Patty Johnson's Schoolgirl Diary - Part 3 : Feb 1959 - Mar 1959
Monday 2nd February, 1959
I rose early and went over to the beach at 6 am. I splashed about in the water for a while. It was beautiful and deserted. At 6.40, I left for 7 am. Mass at Stella Maris. Before Mass Father blessed a large box of candles and afterwards he gave two to each of us. ‘You may have two candles,’ he said smiling, ‘As there are so few of you.’ Actually there were about four of us, one day he started Mass with only one altar boy and myself in the congregation. After Mass, as there had been an altar boy, a man had served, I fixed the altar, watered the flowers and swept the sanctuary and after I had finished Mr Cleal renewed the candles. At nine o’clock that morning Geoffrey was to have a personal interview with Mr Norton a man of high authority in the Ampol Company, so at nine o’clock I lit one of the blessed candles and let it burn for an hour – it had had its first job, and no doubt it did well! Later in the morning I went over to the beach again. I sat down with Marcia and her friend Pauline for a while before I went into the water. I didn’t stay in long for I wanted to get home and have an early lunch. After lunch Mum was having some neighbours, Mrs Wilkes and her mother Mrs Woodhead over for the afternoon, so I departed for the beach. I didn’t take a towel, but put on my paddle-parkers over my bathers, and I took a large handkerchief, in case my nose bled again, for it had done so frequently of late. Instead of going to the swimming beach I walked along the cliff towards Table Rock, then, slid down at a place where I am used to it. From there I walked over the sand out to the rocks which were above sea level, at that time. Over this large area of channely islands and seaweed vegetation I made my way and came to the farthest point seaward. In the two and a half years I had lived in Beaumaris I had never just sat out on the rocks and stared at the little fish, startling every crab in reach by upsetting its rocky home, or really made a detailed exploration of the world beneath the sea, or close about it. That afternoon I wandered about there doing just that. I never knew there were so many and varied starfish or even crabs for that matter. I found some small shells ranging from one inch to two inches. They were shaped like a rather flat cocoon stuck very firmly onto the rocks. Their backs were divided by thin grooves about six of them. On breaking one into pieces I found that the back was made up of separate pieces of casing and the grooves were the joins between them. I collected many of these and some starfish then walked back to where I had descended the cliff and climbed up at the point. On arriving home I found that Mrs Wilkes and her mother were still there with Mum, Grandma Johnson and Nan Cuffley, so I stayed in the kitchen and cleaned the shells. The pieces I kept were the afore-described shell casings, one side of each being a beautiful bright blue. This blue tended to fade after a few days but if I lacquer them I think they will keep most of their colour. The five star fish I brought home were the type with no long fingered legs – or whatever they are – but just corners in around a fair-sized body – like a five-pointed star. Three days later on inspecting them all I found in the jar of water was a quantity of some orange and yellow substance resembling half an inch of orange navel in the bottom. I concluded that, when dead, that type of starfish, I presume they were starfish – disintegrated completely into these tiny pebble-like particles.
Tuesday February 3rd, 1959
I went to Mass at 7 am, leaving home about four minutes to seven, however, Father must have started a little late for I arrived in at the beginning of Mass. Mrs Beeching, Mrs Cled, an English lady and myself were there with Father.
Wednesday 4th February, 1959
I didn’t go to Mass for I slept in till ten o’clock thinking Mass was still at 11 am but then later I remembered that it was back to the usual time at the school to weekday Masses at 7 am. 4th Feb. is Peter’s birthday so he is fifteen.
Thursday 5th February, 1959
Went to Mass at 7 am. Mrs Beeching arrived – bless her! Afterwards she had to leave straight away, almost. – I fixed the sanctuary – put down the missal stand, moved the Missal to the chair near the sacristy door, took up the altar mat, laid down the picture things on the altar, lay the mat over them, snuffed the candles and picked up any petals that had dropped. Then I rode home quickly. Geoffrey was to have another interview with Mr Norton at Ampol House and this time he was wearing his new suit. Mr Yates brought the suit, which is grey with a very, very faint shadow stripe, down in the morning en route for an appointment in Mentone. The suit looked very smart and made Geoffrey look older. Directly after having seen and approved of the new garment I rode around to Keys St for some shopping. After lunch I went for a swim – there was no one else in the water but myself and Jeff and Joel Berk. Jeff told me that they were possibly going to shift. It was rather a grey day with ‘slight seas in the bay.’ On the sand, it wasn’t as warm, but under the water was ‘tres chaud’; – not quite. Looking over to the shore I noticed that Pedro, and a few of the boys had walked up to the First Aid Box. When I was a little cold I went out of the water and just then Marcia came down. We talked there for some time then moved further up the beach to a bathing box on the front of which Pam Purcell, Ken Ogilsbury and another Firbank girl were sitting. We joined them. Marcia has just started school at Mentone Girls Grammar School and she’s in Sub-Intermediate. In the past eight or nine years she has been going to Firbank Church of England Girls Grammar School in Brighton. I left them a little later and went home for I had to prepare for John Harrison’s party for which Roger Sharr was going to call for me at ten minutes to seven. After a quick tea I had a bath and dressed – putting on my new red suede little heeled shoes. They have rather pointy toes. Roger arrived at the appointed time and we walked around to Deauville St – at least we ran part of the way for as we came to Keys St we could see a group, who were going to the party, a little further ahead, so we ran along to them. It was a good party with music and dancing and some games – rather ‘juvi’. Jane Boland and Hillary Collinson were there, also Tim Acton … Barclay and John Armytage among the rest of the party. Five of us walked home together, Roger, Marshall someone, Jane, Carol someone and myself. When we arrived at Dalgetty Rd I said goodbye and went straight inside.
Saturday February 7th 1959
Went to 8 am Mass at Stella Maris. After breakfast, when I returned home, Mum and I went into the city, by bus and train. We tried to buy a blazer, but couldn’t. However, I bought some red suede flat shoes so I was happy. We went up to St Francis for Confession and Mass and then to the University on an errand for Geoffrey without satisfaction. We went past the Ampol House building where Geoffrey might work. I got off the train at Gardenvale and walked up to ‘Star’. I asked for Sr. Patricia and she brought me some material for my new school dress, which I paid for. I went for a ride to St Pat’s, Mentone, after a late lunch and coming home I passed the theatre. ‘This Happy Feeling’ was on so I went in and stayed after asking them for permission. That night I went to the Social with a few of the girls. It was really wonderful, the best yet I would say. John Carrol was there – he’s very nice and a good dancer too. Afterwards I walked home with Kerry Wilson. He came in for a soft drink and we stayed talking in the lounge ‘til a quarter to one. Then I lent him my bike and he rode off – he looked awfully tired but I think he had a good time.
Sunday February 8th 1959
Went to 8 am Mass with Mum and Geoffrey in the car. We picked up Damian Collins on the way. He said he’d enjoyed the social – he also looked very tired. Soon after, we arrived at the church. Kerry rode on my bicycle, in the same clothes as he had worn the night before, and I saw he hadn’t done his hair since then. I said ‘See you after Mass’ and walked inside the church. Afterwards Kerry, Paul Lawson, Eugenie, David Young and I talked outside in the churchyard. We arranged to meet down the beach soon after lunch that afternoon, then I took my bike and followed the Jag ‘round to the Cuffley’s where Mum wanted to see Auntie Ina. From there I went straight home. About 11.30 am Aunty Molly Johnson, Pat Baker – Dad’s cousins – and her children arrived. It was a very windy grey day but after lunch Molly and I took our painting equipment over onto the beach and had a fling; it was gorgeous. I could have gone for a ‘burn’ with the others in Barry Watkins’ car, but I went with Molly. The ‘kids’ had three cars and a motor bike; and loaded them with 26 people then went off.
Tuesday 10th February 1959
Before school I went to 7 am Mass. I served, for there was no altar boy – again! On the way home I met Heather and Julie walking down Dalgetty Rd – it was their first day ‘back to the grind and prison garb’. Arriving at Gardenvale St., for I went by train to school, I found not one other ‘Star’ girl in sight – I supposed they had gone early to choose their desks and get all the information to spring upon you as you enter the gate. Everyone seemed quite happy to be back and it was fun to see all the faces freckled and tanned. That night Loretta Young came for tea. After tea for the last two nights and for the forthcoming week I am obliged to water Mr Barker’s lawn. He lives in the house at the opposite corner of Dalgetty Rd. It’s a beautiful garden he has and wouldn’t like it to wilt while they are away in Wilson’s Promontory. I wore my raincoat over there and was quite glad for it did get very wet – that’s something of many things I’m not at all good at – watering gardens – I get practically soaked if I’m not careful. Well – it is five to eleven now and I’m to be up at five thirty tomorrow morning so bed for me now and sleep if I’m lucky.
Wednesday 11th February, 1959
Today is Ash Wednesday. I rode to Mass at 6 am for it began at 6.20 – a little early but I always think that it’s very beautiful out when the sun is just behind the treetops and the twilight orange still blazes, so it’s worth leaving home just that bit too early. Mom came later in the Jag. At school all the girls – or most of them – still had the remains of their holy ashes upon their foreheads. Today we had our first art period for this year and also had our first glimpse of the new lay-teacher, Miss Kennedy. Miss Penny is not coming back to ‘Star’, I don’t think. And of course Mrs Hays didn’t as she had left quite a time before we had broken up last year. Most of the book- dealing was done today and I spent two pounds or more on a silly little heap you’d think I’d more likely have just been given. Today also we had our first Geography period – Sr. M. Josepha, and our first end period with Sr. Mary Chrysostom this year. I walked down to the station after tea with Lenore Petil, Stuart Wyatt, Catherine John and the rest but when they went into the milk bar I said ‘See you later’ and walked into the station. I met Marg. Rich and her sister and we had a malted milk each at another milk bar.
Thursday 12th February, 1959
I had a fair amount of work to do before school so, rising early, I practised first for it was almost sure I would have a music lesson sometime in the day. I am still bargain hunting in the field of second hand books. Geoffrey drove Dad and I from Beaumaris to Brighton. Alas! Sr. Attracta sent a message, in the morning to say that she wanted me for music at 1.20 pm. At the appointed time I went. She was quite sweet and like a nun should be, untouched but for today by the scourge of teaching children like me. Last period was the sports period so at the end of the previous one I changed into my sandshoes. We played softball, Ave Maria versus Nagle, I’m in ‘Ave’ and batted second and held first base right through. It was a good game but we came off second best – we lost to Nagle. Of course that was attributed to the fact that ‘Ave’s’ best batter, Barbara James, volunteered and joined Nagle to balance teams. After school I came home by train and sat with Jane Boland and Hilary Collinson in the bus. Hilary and I went straight down to the beach for a while after getting off the bus at Dalgetty Rd stop. At night we watched the Myer Music Bowl opening.
Friday 13th February, 1959
Today it rained. The weather is hot and it keeps on raining. We’re going all tropical it appears. I had a free period today at 3.10 pm. Having it last period isn’t very good when you want to do last night’s homework but last period on Friday never has much effect on my brain or its contents small as they are nor does much register, for usually at this time we sit in class in a state of restless irritation and doziness, or what is commonly termed ‘plain agony’. I sat next to Carolyn Mercer and gave her a French lesson. I’m sure she learnt absolutely nothing about French. While sitting in class swearing at an English Expression period Jenny Phipps, who sits beside me, was reading or was trying to read, in between glances from Sr. Patricia, a chapter in our art text book called ‘Man is an Artist.’ On one page she came across an illustration featuring ‘The Discus Thrower’ by a Greek sculptor Phidias. She stared at it rather wistfully then looked up at me and said, ‘Isn’t it a shame that the art of wearing the fig leaf, without braces, went out with the ancient Greeks.’
Saturday 14th February, 1959
Although it rained most of the morning I managed to ride to Mass during a dry period. Brendan was there and I talked to him after Mass was ended. He is working in Prahran he told me, and thinks he’ll soon be shifted to the G.P.O. Dept. in Beaumaris. Poor boy – he’s still doing exams and hopes to be an engineer, for the G.P.O. I suppose, so that means a course at either the ‘Shop’ or Melbourne Technical School. Soon after I arrived home Margaret Richardson rang me from Flinders St. She rang to arrange how we could meet to go together to the Middle Brighton Baths for the Centenary celebrations there. At 2.5 pm we decided to meet at the North Brighton Station and at that time we did so. She had with her a friend Jill Mountain, who knows Marilyn Rogers, whose sister Sue knows me. We met Sue Davis at the Baths. It was a very enjoyable day and as the weather had cleared and the sun shone we had a terrific time swimming. I met Margaret Maartens down there – beautiful Margaret. I forgot to say I met Heather in Keys St in the morning – she was buying things for her mother – she had no shoes on – she looks just as nice without them though.
Sunday 15th February, 1959
It was ‘Children of Mary Sunday’ so the seven of us sat in the one front reserved pew. After Mass Jeanie and I walked home together after talking to Kerry Wilson for a while. Kerry Wilson rang up shortly after tea and said she was going for a walk with David Young. They called in and stayed for a long while longer than they said they would. I think this may be the last time I’ll walk home with Jeanie for mid-week she and her family are shifting to Mordialloc – 10 Barkly St. It should be a nice change after living behind the shop. Oh – Jessica Jobling was at Mass. We had decided to go to Moondai for the day so Dad rang up Thompsons to see if they would come also. They accepted the invitation and we met them at an intersection somewhere near Oakleigh and I got into their car at that point, to be company for Newton. We had a lovely day up there, and had a barbecue lunch down in the front. Dad had brought a trailer of wood so while Geoff, Dad, Mr Thompson and Newton were carrying that down to the car I went bush and started to chop my name on a huge old gum tree. On the way home we called at Nan’s but she’d gone to see Mrs Lundy. I came home in Thompson’s car till our roads separated. All day I had ‘Tiriley’ on the brain and partially ‘This Happy Feeling’.
Monday 16th February, 1959
Rose at 5.35 am and prepared to go for a swim. At 6 am I went over but there was no-one there. I returned at 6.15 and found Paul Lawson, Bill Betzley and Jaime Boland among a group down there. I went in for a swim but didn’t stay long for the water was murky and full of seaweed, actually not very pleasurable at all – you see ‘sandy’ or ‘murky water’ is sometimes caused by schools of stingrays which stir up the sand as they flounder about. Still it was worth going in. We had physical culture today for the first time this year and I found that Mrs Snapper who taught us at ‘Sacred Heart’ was to be our new instructress. At lunch hour three of last year’s prefects came up to school, Kathleen Bunnan (Head Pre) Diana Kent and Judy Hughes. They all looked very nice – a hundred times better when out of ‘prison garb’. After school I went down to the beach, or rather I didn’t make the sand for as I walked down the ‘old’ ramp I met Mrs Crossley and we sat on the wall and talked. Marcia came up a little later and stayed there with us. She has a beautiful new bicycle – it’s just marvellous. After tea Kerry rang up and explained all.
Tuesday February 17th, 1959
I rose at 5.45 am, put on my swim suit and walked up to the first gate. Kerry was standing over by the rail with his bike. He looked awfully sleepy – as usual. He was fully dressed but said that his bathers were already on the beach, so we went down and I sat on a bathing box with a couple of other early morning swimmers while he put them on. Soon he was ready and we ran in. It was very cold at first, but of course after a while it became warm and simply beautiful. I stayed down there until a quarter to seven then went home to have breakfast. At school we had our first ‘Art of Speech’ lesson for the year – and Sr. gave it a new teacher – Mrs N. She already had many nick-names; one of them is Florrie (Florence Nightingale), while Clare persisted in calling her Mrs Goldenlung etc. I don’t know if we will ever see Miss Kelliher again – I hope so. Mrs N. has a huge mouth; Miss Kelliher had a very small one. I caught the 4.20 train at Gardenvale, catching a glimpse of Kerry as I did so, hanging out of the window. I came home on the bus with him and later went down to the beach. After tea I stayed up very late doing homework – curse it!
Wednesday 18th February, 1959
I woke at 6 am but could hardly keep awake so stayed in bed for an hour. At the assembly before classes Sr. M. Eymard reminded us of the Sodality Meeting after school. Yvonne who is the Head Prefect is also the Sodality Prefect so I suppose she’d be awfully busy this year. She’s a lovely girl, and, I think that everyone likes her. I never noticed before but studying her recently I found that she looks in the features of her face, especially, very like Sr. Eymard – though she hasn’t quite the voice – yet! It was a very regular school day, very rushed and tiring. After school we went around to the chapel where Father Wilkins was waiting to speak with us. He gave us a talk on ‘Learning to Know Ourselves’ after which we had a little meditation then went on to the ‘old’ science room to have the meeting. It was awfully funny, especially when a questionnaire was sent around and I was asked if I remembered to say the Y.C.S. Prayer during the holidays. Luckily I could say I had for it is one of my favourite prayers but when Father asked me to say it I couldn’t remember how it started, however, when I got the first line I was able to finish it.
Thursday 19th February, 1959
Practised for a while before breakfast and tried to complete my homework – crazy Arithmetic – calculate the income required for a man with a wife, three daughters under six (three daughters over sixteen) a medical bill of 76 pounds, and then all the rates, Land Tax, B.O.W., Gas supply, Electricity supply etc. It makes you glad to think you are not a tax and rate payer – but it doesn’t do anything else for me. I was late for my 1 pm music lesson, but I honestly thought it was 1.30 pm I had to go. Off last period we, the senior school, had a General Assembly in the hall. The prefects received their badges, Sr. Eymard read out the rules – again, the orchestra played the ‘March Militaire’ – again!
Saturday 21st February, 1959
As my bicycle, at present is not mobile I walked up to Mass. Beforehand I talked to Mrs Steed and Pat who told me she is teaching music and French at Fawkner High School. Father was ten minutes late and was still reading the epistle at 8.30; consequently I had to leave directly after the Communion in order to catch my bus – which was too late anyway. I arrived at theory at 9.45 instead of 9.30 however the clock only said 9.35 am. That night on the way to Balwyn we dropped Geoffrey at Loretta’s for he was taking her to a dance at Ormond. The party was really marvellous. There weren’t many there, about twenty I’d say, but we had a terrific time. Their lounge room, where we danced, is huge – like most of the rooms in the house. Alex played the bass, I found out but we couldn’t persuade him to give us an item. Elizabeth was there, looking very gay as usual. I was glad to see Sue Ramp for I’ve known her for years, and it is always nice to have an old friend to talk to. Alex and I made some coffee out in the kitchen of the flat which is taken by two Indonesian boys Harry and Din, who are Uni students. Honestly I’ve never seen anything like it. The sink was full of dishes – it was really gorgeous. 12 pm. Dad and Mum called back for us. They had been at Bishop’s. I thanked Ormond and Elizabeth for the wonderful time I’d had and told them to come down anytime they liked then we drove home taking Sonya and Hedler a couple who had been there also.
Sunday 22nd February, 1959
Went to 8 am Mass at Stella Maris with Mum and Geoffrey. As I wanted to stay back and speak with Father about the Children of Mary, Mum and the ‘monster’ drove home without me. I walked home with Ray Blackham and John Walker as far as the corner of Keys St. and Beach Rd. Passing Dr Wilson I remembered that I was to catch the 10 am train from Sandringham for Windsor where I was to attend a General Assembly of the Y.C.S. Leaders of Victoria. However, after reaching home, changing into ‘prison garb’, as Avila calls school uniform, waiting on the cliff for a quarter of an hour, being told there wouldn’t be a bus for another three quarters, being driven to Mentone with the rest of the family, they were going to a picnic – after all that, arriving at the station I decided that I felt too sick to go. Dad drove me back home where I put on a sun frock, and got my swim suit. Arriving back at the station we found Mr Young had come with Loretta, for she was spending the day with us at Warneet, and Thompsons had arrived also. Soon we were underway and found ourselves down at Western Port Bay soon afterwards. I was still feeling pretty dreadful but after a breezy long drive in a big motor boat, or launch, I felt a little better. I met Margaret Ockleston and Lonnie Russell.
Monday 23rd February, 1959
At 5 am I got up and made myself a cup of coffee – I was rather thirsty after having nothing to eat all Sunday, then I went straight back to bed. Apparently Mum decided that I wasn’t well enough to go to school so she didn’t wake me and I didn’t appreciate that state until about 9.15 am so I stayed in bed all day – or most of it. I can’t understand why, when I was feeling as bad as I was, head aching, back aching etc. etc. that it was the ‘done’ thing to stay in bed, tossing and turning and feeling awfully uncomfortable and stuffy. I’m sure if I had been wearing a nice cool dress and sitting over on the beach or walking slowly up and down, I would have felt much better both physically and mentally. But, if I did that, it would be classed an action quite out of order. I could go on forever I suppose but it looks as though I might wind up at the beginning so I’ll drop the subject! It didn’t occur to me until quite late that it was the 23rd and that was the General Meeting of the Art Group. At 7.30 I got dressed, put on my heavy coat – for Mum’s satisfaction – and with aches still in attendance walked up to the Kindergarten Hall where the meeting was to be held. It was a good night – mostly elections and so on. I met Mrs Carrol – John’s mother. 24th February went back to school.
Tuesday 3rd March, 1959
Went to school in the bus and train with Mrs Scales; Marcia now goes in the other direction, of course. It was a cloudy day, but quite warm. We hoped it would stay that way for the ‘Bubs’ were to have their swimming sports down at the Middle Brighton Baths. Mrs Ni came again at 10.30 am. There is no doubt Art of Speech teachers certainly placed great importance on their clothing. At one o’clock we filed into the hall for ‘singing’ with Sr. Attracta. Great long Latin hymns we had to go through – I think that sort of thing should be in the morning programme when we can take a little interest, or last in the afternoon when it doesn’t make much difference what we’re doing – to us anyway. Soon after I arrived home Neil came down. He had on Heather’s old, white, crew-necked sweater; of course it was a real ‘sloppy Joe’ on Neil. And with his crew-cut just growing – not at the same rate in places – he looked quite a character. When he left I went to bed – and stayed there for tea then went to bed.
Wednesday 4th March, 1959
Went to school with Dad in the car; we have a new companion – Max Goodrich. Apparently Dad met him through the R.S.L. Club. He’s very nice, young too – about 25 I think. It was rain – so I didn’t take my raincoat. That sounds silly – doesn’t it? But actually it’s quite a good policy because in that case Dad is obliged to drive me right up to the gate! I arrived at school at 8.5 am but had plenty of work to do. No free periods today – horribly disappointing. As I hadn’t done my theory for the week and Sr. Attracta has said she would throw me out of the class if I didn’t finish it up by Wednesday I stayed for half an hour after school doing it. On top of that Michelle Keenan, Robin O’Donovan, Anne Baillie and myself went to Sr. James for about twenty minutes. Billy Graham was on Television from 8 till 9 o’clock so I left my homework for that hour to watch and listen to him. He is really a marvellous orator and person in his own right. I can’t see why the Church can say such things about him when he, apparently, teaches so much about God to the people. I think he does a lot more good than harm.
Thursday 5th March, 1959
Geoffrey left early, to learn what happens at Ampol before the normal day begins, so we didn’t have him with us going in. At the moment, there is raging a great conflict between Sr. Stephane, maths homework and myself. There’s also one between Sr. Chrysostom and I; and, one between Sr. Raymond and I. However, that doesn’t stop Jenny and I having fits of laughter in English which is the only subject Sr. Patricia takes us for besides Christian Doctrine. Josephine Reay sits across the aisle from me and Suzanne Davis sits two desks behind so it’s rather a good set up for having fun – of course we never upset the rest of the class! I had a music lesson at 1 am. Sr. Attracta was rather goodly tempered and but for my dreadful sight-reading everything went quite smoothly. After school I stayed back for ages tidying the commercial room. Then, we, Mary Rose O’Connor and I walked home together down to Lochin St. where she turns down. I came home in the bus with Julie C. and Elizabeth Downey. Julie came in for a while after getting off the bus. Oh, I saw Brendan in Sandringham with his new P.M.G. player on – looks terrific.
Friday March 6th, 1959
Went to 7 am Mass at St Joseph’s Church in Black Rock. I caught the 6.30 bus from Beaumaris and after walking up to the Church from the bus stop it was about five minutes to seven. Before I went in I spoke to Greg Papworth – one of the many Papworths. Just before Mass started, Sr. Kokic came along and we went in together. It’s a nice little church, but, I remember thinking when we lived in Black Rock that it hadn’t anything like the atmosphere Sacred Heart, Sandringham, had – but I suppose your own parish church is always your favourite. I didn’t go home after Mass but went down to Beach Rd, where I waited for Dad and got a lift to school. School – I’ve never had a more hilarious day there since the beginning of term. Sitting next to Jenny Phipps is a catastrophe if one is conscientious about working in class. We were in fits all day even going to and from Benediction we could hardly keep ‘straight faces’. Coming back Sr. Patricia said ‘Forward march please girls.’ Thereupon she like us marched – left, right, left, right around to school. After 4 Jenny, Mary Rose, Leonie Watson, Helen Gosney and I were still at school until about 5 pm. At one stage, after an imitation of Sr. Chrysostom for about half an hour from Jenny, Mary Rose decided that we should have a practical trigonometry test there and then. So we set about calculating the distance between Mary Rose, who was out in the playground supposedly looking up through the degree of elevation to Elizabeth West who was up in the library. It was really a scream and all the way down Martin St I had to try my hardest to keep from laughing about it. I came home with Brendan in the bus as far as Black Rock.
Saturday 7th March, 1959
I intended to go to 8 am Mass before school but anticipating the rush to get there, the dash from the church to the bus stop to catch a late bus, and going without anything to eat (that doesn’t worry me as much as it worries Mum) till about 12 pm, I decided to leave it go, even if it was a First Saturday. Mary Rose… (breaks off)
Tuesday 10th March, 1959
Went back to school. Everyone was terribly suspicious of where I’d been. As I said it was the Moomba procession day in the city and many of the girls had gone to see it. Even Sr. Patricia said, ‘And have you been Moombaing, too? ’ I told her no and handed her my note. We had the tetanus injection today. It didn’t affect me in any other way than the good the injection did – I hope. But some of the girls were grumping around not wanting to go into doctor, and when they did they closed their eyes – or rather screwed them up and held their heads high – hardly breathing at all. Luckily I hadn’t missed much at school, for as I said there were quite a few away and Sr. didn’t teach us anything new. On the bus I saw Jane Salter and Julia Johnston. I haven’t seen Julia for a while for she moved from Haldane St in nearer to the city, a few months ago. Elizabeth Disney was in the bus – I could hear her talking all the time.
Wednesday 11th March, 1959
Homework! Homework! Homework! Every night we have piles and every night I never seem to get it done. School’s a bit of a bore I’m beginning to think. I took some of the jam I made to school in my sandwiches. Jenny Phipps had some and so did Clare and they both agreed that it was quite palatable, even in view of what I had in it. I think someone must have told Sr. Stephen off for all the homework she gives us for she said to do three-quarters of an hour’s homework and then stop no matter what you’d done or what you hadn’t. I didn’t have any free periods today so didn’t get my theory done so there’ll probably be fireworks with Sr. Attracta. We had singing with her today. She is as bad as Miss Kelliher and her ghost poems, for nearly every new song we get is about maidens and lads, pipes and tabors and dancing after labour in the fields, on the village green – we’ve had two this year. Came home with Heather in the bus.
Thursday 12th March, 1959
Homework! Homework! Homework! Honestly I haven’t been so tired for months and months, and I’ve been very tired for months. If I don’t crack up now, I shall know something – along the line – has immunised me for life.
Friday 13th March, 1959
Well I certainly had a better day today! At 11.30 we were ‘let out’ to have lunch. At 12.30 we piled into the special bus allotted for the use of our form. In no time we were racing through the city – about three buses altogether. The posters on the walls of the Barclay Theatre looked very spectacular and everyone was excitedly waiting to be shown into theatre. The film we’d gone to see was Cecil B. De Mille’s production of ‘The Ten Commandments’. Unfortunately he died just the other day. The film, however, was really marvellous – just as everyone who had seen it said it was. One could easily see, in every scene that De Mille had spared no expense in trying to achieve his aim – to make it as real as possible, and also one can imagine that with miracles taking place frequently throughout, making them as real as he did, was no mean achievement. Seven or eight nuns went with us and I can imagine their gratified expressions, watching us, as we sat with our eyes glued to the screen taking it all in.
Saturday 14th March, 1959
I left home for theory at 7.30 am on my bicycle to see if I could make it, (16 miles in all) for a change in travel, and, to save the 3/9 pence I would have spent on fares. Personally I am inclined to think that the depreciation on me would have exceded the 3/9 pence but nevertheless it was an experience – a new one, that’s something. It was a lovely day so I went over to the beach. It’s really remarkable weather for this time of the year. Other years at this time we have been having storms, gales and torrential rain falling day in and day out. However, I made up my mind to make the most of it, while it lasts. It’s possible that it will continue all through the year – well – no-one can tell! After lying on the beach for a while with a few of the ‘pals’, I heard that the Mentone Girls Grammar Fete was being held today. I felt like a ride on my ‘bike’ so I went home, changed and took off for a cruise in the ‘crate’. I called in on the fete and met Marcia. She showed Pam Purcell and I over the school – which was once a very large old house. Afterwards I went up to see how they were getting along with the building of the new St Patrick’s School, Mentone. It’s coming along well.
Sunday 15th March, 1959
Went to 8 am Mass at Stella Maris. It was Children of Mary Sunday so I sat in the front pew with about three or four other girls. John Walker was on the altar – horrors! After Mass John, Ray and I walked home, down along Oak St and Keys St to the Beach Rd. It was a beautiful day and we talked there for ages. When John announced that he was going to play cricket all the afternoon it took a bit of self-control – although I haven’t great regions of it – to restrain the lengthy issue of profanity which immediately leapt into my mind. Yes – I think it was the most beautiful sunny morning we’ve had for months, although it wasn’t as lovely in the afternoon. When I arrived home I took off my hat, shoes and stockings and went down over to the beach. There I wandered about in the clear water for a while and then sat on the sand near Table Rock. Everything in the immediate vicinity of myself and the ’Rock’ was perfectly clear – the cliff, the trees, the grassy slopes behind the sand and the cool rocks in the water – but, strangely Mt Eliza and the land over the opposite side of the bay was very misty – almost invisible. After lunch I went over for a swim. I didn’t ‘go in’ but Sue Tabak, Lesley Kempson and myself and some of the boys had mud from sitting and talking on the beach in front of the L.S.C.B.B.
Monday 16th March, 1959
I haven’t been at school many Mondays this year – three I think. We had physical culture with Mrs Shaffer in the morning. Today’s programme went:
9. Christian Doctrine – very much like Christian Doctrine
9.40 French – Sr. Christine (enough said)10.20 Geography – Sr. Josepha (still trying. I don’t know what it is but she always gives me the impression that she’s trying terribly hard to do it.)
11.10 Singing – Sr. Attracta
11.50 Art – Sr. Raymond
1.25 English – Sr. Patricia
2. Maths – Sr. Stephane (I feel that a lava of weariness has erupted over the Pompeii of my mathematical mind and completely inundated it – I pray for the day it is reclaimed)
2.40 Maths – Sr. Stephane
3.19 ‘Free’ Recently the name ‘free’ period was forbidden and now we have to refer to a ‘free’ as a study period – all by kind favour of Sr. Mary Peter Julian Eymard. (pron. Ay- mar)
After lunch we had a Sodality of Our Lady candidates meeting in the boarders dining hall – I’m a candidate. After school we had the Sodality meeting and meditation in the Chapel. Patricia Ryan gave it and it was really good – at least I didn’t wander too often during it. Yvonne Lauder, Head Prefect who is the Sodality Prefect came to the meeting – she is very like Sr. Eymard, especially to look at. I came home in the train with Margaret Fleuro. She chases other girls – or rather runs races in the Sandringham Woman’s Athletics Club.
Tuesday 17th March, 1959
St Patrick’s Day! Good old St. Patrick. I didn’t know what I would do but I was determined not to waste the beautiful holiday. I went to 7 am Mass at Stella Maris. There were quite a few people there but still not enough. I walked home with David Young – I didn’t know that he would be the source – or part of it, of my day’s entertainment. After breakfast I settled down to finish two pictures I was putting in an art exhibition but before long the telephone rang – it was Kerry Wilson. He asked me to come up to his place for a while. All good Catholic persons should get together on St Patrick’s Day – there’s no one else to get together with, anyway, on St Patrick’s Day. I went up to see him shortly after. David was there also. We played some records and generally ‘messed’ around until 12.30 when we arranged to meet again at my place at 2.30. Then David and I left. At a quarter to three they arrived. We haven’t got a radiogram – so we decided to go for a walk along the beach to Mentone. We set off and I can truly say I’ve never had a more hilarious afternoon since last St Pat’s Day – it was simply gorgeous. We had a lunch in a little shop opp. Mentone Pier – without that I doubt if I wouldn’t have had to be carried home exhausted.
Wednesday 18th March, 1959
Got up at 6.15 and spent most of the time before school fixing, painting and fitting with pictures, two frames. The articles are being entered in the art exhibition run in conjunction with the Kuranga Festival. I am not sure whether or not this is the first year they, the Sandringham Municipality, have run it, but I’ve certainly never heard of it before. At English we read a play – or rather enacted it. Some of us, Sr. Patricia called up onto the platform to take the roles. It was quite fun. Some of the girls are veterans at it, Jenny Phipps, Margaret Richardson and Sue Davis are a few, but it was my first go – this year. I was Jenkins, a gamekeeper – much despised by the rest of the cast – mainly poachers. I walked down to the station with Judy Nelson and Helen Monk but as I wanted to catch the next train and I didn’t want to break my Lenten resolution) I went on past the shop – where most of the girls have – well, almost afternoon tea. I came home in the bus with Gay Peterson. After tea, Roy Grennin, who was driving Dad to the R.S.L. Club took my two paintings up to Berg’s for me. Tomorrow morning I hope to go to a Sodality Mass.
Thursday 19th March, 1959
St Joseph’s feast day! And didn’t we have some celebrations at school – with a Sr. Mary Giuseppe and Sr. Mary Josepha. As it was, or rather is, such a great feast day, for St Joseph really is the greatest saint, the foster-father of Our Lord and spouse of Mary, we had, in the afternoon only half hour periods – instead of forty minutes a time. Thus we were dismissed a 3.30 pm. I had a music lesson then – just marvellous! After the music lesson Sr. Attracta wanted me to get some stamps – 3 doz. 2 half-pennies, so I was at school until 4.15 anyhow. I came home on the bus with Lin Henry, a ‘Windsor Girl’ whom I met in the bus last night. I see her at Mass quite often. She’s about a year younger than I am and is in sub-Intermediate. This morning I went to school in the bus, 6.45 am. and train, with Geoffrey. We had a Sodality Mass in the chapel at 8 am so the girls in Sodality and several Y.C.S leaders came. Afterwards we all had breakfast in the lunchroom – consisting of ‘Wheaties’, milk, sugar etc. tea, bread and butter and hot sausage rolls with sauce if you wanted to buy them. Unfortunately for me I had no money so the last sausage roll was left.
Friday 20th March, 1959
I went to school with Dad and Mum in the car. It’s very exhilaratingly beautiful walking up Martin St on a sunny morning, that is until one remembers the homework Trigonometry exercises not half finished – then it’s one confused rush up to the school. The ‘affair’ between Margaret Richardson and David Lins, I think has at last petered out – to the class’s joy. It was interesting – at times – but once having met the boy it was rather sad to think that Margaret was so keen on him. However ‘that’s love’. Glory be to Goodness!! I’ve never thought of Margaret and love before. Poor little Margaret! It’s tough – but as I have said I think it’s just about ‘out’ – the fire I mean. Clare doesn’t seem to have any beaux – at least she doesn’t talk about them much as some other girls I know… I left school at about 4.30 pm and walked home. Gay Petersen was with me on the train and bus. Once being passed Black Rock the atmosphere changes about me and, until I reach home – and start to work at school again – my state of mind is a very pleasant one.
Saturday 21st March, 1959
I caught the 6.45 bus and went to Mass at St Joseph’s at Black Rock. To do that, and then go straight to school from there, is the only satisfying way of working in Mass and School of a Saturday morning. Naturally I have a lot of time to go to school. As it happened today was the Kuranga Art Exhibition opening. I walked from the bus terminus over to Berg’s second-hand shop, or rather their house, which is next door to the shop; there was the exhibition. All the paintings, which were hanging on cyclone wire stands, were, unfortunately covered with green canvas sheets. Theory was – well theory. Sr. Attracta I perceived, even in my famished condition (for I hadn’t eaten since dinner Friday), a slight remaining glimmer of the gaiety of St Patrick’s Day. Sr. Attracta visits Mother Patrick of O’Neill convent every St Patrick’s Day – religiously. On the way home I stopped off at Black Rock, to have a look at the art show. I thought the winning piece (£10 prize) was positively ghastly and so did everyone else. Most of the other paintings were very pleasant to look at. I had no money but 5d which was not enough to take the bus home so I bought 5 penny … sticks and walked.
Sunday 22nd March, 1959
We came up to Moondai yesterday afternoon. We went to Mass at Belgrave this morning at 9 am. Nan Cuffley was there and we had a talk after Mass. Miss Claffey was there also – in her new Volkswagen. It was Palm Sunday and before Mass – which started at least seventy minutes after the appointed time, a procession was held in the church grounds in which we all took part holding our pieces of blessed palm. We worked all day in the garden. Dad and Geoffrey are still digging the drive down to the house and I cleared most of the wilderness from the Autumn Garden. (What makes it the Autumn Garden is, I think, the fact that in it grow two liquid amber trees a couple of maples and various other unknown quantities whose leaves turn bright and colourful in the Autumn.) Mummy and Grandma worked in the house. Grandma always brings her tin of Brasso. She has that: ‘If all the brass is polished and cared for the house certainly looks lived in.’ I think all agree with her. We arrived home rather late but I managed to finish my homework.
Tuesday 24th March, 1959
I rose early intending to go to Mass but the stack of homework was so immense I just couldn’t leave it. Miss Ni came again and gave us a lesson in the art of speech.
Wednesday 25th March, 1959
Today was my birthday. I am fifteen. I went to Mass. John was there and I thanked him for his card. When I arrived in the classroom at 8.30 I found that several knew it was my birthday and to my bewilderment they burst into song – you know which! Margaret gave me a lovely little bottle of pink jasmine perfume and a card saying ‘To Pat, with love from Margaret.’ Mary Rose left a note in my desk. It read: ‘Look in your desk tomorrow.’ After school Mum sent me around to Walker’s to give Mrs Walker a list of girls and boys for the Social Club. There I met Mr and Mrs Wheeler, John’s grandparents. Mr Wheeler was building a birdcage for the boy. I didn’t have Christensens down for tea as usual, however, they arrived down soon after Mum, Geoffrey and I had left for Confession. We came home rather late and they had gone, leaving a beautiful present – a pearl necklace and bracelet which is simply magnificent and I will thank them for it tomorrow. Soon after I arrived home Alex rang.
Thursday 26th March, 1959
I went to Mass at 7.30 at Stella Maris. Wore green/grey tweed suit; drove Walkers home afterwards. It was Holy Thursday, but still we had to go to school, most big schools didn’t. However, we didn’t have much schoolwork in the morning and none in the afternoon. Of course it was dust, wash, scrub and polish all afternoon until 2 pm; as usual. During the day I completed eleven pages of French homework for Sr. Christine. Part of it should have been due during the week but somehow, through ... ah ... a small miscalculation, along the line, it was strangely – through pure miscalculation, of course, accidentally omitted. I left school at about 2.30 pm and came home on the train with Kerry Murphy. I saw Lyn Henry at Sandringham St. so we came home in the Beaumaris bus together. Arriving home off came my hat, gloves, blazer, shoes and stockings and I ran over to the beach. A few of the ‘pals’ were over there – most of them whom had had the whole day off from school. I was lying in the sand talking to Jane Boland, John Carrol and a number of other unknown quantities when Neil C. came over looking for me. I went back with him to 37 Dalgetty Rd. Thanked for present.
Friday 27th March, 1959
Good Friday. I was very disappointed about missing all the Easter Ceremonies in our own Parish Church, after studying them so much at school. However, Mass on Easter Sunday will have to suffice. Soon after we arrived at Moondai Mrs Morris came up with her niece Muriel and Wendy Coleman (who later received the name of Bridget Bardot) who both have a flat at Seacombe. That night Les and Allie Smith came in. Mrs Morris brought the girls to meet us and we all sat around the fire – hence the above sketch. (Moondai fire sketch enclosed on page).
Saturday, 28th March, 1959
I slept in the front bedroom – in Grandma’s bed. It’s quite pleasant in there in spite of the possums running about in the ceiling. The bed, with its great soft billowing mattress was a gorgeous change from my hard, flat, inner-spring mattress at home. I must say it made me rather uncomfortable on Friday and Saturday night – being Good Friday and Holy Saturday nights. Not long before lunch the Tudor family arrived; Mr and Mrs Tudor, Jane, Valerie, Kate and Barbara. Pat didn’t come; I think she was holidaying somewhere else. Also Ramps arrived, Trougot and Herta, Adrian and Suzanne. Altogether the total temporary populace added up to twenty-five – that’s quite dense for such a small community. Table tennis seemed to be very popular so we all wore ourselves out playing set after set. At approx. 7.15 Geoffrey and Malcolm, Wendy and Muriel set off to go to the pictures at the Cameo Theatre in Belgrave. After all the visitors had gone, I believe the four of them went to midnight Mass in Belgrave, and then came home.
Sunday, 29th March, 1959
As the Jaguar in one of its temperamental moods refused to start, Mum and I took a ride to Mass with the new people on the hill – who are building a little cabin close by. They are very nice people but I’m afraid I don’t know their names. We met Nan, Uncle Bill, Aunty Cath., Peter and Brian after Mass and talked with them for some time. They thought, then, that they might come up and see us, but, however they didn’t. As it happened we were not in the least wanting more company. Mr and Mrs Thompson came up, bringing their boy, Newton, and their bird with them. After lunch, which was a barbecue, Newton and I went for a walk to the potato paddock, at the end of a track on the other side of the hill. From there we climbed a fence into John’s property. We passed some cows which stared at us with huge brown eyes. Fortunately they made no other reaction at seeing us on their pastures. That night after tea we went for another walk down to the highway. The shadows cast by our hurricane lamp were rather frightening and so was the heavy blackness covering the hill, but we kept talking and it was very pleasant.
Monday 30th March, 1959
Last night Thompson’s stayed with us so I slept out on the veranda with the possums and mosquitoes. Actually I think I had a better night than anyone else even though I was outside, for I was the only one with a mosquito net. Today Mr and Mrs Barker came up with Jeffrey and Joel. Also we had the pleasure of the Gates family – all except Graeme. During lunch, down at the barbecue, Mr Gates took a movie – the horror! After we had given the table tennis a good old whack Robert Gates (15-16) and I went for a walk down the front of the hill to the store. Arriving there he bought two double-headed ice-creams. ‘I’m earning now – that’s why they’re double-headed.’ We came back a different way – past Coys house. It was wonderful to look up and see Rob, instead of Newton – thumb in mouth. When we arrived back at Moondai, Barkers had left and Gates were just about to go, so Rob packed in with the rest of them and off they went. Soon, when we were ready to go, we set off for Nan’s (place?) then on to Mentone where Malcolm got on the train to Frankston.
Tuesday 31st March, 1959
Went to 7 am Mass at Stella Maris. I thought Avila might be there, but I was disappointed. It’s dreadful we haven’t seen each other all Easter – not since Christmas. Mrs Cleal drove me home, as it was raining terribly heavily. She usually drives Mr and Mrs Beeching home. I didn’t want to take Mr Beeching’s place in the car (it’s a utility) but he made it very definite that I was to accept his kind offer. At about 11 am Kerry rang and said he might call in. Soon after he did and after he fixed up my bike – which had several things wrong with it – we set off for David Young’s. With David we went on to Paul Lawson’s. After waiting for Paul to finish his lunch we rode down to the beach. The others went on and we joined after Kerry and I had had some lunch at our place. Over on the beach there was quite a big group of the ‘pals’. David was to be chairman of a debate at school on co-education. Everyone has an opinion on this so all of us joined in a terrific discussion on it – everyone really ‘got with it’ – the discussion – not all were for co-ed.