Postcards from Australia - Cairns & Haymen Island - 10.1969

 

 Panoramic view from Whitsunday Passage Lookout.  Hayman Island, Great Barrier Reef.  Australia.

From:-  Rosie, my mother.

Dearest P. J. & D.

Stopped off here on our way to Cairns.  Terribly hot and Nick throughly enjoying all the very best pools all the way, will write.  Love Mum

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Below.....

The modern method of cane cutting in North Queensland.

From:-  Rosie, my mother.

Dear P. J. & D.

Having a wonderful trip.  It's so hot here I'm roasted.  Nick and your Pa enjoying it & the swimming is terrific.  Love Mum

Postcards from Australia - Newport Beach - 1969

Newport NSW
(Looking south along Newport Beach this popular residential and holiday resort is renowned for it's excellent surfing facilities.)

From:-  Rosie, my Mum.

Thinking of coming home soon?

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Surf Boats.
(A familiar sight at most Australian surf beaches is the launching of surf boats, either for rescue operations or competition between surf life-saving clubs.)


From:- Mama, my Grandmother.

Letter following shortly.  Busy getting place ready for Christmas, not much news around.  Hope you are still having lovely trips.  Your wallpaper * still up.  Love Mama.

(Before I left for England, I lived in one of my Grandmothers bedrooms, she lived next door but one to Mum and Dad, I totally wallpapered one wall using magazine photos of all sorts of things.  These magazine pages were stuck onto long rolls of butchers paper so easily moved.)

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Postcards from Australia - Ballarat - 10.6.1969

Ballarat, Victoria - Looking to the City Hall, Stuart Street, at sunset.

From:- Andrew, David's brother.      10/6/1969

So far as I know Ballarat is the only town with trams in Australia apart from Melbourne & Brisbane that still maintains an efficient tram service.  We went down there for the Inter Varsity Rowing where we came 6th out of eleven, not too bad.  Ballarat is a strange town, most of the architecture is the ornate land boom style of the late seventies and eighties.  Congratulations on Anniversairy #1.  Andrew.

Postcards from Australia - Dalgety 19.4.1969

 Family outing in the Snowy Mountains, NSW


From:- Mama, my Grandmother.      Dalgety 19-4-1969.

Dear P & D,   Having happy time here with our mutual friends cold but sunny.  Nick on trip with school somewhere in the region, but have not met yet.  Bought card at Threadbo Village.  Jindabyne Lake is beautiful - the new village bare as yet.  Simon is quite a boy and Megan a sweetie.  Am only staying until next week.  Hope you are seeing English Spring flowers at last.  Love Mama

Postcards from Australia - Broken Hill - 1968

 Zinc Corporation Ltd, Broken Hill

From:- Friend Peter Jones whom David met in New Zealand 1969

Dear Pennie and David,
Thank you for your letter.  I wish I could be with you in Spain.  I am finding B.Hill terrific.  People fab and Social life swinging.  I mix in a group of teachers, engineers, geologists, journalists, uni staff etc. etc. and you can imagine how they play up.  Have been to some beaut parties, one pool party went from Friday tonight to Sunday night with brief periods of rest.  Don't think I will be over there before you come home but you never can tell.  All the best and lots of love, Peter

(Footnote:- Peter sailed to England after we'd returned in 1971. We were on the boat to see him off but he didn't come through Customs till the very last minute of departure, he was very angry because he'd been mistaken for the Bomb Hoaxer calling himself Mr Brown.   From Wiki:- On 26 May 1971, Qantas received a call from a "Mr. Brown" claiming that there was a bomb planted on a Hong Kong-bound jet and demanding $500,000 in unmarked $20 notes. He was treated seriously when he directed police to an airport locker where a functional bomb was found. Arrangements were made to pick up the money in front of the head office of the airline in the heart of the Sydney business district. Qantas paid the money and it was collected, after which Mr. Brown called again, advising the 'bomb on the plane' story was a hoax. The initial pursuit of the perpetrator was bungled by the New South Wales Police Force who, despite having been advised of the matter from the time of the first call, failed to establish adequate surveillance of the pick-up of the money. Directed not to use their radios (for fear of being "overheard"), the police were unable to communicate adequately.^[88] Tipped off by a still-unidentified informer, the police arrested an Englishman, Peter Macari,^[89] finding more than $138,000 hidden in an Annandale property. Convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison, Macari served nine years before being deported to Britain. Over $224,000 has still not been found. The 1985 telemovie Call Me Mr. Brown, directed by Scott Hicks and produced by Terry Jennings, relates to this incident.)

Peter came back to Australia and we kept up for years... Peter where are you now?

Postcards from Australia - Canberra - 11.1968

 Aerial view of Canberra's rapidly expanding shopping and business district at Civic Centre.

From:-    Mary.  (David's Mother)  November 1968.
Yr. letter of 15 Nov. rec'd w. thanks. Painters are in so things are nearing completion, just doorhandles, light fittings & taps to go on & we'll be able to enjoy the new layout.  Most surprising how much larger the K looks.   Sent some newspaper cuttings which I hope will eventually turn up. Much love MSG.

 Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, Canberra A.C.T.
From:-    David's sister, Julia (aged 13)  and their Mum, Mary.  8/7/1968
Dear David and Pennie, I liked your wedding photos very much.  Dudu sent the cutting out of the paper up.  Is the cottage in the background yours?  We played another basketball match on Friday against Queanbeyan and won it 14-13.  The badminton record is now 136 Pennie, Mum and I scored this.  Doodie.
From Mary:-  Truly!  Bus photos rec'd w. thanks.  "Hewitt's potatoes & all" Our Mr H. helped me home with magnif. chest of drawers from Auction of McKillop home on Sat.  Love M.S.G.

 

Forrest Motor Lodge, Forrest. A.C.T.  19/8/1968

A couple of days here while the tiler re-does the bathrm.  Off white colour.  the hot showers much apprec.  Yr p.c.s. from Lands End much apprec.  J & M practising tennis at 7:45am!! on the Forrest Courts!!  Will go to Johnny Purnell's & get her a racquet.  Have got to chase round for light fittings next.  'Aunt Bray' lived at Tavistock & wrote about the countryside, Dartmoor etc.  Mr B. was the Parson.  The Vicarage T'Stock.  Were either of you in that surf at Sidmouth!?

Much love M.

Postcards from Australia - Northern Beaches - 10.1968

 Our families sent us a steady stream of Postcards from home, I stuck every one of them up on our walls... This fold out one is from Rosie.  And yes we did sigh, especially at our very familiar Newport Beach.

Avalon Beach

Postcards from Australia - Australia - 28.8.68

 

Christmas Tree (W.A.)  Often grows 25-30ft high and is covered with golden flowers at Christmas time.

From:- Barb Steel   - Swanbourne, W.A.

(Friend of the Waugh's and one of the 7 people at our Wedding, she sailed back to Australia not long after.)

Dear Pennie and Dave,

Sorry no mail from me sooner, I've been flitting around the countryside quite a bit and in between have done some temporary work and had my brother & family down (two gorgeous children so of course we frequented the beach, zoo etc)  and have been making a bridesmaid dress for a cousin's wedding next week.  School starts tomorrow so I must start being conscientious.  Hope to catch up with mail soon.  Done any trips lately?  How are you braving the cold Pennie?  Pam is engaged, nice chap from England.  Barb.

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Australian Aboriginal Tribesman. Northern Territory.
(The rock painting behind this aboriginal tribesman is part of  'The Dreaming', the myths, rites and way of life of his tribe.)

From:- Nick, my brother.

Dear Pen,
Thank you very much for the wedding cake.  We are on holidays now and yesterday we went to see Planet of the Apes.  Do you like the picture on the front, Mama bought it.  Marcus is down next to me peering over my shoulder.  Give a hand shake from me to David.  Love Nick xxx

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Australian Aboriginal Tribesman n'Dhala George Cave. Northern Territory.
(Tribesman carry handmade wooden spears and shields the same as those used by the first Australians long before white settlement.)

From Nick:- my brother.

Woof Wenny,
Wallo we've a wot a wag story.  Woof bow wow wow and then woof got bow and woow.  But growl got woof and the new hinn and the wound.  Growl Growl Ang.

Translation - Translator Nicky.
Hi Penny, Hello I've got a good dog story.  I've been sick and Wickie (neighbours dog) came and saw me every day but he wasn't allowed in.  Bye Bye Angel, paw paw
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Postcards from Australia - Adelaide - 20.8.1968

 Toll-Gate House, Adelaide.  This delightful remnant of he past is situated on the Melbourne Road just outside Adelaide.

From:- Julia, David's Sister - 20/8/1968

David & Pennie, Thanks for the wedding cake and the postcards.  The cake was beaut.  We played our basketball finals last Tuesday at Turner Oval, we won 16-15, but on the Friday we played Pymble (who were up here for the exchange visits) and beat them 19-0.  Andrew has a new job working for Mobil giving out free lollies, dog biscuits, maps, maps and oil.  Love Dood.
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Below...
University Bridge, Adelaide - A tranquil scene by the bridge across the Torrens River near the Adelaide University.

From:- Julia, David's sister - 2/1/1969  Canberra.

Dear Dave & Pennie,
 Thanks very much fo the thing on the Great Exhibition, very interesting s Dad won a prize there.  Mum has just found a recipe for Cumberland Rum Butter in an English Cook Book you gave her, Dave.  I posted a present for you but a little too late.  Love Dood.

Postcards from Australia - Windsor - 7.8.1968

 St Matthews Historic Church, Windsor. N.S.W.  (Where a lot of my Ancestors are buried)

From:-  My Aunt Pam,  on my behalf of my cousin Matthew Phelan, aged 1 year.  7/8/1968

Dear Pennie, I call you 'Bennie' now, instead of 'Nennie', I love going out to work.  I have a good friend, Markel, whom I love and Becka who plays with us.  Dad bought me a little red suitcase with a pussy on it.  I carry my bag to work with Daddy, and I'm in too big a hurry to say goodbye.  I have been taught to say 'taa' instead of 'thank-you' Love to David, from your loving cousin Matt xxxxx

 The Court House, Windsor. N.S.W.

From:-    My cousin Andrew Phelan, aged about 14. 30/8/1968

Dear Pennie & David, Mum + Dad have just had w-w carpet laid.  This greatly improves appearances.  Anyway, where is your next port of call?  What places did you visit in England.  These answers I will expect on a STAMPED envelope.  Love Andy.

The Doctors House, Windsor. N.S.W. 

From:-   My cousin Sue Phelan, aged about 13.  25/7/1968

Dear Pennie & David, You know my friend Janelle Hudson, well her father has just been appointed 'Chairman of the Milk Board' of New South Wales.  He gets $16,000 a year and $3,000 party money and a Ford Galexy.  Isn't that great!?  But the only thing is that they'll be leaving soon and I'll miss Janelle because we were great friends.  Love Sue xxx
P.S.  This is my friend Mary's house on the front.

Postcards from Australia - Sydney - 25.8.1968

Postcards from Australia - 6.1968

Sydney Harbour Bridge.

From a work colleague of David's.

Dear David,

      Greetings from your home country and all the best to you and your wife.  I've phoned the Newport Beach number and given your regards, a woman was at the phone and expressed her appreciation.  I could not understand her name.  Wolfgang.

Postcards from Australia - 28.8.1968 - From Marcus.

El Alamein Fountain, Sydney.       

From my cousin Marcus Phelan, aged about 14.                28/8/1968

Dear Pen,

      Before I write any further I MUST thank you for your delicious cake which I am saving for the memory of your wedding.  I have been staying with Nick for this half of the holidays and Nicky will be staying at our place for the rest.  Yesterday (27/8/68) we went to Sydney to watch a beaut movie, "PLANET OF THE APES".  After that we went to HOBBYCO and saw a pocket radio for $1.95, but the man didn't have any in stock.  Hoping you are feeling well. 

Your UNFORGETABLE Cousin M-A-R-C-U-S. XXXX

Postcards from Australia - 25.8.1968 - From Robyn and Susan Dixon.

Government House and Sydney Harbour.  

From my cousin Robyn Dixon, aged about 10.          25/8/1968

Dear Pennie and David,

     Thank you very much for your card.  It was very interesting to see where you live.  We have settled back at school after the holidays now, we move into new schoolrooms this week.  We had our Sports Day last week and our House won.  I hope you are well and missed the floods.

    Love from Robyn.

Taronga Zoo. Sydney.

From my cousin Susan Dixon, aged about 8.               26/8/1968

Dear Pennie and David,

      Thank you very much for your card.  I took it to School and showed my teacher at news time and she showed the class and read it to them.  You must be having a lovely time travelling around.  Our other cousins should arrived in England this week.  They have had a good trip.

 Love Susan.