| 1940 | |
| 1 January | Monday. New Years Day. Ball for Soldiers Comforts Fund. It was a great success – we were much afraid on account of the weather being so hot but in the afternoon there was a lovely change and it got quite cool. I think the door takings was nearly œ15. Emilie and her brother were here for Ball – Nellie and Winnie could not get out. Ena and party including Aunty Bid and Mary went to Burrenjuck. |
| 2 January | George went to Cowra this morn. and on his round to Maryamma in the evening. |
| 4 January | Georgie brought stuff from town for Aub so I went up with him and took Aunty Bid Ward for a drive. Aunty Bid and Mary Ryan home from Ena’s. |
| 5 January | Ettie’s [Howarth] baby born. |
| 6 January | Men did not get home till this afternoon. They had to make up for New Years Day. Arrived about 3.30 pm. Quite cold tonight, had eiderdown on. Noel [Newham] went to Sydney for a fortnight. |
| 7 January | Sunday. Men’s Sunday and Fr Reen. A very good roll up – Emilie out. George played cricket but they all made ducks and Holmwood beat them, but they are still in the lead in competition. |
| 8 January | Monday. Went to Mass at 7 o’clock. Very quiet all day. Mrs Waters and Pearl went over to Young. |
| 9 January | Getting warm again although up to the present since the rain it is nice and cool. I went to pictures to see Great Waltz with Aub. Jimmy rang from Sydney. |
| 10 January | Very hot day. |
| 11 January | Very hot again. Aub asked me this morning to go for a trip round the south coast and back to Sydney. We will sleep at hotels and have dinner and tea anywhere. Tom Markham is going to look after Aub’s while he is away. Went to Aub’s this arvo with Georgie to deliver timber. The kiosk is nearly completed. Jimmy rang up again – he has been ill. Told me to ask Laurie Murray up, but when I rang she had gone to Jervis Bay with some other girls. |
| 12 January | Beautiful morning but warmer outside. Rang Emilie and ordered Kimino and Cardigan for my trip. Expect it to be very cold on the coast. |
| 25 January | Arrived home from Sydney at midnight after a few days in Sydney. Had a very hot trip home – tea at Katoomba. Called at Winnie’s at Woodstock. A shower and to bed. |
| 29 January | Went out to see Dib. He is leaving this week for Dr exam. in Sydney. Very rough road to work. |
| 30 January | Tommy took Edie, Nell and Mrs Ford out to say goodbye to Neville – had to go round by Cowra home to leave Nellie. |
| 1 February | Warm days and cool night. Neville left Woodstock this morn for Sydney. Edie and I went for a two mile walk this evening. |
| 2 February | Neville passed Dr. Going on to Melbourne tonight. I wired Nell and Jimmy and rang Winnie. Theo Marks went to Cowra – he is going to Canowindra for a Post Office exam. |
| 3 February | Beautiful night last night – I had a mind to get up for more blankets. Tis lovely yet 8.40 am. Had few lines from Neville. |
| 4 February | We had a new priest today. Men’s Sunday. Fr Reen on holidays. |
| 5 February | Washing day. Edie excited about Sydney. Very warm today out of doors. |
| 6 February | Tis wonderful weather, the days are warm but nights cool enough for blankets. Georgie took me for a drive to town tonight. |
| 7 February | Uncle Nick 12 months dead today. Lovely morning. Aunty Bid, Edie and Aunt Mary left with Wasses for Sydney. Letter from Neville. Emilie went to Sydney. |
| 8 February | Lovely morning but getting hot tho: have written to Neville, also Jimmy. COR Petrol coming out – Georgie and Percy went to Orange. |
| 9 February | Georgie in Cowra twice for loading for Alan Neville. Letter from Edie from Manly. |
| 10 February | Emilie home from brother’s wedding. Very hot morning. Billy Lappin killed at Randwick today. |
| 11 February | Darby’s won cricket match today, gave Woodstock a thoro’ licking. They are now in finals. |
| 12 February | Very hot weather no sight of rain. Georgie took his father in to see doctor. |
| 13 February | Had meeting today to form branch of Women’s Voluntary Service. Eileen Ryan [Darcy’s wife] President, Mrs Harold Oliver Secretary, and Mrs Les [Oliver] Treasurer. Quite a lot there altho very hot. |
| 14 February | Wrote Dib this morn. No sign of change in weather. Had another letter from Neville. He is well and happy – Hesse out to draw logs to mill. |
| 15 February | Emilie rang to say she and George won œ10 in lottery. Very hot day. Steam up at Mill but not much cutting. |
| 16 February | Very hot last night and this morn – wind from north – may get rain. Les Whitty gone to doctor with bad thumb. Winnie and kidlets out for weekend. |
| 17 February | Nothing much happened. I had œ3 on Bronze Flight. Won at 4/1. |
| 18 February | Fr O’Kennedy out and very feeble. Georgie took Cricketers in. They are 8 out for 370 so looks black for Railway. |
| 19 February | Men still trying to fix engine to cut timber – they’ve been at it for a week now. Very hot again. WVS meeting tonight – not many there. Geo to see Mr Bullivant |
| 20 February | Very hot again in day. Nights are cool. |
| 21 February | Men cutting at Mill at last – don’t know if it will last. Hesse out to draw more logs. We expect Herbie and co. home today. Very hot. Sydneyites arrived 8.15 pm. |
| 23 February | Had letter from Neville. |
| 24 February | Win received first pay from Dib and sent us MO for œ4. Noel finished with us today. Aub and Till went to pictures. |
| 25 February | Fr Masterton today – Women’s Sunday. Brought new tabernacle. Ned Whitty collected œ6 and we donated it. Jack landed with car. |
| 26 February | Mill working – not doing too badly. Still very hot days but cool nights. Noel up with Oliver Markham at Hyles. Jack only had one passenger. |
| 27 February | Very hot day. |
| 28 February | Cool change this morn and cloudy. I have my cardigan on minding shop. Hawkesbury races today. |
| 6 March | Took Geo Senr to Alston Hospital tonight with inflamed kidney. |
| 8 March | Archbishop Kelly died today aged 90 years. Jeppa Matheson died this morn. |
| 21 March | Jimmy home tonight for Easter – he looks splendid. Win and Nippers out too. Aub and Thelma went to Sydney for Easter. ÿÿ |
| 24 March | Easter Sunday. Jimmy went in for Emilie and Fanny and Jack went after dinner for Nellie and Kiddies. They all went to the Weir and had tea there. |
| 25 March | Georgie took Jimmy to Forbes this arvo and all our visitors went with them via Woodstock to leave Win and nippers. |
| 27 March | Mr J. Savage, Prime Minister of New Zealand, died this morn aged 68 years. Lovely change for rain this morning – quite cool. |
| 28 March | Desperately hot today – sticky heat – temperature in Orange 106 so what here? Senr. went to doctor says pressure too high otherwise OK. |
| 29 March | Very hot again and no sign of rain. |
| 31 March | Fr Reen out today – fifth Sunday. Fr O’Kennedy in Lewisham with bad cold. |
| 1 April | Cold enough for a fire tonight. Doll went home without turning on for the news. |
| 4 April | At last the drought is broken. It has been raining since some time in the night – lovely steady soaking rain, Thank God. |
| 11 April | Neville came to Sydney today from Melbourne – he is at Garden Island Naval Station. |
| 13 April | Pouring rain today. Nev. rang up from Mrs McGuinness’. We did not know he was in Sydney. Passed his exam OK. Winnie out for weekend. |
| 14 April | Miserable day again – raining a little. Jimmy rang tonight. Aub and Thelma down. Edie and Winnie went Cowra with Georgie to see Nellie. Ernest broke Nellie’s doll. |
| 15 April | Meeting tonight Women’s Voluntary Service. Wet and cold. We didn’t think anyone would come. Takings at dance clear œ10.5.0. |
| 17 April | No letter from Neville yet – I’ll blow him up tomorrow but when he rang on Sat. had bad cold. We had Mushrooms for tea. |
| 18 April | Frost this morning and a beautiful day. |
| 20 April | Lovely weather. No letter from Nev. Winnie had wire to say he was better. |
| 21 April | Aub and Thelma down to Mass. Thelma stayed down and Aub went back to let a boat out so I went for a drive. |
| 22 April | Beautiful morning. George taking dad to doctor afternoon. Letter from Dib and Jimmy. |
| 23 April | Paid 5/- Beverleys. |
| 24 April | Like rain this morning. Georgie to Graham. Paid final on cash register – D & W Murray – Sun papers – Hill Woodstock – ordered pyjamas for Dib. |
| 25 April | Raining today. Jack and Edie went to Woodstock to say goodbye to Winnie. |
| 26 April | Friday. Winnie all packed and ready to leave for Sydney at 7 pm with Eric Newham. Marie rang to say Neville sent to Canberra. Talking to Nev. tonight, he is pleased about Canberra. |
| 27 April | Cold wind blowing this morning. Nev’s address: Harma Wireless Station, Canberra. |
| 1 May | Geo to Cowra to C. of England Ball. |
| 3 May | School children to Cowra to join in school sports. |
| 18 May | Charlie took Nellie and Winnie to see Dib at Queanbeyan. He is very well. |
| 19 May | Party from Queanbeyan arrived home at 9.30 pm. |
| 21 May | Frost this morning but lovely day. |
| 24 May | Sent 5/- Mrs Gibbs on layby – also 5/- to Beverleys. |
| 1 June | My birthday. 63 years today. |
| 9 June | Talking to Jimmy tonight. He is enlisting in the ground force – has passed Dr. at Leeton. |
| 10 June | Very cold today a fog until 11 o’clock. Sent œ1 to British products, 5/- to Bevilles and 5/- to Mrs Gibbs, œ1 Glover. |
| 15 June | Red Cross dance tonight run by school children. I am playing. |
| 17 June | Nonie Ford 21 yrs. today. |
| 18 June | Sent œ4 to Glover. Very cold morning and I have a cold. |
| 22 June | Sunday for Women – Fr Masterton. Very cold nip in the air. This should be on 23rd. |
| 24 June | Heavy fog this morning. Markhams pony has a foal. Georgie with Hudson boys getting sand for chimney. (£2 CWA). |
| 25 June | Walter Newham died this morn. in Moira Hospital. Sent Dib tobacco. Sent œ5 to Stammers, [Butcher] Woodstock. |
| 29 June | Nora Howarth married today. |
| 8 July | Beautiful day. Sent Mrs Gibbs 5/- on layby, 5/- to Bevilles, Metropolitan Life 9/-, British products £1. Pd. John Cahill £3.7.6. |
| 10 July | Raining today. Jack came home. |
| 11 July | £1 to Glover. Very cold day. |
| 13 July | Wonderful dance tonight for War Rally -£5.5.7 received up to midnight. Rain stopped a few from coming. |
| 14 July | House full for week-end. Nellie and Fanny, and Emilie. Jimmy rang up from Junee. |
| 15 July | Cold but fine. Boots from town for Jim. Thellie not back yet. |
| 16 July | œ2 to Glover. Mrs Ray operated on today. Heavy fog but nice day after. |
| 17 July | Foggy again today. Senr. just struggling out. Thellie back at work today. Paid David Jones final payment. |
| 18 July | George brought galah home from Graham today. |
| 19 July | Ball at Hovells Creek tonight – heavy frost this morn and dull day. |
| 21 July | Met Jimmy in Cowra on his way to Orange. He is very well. |
| 25 July | Sent £2 Glover |
| 29 July | Mrs Ray had second operation today. Great disappointment. Stitches out from first and thinking of coming home. |
| 30 July | Letter from Dib. Thinks he may be left at Canberra. |
| 31 July | Patriotic Ball Cowra tonight. Georgie and Edie went to it. Traveller gave Emilie ticket. |
| 2 August | Vera Whitty’s daughter born today – Janice Mary. Raining lightly. Called on Mrs Hudson today. Have bad back. Mrs Ray a little better. |
| 4 August | Fr Reen out today. Holy Name Sunday. Tennis tournament over. Gorgeous day. |
| 5 August | Paid Bevilles 5/-, Glover £1. Another lovely day. Geo gone to Cowra. Fr Reen been here for about an hour. |
| 6 August | Bitterly cold today. Paid British Products £1 and 5/- to Mrs Gibbs. |
| 8 August | Sent Glover £2.10.0. |
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| 2 September | Nora O’Leary came out today. |
| 10 September | First day of Show. George on Ambulance. |
| 12 September | Edie and I went to Races. Had good day – four winners on tote. Rain started as we came home at midnight. Letter from Dib. |
| 13 September | Pouring rain today. Thellie and Eric went to races. Beryl and Sammy went back to Orange. Mick stayed here. |
| 14 September | Paid Glover £1. |
| 18 September | Jack Neville was married today Church of England, Cowra. |
| 20 September | Steady rain falling. WVS Ball tonight. Later: Ball a great success – hall packed and very orderly dance. |
| 21 September | Pouring rain all day. George went to Golden Valley [property on Cowra/Boorowa Road] to bring Hudsons home [shearing]. Ken Goodland rang up. |
| 28 September | Molly Oliver’s baby born. Pouring rain tonight. |
| 29 September | Raining this morning. Fr O’Kennedy out for Mass. |
| 30 September | Very cold wind but fine. George and Jim gone for wood. |
| 16 October | Iris Markham married today. Going to Brisbane for honeymoon. |
| 25 October | Nellie very sick. Went to see her tonight and sent for doctor. |
| 26 October | Nellie slightly better. Winnie and family left for Canberra. |
| 31 October | Georgie and Emilie announced engagement today. |
| 2 November | Nonie Ford taken to hospital with rheumatic pleurisy. |
| 4 November | Nonie Ford not so well. Mrs Ford gone in to see her. Norm Pepper’s birthday. Nell is sending cable. Very cool morning. |
| 11 November | Nellie came out for few days. Edie minding children. |
| 12 November | Sent Hobart today for tickets – hope to win œ1600 for Xmas. Also ticket Red Cross Art Union. |
| 14 November | Sent œ5 on bedroom suite. Paid Butcher £4.0.4. Pay D & W Murray £5.14.0. Pay Hennessy for Ray [Newham]. |
| 17 November | George 25 years today. |
| 18 November | Nora [O’Leary] leaving us today. |
| 21 November | Nora left for Sydney this morning. Very hot day. Fire started in Ned Whitty’s paddock from spark from tractor. Burnt several bags wheat. |
| 22 November | Very cool this morning. Storms around yesterday but no rain here. |
| 30 November | Raining steadily today and poured tonight. |
| 1 December | Raining again today. |
| 3 December | Letter from Winnie today. Very hot – thought we’d have storm. |
| 4 December | Paid first instalment 3 Dec. on outstanding account at Wright Heaton £5. |
| 18 December | Jimmy arrived home and left for Sydney 28 December. Put in new carpets for Christmas. |
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