Sunday 30 October 2016
Saturday 29 October 2016
From Melbourne (Anne) 16.12.84
From Melbourne
16.12.84
Dear Alan, Lorna, Jolene and Melissa,
This
letter is mainly to wish you all a very happy Christmas, though I think it will
reach you after Christmas.
As you
will hear from Mum we had a Neyland
reunion on the 2nd December. All of mum’s cousins and their
offsprings were there. It was a great
party and plenty of photographs were taken. I think Mum is sending you
some.
Dennis has started a new job. It is working in
factory ARC just down the road. He has to maintain the machines which are
enormous. ARC make wire products including garden fences and fences that people put around
backyard swimming pools. I think that by law you have to have backyard pools
fenced off as each year several toddlers have been drowned.
We finish the school year on the 18th
December. The teachers are having a barbeque on the 17th and chicken
and champagne break-up on the 18th.
For the last month not many students have been at school as not much has
been happening.
We
start school again on the 5th February so we have a long holiday.
Benjamin starts school “preps” and is looking forward to it and he is certainly
ready for it. We are having Christmas dinner at my Mother-in-law’s and I don’t
have to cook anything – so Christmas will be easy and relaxed.
Bye
for now
Love
Anne XXXXXX
From Melbourne (Christmas card)12.84
From Melbourne
12.84
Dear Alan, Lorna, Melissa and Jolene
We hope you all have a happy Christmas. I guess for you it
will too hot to have what we call a Traditional Christmas dinner. We still have
it even though it most likely will be hot. We will have a very quiet Christmas
with just the family that is left here home.
The
parcel that I sent you should have arrived by now. I forgot to put in the box
but the two hand puppets are a wombat and a koala. Alan will tell you the
difference between them even though they both look alike. Last week a koala
walked along the road past our house at Trentham. There was also a snake along
the track in the forest.
We are
not doing anything these holidays because in May we are going to Pamela in
Tonga.
How are
Jolene and Melissa getting on with their swimming? Is Jolene going to a school
next year. She would be if she was here. The children finish kindergarten this
week. The weather is pretty awful cold and raining we have the heater on now.
I hope
you all have a happy and peaceful Christmas.
Love
Mum and Dad and Beverley
From Empangeni 7.12.84
From Empangeni
7.12.84
Dear Mum,
Jolene
has completed middle year at Pre-primary. Melissa the first year at Junior
Primary.
All
pre-primary is optional (similar to kindergarten). The children go in the morning.
None go in
the afternoon. Most of the schools ae semi-private. You pay fees R80 term and the Govt subsidizes
the rest. Most of the pre-primary schools are much larger than what you are
used to. This one has about 6 different groups with 6 teachers and a
headmistress. The groups are separated by age and language.
I’m
sure Jolene spends all day drawing. Each day she brings home between 5 to 1o
drawings. At half year the teachers said she was a friendly little girl who
enjoyed talking to the teachers. This term the teachers are finding her
demanding. Her mind races.
Junior
primary school is compulsory. They can choose to start in the year the child
turns 6 or 7. Lots of people hold the child back until it is 7. So some children will not go to school at all
until 7. Which is two years later than in Australia.
In
Class 1 &2 the hours are 8:00 to 12:00 am. They go home after that. In
Standard 1 they go from 8 to 1.
Melissa
plays incredibly well with any other children.
Regards
Alan
From Melbourne (Mum) 5.11.84
From Melbourne
25.11.84
Dear Alan,
Just
a letter to let you know that Daryl is going to South Africa next Sunday (2nd
Dec) for business. He was only told this week and all he knows is that he is
going to Johannesburg. He will be in South Africa for two weeks leaves here on
the 2 and comes home on the 16th Dec. He doesn’t know what he will
be doing in his spare time if any – but we have given him your phone number. I
am not sure what he does but it something to do with computers. His wife wanted
to come with him but it is strictly a business affair.
By the
time you get this letter he will already be there but he only just found out.
Beverley
finished her exams and last week she bought all her junk home. We haven’t quite
tidied it all up yet but it is easier to walk through the lounge room. Tonight
she was watching Countdown which is still going now she is watching MASH. Things
don’t change very much do they. All the afternoon Dad and Beverley were
watching the 2nd test between the West Indies and Australia. But the
Australians are hopeless I doubt whether the West Indies will have to go in for
their 2nd innings. The two teams seem to play different games. The West Indies play so much better look as
though they are enjoying while the Australians are so worried about what they
are doing that they muck it all up.
I spent
the afternoon gardening and put some vegetables in. We didn’t have much success
because the trees are now so big that we don’t get enough sunshine in for them
to grow well. At least the trees keep the kitchen cool. The sun just can’t get
in.
Next
Sunday we are meeting most of our Neyland relatives at Auntie Grace’s. All of Keith’s family and Evelyn’s family
will be there. Not all of the families from Heidelberg are coming. They never
did have much to do with us but a couple are coming. Even Ian has come back
from New Zealand so he will be there.
I hope
that Lorna got all her work done. When you haven’t studied for a few years it
is hard to get back into the habit. Anyhow she has got her life in front of her
not like me.
I do
try new ideas at the kindergarten but it gets harder each year to change. I do
make an effort every year to do something different otherwise I think I could
get stuck in a groove. I know what you are thinking Beverley and Lois say I am
stuck in a groove. We even learnt some new songs. They took me weeks to learn
and the children about 10 minutes. It really is harder to remember as you get
older.
I
suppose the girls have started Christmas activates now. All the children are
making presents for their parents and learning some Christmas songs to sing at
the Christmas party. I suppose they will have something at school and
kindergarten too.
Next
day. Couldn’t find out anything about what Daryl was doing. The Australians
were slaughtered in the cricket and Kim Hughes resigned as Captain. I don’t
think anybody would have done any better. The others are just too good.
Love
from everyone Mum
From Melbourne (Dad) 13.11.84
From Melbourne
13.11.84
Dear Alan,
It was
a pleasant surprise to hear your voice on the phone a few weeks ago and we
would like that to happen more often. We wouldn’t mind if you reversed the
charges. A phone call does seem more intimate although we appreciate letters as
I am sure you do too.
We are
getting a constant stream of letters from Pamela (no phone calls) telling us in
great detail of life in Tonga. The letter-writing may be a way of relieving
boredom as I’m sure nothing very exciting happens there.
Tonga
hardly ever appears in the news in the Australian media which is not the case
with South Africa. There has been a deal of attention lately with particular
emphasis on the disturbances (or riots) in the black townships. From here the
situation does not look good but we could hardly say it was altogether
unexpected.
I
formed the impression from our brief visit, plus the reading I have managed
about South Africa, that some violence was inevitable and likely to continue
for some time. However wholesale
revolution is perhaps another mater and hopefully the Govt will act sensible
before that happens. We (your mother and I) attended a very interesting lecture
last week given by Allen Boesak the colored SA clergyman who paid a visit to
Australia in which he addressed 45 meetings in 13 days. He is a dynamic speaker,
rational and articulate, and certainly not a communist. His main attack was on
the spurious theological basis for apartheid and he did a first-class
demolition job on the subject of non-violent opposition he pointed out that he
was in a dilemma as a Christian and a man who had been greatly influenced by
Gandhi and Martin Luther King he felt impelled towards non-violence but
asserted that non-violent opposition had always been countered with violence by
the Government.
Boesak
alleged that the ANC had been non-violent for the first 50 years of its
existence but had been forced to take up violence by the Govt’s attitude. Your
thoughts on that would be interesting.
The
other big news we’ve been getting from Africa is the drought, particularly the
situation in Ethiopia. I have a strong feeling that no matter what aid is sent
we will be seeing similar scenes on TV screens for the next ten years. The
situation in so many countries is so complex – mismanagement of issues,
bureaucracy gone mad, internal facilities etc, that a few shipments of wheat
isn’t really going to make much difference is it?
The
political scene in Australia is very different. At the moment we are in the
middle of an unnecessary election campaign and it has become a monumental bore.
The campaign is too long (about the longest in Australian history) and as the
result is almost a fore-gone conclusion nobody is very interested. The main
debating points are superannuation, capitol gains tax, wealth tax, assets tests
on pensioners indirect taxes; hardly life and death issues, more the
self-indulgence of an affluent society. And yet unemployment is 8.5% and
2,000,000 Australians are supposed to be below the poverty line. Even if all
Australians are not well off I think it can be said most live in “the lucky
country” at least for the time being.
Perhaps
it is better to concentrate on serious subjects like sport. We have now started
the cricket season, after a very interesting football season, but judging by
the first test against the West Indies which finished yesterday it looks like
being an unmitigated disaster. The Aussies were beaten by an innings in 3 ½
days and were pathetic. Although to be fair it was more a case of brilliant play
by the West Indies. They are so good it makes you wonder why the blacks aren’t
encouraged to play cricket more in South Africa. Apparently they are not so
interested but perhaps they were discouraged in the past.
If the
Australians aren’t too demoralized in the next few tests we’ll probably have a
look at them when the test is played in Melbourne at Christmas.
One
thing we have seen recently is the new State Theatre in the Victorian Arts
Centre in St Kilda Road. This complex of theaters next to the art gallery is
really something and most experts consider it world standard. Not exactly the
Sydney Opera house from the outside but beats Sydney on the inside. Who said there was no culture in Australia?
We have seen one opera there and are booked to see another in a few weeks’
time.
However
most of our spare time at present is being spent trying to keep the grass down
at Trentham. Excellent spring rains have meant a prolific growth and we want to
be on top of the situation before the bush-fire season. We went for a tour of the Wombat Forest last
Saturday with experts from the Native Plants Preservation Society and it was an
eye-opener.
In
places it was like a garden and we logged 58 different species inn two hours.
Partly the result of the bushfires; partly knowing where to look.
On the home-front we are gearing up for a busy
pre-Christmas period. Beverley finished exams last week and is doing some
part-time work while awaiting results. She edited a magazine for Uni College
and it was distributed last week. Quite a good effort.
Received
the photos from Lorna, much appreciated.
Kindest
regards Dad
From Melbourne (Mum) 8.10.84
From Melbourne
8.10.84
Dear Alan, Lorna, Melissa and Jolene,
It
was nice to receive the letters from Melissa and Jolene. Jolene is just like
the drawings the children do at the kindergarten. I was glad you liked the
books. I have put more in a box that I am sending over for Christmas. One is a
big book to share and the others you can decide between yourselves.
In your
last letter you said a friend was coming to Melbourne he hasn’t been in touch
with us but we were not sure when he was coming. If you remember I put in an
article from the paper by a senator who had been to South Africa. I made a
mistake I said he must have been Liberal because a Labour man would have been
more anti South Africa Government. But he was a Labour man! He was Shadow Minister
for Foreign Affairs who should have known a bit.
I am
sorry Lorna I have taken so long to get the photos I am enclosing. I really am
not very good at taking close-ups – not bad on scenery. I took 7 photos of Lois
before I got this one. I only had to take three of Beverley before I got a
decent photo. Both of them a reasonable likeness of them. Maybe it is time I
got a camera that I don’t have to focus.
We
haven’t forgotten to send you a wedding present it was just too hard to think
of something we could send so we have decided to send you some money. There
must be something you would like to buy. I would rather bought something but
all things II thought of were not suitable to send. We should have been quicker
but I don’t know the time just disappears. Before we know it Christmas will be
here. Parcels to reach you by Christmas have to be sent next week.
We have
been reading a lot more news about South Africa in the paper lately. When there
is trouble it makes news. Do you ever see anything about Australia. We only
seem to be worried about what are really minor problems in most country but we
make them into major problems because that is all we have.
Pamela
is finding life is very different where she is. It is very poor but they have plenty
of food and nothing else. She says the king is more worried about his few sheep
(which are in a paddock opposite Pam’s house) than the people. They are the
only sheep in Tonga and haven’t been sheared since they came. Wouldn’t it be
wonderful if that was the only sort of problem that most countries had? Can you
think of something better for Jolene and Melissa to call me other than Mrs
Carlton.
Love
from Mum
From Empangeni (Lorna) 1984
From Empangeni
Dear Mr & Mrs Carlton,
Thank you for all the photos you sent. I certainly did not
recognize Alan in the photo that was taken of him and his sisters at that
picnic. Alan says that Beverley has changed such a lot that he hardly
recognizes her. We have sorted out a few more photos for you. The three with
Alan and myself were taken at the Zululand Safari Lodge at Hluhluwe where we
spent a weekend. The other photos are the bridge that was washed away during
the flood just in front of my sister’s house in Swaziland and of Melissa and Jolene
with friends and cousins at my mother’s house. At the moment I am studying very
hard for my exams. I have already written one exam and have another five to
write.
The weather has warmed up quite a lot already and we are
swimming nearly everyday at the swimming pool.
Alan ran a 16 km race last Saturday evening, it was his
first race in over a year, and he came 24th and then won a lucky
prize after the race. Melissa and Jolene were so excited about it. Alan is
going to studying computer science with the university next year, also
correspondence, for non-degree purposes. At the moment he is busty making a
word processor program for the computer so that we can use it as a word
processor as well. One of these days you will get a letter printed by the computer.
You mentioned in your letter that you wondered if we ever
see anything of Australia in the news. We quite often see things on TV about
Australia but it is usually a dog that can write his name and lay the piano, or
a man riding on the back of a cow which he has trained to carry him like a horse
or something funny, but nothing newsworthy. Melissa and Jolene have drawn
pictures for you. Melissa’s is of Alan
running on the rack track and Jolene’s is a house and a flower.
Anyway, that’s all for now
Love
from Lorna
From Empangeni 5.9.84
From Empangeni
5.9.84
Dear Mum,
We
have just moved into a Government house. It has a very large garden which is
slightly over-grown. It needs a lot of work.
It’s
coming up to summer and the natives are getting restless. I don’t know what it
has to do with the weather. Maybe it has more to do with Colored & Indian
elections which were held last week. Really can’t see any long term future for
this new constitution. The more I think about it the more depressed I get.
Also
the economy has taken a dive in the last few months. The Rand is continually
reaching all-time lows which is good for the tourist but bad for anybody who
wants to buy anything with rands (esp. foreign currency). Any constitution
should be a moving changing thing but this one is going to move so fast it is
ridiculous.
The
worst rioting has been near Vereeniging. Do you remember that place? Mobs of
blacks were even stoning shops in white areas. The township closest to
Vereeniging is Sharpeville. A well known place but I’m sure few of the
residents know why.
It’s
going to be a very hot summer. During winter I think I wore a jumper to work,
from memory, twice. We can’t complain. It’s been a beautiful winter. The
weather has been perfect but we will pay for this.
The
Medical Superintendent from this hospital is visiting Melbourne. I gave him
your phone number. If he contacts then please make him feel welcome.
Regards
Alan
From Melbourne (Anne) 28.8.84
From Melbourne
28.8.84
28.8.84
Dear Lorna,
Thank
you very much for writing to Mum and Dad and enclosing photos of Melissa and
Jolene. Benjamin saw the photographs and understands that they are his cousins.
He
wrapped up some of his old toys and wanted to send them to the girls. But I
won’t let him send “junk“ to them.
Instead
I have enclosed some photos of Benjamin. I haven’t any current ones. The
current ones are in my camera! I was going to take lots of photos these
holidays but his face is all puffed-up with suspected mumps.
I have
spent most of the school holidays at home because he has been sick and also
because it has been so wet.
I work
full-time as a Maths-Science teacher in a technical school i.e. the students
are aged 11 -18 years old. It is a “rough” area where I teach but I enjoy it
most of the time.
My
friend who lives across the road, Geesje minds Benjamin during the day and
takes him to kindergarten.
Next
year in February her son Daniel and Benjamin start school which is a milestone
in anybody’s life! I find it hard to believe that my son is that old – His
first years have gone so quickly.
Benjamin
will be 5 on the 28th September. On the 29th September we
have the footy Grand Final which is a
big event in Melbourne. The final five i.e. those whose play off in the finals
is still undecided.
I live
in St Albans with my husband Dennis and Benjamin. We live about 6 miles from
Mum and Dad.
We also
have a black and white cat called Puss-Puss. She is about 6 years old. And we also have a
pure bred Cardigan Corgi – she is mainly black with touches of white and tan.
Her name is “Joey” and she is the best natured pet I ever had. She is very
quiet and only barks when there is reason to. She is absolutely devoted to my
husband and follows him everywhere.
I hope
that Lorna you don’t find this letter too boring as there is no news in it. It
sort of just introduces my family and I.
I hope
all is well with you, Alan, Melissa and Jolene,
Love
from Anne.
P.S. I
am Alan’s eldest sister. I will be 30 on
the 31st December this year.
From Melbourne (Dad) 1.8.84
From Melbourne
1.8.84
Dear Alan,
Firstly
congratulations on your marriage. Your mother and I sincerely hope your married
life is a happy and harmonious one. You both have our best wishes.
Since
our return from South Africa we have had time to let our impressions sink in
but we saw so much in a short time that
it is a little dangerous to form definite opinions without a great deal of thought. The holiday was a
memorable experience; I found the scenery, animal life, plant life and bird
life very impressive but he fascinating thing about South Africa is the
society. For the whites the similarity of life-style with Australia is obvious
but underneath there are certainly marked differences. The potentiality for
upheaval is certainly there but my impression is that it is not likely just
yet. However I’m not making any predictions, the situation is too complex and
so much will depend on the rate of reform. I see the ANC is still causing
trouble and I have no doubt that it is going to go on and probable escalate but
SA can probably life with a certain amount of violence.
The
political scene in Australia is rather different; the general debate seems to
be on rather trivial matters. The present major concern is over a false customs
declaration by a minister of the Fed Government. Hardly earth shattering
matters. There is also the ever-present obsession with higher wages and shorter
working hours despite the lessons of the recession.
However
it has to be said that the Labour Government is performing fairly well on the
economic front. Inflation has drifted to
the lowest level for about six years and there has been a drop in unemployment.
Economic growth has been fairly strong in the past six months and if that continues there
could be a further improvement in the employment figures.
The big
news at the moment however is sport. The Olympic Games is getting massive
coverage in all the media. By the end of next week we could well be bored to
tears, perhaps relieved a bit if Australia wins any Gold medals.
I
believe there is no TV coverage of the Games in South Africa but no doubt there
is news in the Press. I can imagine the furore if Z Budd wins a Gold medal.
South Africans seem to be as besotted with sport as Australians.
The
football season here is drawing to a close with the final set-up yet to be
determined. Footscray and Melbourne are both still with a chance of making the
finals; the next couple of weeks will tell the tale. However Essendon &
Hawthorn look superior to all the others with Essendon best bet for the flag.
This year for the first time some of the finals will be played on Sundays – a
cause for some controversy.
I have
not been to any matches this year as we have been too busy on most days and on
others the games have not been attractive.
That we
have been busy in the business is a good sign; at least we are still viable
even if somewhat outmoded. We should be able to hang on for another year or so
before thinking about closing the door.
The
house has been somewhat quiet in recent weeks since Pamela left for Tonga. She
used to come in quite often and give a spurt to any discussion. She also was
not adverse to new ideas a d stirring up her parents.
We have
had several letters from Pamela since she reached Tonga – one arrived on the
same day as your last letter. She is experiencing the conditions of a real
third-world country and has to life on a wage the same indigenous people would
receive. She is in charge of the library of a secondary girl’s school run by
the Methodist church and has to battle with very limited resources. She is
already talking about us going over for a holiday. I’m not sure about that. A
holiday on an island about 50 miles long isn’t all that attractive unless it
could be combined with another place. Personally I would like to visit New
Guinea; it has an exotic flavor and is not far from Australia. Your mother is
keener on seeing more of Australia and I must concede that makes sense. In the
meantime we will have to work hard and save-up.
Your
mother is looking for photos of you sisters to send to Lorna but hasn’t found
suitable ones yet. We might have to have some taken. Everybody is well except
Lois broke her hand at hockey.
Kindest
regards to yourself @ Lorna
Dad
From Melbourne (Anne) 25.7.84
From Melbourne
25.7.84
Dear Alan,
I am
writing to congratulate you on getting married and to give you and Lorna best
wishes for your future together.
If you
have any photographs of the wedding please send them to Mum and Dad so that we
can see them.
Mum
said Lorna has 2 girls. Benjamin will be 5 on the 28th September.
Please tell us when their birthdays are.
When
Mum came back from South Africa she gave me a wall hanging. It is a weaving of
2 elephants which I have hung in my loungeroom. It looks great.
The
thing that Benjamin liked the most were some black wooden crocodiles that Mum
had.
I am
writing this letter at school. Work is going alright and I am getting quite
used to teaching. We have this new teacher EM who used to go to school with
you. He remembers you well. He teaches Maths and Science like I do. He lives in
Sunshine with his parents.
Once
again I hope all is well with you and Lorna.
Love
from Anne Dennis and Benjamin xxxxxxxxxx
From Empangeni (Lorna) 13.7.84
From Empangeni
13.7.84
Dear Mr & Mrs Carlton
We
have just moved into a house and are starting to settle in. The house has got a
pool which is quite necessary in this hot climate. It is supposed to be the
middle of winter and yet it is almost hot enough to swim. Melissa has started
settling in at her new school. She was quite far behind when she started as she
was doing different work in Pietermaritzburg and has had quite a lot to catch
up with. The schools have broken up now for the holidays and her report said
that she had done well to catch up to the rest of the class. Jolene settled in
quite easily at the pre-primary. They have both been up to Howick to spend a
few days with my mother.
Alan and I went to False Bay for a night and tried out the
new tent that we bought. False Bay is on the northern shores of Lake St Lucia.
We had a nice time hiking through indigenous forest. We saw quite a lot of
buck, birds and a few warthog. While we were walking along the shore we could
see footprints of Hippos. Swimming and yachting are not allowed as the lake is
apparently full of hippos and crocodiles. We also saw a few pelicans. There is
a pelican breeding colony in the vicinity. There are also huts in the bush that
you can only get to by hiking to them. While we were sleeping we were woken by
a fairly large buck which was eating the vegetation behind the tent. We also
found a porcupine quill but did not see any porcupine.
This weekend we are getting my sisters to stay and we had
two of Alan’s friends from the Transkei to stay for a few days. They will
probably come back this weekend and get a lift with my sister back to Swaziland
so it is just as well we are now in a house. We went through the photos to see
if we could find anything suitable and these are what we could find. If we get
anything else we will send them as well. Can you please send me photos of
Alan’s sisters and yourselves as well as Benjamin.
Love
from Lorna, Melissa & Jolene
From Tonga (Pam) 21.7.84
From Tonga
21.7.84
Dear Alan,
Bev
copied out your last letter to Mum in full. So even on this isolated tropical
island news travels fast. Congratulations.
This
post card is a bit of a con; there are coconut palms everywhere but poverty and
frustration also. I am working and living at the main girls school in Tonga,
run by the free Wesleyan Church. It has the environment of a country school in
Australia 100 years ago I now know what a real book worm looks like.
Regards
Pam
From Melbourne (Mum) 2.7.84
From Melbourne
2.7.84
Dear Alan and Lorna,
We
have just received your letter today saying that you are married. We were
pleased to hear it you should be happy together and the two girls.
I am
glad that we were able to go and see you both before so we don’t feel as if
Lorna is a stranger. We have a few photos
of Lorna and the girls that we took but none of them are very good so if you
have any good photos could you please send us some. We have only got the ones
taken at Umfolozi and at Vereeniging and they are just photos. Don’t send us
photos just sitting around looking at the camera but good ones of the children
playing and Lorna doing something.
When we
think what to send we will send you something for a belated wedding present – I
can’t think what it will be but I hope an idea will come.
Lois
rang up tonight and she was happy to hear you were married I am sure that is
what she would like to do. At present she is off from school with a broken bone
in her hand from hockey.
You
said in your letter it was getting cold if you had ben here today you would
know what it is like to be cold. It got to 9 today. There was snow in the
mountains and in the lower hills today. It was freezing outside and now it is
raining. But until today it has been a mild winter and one of the driest May and
June we have had.
Even
though it is so cold Dad went back to work tonight so I am here by myself.
Beverley should be home for tea tomorrow night.
I am
not sure if I mentioned in my last letter that Anne had left Dennis and because
and because the place she is staying at is only temporary she may be coming
back here. We have plenty of room with three spare bedrooms and only Beverley
now and again since Pamela went to Tonga last weekend.
Some
one said to me the other day they can only be sure of what they are doing one
day at a time and how true it is.
Tell
Jolene and Melissa that when they are old enough that they have to come to
Australia and visit us. I am sure they would enjoy it. I think Jolene and
Benjamin are about the same age. But just at present Benjamin has nothing to do
with girls – he and his friend Daniel “don’t like” girls and only play with
boys. He will learn.
3-7-84 today is even colder the children at the kindergarten
didn’t take off their parkas although we had the heaters on. Would you ever get
a frost where you are?
A man
who said he was a friend of yours in Queensland wanted to get in touch with you
because he wants to go to Zimbabwe. I told him that you wouldn’t be much help
but I did give him your address. He was a dentist in Queensland.
Give
my love to everybody
Mum
From Melbourne (colleague) 26.6.84
From Melbourne
26.6.84
Dear Alan,
You
old bugger. We thought you were lost in some African wilderness for good.
Actually me and GC thought you might have got married & didn’t want to let
us know due to a certain bet (actually Dr C is going to tie the knot soon so
we’ll be in the money…that is unless you are already married?)
I hope
you are enjoying work & life in RSA. I suppose you must as you’ve been
there a few years now. I’m still working in Melbourne & bored shitless with
it; I’m doing three jobs adding up to a full week BUT I’m getting the
inspiration to travel; thus this letter. I am going to England eventually
(after planning to do so for the past 4 ½ years … actually my passport will
expire soon @ I’ve been nowhere!)
But in
addition to this I am interested in doing a 3-6 locum in Africa. I considered
Zimbabwe but cannot find out anything about it in Australia as they have no
ambassadors etc here! What do you know about it? How politically stable or
unstable is it? Etc. Also how is the work situation in RSA do you think I would
be able to find a 3-6 months locum position? Can you get your money out of the
country if required? If you can provide me with any info I would be most
grateful.
I see
fuck all of anybody from our year & I guess you care less about them. I see
GC quite often @ is now finished his masters @ in private practice… still a
womaniser & a pisshound. I see JC occasionally (@get pissed when I do) he
is getting pissed off with work at Altona (yes! he’s still at it) & talking
about visiting the UK next year … he’s even looked after a few practices here in Melb. But has not come
close to buying yet. Most other people are (a) married (b) have kids (c) bought
practices @ (d) are now bloody bores. Actually about ½ our year have gone back
to do Masters now. Enough on those turds. Dentistry in Vic is fucked: too many
dentists vs fuck all patients. I saw 5 patients today!
These
days I spend my time getting drunk or going scuba diving. I’m trying to kill
myself by getting heavily into cave diving at MT Gambier. BUT all in all I’m
pissed & looking forward to a change. I am waiting for a job offer from PNG
as well …. Waiting for 6 months that is. I am registered up there but have to
wait until they can afford to employ someone … which is not going to happen
soon with their latest border problems with Indonesia.
Hope
this finds you in good health & hope to hear from you soon,
Best
wishes you shit, CJ
From Empangeni 21.6.84
From Empangeni
21.6.84
Dear Mum,
It’s
been almost getting cold. Last week it was quite cold especially when you don’t
have any heating but three weeks ago I swam in the sea.
The
phone number I gave you is incorrect. The correct number is the area code +
XXXX.
Last
week I got married and we went away for a couple of days.
Regards
Alan
From Melbourne (Mum) 13.6.84
From Melbourne
13.6.84
Dear Alan (Also Lorna and the kids),
Just
a short letter to say we arrived back here. It did take me a few days to get
over the plane trip. I had hardly any sleep almost everyone was sprawled out
over the seats – the plane was only about half full but I talked to a mother
who was trying to stop her young child from crying. I slept most of the next
day and was back at work on Wednesday.
Everyone
we meet wants to know what it is really like in South Africa. I am tired of
telling people the same stories all the time.
They are not as interested in the animals, or the scenery etc but just
how the people and how they all get on together or don’t get on.
If we
go overseas again I think I will choose a place that no-one is interested. We
most likely will be going to Tonga next. On Saturday next Pamela is going there
for two years with Australian Volunteers Abroad. I can’t remember if I told you or not because
she didn’t know for sure until we were away. She will be working in a library
and also teaching Geography. She will be earning the same wages as the local
people which is not very much. She will be able to survive but won’t save any
money or be able to travel much. The island is only 50 miles long and narrow
but there are many small islands around.
Considering
neither of us have taken many photos the photos we took are not bad – so good
and a few didn’t come out but altogether we have a good picture of our holiday.
Some of the animals taken at Umfolozi especially the giraffes look good. The
hospital at Butterworth turned out alright and our Victoria Falls were better
than expected. The photos of Capetown were a bit dull the weather caused that.
In the next letter I’ll send a couple just to show you. Also found we have a
bit of money not changed so I will put that in too. It’s no use to us.
I am
glad that you asked us to come over there. We would never have got there
without some prodding. Now we know where
you are working and how you are getting on. Also it was good to meet Lorna and
the girls. We really haven’t any reason to worry about you – well at least not
at present. It is very hard to know to what is going to happen in South Africa.
It is a country full of contradictions some very good people but some people
who are very biased but Mr Botha if he is given a chance may be able to bring about
some changes gradually. I hope so.
Love
from Mum
Monday 17 October 2016
Diary of trip to South Africa 1984 : Part 3 by Dorothy Carlton
Friday – Caught train 9 o’clock – bit misty but lovely to
watch going up plateau. Then the little Karoo – saw few baboons in a couple
river valleys. Electric to Beaufort West – Diesel to Kimberley then electric to
Joberg
Stay awaken to De-Aan still has many steam engines didn’t
have much sleep
Saturday – Alan & Lorna met the train
Shopped a little in Joberg went to friends of Lorna at
Vereeniging –
Saw first plant to convert oil from coal
largest steel manufacturing factory in SA.
Vaal crossed several times into OFS then back.
Some very large houses on large blocks – wide streets very
flat – smoke fumes.
Sunday – caught bus into Joberg ordinary SAR bus only 5 of
us on it. Joberg very quiet everything.
Went to Gold Mine Museum in afternoon – very good
Down mine – see gold
Working model of extracting gold.
Early mining
Monday – after taxi, 2 planes bus arrived at Victoria Falls
Hotel. See mist from hotel. Went for a walk before dark. Saw part of falls.
Large mist from falls from plane. Beautiful old English hotel – a honeymoon
hotel
Plane from Joberg to Bulawayo full mostly Zimbabweans coming
home. School starts tomorrow.
Tuesday – Visit to “Native village” then falls – the wetter
you get the less you see.
very little in way of barriers
must be careful
late afternoon visit crocodile farm then ride on river
very peaceful saw sunset on river saw lion lying near track
down to river waiting for game
baboons everywhere
came back saw African dancing after tea
walked back to falls in full moon light saw bush bucks go
across track in front of us.
Had breakfast, lunch, tea on terrace overlooking gorge with
spray coming up.
Wednesday – up at 6 o’clock went into Zambia cross bridge to see falls from other
side walked down to bottom of gorge – had to buy curios to get into Zambia
Had breakfast in lounge too hot on terrace
Back to Joberg.
Plane from Vic Falls to Bulawayo mostly Australians
(Queensland)
Thursday – Tour of Soweto
Streets very dirty no footpaths houses clean – children all
in school uniforms
day nurseries all with aprons on
students at a secondary school were old @ large must have
been 18 or more
plenty of open spaces which could be reserves or sporting
grounds but most were neglected @ dirty
went up Carlton center
wonderful view – bit misty
walked around shops
saw part of Africana museum
Friday – Pretoria
Voortreeker Monument
Diamond mine
Paul Kruger’s house
Driver first person we meet very right – interesting to hear
Lunch – conversation American talking about China Russia
with German couple opposite he was in tank at Stalingrad. SA guide in his
own
World not going to have anyone tell him what to do.
Two other Americans couldn’t care less about politics on a
30 day trip around world.
Saturday shops – & zoo
Sunday – home very long
Couldn’t get to sleep.
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