Well, Fran, guess I must feed my animals since they are all showing me how much they love me now I’m home. Make them appreciate me, the devils! Write soon.
Love,
Dulcie
1 November 1974
Dear Fran,
How are you all? I can’t quite remember who owes who a letter but I have time to write while sitting with Terry. Winter is over at last, (thank heaven!) although summer hasn’t really got off to a good start health-wise. Our virus flu dragged on for months and after I came out of hospital I still had it for weeks. I almost coughed the roof off the house.
Now, to start summer, Terry is ill and the school called (phoned I should say) Mum last Monday to say that Terry had taken ill and was admitted to hospital. When I came home from work Mum had been and left a note. Strange how one imagines the worst and I flew (almost) into Yeppoon. However, it is just one of the new viruses going about and he should be home next week.
Apart from ills we are doing fine and the weather is good. We have had good rain and the pastures are beautiful. I am behind with a lot of work, most of it up-keep like riding and repairing fences, etc. Still, I’ll get around to these jobs in time.
While I didn’t feel so good, I spent a lot of time in the garden, which sure needed it. The flowers have been lovely. Pansies, balsams, gladiolas, marigolds, lilies, cosmos, etc. Fred and Bigfoot, the only kangaroos we have now, destroyed all the sweet peas. First time I’ve really been angry with them!
The large flowering trees are all in flower now. The jacarandas are really spectacular, about 30 feet [9 metres] high with light green fern-like foliage and purple bells in clusters. The poinciana tree, about 25 feet [8 metres], is covered in red flowers. Tulip tree, 30 feet, with clusters of large red tulip-shaped blossoms. Indian coral tree, 20 feet [6 metres], with red pea shaped blooms. Cascara with long drooping yellow blossoms. The hibiscus, frangipani and gardenia are just starting to bloom, along with numerous others.
The orchard is looking good too. The grapes are off to a good start and all the citrus trees, oranges, lemons, mandarins, etc. have set new fruit. The tropical apples have just started to bud, along with the avocados, pawpaws, passion fruit and bananas. We had a glorious crop of mulberries this year. Do you have these same trees and fruits in the USA, Fran?
I am mailing a Christmas parcel to you on Monday. However, it will not reach you before Christmas as I read in the paper a couple of days ago that the last surface mail ship to the USA left on 28th October. I’m sorry, Fran, but I just didn’t have the parcel ready to send. Anyway I do hope you find everything okay when it reaches you.
Must be off now and home to feed my animals.
Love,
Dulcie
29th January 1975
Dear Fran,
Guess it seems childish to eagerly unwrap a parcel and withdraw all the little packets inside. If we are childish then we certainly enjoy being so. Your package arrived on 5th January and I wish you could have seen us. Len lit up a smoke and lit one of the Eve cigarettes for me and we sat back enjoying these while Terry unwrapped the items. After we had eaten the goodies we did the jigsaw puzzle, had a cup of coffee and another smoke. Wonderful! Thank you, Fran, very much.
Your letter, telling us about the sugar shortage, was very upsetting. Sugar here is regarded as the cheapest item one can buy and is 48 cents for a 2 kg pack (Australia has gone Metric Mad). When I go to Yeppoon tomorrow, I shall inquire about the freight on so many kilograms and see if I can send you some.
Foodstuffs are plentiful here but shortages occur in all motor and machinery parts, tyres and tools. Cigarettes and tobacco are hard to get.
Unemployment is rising fast too, since a great many farmers, cattle growers, etc. have had to walk off their properties and apply for unemployment relief.
It seems so stupid that the government cannot put a maximum on the retailers’ profits. Most city folks think the producers are reaping a fortune, but if one cares to find out the facts, it is the “middle man” or distributors and retailers who are making the money. Only now that Australia’s farming and cattle, wheat, wool, etc producers are leaving the land has the Government found where the trouble lies.
However nothing has been done and although foodstuffs are plentiful, but expensive at the moment, things must grow progressively worse in the future. Cattle here are worth $5 (five) dollars each in the sales yard at Rockhampton. These beasts cut approximately 450 to 500 pounds [204 to 227 kg] of beef, returning 1 cent a pound to the producers and yet beef still retails in shops from 53 cents a pound for sausages and $2 a pound for steak. [1 pound is nearly half a kilogram.] Since freight to the sales yard is $2.20 per beast, plus yard fees and commission, we end up with 23 cents each for bullocks we have taken 3 years to grow! Does this seem fair?
The neighbours on our eastern boundary, a hardworking German couple who came here some years ago, are farmers, growing vegetables and fruit with irrigation. They receive 5 cents for a cabbage which is sold in the supermarket for 77 cents. Two cents a pound for beans which are 63 cents a pound in the shop. Ten cents a dozen for oranges and these same oranges are retailed in the shop at 11 cents each!
Now the final crunch has come as the farmers, etc. give up producing and draw unemployment relief. And since it is illegal to leave stock unattended, many have shot and destroyed their entire herd of cattle, poultry, sheep and their vegetables and fruit.
Some of our near neighbours and friends have shot 250 head of cattle each week (mainly calves, old cows, bullocks and bulls) and with bulldozers have buried the bodies and will continue to do so until they destroy their entire herd.
With millions of people in the world starving, and our own people out of work and unable to buy the high-priced beef in the shops, this beats me. Senseless, isn’t it! And when all the things have been destroyed, what is the population going to survive on?
We are really quite well off since Len still has a job and we are keeping our cattle. We kill our own beef and swap a beast’s carcass with the neighbours for vegetables they produce for themselves, since it is not profitable for them to produce for market. So both families are kept in meat and vegetables. My orchard yields us plenty of fruit.
There are certain things we will have to do without. TV for one. The fuel to run the power plant will have to be used sparingly and I shall miss TV at night. Even though the movies were 25 years old, it was company. Especially since Terry started work on 20th January (his birthday). He went with Len as a Cadet Plant Operator. He decided not to go on with school after his Junior Pass as he earns $120 per week as a cadet. After 2 years he earns the same as Len’s $11000 a year.
They come home once a month, as Len did last year, and meanwhile I have the house to myself. I’m quite used to working alone all day but the nights seem strange without Terry. Still the neighbours, Gunter and Gertrude Schwartz (the German couple), are only 4 miles [6 km] away and over the years we have taught each other German and English so we can visit and make ourselves understood.
Then I can visit my parents and brother and his wife. They live 8 miles [13 km] from here. Mum and Dad came last night and we had tea together. It is a bit difficult for them since petrol is scarce and so expensive. Although it is slower I find it cheaper to ride a horse when I visit but Mum can’t ride.
Well, Fran, it is now 10 pm and I must stoke up the smoke-house before bed. I have a sheep’s carcass curing and smoking and ½ pig I’ve cured and smoking also. Makes delicious bacon.
Love to all,
Dulcie
15th March 1975
Dear Fran,
Today is really a beautiful day. Not too hot or cold, just 86 degrees [30℃], fine with a light breeze. Really, I suppose it is not good weather for rain and it is rather worrying to know that we have had no wet season this year. So far we have had only 6 inches [15 cm] in January and 7 and ½ [19 cm] in February. Nothing this month. By now we should have about 40 inches [102 cm] to carry through to storms in November. H
owever, there is plenty of water and feed as yet and we can only hope another drought is not coming this year. Guess that is something to shelve tor the moment.
Worries and unhappy times are always with us, Fran. Guess our ancestors had to cope with problems, too, and so will the future generation and theirs.
Forgive me for pushing advice, Fran, but I do, with the hope that I could help you when you feel that life is like that song “Is that all there is?” Allow me to stand on my “Soapbox” for a while, Fran.
Unhappiness, loneliness, boredom, these seem to be words that so many people use these days to describe their lives. I wonder, is it because men and women drive themselves too hard, thinking only of the material things they can buy? New car, furniture, house, etc. just because others have them, even though the old ones would have been in good working order?
When these new items have been purchased, they find no time to enjoy them as they must go on working for yet another, so there is no time to relax, no time to even do nothing! So unhappiness, boredom and loneliness sets in because there’s no time to just waste talking to or playing with one’s partner.
In recent years, women have been brain-washed into thinking that they must work at an outside job. That they become cabbages and are useless if they just stay at home caring for the family. This is terribly wrong, Fran. There is a great deal a woman can do at home. Husbands and children never do get around to telling us that we are important. But we should, ourselves, remember that we are the most important (thing?) or person. Just go away for a few days and see what happens!
Naturally without two pay-packets we shall have to do without that new fridge, carpet or whatever the neighbours have. But a poor (perhaps that’s not the right word, can’t think of another, but you know what I mean) home has love, happiness and Mum there at the end of the day. This way Mum is not worn out from coping with 2 jobs. Her husband is not worn out because he hasn’t had to work overtime or worry about extra money for new possessions. And the kids are not lonely and bewildered because Mum is not home from work yet.
Think back to your childhood, Fran, were you happy? Were your parents happy? If so why? If not why? My parents were very poor but we were all happy. Len’s parents were slightly better off. This property was more productive, due to the hard work of them both, but they were not happy and parted years ago.
Asking for the honest opinions of Terry and Len, as to if we are all happy and content with life, we all agreed wholeheartedly. Yes!
We have had sad and heartbreaking times, the deaths of Karen and Brendan really rocked us. Then there are floods, fires, droughts, etc. and one watches a lifetime’s work fall to pieces, and works 24 hours around the clock to try and save something.
Years ago when we first bought this land, we had an old, half-paid for car and a few pieces of used furniture bought from cane-cutting money. The house we built slowly and the hard way with our own hands. Since we couldn’t afford to pay for hired help, both of us built the fences, miles and miles and miles of them. Len always did (and still does) the heavy digging for the post holes with a crow bar while I did the shovelling. The stock-yards, sheds, etc. we built together.
When we ran out of money we went back to cane-cutting, or to fruit picking, anything to get money to build up with. Finally when Terry reached school age, I had to stay here where school services were available. By this time I had learned so much from Len that I was able to repair anything that broke, even the machinery, and take care of the stock, etc. Len was pleased and proud that I became so useful and this helped to save money for other things too.
As time went by and we became better off (about 1969-70) I asked Len if he could stay home instead of working away. He did that year and we managed to get by. However, I could tell he wasn’t totally happy and the following year, when we needed money to carry on, because of drought and fire, he went to work doing truck driving at St. Lawrence (200 miles away) [322 km].
It was only then that I realised he needed male company. With just me and Terry for company, Len wasn’t happy. So we reached a compromise. He has his job with his mates all week, and drives home Friday nights, returning to work Sunday afternoon. He has a nice caravan, only small, 18 feet [5.5 metres], and sometimes I drive up Saturday morning and return Sunday morning. This is because I can’t leave my animals, etc. for too long.
Just as Len can’t live constantly here, neither could I leave. I love everything we have built, the garden and my pets and the cattle. Len wouldn’t dream of selling, neither would I, as we both agree we shall retire here in our old age.
People often remark that I must be lonely. Others say they envy me my freedom. I’m not lonely, Fran, far from it. I have so much to do and enjoy and I know it’s only 5 days before I’ll see Len and Terry. When we meet there is so much to talk about. We don’t work, just drop everything so we can talk! As to those who envy my freedom, nothing is free, Fran, except that I replace money (that evil thing) with work.
For an example of my days, this morning out of bed at 5:30 am as usual, light the stove (the stove is combustion, burns wood) get the cows, milk, feed dogs, cats, wallabies, kangaroos, etc, etc. Breakfast at 8 am, wash dishes, do floors, beds, etc. Put new exhaust system on car, change 2 tyres, cart molasses for cattle, pump water, bring back load of wood (which I’ve cut with the chainsaw).
At 3:30 pm, have cup of tea and sandwich. Unload wood, cut it up for stove, sharpen chainsaw. Mow part of the lawn, feed dogs, cats, wallabies, kangaroos, ducks, etc again. Put calves in pen for the night (otherwise no milk in the morning). Fuel, oil and water for light plant. Start engine. Do washing, some ironing from yesterday. Made myself a new dress, pretty, light, cotton voile, for summer. It is 10:30 pm now and I’ll leave the hemming and hand sewing for tomorrow night. My dinner is cooking now. Vegetables that the neighbours swapped me for meat I killed yesterday, a good beast that weighed 500 pounds [227 kg], dressed and is tender too.
So most of my entertainment doesn’t cost money, Fran, and I am happy and so are Len and Terry.
If I don’t feel ready for bed after the work is done, Fran, I make beer, wine, in fact all our drinks are homemade, can’t afford anything else. Preserve fruits from our trees and make jam, chutney and bottle surplus vegetables, etc. Knit or crochet pullovers or anything else we need. All these things save money, Fran, and keep me busy. I really find them interesting and a challenge.
As to anyone envying me, then I wonder if they would envy my worn-out floor coverings, covered in muddy dog prints, cat paws, kangaroo feet with big tail drags, etc. Remembering that we have no electricity, just the engine plant which cannot run the stove, refrigerator, iron or anything that draws more than 5 amps. Therefore the freezer, iron and everything else must burn kerosene in small tanks they are equipped with. These things are cantankerous and I’ve often done my block.
Then there is the heavy chainsaw to fell trees for fire-wood and the stupid old blunt axe to cut it with. Life is not easy Fran, but it is what we make it and whatever we find happiness in doing.
Please come to our poor half-(still!)-completed home for a holiday. I would love to have you, but I think you would be terribly disappointed since we really do live in poverty. But there is no boredom and our home overflows with love and happiness.
Sorry to rave on, Fran, and now I’ll step off my soapbox.
Believe me I hope my letter helps you, Fran.
I’ll think of you till I hear from you to see if you feel better.
Lots of love, Fran.
Dulcie
6th April 1975
Dear Fran,
It is Sunday night and after a hectic but fun weekend, I’m left alone and so have peace in which to answer your letter, which I received on Friday. I am so glad you feel better now. I guess our ways of life are so far apart.
I think watching TV is the greatest thing! That is when the engine is running and when I get the time. I REALLY love the wildlife programmes. Sometimes from South Africa, USA and even A
ustralian programmes. Colour TV has just been introduced into Australia. However we can’t afford a set at $900 and anyway we are too far from the transmitters to receive it.
Will you excuse my writing tonight, Fran, it is hard to see. The fuel truck didn’t call Friday, as was arranged, and I’m right out of diesel, so I’m using a kerosene lamp. Do you know the kind, a silk mantle is fitted, filled with kerosene pumped up and lit? Gives a small light with lots of shadow (Maybe I need new contact lenses!)
Terry with his motorbike
Len and Terry came home Friday night and brought one of Terry’s mates with them. Terry bought a 350cc Honda motorbike for $1100. Since he cannot get a licence till January next year, Len carried it home in his old station wagon and Terry and his friend, David, (who also has a motorbike) rode around and around all weekend. The noise was terrible!
Len’s old Holden SW is done. The engine needs new rings and bearings so he left it home today and took my old Valiant. I’ll fix the Holden for him so he can take it back next time. Both boys left their bikes here when they went back with Len. (Maybe I’ll try to ride a motorbike!)
On the way home Len found 2 dead wallabies (hit by cars). He always stops to see if they have babies and these two did so two new babies for me!
Then on Saturday a stranger came out with another one he had found. He said he had been told that I’d take them. (Good heavens! I’m known as an animal parent or something.) So now I have three new babies to care for. They need feeds every 4 hours, just like human babies, and a waste of time I suppose.
Dear Fran, Love Dulcie Page 15