From Melbourne
11.10.82
Dear Alan,
I
didn’t have time to write a letter last week because almost all the spare time
was spent watching the Commonwealth Games. They were on the TV from about 9
each morning until after 11 each night. On the morning of the marathon they
started at ¼ to 6 in the morning. The marathon had to be early in the morning
because it would be too hot later. As it was the runners said it was still too
humid and some runners didn’t finish. I don’t know whether you would have seen
anything about the games – most likely there was nothing in the SA papers.
There were a lot of Africans in the games. Nigeria did very well in the
weightlifting @ the boxing. Kenya and Tany… did well in the running. Zimbabwe
did well in the bowls (all white some with Dutch names so they could have
originally come from SA). I think there were probably more Africans
representing England, Wales, Scotland and Canada than there were representing
African countries. In the medal ceremony for the girls 4X100 meters relay there
were 12 girls on the stand and only 1 was a white girl although England was 1st
Canada 2nd and Kenya 3rd.
That is
why I cannot understand the government of SA reasoning. If they only used all
the people there and let them do what they do best SA would be such a strong
country especially in sport and in other ways too. I thought there would have
been a special supplement on the games after they were finished with all the
results but there wasn’t so I will just go back and send you some pieces about the
games in a separate letter.
A few
weeks ago there was a review of a book
written by Andre Brink. I had a look in our library – they didn’t have the book
mentioned they did have Rumours of Rain.
I thought it was a good book interesting and seemed to me over here fairly
realistic. Have you read it? One thing annoyed me in the book. During the book
he uses the phrase “Nkosi sikelel i Africa” and no where in the book is there a
translation. It could mean something about dying for Africa. Could you please
find out what it means. I think it is the national anthem.
Glenn
and Jenny have been back for a few weeks from Malaya because Jenny had to see a
doctor. The doctor was trying to help Jenny have children.
Jenny
Georgia (Mc Dowell) had a baby last week. She called it Timothy William. Ray
and Claire have almost finalized their divorce the money just has to be handed
over. Fortunately for Ray Claire just took the amount he offered and didn’t try
for too much.
There
is still discussion in the paper about the school dental scheme being changed.
Now the only children who will be done by the scheme are the “poor” children.
The dental therapists will look at everyone’s teeth and continue with dental
health projects e.g. cleaning and food – but they will only fill teeth of
children who are eligible. People are writing and saying that now dentists will
get much more work but the dentist say that they most likely won’t see the
children anyway.
At last
Dad and I have got a new bed and mattress. Fixed it up this weekend. This should last us all we need. A frim base
but a medium rubber mattress. Suppose to be best for your back so I hope so.
Actually my back has been pretty good as long as I don’t try to do too much.
Things
are not too good here at present. The mother helping at the kinder this morning
said her husband lost his job last week. Mr Doubleday lost his job last week.
He has never worked anywhere else than Massey Fergusons since he left school.
We have another father from the kindergarten who has lost his job. It is the
worst that most people can remember. But now there are so many people who have
lost their jobs that there is no shame in having no job. Some of the factories
are only working 4 days and the worker are taking home less pay so that more
people can still keep working.
We went
up to Trentham last week. The wattles were out in the forest and the blackwoods
were all out around our place. It did look nice – so much wattle you could
smell it in the air. We took Aunty Grace and Win. It was very pleasant walking
in the forest. I hope there are not too many spelling mistakes this letter. My
head isn’t feeling the best. I think I will go home early this afternoon
instead of staying too late at the kinder. I just don’t feel very energetic.
Love
from Mum
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