We would run up the road to meet my Dad. He used to sit us on the plough horse on his way home from working on the Farm. We were only very small.

I rode my sister's pony to my grandparent's place when only four years old and she rode it home and Dad sat me up in front of him to ride home (poor Mum)

Our place was called "Allambie"

My early years were the Depression years, not that we knew.

I started school at the Dalma Road State School for a bit over a year. The teacher was Miss Johnson. Then it closed. The parents were told not to do anything about schooling or the school would not open. Dad got sick of waiting and got us "correspondence". Night time was the only time Dad had to teach us. We all had to work hard.

The swagmen used to come by. They were given eggs, milk, tea and sugar and meat (if any) etc. They would make a fire and get their meal. (No sign of them in the morning) (The sundowners)

Dad and his brothers, Jim & Walter purchased Thomas Bond's property and divided it up. Jim had Totney, Walter didn't marry.

Old Mrs Bond lived in Albert Street, we visited her, we knew few people in those days. There was the Alexander/s who lived over the other side of Black Gin Creek, Dalma Rd (Mum) Dalma & Greta and daughter.

Dalmer Christenson. (Greta Harding — Greta &Tom Story at Glen Lion)

Alk & Christine Adamas , who lived up the road a mile away. The Blanks across the road from Adamas, Henry & Elizabeth had three children. The eldest drowned at Pink Lily at his grand parents, just before I was born, when 21. Then Joan (Joan Leigh) & Ben, Christine was (Ms Edmistone), my brother-in-law/ Keith Edmistone is a nephew.

Henry & Elizabeth had five children: Harry, Betty, Barbara, Frank and Maurice. Harry went into the Airforce, Betty married Fred Hoare. Betty still lives at the Gemfields. Barbara married George Tomkins, whom we were very fond of, died very early, (She's married again) — now Barabara Williams.

Maurice was a school teacher — joined the forces. Frank was the farmer.

Joe Bond & Mrs Bond lived on the road between Dalma Road and Ridgelands Road. His family all left home — before my memory. Bit of a cold way was he, very tight. Mum had a cup of tea with the old lady in a café in town once and the old lady tipped the sugar basin of loaf sugar into her handbag, and said Joe liked lollies. Mum felt like crawling under the table.

My Mum was a nurse before marrying and was called on, when the old were nearing their day's end. Dad's cure for all our cuts and bruises was kerosene.

There was Jess Bond who lived up and around the corner from Joe. He used to come riding by and have a chat.

We went to our Grand Dad's place on a Sunday. In the early days, a cross pondocho in the sulky. One wet day, the horse moved off as Mum was getting in, after opening the gate, she slipped and broke her arm.

Grandma & Aunty Lizzie looked after me and baby Lucy. Edith stayed home with Dad. Don Harrett came to help him. Don was forever the tease, so she threw a potato at him and it went through the window. The budget didn't stretch to a new window pane in those days.

Don's father came out from England and married. They had twin boys — Donald & Norman. Then not long after Kay was born, she died. He was left with three babes, He used to (I am told) take them to my grandmother's each morning & pick them up that night. That is how people managed in those days. Norman went to war and was taken prisoner by the Germans, came home after the war, was cane farming in Childers. Once when he was up on holiday, he said in the prison camp was a lad from Ridgelands (I think he was Brosnan) his Uncle was a guard at the prison & took then home for a meal sometimes.

1940 — Lucy & I started riding our ponies to the Alton Downs School

(The pub corner was well-known land mark, ( No pub it had gone) The stumps were still there and a number of trees. It was on the corner of South Yaamba Road & Ridgelands Road.

My horse was a half Arab. Dad's grandfather, Charles had imported the stallion. She was a mare called "Trixie". Uncle Walter had her brother called "Lightfoot". Uncle Ernie had another one. (a mare, I think).

Dad had four brothers — James, Walter, Edward & Ernie. As an under school child Uncle Ed teased me and spoiled me. I remember I wanted him to make me a billy cart. He went to the wood heap, cut wheels out of pieces of timber, fitted a timber axle and kerosene box and shafts — my billy cart. I used to harness up the dog with string and try and get him to pull the cart.

People used to share a lot in those days. Fruit, veges, taking the cream to the station, going to town for goods when the floods were coming.

Holidays were with relatives or neighbours.