discipline and the bible. And spring. The arrival of the grapefruit season meant the hard work of picking, washing and packing, ready to meet the demands of not only the local markets but overseas to Singapore. This was a busy time for us. Walnuts must be picked, washed and laid to dry. There was fruit to pick, to be preserved and to be made into jam.
Many may view this as a form of child labour but we didnât, we saw this as a labour of love. I suppose we felt obligatedâafter all we were family and we all benefited in the end.
It was easy to sing songs of praise about creation and life. And when I recall nostalgically my childhood experiences I will always remember these seasonal changes and also the other changes they bring with them, such as the change of pace, mood and concepts.
We looked forward to the long walks in the bush during the warm spring weather, when we feasted our eyes on the masses of wild flowers that grew in profusion west of the mission. There were splashes of colour and brilliance everywhere. It seemed as if every available space had become part of natureâs beautiful garden; this parkland unspoiled and undisturbed by man. There were patches of light blue leschenaultia, and for contrast there were small bushes of violet blue hovea flowers and as always a carpet of white, pink and yellow everlasting. Scattered amongst the black boy rushes and under the huge gum trees a variety of bush orchids grew, displaying their exquisite beauty in varying colours for bushwalkers and nature lovers to admire and enjoy. We were discouraged from picking the flowers, though occasionally we were given permission to pick small posies to take back home to our dormitory to put in our commonroom.
In Autumn we sometimes emerged from the river banks with coronets of white bush clematis, which we namedbridal creepers, and carried bouquets of white lillies. With garlands of these pretty white creepers trailing everywhere we dusky barefooted maidens paraded and danced amid the laughter and cheers. We were celebrating the innocence of youth and the emergence of romantic fantasies. Many of us declared that we would wear the same bridal creepers in our hair and carry lillies on our wedding day. We were going to be Easter brides.
So despite the rigid formality of the place, the prayers, the restrictions, and the narrow-minded Christian fundamentalist teachingsâthe place, the location, will always be for me the embodiment of security, stability, peace and tranquility.
The Separation
Special friendships were formed there. In our case there was me, Kate Muldune 17 years, Melanie Jones 16 years, Kathy Williams 16 years, and Aileen Miles 14 years. We were a champion tennis squad, and were always on the same side in team sports such as netball and hockey. We worked, played, and moved as a team. Then one day without any explanation we were all separated. I was sent to Dorrington in the central wheat belt to work as a domestic help to Bill and Betty Hammond. Melanie and Kathy went south to Donnybrook and Busselton and the youngest member of the foursome, Aileen, remained to attend the Bunbury Senior High School.
At the time I couldnât understand the reason for our separation. It became obvious in later years but I could only guess at this stage. In those days our special friendship was viewed in a different light. Our relationship (their interpretation) was perhaps leaning towards lesbianism. But how could we have known about homosexuality when we were ignorant of the facts of life anyway. That assumption was absolutely ridiculous. The only reference to actual sexual relationship was made in the bibleâdescribing the action as âhe/she lay with her/himâ. Laying or lying meant to us the act of reclining. How, where or why didnât interest or concern us at all.
Even girls who planned a career in nursing were ignorant and naive as well. The reproductive system wasnât included in the Health,
Many may view this as a form of child labour but we didnât, we saw this as a labour of love. I suppose we felt obligatedâafter all we were family and we all benefited in the end.
It was easy to sing songs of praise about creation and life. And when I recall nostalgically my childhood experiences I will always remember these seasonal changes and also the other changes they bring with them, such as the change of pace, mood and concepts.
We looked forward to the long walks in the bush during the warm spring weather, when we feasted our eyes on the masses of wild flowers that grew in profusion west of the mission. There were splashes of colour and brilliance everywhere. It seemed as if every available space had become part of natureâs beautiful garden; this parkland unspoiled and undisturbed by man. There were patches of light blue leschenaultia, and for contrast there were small bushes of violet blue hovea flowers and as always a carpet of white, pink and yellow everlasting. Scattered amongst the black boy rushes and under the huge gum trees a variety of bush orchids grew, displaying their exquisite beauty in varying colours for bushwalkers and nature lovers to admire and enjoy. We were discouraged from picking the flowers, though occasionally we were given permission to pick small posies to take back home to our dormitory to put in our commonroom.
In Autumn we sometimes emerged from the river banks with coronets of white bush clematis, which we namedbridal creepers, and carried bouquets of white lillies. With garlands of these pretty white creepers trailing everywhere we dusky barefooted maidens paraded and danced amid the laughter and cheers. We were celebrating the innocence of youth and the emergence of romantic fantasies. Many of us declared that we would wear the same bridal creepers in our hair and carry lillies on our wedding day. We were going to be Easter brides.
So despite the rigid formality of the place, the prayers, the restrictions, and the narrow-minded Christian fundamentalist teachingsâthe place, the location, will always be for me the embodiment of security, stability, peace and tranquility.
The Separation
Special friendships were formed there. In our case there was me, Kate Muldune 17 years, Melanie Jones 16 years, Kathy Williams 16 years, and Aileen Miles 14 years. We were a champion tennis squad, and were always on the same side in team sports such as netball and hockey. We worked, played, and moved as a team. Then one day without any explanation we were all separated. I was sent to Dorrington in the central wheat belt to work as a domestic help to Bill and Betty Hammond. Melanie and Kathy went south to Donnybrook and Busselton and the youngest member of the foursome, Aileen, remained to attend the Bunbury Senior High School.
At the time I couldnât understand the reason for our separation. It became obvious in later years but I could only guess at this stage. In those days our special friendship was viewed in a different light. Our relationship (their interpretation) was perhaps leaning towards lesbianism. But how could we have known about homosexuality when we were ignorant of the facts of life anyway. That assumption was absolutely ridiculous. The only reference to actual sexual relationship was made in the bibleâdescribing the action as âhe/she lay with her/himâ. Laying or lying meant to us the act of reclining. How, where or why didnât interest or concern us at all.
Even girls who planned a career in nursing were ignorant and naive as well. The reproductive system wasnât included in the Health,
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