The Great Maclean Corn Husking Competition, June 1944

Great interest is being taken throughout the Clarence River district in the big corn husking events which are to take place at the patriotic carnival and rodeo at Maclean on Monday next. On Monday night last the heats were drawn and these, with the; time of starting, are:—

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT

First Heat (starting 1 pm.): T. G. Eggins, A. Collins, J.K. McKinnon, A.Ross, Percy Sonter, Cliff Sonter, Sid Archer, Bert Marsh, John Comerford. L.G. Davis, Viv McLennan, H. McFarlane, Jack Wallace.

Second Heat (1. 25 .p.m. sharp): Earle Woods, W. T. Lang, W. McLeay, William Jobson, Allan McDonald, G. Farlow, M. Monoley, jun, Roy Wilkins, Harry Castles, Bren Moloney, Earl Doust, Athol Biddle. Roy Hannah, E.Chaseling.

Third Heat (1.45 p.m. sharp): Sid Butcher, Stuart Mclntyre, Keith McPhee, Reg Green, George Carr, Vin Loughman, Earle Armstrong, Len Cormick, Pretton Singh, Joe O'Keefe, Cecil Doust, Aub Carr,  E. J. Pateman. L. Hayman.

Fourth Heat (2.5 p.m. sharp): Barney Want, Earle Watts, K. Davis, F. Shannon, Percy  Dwyer, Glad Green, Henry Fischer, Gordon Bancroft, Jaswon Singh, Charlie Green, Albert Pateman. Jack Garvan, Thomas Cormick, C. Kratz.

The first and second in the heals will-start in the final.

OVER 50 EVENT

Competitors in the over 50 event are as follows: John McPhee, Denny Commerford, Dave Anderson, W. Bathgate, F. J. Bathgate, James Mclntyre, Freeman Apps, J. D. McKay, Lav. Davis, C. A. Farlow, C.J. Green, M. J. Moloney. sen, D. J. Moloney, Albert Pateman, Cecil Doust, Frank Want, M. G. Farlow, Ken McDonald, George Phemister, Art Drew, Fred Ford, Joe Causley, Sam Causley, Fred Garde, Fred French, L. Hayman. This event is timed to start at 2.20 p.m. sharp.

The final of the championship will take place at 2.45 p.m. sharp.

CONDITIONS OF CONTESTS

The individual events will be run strictly to time, and competitors are asked o take up their positions on time, otherwise, they will be disqualified.

The variety of maize to be husked is .the Leaming variety. It is in excellent condition and has been selected for size, type, and uniformity.

It is requested that all competitors who have not done so pay their fees to Glad Green, who will be present on the ground to collect same and who will be in charge of the draw for positions in the competitions. The judges are: Time judges, Messrs.: W. A. Bancroft and Jack Layton; clean husking, judge, Mr. R. J. McDonald.

The following rules must be observed: Competitors must not arrange cobs before the word "go" is given by the starter. All competitors are requested to take their positions at the heaps of cobs drawn and must remain in a standing position with hands behind their back. The cobs must be husked clean to the satisfaction of the clean husking judge. Any husking pegs suitable to the competitor may be used.

Competitors after completing the husking of their cobs must stand upright and must remain in that position until the judges decision is given.

Any competitor violating any rule is liable to be disqualified.

The judges' decision in all cases is final and binding.

CORN HUSKING NOTES

(By "Corn Cob")

No other event in the past 50 years has caused as much interest on the Clarence River as the big corn husking championship to be held at the Maclean Showground on Monday next at the big rodeo. The big challenge event Jack McPhee v. Frank Want and Frank Bathgate is  causing much comment.

Frank Want has publicly stated he has no fear of being able easily to dispose of his opponent, and Frank Bathgate, although he is not saying much, is secretly training as hard as he can. Jack McPhee, however, has been in strict training somewhere at Lawrence, and his issued a statement that he will walk of with the event.

Late entries include Joe and Sam Causley, of Chatsworth. Joe is the Chatsworth hope, and it is reported that he has a championship to his credit.

Albert Pateman, the one-time Ulmarra champ in the event, is near the top of the poll in the list of favorites for the event. In the opinion of Mr. Pateman, however, a lad to watch will be Athol Biddle, of Lower Southgate.

Denny and Bill Commerford, of King's Island, are in training together and it is reported that Bill is two cobs faster in 20 than Denny.

Dan Moloney is on a visit to Sydney, and it is reported that he is getting the latest tips from the lounge lizards of a leading hotel there. Fred Ascoli, the Palmer's Channel whitehope, is out of the event. Rumor has it that Fred was whittling a husking peg when he cut his hand. Bad luck Fred.

William Jobson, the Palmers Island lad, is standing up to the strictest training routine, and is in excellent shape. Shrewd judges down the Channel say to put your money on Jobson, as he will be a stumbling block to many of the so-called champs. A dark horse is L. Hayman, of whom nothing is known.

In the over 50 event, Fred Ford, the fishermen's hope and former hurricane husker of the Hunter, has jumped to the top of the list of favorites. He is closely followed by Chas J. Green, of Woodford Island. Charlie has been secretly clocked by spies during the last week in his barn, where he was getting in some quiet training at 2 a.m. The time is not revealed, but on the information reaching him, Frank Bathgate says he is still three cobs faster in 40 than Charlie.

From:  Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), Thursday 8 June 1944: ‘Corn Husking Competition Attracts All River Interest’

CORN HUSKING - RESULTS

The corn husking competition was one of the leading attractions of the afternoon. This entailed considerable work on the stewards in charge — Messrs. T. G. Eggins and C. Bakes. They were assisted by Messrs. W. E. G. Green and Barney Want. The heaps of 30 cobs were placed in the ring just below the hillside in full view of the crowd. The open event was contested by about 40 competitors in three heats and a final, and resulted as follows: First heat: T. Eggins, Lower Lawrence, 1; A. Collins, Lawrence, 2.  Second heat: Athol Biddle, Southgate, 1;  H. Castles, Palmer's Channel, 2 Third heat: G. Carr, Palmer's Channel, 1. In this heat L. B. Hayman, S. Mclntyre and K. McPhee finished 1, 2 and 3, but were disqualified by the clean-husking judge, Mr. R. J. McDonald. Fourth heat: C.T. Green, Woodford Leigh, 1; Barney Want, Lower Lawrence, 2. In this event Jaswon Singh finished first and was disqualified by the judge. Final: A. Biddle 1, H. Castle 2, B. Want 3. T. Eggins first to finish was disqualified by the clean-husking judge.

Husking over 50 years. — Mert Farlow 1, C. J. Green 2, Jack Watkins 3. About 15 competitors.

AND REGARDING THE REST OF THE PROGRAM - A BIT ABOUT THE MUSIC

The Maclean Pipe Band (Pipe Major F. Gregor), the Maclean. Brass Band (bandmaster G. White) and Mr. Lav Davis' hill billy orchestra from Palmer's Channel supplied music at intervals. The orchestra received special commendation. (Lav Davis was Nana Marsh’s uncle and next door neighbour)

From: Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), Monday 19 June 1944; ‘Rodeo And Carnival At Maclean Attracts Large Crowd’

All About Palmer's Channel

The following mentions my great-grandfather Albert and his father John.

I remember the homestead and have vague memories of being inside. It stood out because it had sandstone bricks and I recall one or more stained glass windows internally. I also recall the orchard. One day on my way home from school my mate Rocky Marshall and I got sprung helping ourselves to its wares. I found out many years later that Dad had also got sprung in the same orchard. That is a story I have told previously.

All About Palmer's Channel.

Palmers Channel forms the connecting link between the Clarence River and the Wollewoyah [Wooloweyah] Estuary. It branches off from the river about seven miles from the Heads, and takes a serpentine course in a south easterly direction until it joins the said Estuary. Along the banks are the homesteads of a thrifty population. The land through which the Channel flows is fair agricultural and pastoral soil, perhaps not noted for its fertility, which redounds all the more credit upon the industrious inhabitants who established comfortable homes thereon. This locality in times gone by was noted for the sociableness of its people. Being as they were, isolated so far as passenger boat or rail commutation was concerned, and depending upon pulling boats and horseback travelling, it will be readily admitted that the people were disinclined to leave home for pleasure, and therefore arranged for recreation at home. The chief pastime and recreation was dancing. And as a consequence almost everyone became proficient in the fantastic art. Dancing was always in order. The music was generally the concertina. But this item was not of much importance; if a few notes were missing, and a few more out of tune, that was nothing. Nor was much importance attached to the floor on which dances were held; anything near the mark at all was satisfactory. The person who could manipulate the keys of a concertina was an honored individual and a welcome visitor at all times— more honored I verily believe that the Mayor of your Town, his robes notwithstanding. Every consideration was paid to the musician. As a means of relieving him Someone who could whistle well would provide music while he had a dance! This form of amusement was carried on under the supervision of the old folk.

Although they countenanced the thing, yet the young had to observe certain tactics. The concertina player would, when approaching the house he intended visiting, carefully place his instrument away in a barn, or stable, or leave it to the protection of a stool of cane, and entering the house empty-handed, would enter into sociable chat with the heads of the family, hardly noticing the young folk. Carefully training the moods of the pater and mater in a jovial vein, he would give the wink to one of the young fellows, and in would come the music, when the old folk would huddle off to bed. The people lived in touch with one another, all on the same footing; class distinctions were unknown. They worked together. In harvesting time they would gather round the barn of the harvester of maize and help to husk out at night, after which the barn would be cleared and a dance followed. Tactics had often to be put into execution, for sometimes the anxious corn grower would be inclined to prolong the husking operation. In a case like this someone would contrive to knock over the lamp with a cob of corn. This would remind the proprietor that the hour was late. Everyone was willing and ready to assist. If a resident had a bullock to kill or calves to brand, or a cow bogged, or a young horse to break in, all he had to do was coo-ee. or whistle or wave to his neighbor, and willing hands would come forward, it was wonderful the harmony that existed. Holidays were often spent picnicking across the lake, all in boats with gay rowers, large hampers and pretty girls, all so jolly. How romantic! How delightful! Strong brave fellows with muscles like a steam engine who could feather the sculls with grace and ease. Those were the days, reader, days of complete rustic enjoyment. But 'alas!  A change has come about. The march of society has (strange to say) destroyed the harmony. So and so got a piano, or a buggy or a new house, and pride (which precedes a fall) swelled the possessors' breasts and they have become too big for the shoes they wear. Hence a distinction was created.

The land on Palmer's Channel rose very high in price some 15 years ago, but in common with other parts of the river it again fell very low. A case in point: A farmer purchased a farm at £1400, but failed to meet the financial obligations and lost the property. That property is how valued at £450, and the original purchaser is again negotiating to repurchase at that figure. The locality under notice is noted for its salubrious climate, and its people generally enjoy the best of health. One old lady, 80 years of age and hale and hearty, lived on Palmer's Channel for 35 years and only saw the lake once and Yamba twice.

Now a few words about the dwellings. Although the majority are very comfortable a few call for special mention, one of which is that of Mr, John Marsh. This homestead is equal to anything on the Lower Clarence. The orchard is well stocked with a great variety of fruit, a glance at which will convey to the spectator that the proprietor understands all about fruit. The house is of brick, and very roomy and ornamental. Once the visitor enters the homestead of Mr. George Green he feels that he is associated with a home of industry, backed by intelligence. Mr. Green takes first place amongst our apiarists, having over 200 hives. His orchard and flower garden gratify the eye, while his poultry accommodation is splendid. Our young men should take pattern from those well-kept homes, and would find- it very profitable to imitate them. Coming to the factories, we can't report upon many. At one time this small place possessed half-a-dozen or more sugar factories, but all have failed, leaving gutted out sheds in some instances as a monument of inexperience, to which the collapse can only be attributed. There still remains one factory — not a sugar factory, but a broom factory— the property of Mr. Albert Marsh, who is entering into the industry with more vigor than ever. Mr. Marsh also manages a farm, and grows nearly all his own millet. Considerable trouble was experienced in the drying of the millet, but now Mr. Marsh has surmounted the trouble by large drying sheds, in which the millet will be protected from bad weather. A first-class article is turned out — this can be gathered from the fact that Mr. Marsh's brooms have taken prizes time and again. Mr. Marsh has been following the industry for years and finds it payable, and purposes devoting even more attention to it in the future. The output finds a ready market on the river, most of it going to Grafton.

Next time I will have something interesting to say about new canes that have been grown on Palmer's Channel.

Copied From: Clarence River Advocate (NSW : 1898 - 1949), Friday 19 April 1901, page 4, (by Our Special)

Thomas K. Skinner, Obituary

THE LATE THOMAS K. SKINNER 

Mr Thomas Kelly Skinner; who died at Wombah on Saturday at the age of 76 years, was born at Botany, New South Wales. 

He came to the Clarence in 1860 with his parents, who took up their residence at Wilson's Hill, South Grafton, where they resided for a few years. Later they moved, to Glenugie station, which, at that time, was owned by a Mr. Devlin, father of the late William Devlin, where the family were employed for about five years. 

On Mr. Devlin removing to Ryde, deceased accompanied him, later going to Wagga, where Mr Devlin had purchased a station property. The deceased remained in the employ of Mr. Devlin for about seven years. His duties included the droving of cattle and horses throughout the State and into Victoria. 

Mr. Skinner came back to the Clarence in 1873, taking up his residence for a few years at Palmer's Island, afterwards going to Ballina, where he entered the service of the late Thomas Fenwick, as an employee on the steamer Alcamus, which was engaged freighting timber from the Richmond River to the factory sawmills at Grafton. The Alcamus, loaded with log timber was making one of her trips from the Richmond to the Clarence, when she struck a heavy south-east gale off Woody Head, some miles north of Iluka, and foundered. 

Mr. Skinner, who was fireman on the boat, with other members of the crew, was able to reach shore safely. The spot was known, as Ross' wreck beach (near Woody Head), owing to the log timber that came ashore being purchased by the late Alexander Ross, of Palmer's Island, who had it sawn into timber at his mill on Palmer's Island. 

About 1885 Mr. Skinner went to Wombah and purchased a property on the Freshwater, where he resided for a number of years, and later entered the employ of the late Mr. George Morrison, father of Messrs. B., G. and D. Morrison, and worked in the sugar mill and on the farming properties, owned by them. 

Disposing of his Freshwater property, he went to, live at Wombah, where he resided until the time of his death. 

Deceased married a daughter of the late Mr. H. S. Searle, who with three daughters, survives him. 

The daughters are:— Mesdames Anton Kempnieh (Tweed River), Walter Causley (Chatsworth) and Miss Lydia Skinner (Wombah) and six sons, who all live in the Lower Clarence district, Messrs. Henry, John, William, Clarence, Benjamin and Alfred. 

He is also survived by 18 grandchildren. 

The funeral took place on Sunday and was largely attended. The remains were interred in the Church of England portion of the Maclean cemetery, Rev. Rowe officiating at the graveside.


From: "MACLEAN." Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW: 1915 - 1954) 18 Nov 1932 [2] 
MACLEAN. 

Albert Marsh, Broom Maker

Situated at the head of Palmer's Channel, which separates Palmer's Island from the mainland on the Lower Clarence, is the home of Mr. Albert Marsh, a hard-working and prosperous farmer. It is not very many years since he started out 'on his own’ and, he says ‘with practically nothing’ and rented the farm of which he is now the owner. As on many other tenant farms in various parts of the State, the house, if such it might be called, and other farm buildings, were tumble-down rookeries, and scarcely fit to accommodate a farmer and his family. So one of the earliest improvements after his first crop had been planted was to build a house that would be a home for himself and young family. It very soon became apparent, however, that to pay his rent and effect such permanent improvements would never make him a wealthy man, and there was always the glorious certainty of having his rents substantially raised as the natural result of the enhanced value of the property through these improvements carried out in his own time and at his' own expense. Accordingly, after a few years, he decided, in renewing his lease, to include the option of purchase, at a stated sum. His capital was limited, but with a determination that characterises the pioneer, he resolved to cease paying rent,and had little difficulty in obtaining the extra capital' to' complete the purchase.

Sugarcane formed his principal crop, and, at the time of the sugar gumming [a disease] some years back, dark clouds began to appear on the horizon. Fortunately for him they passed over without breaking, but it meant the denying of' himself and family of many of life’s luxuries and some necessities to avoid disaster. The uncertainty and the long time of two years in maturing the cane crop, together with the struggling, resulted in Mr. Marsh seeing the folly of putting all his eggs in the one basket, and attention was then directed to the growing of broom millet. With this crop he had had considerable previous experience. The soil of his farm produced millet that would be hard to excel. The want of capital and the doubt as to the permanence of millet as a profitable venture prevented up-to-date millet cleaning and bailing. appliances being procured. It, however, soon became apparent that a considerable sum was annually lost through not being able to hold on to supplies till high prices ruled towards the end of the season, or through possibly striking a glutted market, and an attempt was made in the direction to manufacturing his own material into the commercial product. In this respect success has attended him all along, and to-day a prosperous little business has been worked up, which could, if necessary, be developed into far larger and more substantial proportions.

The income from the farm is now derived from cane and millet. Some 10 acres are devoted to the broom millet section. The variety that has given best results is White Italian. Here, as is the case almost everywhere, labor conditions have to be contended with, and so the area under treatment is confined to as much as can be effectively dealt with by himself and grown-up sons. Instead of planting the whole area at once, as many millet growers do, Mr. Marsh divides his time into sections of about two acres each. The first planting is done in September, and at intervals of two or three weeks successive sowings are made. Later planting in, say, December or January, is not recommended, as the crop invariably matures in the damp or wet autumn, which renders satisfactory curing practically an impossibility, and is always associated with losses. For this reason planting has to be so timed that the crop will mature in good harvesting and curing weather, and the early planting in September or October usually gives, the best results. A number of separate sowings at regular intervals is recommended for two reasons : — (1.) It enables the owner with limited labor at his disposal to complete the cutting and curing of one section before the next is over ripe, whereas if the whole area were to be dealt with at once much of the crop would be utterly useless. (2.) The separate successive sowings always ensures more even results should there be any prolonged period of dry or other unfavorable weather. It thus happens that one sowing might suffer from such causes, but it seldom happens that a series of sowing made at intervals will result in failure.

It is estimated that the present cost of growing an acre of broom millet is £4, but Mr. Marsh claims that with the introduction of new and modern farm implements he will be able to reduce the amount to about £3. The brush, after harvesting, is hung up on wires  in a large airy shed, when the Clarence summer readily dries it ; but the protection of the shed from the fierce sun's rays saves the color. Tho seed is an acquisition. Something like 30 bushels per acre are obtained the whole of which is fed to pigs and poultry, and, though no comparisons have been made, it is evident that the profits obtained from this source must go a long way towards paying for the cost of producing the brush. The millet, after grading, is packed securely in large, deep cases as close fitting as possible, and closed down till required to make up. This method, together with a good family of cats, is effective in guarding against the havoc caused by rats and mice, and also ensures the fresh colour being preserved for an indefinite period. A number of the appliances used in the manufacture of brooms are original, but nevertheless effective. For example, the guillotine for cutting the millet end of the broom, is made from a couple of old corn-sheller wheels, a double crank-shaft, and portion of an old crosscut saw. It does its work quite as effectively and expeditiously as the modern implement. It is well known that the farmer need have no idle moments on his farm. It is certainly tho case here. The broom making can be proceeded with at any time of the day or year. The whole of the produce of the ten acres, which averages  10 cwt. per acre, is stored for use when required. Work is temporarily suspended while crops are being sown, cultivated, or harvested, to be resumed when field labour is slack, or wet weather prevents such work from being proceeded with. The past season was particularly favorable for millet, and too much hurl was produced. A quantity of shorter millet is needed for the inside of the average broom, and dry seasons usually result in this class being produced.

From 1 ¼ lb to 2 lb [pound]  of millet are used for a single broom, according to quality. The handles are made at the sawmills at South Grafton from pine grown in the district. The turn over of 5000 brooms annually, though small from a city manufacturer's point of view, is certainly very creditable for a farmer, and, since the whole of the labour is confined to the one family, Mr. Marsh considers that he secures not only good prices for his millet but he obtains in addition the freight charges, middleman's and manufacturer's profits also. No difficulty is experienced in disposing of the whole of the output locally; in fact, the demand cannot be supplied. So satisfied is Mr. Marsh with the profits of broom millet that ho intends at an early date to erect large and substantial curing and storage sheds, and instal a quantity of improved broom making machinery. A few years ago Mr. Marsh had practically nothing; to day he is the proud possessor of two farms aggregating 130 odd acres, and a profitable income from sugar and millet brooms. He has a family of eight to support, and his comfortable cottage, surrounded by clumps of bananas, mango, and other fruits, and a garden alive with rich, bright-coloured  flowers, certainly makes the place home, and

gives to it an air of peace and contentment

From  the ‘Richmond Express and Casino Kyolgle Advertiser on Friday, 18 October, 1912. By Coaster. Published as ‘Broom-making on the Farm'

What's in the pocket?

I was about to leave for school and stood in front of Mum with one hand in the pocket of my shorts.

'What have you got in your pocket?'

'Nothing Mum.'

'What have you got in your pocket?'

'Nothing Mum.'

'What have you got in your pocket?'

'Nothing Mum.'

'Off you go then.'

I never made that mistake again. The fags always went in a safe place under the Palmers Channel Hall after that near death experience.

Enemy Aliens in the Family

Following the outbreak of World War 1 the Australian Government declared all Australian residents who had a father or grandfather born in either Germany or Austria as resident aliens whether or not they were Australian citizens. As such they were required to register their addresses with the Government. Because there were too many to lock up the Government pursued a policy of selective internment.

Some of the men were imprisoned at Trial Bay Gaol, a picturesque spot just south of South West Rocks on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. Women and children of German or Austrian descent detained by the British in Asia were also held in camps around Australia.

A significant number of the residents of Lower Clarence Valley (NSW) were German immigrants or descended from them. By definition most, if not all of these, would have been resident aliens and therefore considered a national threat. But no one from this area was interned during the war.

Names like Busch, Englert, Fischer, Giese, Grebert, Hoschke, Kempnich, Klotz, and Kratz live on. Unlike many parts of Australia where many of German descent anglicised their names because of the prevailing anti-German sentiment these families retained their distinctive German names. And when their young men, many, if not all, who without doubt qualified as resident aliens, responded to the Nation's call they enlisted under their German name. I’m sure that if I knew my family history thoroughly there would be more than one connection to these families.

Anton Kempnich was aged 7 when he arrived in Australia with his German parents and older siblings. He later married Elizabeth Davis, the eldest daughter of my great X 3 grandparents John and Johanna Davis. Perhaps part of Elizabeth’s attraction to Anton lay in the fact her Mother was a native of Germany.

John and Johanna’s second child was John Davis, my paternal grandmother's father. John and Eliza (nee Orr) had three children, John dying before my grandmother was born.

Their eldest and only son, my great-uncle Roy enlisted in WW1 and served in France where he was severely wounded, requiring considerable time in England to recover before being sent back to the front. He was one of the lucky ones, not like his uncle George, the youngest child of John and Johanna. George, legally a ‘resident alien’ was killed in action in France on 25th June 1917.

Roy on the right. I assume George is the other. Nana Marsh on Roy's right and Aunty Ethel behind.I assume the girl behind George is his daughter and the woman on his left the one that cared for his daughter when he enlisted.

The tragedy of this is that my uncles, and many young men like them, may at times have been facing their cousins in the opposite trenches. Young men who were considered a risk to Australia because of their German heritage.

But what of Johanna and others like her, men and women who came from Germany and Austria to call Australia home. Their sacrifice for Australia as seen in the deaths and wounds of their sons and grandsons was no less than that of any other Australian parent or grandparent. They may have been born in a foreign land, but the vision they had for their future and that of their children and grandchildren lay in this nation, the land that was now their home. And yes, I am sure they shed tears over the suffering of their German relatives as well, something that probably made their grief more intense than that of other Australians.

Ironically at the same time our ‘resident aliens’ were facing our national enemy the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne was publicly advocating that members of his flock should avoid involvement in England’s war. Now, without wanting to debate the rightness or wrongness of the war, many of those ‘resident aliens’ demonstrated a much greater commitment to what the majority of Australians saw as their patriotic duty than the Archbishop and those who fell in with him. In fact, it could be argued he was working against the national interest.

Today we still have young men and women engaged in conflict on foreign shores. Among them are those who came here as children with their refugee parents, or were born to parents who had arrived here as refugees from those places they now find themselves in. How do we see these these men and women today, men and women who according to the standard applied 100 years ago would be classified as ‘resident aliens’? Is it not possible that like those of former years these people see their future and that of their families in this land and are as committed to those same ideals held by former generations of Australians?

My Hunchbacked Nana

Nana with Neville and Aileen

Nana came home with a bottle of pills from the chemist. She opened the bottle and counted the contents to make sure she had received what she paid for. Strange? Well I thought it was weird, but Nana’s life had been much harder than anything I have ever experienced.

Nana’s father died before she was born, leaving Granny with two young children and another on the way. This was towards the end of the 1890s, before the days of social security when widows and their children depended on the support of others to survive.

For a while - I don't know how long - the young family lived in a slab hut with a dirt floor on the property of Granny's brother-in-law Lavender, known affectionately as Uncle Lav. A few years after they married Nana and Pa bought the farm adjoining Uncle Lav’s and Nana lived there until after Pa died. It was only a short walk along the creek bank to pay what were frequent visits.

It must have been around 10 kilometers into Maclean and Granny would often walk the distance carrying eggs or chickens to sell.

Nana spent her 12th birthday in bed with a pillow on her bottom to keep a space between it and her head, such was the condition of her spine. The family always believed she had suffered meningitis but not long before she died - well into her 80s - the doctor said it must have been something else. Whatever it was she was not expected to live at the time.

The disease left Nana with a significantly deformed back. As an adult she suffered what were then known as nervous breakdowns occasionally requiring treatment in Sydney or Brisbane. I often wonder if this was not a result of her childhood illness.

Nana lived through two world wars. Her brother Roy was seriously wounded in France where their uncle was killed in action. Her cousin Winnie Davis, a nursing officer, died a prisoner of the Japanese in WWII. Then there was the depression and the swaggies moving around looking for work and other support.

Nana and Pa raised two children, Dad and his sister Aileen. They lived without electricity or the telephone until well into the 1950s. And Nana was a farmer’s wife, not housewife. There is a real difference. Nana was a partner in the family business, one to which she contributed her labour to support its viability. She milked cows, fed pigs and planted cane when it was largely manual labour. She helped work the fields, bred chickens and sold eggs. And, like many women of her day she kept a vegetable garden, made her own bread and butter, preserved fruit from the orchard, boiled the copper and kept house without those things we take for granted today.

Nana was part of the generation that backed Sir Robert Menzies for over 15 years, from the end of 1949 until his retirement in 1966. Despite the very real threat posed by communism they voted down his attempts to outlaw it. The Colombo Plan, launched in 1951, enabled Asian students to study in Australia and proved valuable in opening up our relationships with Asia and contributed to the end of our White Australia policy. Foreign aid to South-East Asia was part of his Government’s strategy to combat communism in the region.

The Menzies Government accepted refugees from the war-torn countries of Europe with all the language and cultural difficulties that entailed. Australia was the sixth country and the first outside Europe to ratify the Refugee Convention in 1954. Menzies considered, in the light of Japanese attacks on Australia in WWII, it was possible that one day Australian’s might become refugees and a sense of reciprocity lay at the heart of international law.

With the memories of the War and Japanese atrocities still fresh in the minds of voters Menzies paid his first visit to Japan in 1950, one that lead to a full resumption of trade with our former enemy in 1957.

Nana, I am certain, knew little of international affairs, economic theory, free trade, protectionism, and all those other ‘important’ things that affected her life. But she was not uniformed. She read the Daily Examiner and listened to one of the two radio stations available on the family's battery-powered wireless - one being the local commercial station in Grafton, the other the ABC. This was before social media, post truth, alternative facts, and false news. Without these she may well have been better informed than we are today.

She could never forgive the Japanese for an atrocity associated with her cousin Winnie. Winnie was evacuated from Singapore on a ship carrying mainly nurses and the wounded when it became apparent the Island was going to fall. The ship was sunk by the Japanese and the passengers attempted to find safety in its lifeboats. The mainly women passengers in one of those boats - not Winnie’s - on finding land were marched back into the sea by the Japanese and machine gunned.

Yet despite a childhood of poverty, her significant disfigurement, the hardships of two world wars and depression, she supported Menzies and his vision of compassionate engagements in the wider world, especially with our near neighbours.