Woomera - Reminiscing (Part 4)
What about the Port Augusta to Woomera road in those days. All 170 kilometers were rutted dirt and rocks and corrugations. Three hours for the trip was quite acceptable. When it rained, it became a quagmire and impassable. I remember one trip when it took us seven hours and we never stopped once. If we had stopped, we would most likely still be there. What a wonderful sight and what a relief when you crested the last hill and there spread out before you were the lights of Woomera, well some of them. Entry to the Village was through the Phillip Pond Gate on the opposite side of the Village to the Pimba gate.
Talking about the road reminds me of the Salvation Army Major who shall remain nameless and who regularly did the trip in a very short time in his Mercedes diesel car declaring he had the protection of a "Higher Authority". Until "Higher Authority" must have his attention diverted and the Major slid on the roof of his car for a couple of hundred metres. "H.A." must have got his mind back on the job just in time as the major was not injured.
The Village was well served by churches with each of the three main denominations, Catholic, Anglican and United Church headed by a Services Padre. It wasn't long before Woomera had three imposing new churches which would have been a credit to any town. The Padres themselves were always popular and fitted in well with the community. I have a couple of tales to tell but I won't mention names as some of the Padres reached very senior positions within their church structure in Australia in later years. I like to think that their time in Woomera helped them to achieve this. I know they won't mind as I have told the stories in their presence.
One Padre really loved playing cricket and he was quite a good player, a definite asset to his team. Unfortunately, his Sunday midday service used to end about the time cricket started. To save time he would wear his cricket gear under his black gown ready for a fast take off. Another Padre played Aussie Rules for the Village Club and threatened to invoke the assistance of "Higher Authority" if things were going badly for his team. It may have been a coincidence but the Village team went through the season undefeated that year - 1959.
Another always got what he wanted, not because he was so gently persuasive, but because he was such a blatant bully when he wanted something. Then there were the three Padres who spent some of their leisure time during the day playing "Kelly Pool" against each other in the Senior Mess. It would have been hilarious to have been a fly on the wall as they all had a wonderful sense of humour.
This tale would not be complete without a mention of Padre Jim as he was affectionately known. As Chairman of the WERI, I sent him an invitation to an important funcion in Woomera. He was on sick leave and out of the area at the time. I still have his letter of reply in my possession (it was addressed to my late wife and myself). Padre Jim wished us a successful function but apologised for not being able to attend. He also apologised for not coming home to say goodbye to us and his many friends as he was too sick to travel as he was dying. Two days later he died and I still get goose bumps when I think about it.
I know that Padre Jim would like me to tell this little story to illustrate true humility and why Woomera was such a great place with such wonderful people to spiritually lead us. I remember at one time Padre Jim said he would give me a special dispensation to miss church for six weeks if I came to a certain church function. He knew darn well that I was not a frequent church goer as I always seemed to have other things to do. What a guy.
Woomera is now memories, memories, mostly pleasant memories. Even the sad memories have a message or some do. Whether it was sport, recreation, relaxation, working, socialising over a beer or going to church - there was always fun and fond memories. Unfortunately I have not lived in Woomera for the last 29 years so, I do not have any memories of that time except for the wonderful 50th anniversary long weekend when I met 387 people that I knew. I know that there were that many as I have a list of their names.
Can you remember your stay in Woomera, no matter how long or how short, no matter whether in 1947 or 1997, without a smile or a tear. I can't. Thank God for Woomera and the wonderful people who made it what it was.
Dick Zehender (The Big Zed)
ex 29 Carinya St
ex 1 Boorong St
Woomera SA
The Centre of the Universe
E-mail: zehender@ozconnect.net
(21 Jan 2001)
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Memories of Woomera |
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