1964.
Kergunyah South, Victoria, Australia.
Wednesday 1 January
This morning I slept in. I dressed in a red and white
play suit. I had Weet-bix and apricots for breakfast. By
that time it was 8.22. After this I picked some apricots.
After dinner we went swimming in the Kiewa river and Dad,
Mum and Guy went fishing.
Saturday 4 Jan.
Today Geoff came up. He is a Legacy boy from Melbourne.
We went swimming as usual and I found he is a very good
swimmer. Allan and Irene's wedding was today. Mum sent a
Telegram to them. The dinner was held in the Gala,
Albury.
Sunday 5 Jan.
This morning we tipped some water on Geoff and Guy. I had
breakfast and after this I went up to the dairy. Gilbert
came to see if Mum could play tennis at Mt.Beauty. She
said "Yes". After Gilbert had gone, I fed the kangaroo.
We went swimming. While we were in the water, others
came, then Gilbert with Mum and also Manfred.
Monday 6 Jan.
This morning Guy squirted us with his water pistol to
wake us up.We went to the pictures at the Drive-in in
Wodonga, to see a comic strip, the news, then "Touch and
Go." After this was "Carry on Regardless."
Monday 13 Jan.
Again we had a small water fight. We went swimming fairly
late in the afternoon. We went to our neighbours and two
girls were there. June could play the accordian very
well. We went around to Bruce and Jill's where aunty
Dulcie and uncle Jack were. My cat, "Bright-eyes,"
brought home a rabbit. We rode "Baby" today. She should
of had a foal.
Friday 17 Jan.
Today we went up to the back with Wayne and followed the
creek until we came to the scout's camp. I was bitten by
a bull ant. We caught a possum, then let it go. When we
arrived home we went swimming, but did not stay for long
as the water was cold.
Saturday 18 Jan.
This morning I woke fairly early. Before dinner we went
into Albury to take Geoff back. We went to the Albury
Botanical gardens and then went to the station to put
Geoff on the train. We went to get some groceries, then
went home.
Thursday 30 Jan.
We played cards a lot. I made a dress for my doll. I
stayed at the house while the rest went to the dairy. Dad
is still dozing. It was 100 degrees today.
Tuesday 4 Feb.
Everybody thought that we went back on the sixth but we
found out that we had to go back to school today. It is
horrible at Kiewa Valley Consolidated School. A girl,
Eileen, isn't too bad, but I reckon it's a stupid school.
Kergunyah South Primary School is much better. We went
swimming for it was very hot.
Wednesday 5 Feb.
I saw Laurel and Rowan and George and Colin going to
Kergunyah South Primary School as we went past on the
bus. I got a letter from Trixie in Wodonga today.
Thursday 6 Feb.
Today there was a storm. The lights went out and we had
to have Beryl's birthday by candlelight. She is 6. It was
fairly hot in the morning but it cooled off in the
afternoon.
Saturday 15 Feb.
I purked up two times today. I smelt some Vicks. Bruce
and Jill came around for a while. Gail put on her skates.
I dreamed the horrible dream about the smooth road
turning into a bumpy road and had to wake up and go to
Dad.
Sunday 16 Feb.
I had to stay in bed all day today. Dad said if I was
worse tomorrow he would take me to the doctor. A quiz
starts on 2AY tomorrow and a new story. Guy caught a trout
downstream in our "Cherry Tree" creek.
Saturday 22 Feb.
I was going to listen to the top twenty but Dad stopped
me and said he wanted to have a sleep. So I missed that.
I went up to the dairy with Dad, Evon, Gail, Beryl and
Lance. I had to mind him. I was in a bad temper. It
rained.
Wednesday 26.Feb.
I got two stamps today. Evon's friend Gail came back from
her holiday. Dick brought Pam's baby over. Lorraine and
her baby came up. Dad has been working over at our
neighbours. My light bulb was blown.
Thursday 27 Feb.
I had to run from home to the corner to catch the bus.
"The Avenger" on the wireless ended tonight. The kids
went swimming who were picked to see if they're good
enough to go in the sports.
Monday 2 March.
I got some stamps today. I brought home a "Billabong"
book. I went to the book stall to get a book. The kids
went and got some oranges off the tree, when they took
Dad some water.
Tuesday 3.March.
Lloyd got the strap. I had an ice-cream. Janice's sister
lost a valuable ring in the pool. Poor kid. The others
are to look for it. Today was Joyce's birthday and
Trixies.
"Love me do" was the top in the P.J. top 8.
Wednesday 4 March.
We had the 'Biscuit tin' for a bus. We ran over a snake.
Kathleen is going to bring some comics as I gave her one
to read.
Monday 9 March.
Evon's birthday was today. She is 13. She got a writing
pad, envelopes, 3 hankies and other little odds and ends.
We went rabbit shooting around at Jill's. Got 2 rabbits.
A new young lady teacher came. She is nice.
Wednesday 18 March.
We had library period. I am the girl boss. Patrick is the
boy. I got a book called "Five on Kirrin island
again."
Thursday 19 March.
I had hiccups today. I got a book called "Five go
adventuring again."
Thursday 26 March.
We broke up today and came home at 2 o'clock. We killed a
pig. Dad finished my third arrow. I got 10 for each
subject. I had to be a runner with Margaret for the
Principal. We had to deliver some papers.
Friday 27 March.
Some people wanting an old bomb car came up, about four
dogs and a girl. All gorky. We went down the road and got
some watermelons. I had a lot of goes on my bow and
arrow.
Tuesday 31. March.
I had my hair cut rather short today. We went over to our
new neighbours next door and met the kids. They aren't
too bad. They have a swing. Rosie (8) is the oldest, then
Florence, then Judy, then Coral, then John and last of
all the twins. Carl works for them.
Monday 6 April.
I broke my longest fingernail off. A lot of kids want
some chestnuts. This morning our new neighbour came and
got some of his bread. The delivery man had left it in
our big bread box. I had the hiccups today.
Tuesday 7 April.
We had sewing. Margaret was selling pomegranates for
sixpence. I'm going to sell chestnuts. Our new neighbours
came for milk.
Wednesday 22 April.
We found "Lassie" and her pups under her house. There was
about seven of them but we only kept three. The tabby
kitten came in and I was nursing it when it jumped into
the fire and climbed a little way up the chimney. It was
not hurt. Gail broke a rotten egg under the house.
Saturday 2 May.
We tried selling some mushrooms by the road but we didn't
sell any. We heard the Beatles talk on the wireless. They
are real gruff.
Sunday 3 May.
We went to Sunday school. After dinner, we went around to
Bruce's. I found a halfpenny which was bent.
Sunday 10 May.
We went mushrooming, but didn't get many. The ones we did
get had maggots on them. I had a headache.
Friday 5 June.
We had a weekly test. I beat Margaret by half a mark. Our
teacher told us about the eclipse which falls on the 10th
of June.
Saturday 6 June.
Bruno brought some film star pictures and gave us some.
We played table tennis a bit. I made a thing that you can
cart water with, out of a bit of stick, some string and
tins. I cleared the puddle of water away from the front
of the driveway
Monday 15 June.
We went to the "Back to Kergunyah" day. I won a race and
came second. I got two bags of lollies. There were a lot
of people there. Evon might have her picture of the lamb,
herself and one of the old teachers in the "Border"
newspaper tomorrow.
Tuesday 30 June.
Dad played the mouth organ a lot after tea. We put the
cow in the crate and put a tarp over it. We found that the
dogs were from over the hill.
Saturday 4 July.
We went to football to play Dederang. Kergunyah won. I
measured myself. I am 4ft 8ins tall.
Monday 13 July.
For the first time I bought my lunch at the school
canteen. I had a pie, one 6d icecream and a 3d one, as
well as an orange, which I kept for the bus. The river was
in flood and so were all the swamps. There was a storm
around tea time. Dad got me my new coloring pencils.
Wednesday 15 July.
I got 8 for my health book. I had a pain in my belly
today. I got a letter from Frank. I wrote him and Jan and
Rowan a note. Next doors have got T.V.
Monday 27 July.
We went over to see T.V. It ended at about 10 o'clock. We
saw Lucy Ball, Ben Casey and The Untouchables. We have
our oral test on Health tomorrow and our horticulture
books are taken up.
Thursday 6 August.
I got 8 and a half for Health questions. Robyn was not at
school. I am going up to her place over the weekend. Us
girls sit up the back of the bus, now. There is Lorrie,
Evon, Rhonda, Monica and me.
Wednesday 19 August.
Sandra brought me an apple. We have to have a C team now.
Dianne and Kathryn had to pick the girls. I am not in it.
Robyn wasn't at school.
Wednesday 26 August.
Today is my 11th birthday. I got some lollies from Gail,
a few drawings and things from Beryl and Rosey. I also
got a saucer from Beryl. We had a good party. I went over
with mum to take the kids back. I got 8 for Art.
Monday 7 Sep.
I pulled my tooth out. We went over to watch T.V. We had
a look at Channel 4. Today was mum's birthday. Next doors
came over and we had a party. Bruno, Carl and Guy went up
to the waterfalls.
Sunday 13 Sep.
Peter went back today. We took him back. He has a record
player. He can play the guitar a bit. "Time for Mystery"
was on tonight. We went and saw our old next door
neighbours. They have T.V.
Wednesday 16 Sep.
We had Religious Instructions. Mum, Gail and Lance went
into Albury. I got a "Bertie Beetle." Peter gave me a
note. Robyn tried to get it off me, but after I had read
it, I ripped it up so she couldn't see it.
Saturday 26 Sep.
Mum and me went for a walk to see if we could shoot any
rabbits. We didn't get any. I saw a black snake. We saw
'Brighteyes' too. When the others were rabbiting, I
stayed home and Bruce and Jill came around and gave us
some meat.
We wore our playsuits as it was hot. I sunbaked a
lot.
Tuesday 29 Sep.
We had sewing today. Our sewing teacher gave me some
scraps of material to make doll's clothes with. I play
with Jeanette now. Evon had cookery.
Monday 5 Oct.
We had the 'Biscuit Tin' for a bus. I had to go up to the
dairy. I plaited two skipping ropes, from bailing twine. We
had high jump today.
Thursday 8 Oct.
I found out that I got 9 for reading comprehension and 8
and a half for English. After tea, I had a bath. Us girls
are not having high jumps, but goal throwing instead. Mum
brought some apples and oranges off a man who goes around
selling fruit.
Thursday 15 Oct.
Barbara gave us some real nice dresses that fit Evon. I
made some doll's dresses. I got 9 for poetry. Garbi was
the only one that got 10. Our teacher read my composition
in front of the class. He wrote excellent on it. It was
about a conversation between two cats. Guy sorted out his
money collection.
Friday 23 Oct.
Evon's friend Gail came up from Tangambalanga. Dad has
gone forage harvesting and didn't come home. I had to go
up to the dairy. Gail had some lollies. I slept with
mum.
Saturday 24 Oct.
We heard on the wireless the ending of the Olympic games.
We went over to see the baby and get some oranges. Gail,
Evon and I went up and let the rabbit go up the hill. We
saw some kangaroos. Guy caught a trout and a yabby.
Tuesday 3 Nov.
Evon and I went round the cows again before school. The
Melbourne Cup was on. "Polo Prince" won. I brought my
apron home and tacked some hems on it. We had sports. We
caught "King" and tied him up.
Thursday 5 Nov
Our sports were held today. Bogong won, Murray came
second, Kiewa came third and Hume came last. Kaylene and
Sam got the award. Bogong won the marching. We were on
T.V. Peter took my photo and gave me 4 bubble gums. Mum
came down. I got some lollies and took a soft drink
home.
Saturday 7 Nov.
We had a barbecue at next doors. We watched T.V. for a
while, but soon had to go home. The new bulk tank was put
in. It is a "Sunset" brand. I made a few doll's dresses.
We played in the treehouse.
Wednesday 11 Nov.
Today was Guy's birthday. He got a lot of presents. I
bought rissoles for my lunch. Today was Remembrance Day.
The Principal wanted to have a talk with Dianne and I
about staying at Kiewa Consolidated School. He wanted us
to go to Tallangatta High School.
Tuesday 17 Nov.
I got one shilling and 6d for my tooth. Dad brought home
some "Minties." Evon has to sit down the front and Rhonda
sat with me. Kaylene gave me a jellybean. Pat is getting
me 7 bubblegums for Gail.
Saturday 21 Nov.
Bruce came around to help dad. Dad started bailing hay at
next doors. Guy went over to watch T.V. The turkey died
and now we only have one. We watched the milkman empty
the bulk tank.
Sunday 22 Nov.
We listened to "Time for Mystery." I went up to the
dairy. Gail and I shifted the bedroom around. We have our
poetry recitation test tomorrow.
Sunday 6 Dec.
Gail, I and dad went around to another farmers. I saw
Dawn riding her bike. We saw a dead echidna. The others
painted the back room again.
Thursday 24 Dec.
We found a good tree along Cherry Tree Creek. Guy chopped
it down. We brought the Christmas tree into the lounge
room and decorated it. After tea we put the presents on
it. I was the first one to put a present on. It was
Beryl's. Before tea we went over to T.V. for a while. I
made a money box for Gail and continued my bowl.
Thursday 31 December 1964.
We went down to the river for a swim. Mum caught a fish.
It is a redfin about 6 inches long. Grandad and Sandra
went. Lance came to sleep with me. The apricots are
getting ripe. All the yabbies were dead except one. We
went around to Bruce and Jill's but they weren't home, so
we went up to the Dederang store. Grandad gave us all 10
shillings.
I can print and post you a copy, for minimum cost, if
you would like to read the rest of my Grade 6 Diary
written in 1964.
please email me at
thejuniris@hotmail.com