Subjects I liked Maths, I got used to
it. I didn’t like English because learning to speak was hard. We learned about
science.
Teachers Miss Tweedle took us on a school
holiday down south. I was 15 years old. She was nice. We would go over to her
place. I didn’t like bossy teachers telling us what to do.
Culture We learned about culture at
school and at home – art, cooking bush food, telling stories.
Discipline It was really strict. If we
made trouble the school would call the parents and take us to the council
office and get a flogging. My father was a really strict man. I got punishment
from my father.
Friends My friend was Caroline
Herbert, now at Beswick. We used to hang out at home, make cubby house at the
old crossing with iron, write notes. We talked about
what to do when you grow up, husband, kids. Some said
they wouldn’t have a husband and kids but they did.
Clothes We had uniforms at school,
red and white with pickets on both sides. After school we would wear our own
clothes but dresses, not shorts like the girls now. I chose my own clothes.
Sports and games I liked Netball. There was also softball, football, basketball and athletics. We went to Katherine and Beswick to play.
Excursions and Entertainment I remember a circus came to
the oval. Everyone went. One lady stood close to the monkey and the monkey
grabbed her hair.
Buildings and equipment We had fans in the
classrooms. When it was hot we used to go down to the river to swim. Where the
basketball court is now there were two caravans with classrooms. There was a
house where the VET Centre is, Matey lived in it.
We had no computers but sometimes calculators to add up sums in our workbooks. We had to use our brain.
The park had a basketball court and baseball field.
Reflections One time I
got back home late at night. My father got a belt and chased me so I ran away
to my friend’s place.
I worried about my sister Rachel following
me late at night. I said “You might get me into trouble”. My parents sometimes
worried about me if I slept over at a friend’s place. Now I sometimes feel
worried for my son. It’s hard for me to ask him all the questions because his
father passed away.”
My advice to Don’t listen to
anyone but yourself. Go to school and get a good
young people job.