Return To Woomera
After I returned to Brisbane, I did not return to Maryborough, as that job had finished, I went to the PMG Workshops in the Switchboard Section, making CE 250’s in either 9+40, or 15+80 configuration, for the Country Installation Groups.
It was a big shock to my system, seeing tall buildings, tall trees, beaches, pubs, trams and trains, and ALL that traffic. Being able to have a choice of theatres, dance halls, the ability to meet GIRLS again, it was a bit unusual.
I went to the Regent Theatre in Queen Street, one night, to see a movie and to cut a long story short, I bought a ticket, renewed friendship with the seller, and further down the track, we got married, and have been since 1961.
Being in the workshops was really boring, (how often does one hear that these days?), making up these boards and sending them off to the far reaches of the state, wishing I could be there to do the installation, and thinking of all the other people getting the times and the money, and I was getting sick of it. I was keeping an eye on the notice boards still, and, then I saw it! Another call for persons to go to Woomera for an indefinite period, and I had an application in so fast, the ink did not have time to dry.
I was accepted, and Joy and I got engaged before I took off to Adelaide, this time with some old, and some new workmates. Joe Bock, John Lane, Dave Pyle, Rod Deacon, and myself made this Queensland contingent. Poor Rod Deacon was a country boy who had come from a citrus orchard in Palmwoods, outside of Nambour, about 60 miles (96 km) north of Brisbane. His only time away from home was when he came to Brisbane to the training school at New Farm, and then he stayed with his grandmother. The DC6’s had become DC6B’s, and we flew to Sydney, having a few beers on the way. From Sydney to Melbourne was a bit rough and poor Rod filled every bag in the plane. He had never drunk beer before. Melbourne to Adelaide was a bit calmer, and we all trundled back to 45 Strangways Terrace in North Adelaide.
The next day, out to WRE at Salisbury, the regulatory speech from Harry Foster, the usual help from Thurza, and within a week we were all off to Woomera. What a difference from last time. This was hot, bloody hot. For 29 days, and NIGHTS, it did not fall below 100 degrees F (38 degrees C). This meant you went to bed at night in the minimum, lying on top of the bed, and during the night a dust storm would strike, and when you woke up, you were ringed with a little mud outline on the sheet. In those days I did not move too much at night. Off course, it helped to have drunk at least one bottle of Coopers Pale Ale, sometimes two. During the day it was HOT, and I can remember 113 degrees F (45 degrees C) in the workshop building. Who can forget the trips to and from the Range during those dust storms? The windows shut to keep the dust out, the heat and humidity build up from a load of breathing? passengers, letting the window down to dry the air out, and so the cycle went on.
We went out to the Range, down to the Communications Building, and
were introduced to Jack Nelson, again, and other groups from other states.
Our first trip had turned into a pilot, and it had been decided to have
more PMG staff on temporary transfer to Woomera. My apologies to those
missed, but, the names I remember were John Little, Marty Dexter, Joe Gormley,
Gerrard Kennedy and John Highfield from New South Wales, Peter Perkins,
there was a Roy ? from Melbourne, (he had a blue Austin Healey 100/6).
Plus, Bill Fraser, Bill Nesbit (the Bill? from the copper mines in the
earlier message), "Taffy" Roberts, Bill Wilson, Tony Hoare, Dave Stringfellow,
Dennis? and Ernie Jackson (Ernie ?
mentioned re the bet), these last few were WRE tradesmen, with Bill
Nesbit being the leading hand. The difference between the groups was that
only local (WRE) people could get promoted if there were any promotions
going. Those on temporary transfer would have to resign from their respective
State Divisions, and apply for a job with WRE, to be eligible. I also remember
a Chris ? Morley, who was a tin smith. He could make anything out of a
sheet of tin, and I am sorry to say that I never got one of his cups/mugs,
kettles, or jugs.
Dave Stringfellow told us, a lot later, about his arrival in Port Adelaide. You may recall, I said previously he was Paddy Dillon's son-in-law. Anyway, he said that Paddy was telling him about Woomera, where he would be staying, working, and generally about conditions in the area, and who he would be working with.
Paddy said that we were a pretty good bunch, but have one bad habit,
in that we swear a lot, and at the drop of a hat, will call you a "Dirty
Pommy Bastard", but, do NOT take offence, as it is meant as a term of endearment!
Then Dave said it turned out to be all true, and he was thoroughly enjoying
himself. Dennis? was having problems with his wife missing family at home
in England, somewhere around Manchester, Salford, I do believe, and he
eventually returned home. A couple of years later, he re-appeared, and
said when she got home, she could not stand the weather, and wanted to
come back to Woomera, where it may be cold, but at least you saw the sun
in winter. I do believe he said a
few choice words, started working at 3 jobs to get the money to
come back, (they had to pay full fare this time), and that was the end
of that.
Alan Kennedy
E-mails: alan@vk4fm.com
(9 November 2000)
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Memories of Woomera |
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