we sand lots of hymns from a hymn book, we sang at least four and some I remember from years ago.[292] I had Communion and I felt so enlightened at the end. Mother waited all the time [in her car]. It was the older priest that served Mass.  I read all the papers at about 10 – 11. Mark came over briefly. I fed the mice. I had la spagett and meatballs. After that I read a bit more. I have the most awful cold. Last night the guests stayed till 11.30 according to my clock. Tante Miep and Oom Laurent were so jolly. At 3.30 the Kooks arrived with Tilly. Kathy was next door at the time. Kath and Tilly went on quite nicely. I went to my garden and took out every plant in Section G(B) including the – plant and the two thing trees and all the good soil and put them in boxes etc. I will build a pond there. The Kooks stayed for tea. Tilly and I played music on the piano, she played my records.[293] Mother spoke to Mrs Cordaiy on [the] phone. Everything planned, hope I’m better tomorrow.

26^th of June 1967, Monday.  After school I went to Phillip’s place on his bus. After PC showed her (Mrs  Cordaiy) his report on demand (he had been keeping it away from his mother) we had meat, vegies etc. and whatsie [pavlova] for dessert. Helen was neutral that day. 

At the Music Block and nothing much. Lynn T^az taught me to play ‘nuckles’ – she ended up with the sorest. Lynn Taz was with us nearly all night first I sat on the balcony [front entrance to the Hall] and PC said, ‘I’ll leave you two at it’. We were both shocked. Later she started getting punchy and threw a few punches. Later still we had a wrestle and I thought if I back into the wall I would have a better chance. She was all over me when a girl came out of the door and seeing us she got all frenzied and said, ‘Oh excuse me’ and ran off. She thought we must have been violently hugging and kissing.[294] Everything went rather OK. I had a game of cards with a girl in the dark room. I was all shakey during the last chorus because I was in a draught. Mr Neville said it was the BEST PERFORMANCE yet. Mrs Holt said [it was’ best she ever heard (I don’t know in what sense though). Mrs Cordaiy drove us home. I forgot to thank Mrs Cordaiy. Bye.

27^th of June 1967, Tuesday. All we ever seem to talk about in Scripture is ‘the pill’ etc. After today’s lesson there was so much stupidity going on that I felt depressed for the rest of the day and almost vowed never to go to Father Martland’s ‘lessons’ again. PC and I caught the Special SC Rd bus, he was annoyed by Cody, Michael Fisher and Maarten.[295] We got to my place and played piano, mice, chores etc. We had a simple dinner. We nearly hit the car with Taz, Pat and the English girl in it.

We got dressed and were made up. We found Room 15. PC nd I showed off a but until we found out lots of people with hidden talent. I got to now a few people – that’s how I spent the rest of the evening. Once up on stage I had quite a long talk with Ruth Ward whilst Lyne Taz was playing up. The rest of the night turned out OK but Mr Jennaway said he thought it was the best night yet. At the end (the audience found the funny parts Jack Point so hilarious [that] when he appeared for the very sad part half the audience laughed hilariously until all of a sudden they stopped when [they] noticed it was a serious part. We all felt personally insulted. Lynn and I jumped over the balcony and she offered to race me, I declined. Bye.

28^th of June 1967, Wednesday.  I woke up dead this morning but I made it (catching the bus). Nothing much happened, only I forgot my note to go at lunch. Not to worry, though Mr Hall let me go without a word of fuss or suspicion. At 12.00 mother was there waiting for me (there is a three hour bus strike). When I got home I read mother’s new gardening book while eating tomato soup and toast. Mother left for the Augusta Shops and I dug the pond to be hole much deeper to the yellow soil part. I then went inside to do nothing. PC is at the orthodontist. Mother is at Mrs van Calkar’s caravan or house? I’m a bit bored now.

29^th of June 1967, Tuesday.  I just got home, it’s 2.15 the next morning os it’s really the 30^th of June 1967. I’ll drink tea, read the paper and oinkpoo (sleep). Here’s what happened on thois date. PC came for tea.

Once at the place (school) I had to sign about 20 or so programmes and two pillows. Then got dressed and spent the rest of the time in the Music Room except for a time when I went out to speak to Lynn (she accidentally broke my rosary [the huge one] – it just fell apart – into two pieces. It took such a long time to get made up. I had a talk with Leslie Sherrin and ended up her asking me if I wanted a lift home with them (as I told her Mrs Cordaiy was taking us home at 12.00). I sat near Ruth Ward and we had quite a long discussion leaning over poor PC. She told me what time she was going and everything. She told me where she goes out etc., etc. She drinks alcohol at parties - she confessed that she has too much sometimes. I told her about my experience at Hady’s place. Everything went OK. After that I played cards with a group of kids including Ethel[296] and Lynn. I won’t say what she was doing before with her foot. Stuart Adamson[297] (my cousin Laurie has always had a soft spot for him) sort of asked me how my cousin was. He described her as, ‘That sexy red head next door’ and said she’s nice isn’t she – Hady’s also nice (Lynn doesn’t like Hady and feels sorry for poor Kjell because Hady mucks around with other kids as well).[298]

I got around the other side in time for ‘Here’s a Man of Jollity’ for the last time. After that I played cards with those kids again, the name is ‘Cheat’, before [that] it was ‘Twenty One’  - you had to get cards that add up to twenty one points. . I asked Pat what book she was reading and she told me and what it was about and the funny parts in it. At last “The Finale’ when it ended. Before my wife asked me what her hat was like (was OK). When the second curtain closed streamers were being passed about secretly while the curtain was being opened and closed. When the curtain was closed for a minute longer than the rest people started stomping [their feet] and clapping with all fury. Then the audience threw streamers at us and then when it was time  we threw ours as were told.

Every girl burst into tears, some were sobbing like fury, except Ruth, she said that she didn’t feel at all very sad. She did know what there was to cry about. Oh, and Lynn, she said from the beginning that she wasn’t going to cry. It was now time for pictures to be taken, so while soloists had their picture taken I found it a good time to speak to Ruth and we talked and talked during each time. She loves the Blues. I told her I hate jazz etc. She always looks so interested in what I have to say and sort of huddles up close – we sat on the floor most of the time. It was 12.40 when we got dressed. PC rushed off and went home with his father. I went to the place and there were four tables filled with cakes and all sorts of things. I have never seen so many things at one party. I had the most hysterical time with Lynn. We felt sick after the first bottle of pop and piece of cake but on we ate. I also managed to say hello to Ruth./ She told me it was the first time she had drunk that fiz for two years – since she started drinking beer. Mr Neville gave the most emotional speech out (I saw his wife, she is very marve) and told us something like this would never ever happen to us again not even if we joined an opera company. He said we would never meet such a group. He would never have a group so co-operative. Meanwhile Lynn Tazelaar said she had to go so badly to the toilet and Mr Neville went on and on.

Before Lynn was gathering lollies and other things and put them in a tea towel. Also when I ate a piece of the cake and commented how lovely and Dutch it was – she burst into fits of laughter proclaiming it to be hers. I was so surprised. At the end of the party nearly everything was still left and a girl with dark hair cut the cake. Mrs Lindsay and other teachers – Mrs Holt - made speeches. She said [Mrs L] she had never enjoyed more being useless before but she thoroughly enjoyed being useless in this Opera. Everyone got a present – the chorus got Fred Bears as presents (chocolates). The cake was a huge square yard orange or lemon cake, everyone took a piece, it was from Mr Johnman. It was 2.05 at the time we wee about to leave. I didn’t really get introduced to Mrs Sherrin and so Mrs S, Leslie, Pat, Lynn and myself walked towards the old Holden and I sat in the back sandwiched between Lynn and Pat. Off we went. I asked Lynn to give me a piece of her cake and she did. So there I was holding a piece of Mrs Johnman’s congratulations cake and two pieces of gingerbread cake having brief and long conversations on the way home. Up the hill the old Holden chugged slowly[299] - when the motor stopped. We jerked down too get drive way [ie a bit of a run] with Lynn Taz bursting with suppressed laughter... which I caught from her. I had to keep it in all the time. We eventually got away. Leslie told us to stop laughing. Lynn told me of her dog’s habits. She was very amusing and funny all evening and nice. I think she was sad the whole thig was over. (ONE THING I FORGOT TO MENTION _ WE SANG A BRAVO BRAVISSIMO at the end of Nev’s speech). When Pat got out at her stop I decided to get out too and said goodbye to everyone and thank you and Pat said a see you later and we were all off. I walked up my street, there is a lamp near the Calnon’s place now too and [I] disappeared from the car’s light. I got home, said hello to Lassie made a cup and got undressed, washed and read the paper. I turned out the light to go to sleep at 2.55 and dropped off asleep at 3.00.

30^th June 1967, Friday.  I was woken up by Kath at about 7.50. I was a complete vegetable for the next 15 minutes. I couldn’t do a thing. I eventually got out and just sat and was in a Ruth daze – blues type of mood. I listened to the radio and read!, that’s the story of today -- well, that’s the type of mood I’ve been in all day. At 4.00 I found to my sorrow that all the baby mice escaped from their cage. I could only find  five alive, two I found dead (one of them was squashed, the other drowned , I think.? I found it on the path to Peter’s toilet, it’s so sad, ‘the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away’. Mother was away at work. I was all alone and I’m glads. Got two phone calls from PC. I’m so sorry that the whole thing is finished. Mr Johnman gave the choir the day off (I hope). Pat said if she were to come to school today and see them demolish the Tower of London [opera prop] she would collapse with sorrow and remorse and just sob her eyes out. It’s now about 6.00 and I’m so sleepy. Oh. Oh. (Ruth once held a party till 8.00 in the morning, other times she came home at 4.00, now the regulation [time] is 2.30, I think).

1^st of July 1967, Saturday.  Grandma Dearden [nee Baskerville] is slowly ebbing away. Paddy and Peter went to visit her last night, she is 94 years old. She spoke with P&P for about an hour and was pleased with Kathy’s results and wished us all well. Paddy said it was the first time she had ever heard her mention her husband (John) about the Strikes......