SUSAN'S DIARY
My Grandmothers Australian visit.
Susan Nelson
(B.21/9/1897. D.9/11/1973)
In 1968 the Family sent their Mother to Australia to visit Ronald (her eldest)and Clarice and family in Melborne, here are her diaries which she later gave to me to keep, they are a great read.
Leaving Manchester
1968
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 2nd
Grampians.
Left home about 9:15, we went through Melbourne, about 15 miles then we passed through Rockbank, Melton, (Backhus Marsh), Ballon, Ballarat (56,000), Beaufort, Ararat, Stawell, to Halls Gap, we went through miles of open country seeing hundreds of sheep, they were mostly all sheared and they looked so funny, after tea we went to the shops, three shops and a post office, the mail is only collected once a day, and one delivery. One public phone, one hotel and three Guest houses and one Motel, three petrol stations, then we went to see the Dam.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3rd
After Breakfast we went to Splitters Falls and Wonderland Park, we climbed for miles up the mountain and saw some lovely wild flowers and bushes and the waterfall was a lovely sight, but the climb which we did on foot (from the round a bout) was all rock climbing. I was glad to get back to the car, but it was well worth all the climbing after lunch we went miles again up a different mountain, the roads are all through bush, we stopped several times to look at the view below, it was really magnificent, we carried n and we saw lots of rabbits, skippy hopping across the road, then we nearly run over a couple of lizards, then we stopped quickly as the car almost ran over a spiny anteater, it eats ants then a little further on we saw a large kangaroo by word he was a big one. We got home about 6:30pm after a busy day. We did almost 90 miles we also saw two lovely birds with long white necks and several dragonflies. Whilst tea was cooking the neighbour next door entertained us in the garden with his cockatoo, the bird is 51 years old and so clever, he can imitate anything and say anything, he is a wonderful bird he is called Cocky Watson and has been on television and the radio, we are just watching television, we are all tired it has been very hot today, but it is much cooler now at 9pm.
MONDAY NOVEMBER 4th
We went shopping to Stawell after breakfast, it is a very nice town, and then a long run again up the mountain to Reads lookout, it was a lovely view from up there but we had to climb some rocks, it was also Melbourne Cup day, all the shops close everybody had a holiday.
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5th
We had a good run up the mountains after breakfast, then it rained all the afternoon
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6th
We went up the mountain to Wonderland Park, I sat and wrote letter, while the others climbed to the top, in the afternoon we had a lovely run out.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 7th
In the morning we went shopping in Ararat, it was about 36 miles, after lunch we had another run up Mount Difficult, I managed to get to the lookout, the scenery was magnificent, after tea, we set off about 6:45pm to Stawell to the Drive in movie, the main picture was Jane Fonda in Barbarella, it was very boring, but the other picture was quite good.
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8th
We went shopping to Stawell , which is about 20 miles. We had a good morning and after lunch, we had a lovely run to Dunkeld, we had our tea sat on the road, it was a lovely day and on our way back we called at the lake to see the Kangaroo's we saw two playing they looked as if they were boxing.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9th
We left for home at 10am, and arrived home at 3pm after a lovely holiday.
MONDAY NOVEMBER 11th
Ron took Clarice, me and Michael to Sir Colin Mackenzie sanctuary, we had a lovely day seeing lots of animals, we spent some time with the kanga's, whilst we were there we had a very heavy thunderstorm and hailstones.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16th
We went after breakfast to the large shopping centre at Southlands.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17th
It is very hot today, we have the sunblind's down, doors open, ( but one is always kept shut with the fine netting) also we have got the cooler going, I have just been out in the garden, sitting on a garden chair with my legs resting on it, it was cooler in the shade.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 6th
Received parcel and card from Gladys, Vera and Nora, with welcome presents
SATURDAY DECEMBER 7th
We went to Upper Yarra Dam, 120 miles.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 8th
Went to supper to Mrs Fieldings, temperature very hot.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 15th
Temperature 90
MONDAY DECEMBER 16th
Temperature 98
FRIDAY DECEMBER 20th
Went to the Drive in, Boston Strangler, Tony Curtis
SUNDAY DECEMBER 22nd
Very hot temperature 92. Went to Carol service
MONDAY DECEMBER 23rd
Temperature 95.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 24th
Christmas eve, temperature dropped to 70 very cool, went to Midnight service, Mr and Mrs Fielding spent Christmas Eve with us.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25th
A very nice Christmas Day, Ron took us after tea to see the lights at Boulevarde, in the gardens and trees.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 26th
Still cool, the weather forecast told us it was the coolest Boxing day on record, snow at East Victoria.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 27th
Went to the drive in at Burwood.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 29th
Very Hot
MONDAY DECEMBER 30th
Very hot, temperature 84 degrees
TUESDAY DECEMBER 31st
Went to supper at Mrs Fieldings, we let new year in with Champagne.
1969
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 1st
Still hot.
MONDAY JANUARY 6th
Temperature 95 degrees
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 8th
Temperature 94 degrees at 9am. Ban on fires, liable to 2 years imprisonment or a heavy fine. 11:30am temperature gone to 100 degrees, also a fire outside Melbourne, the winds (North) are very strong and warm (Hot). Clarice has just gone shopping but it is too hot for me in the car (the winds are 50 miles an hour). A fire at Geelong. Temperature now 101 degrees, we are getting news flashes all the time, there are now 35 fires, the roads to Geelong are still blocked, and at Warrendyte, it is very grim, the ambulances are taking the injured to various hospitals, Melbourne Royal and the children's hospital are standing ready for the overflow of injured. Warrendyte is part of Ron's area, the fires are 39 miles from Melbourne, the wind has changed, it has saved Ron's area. Clarice looks baked, she has just changed to a beech dress, I have left off some clothes. I am having a lay down, for the heat is unbearable, 2:30pm the temperature has dropped to 90 degrees, there are now 65 fires, 24 out of control.
THURSDAY JANUARY 9th
Fires have now burned low, chemical bombs were thrown by plane on to the Grampians which were a success.
FRIDAY JANUARY 10th
Went to the drive in, 12:30am when we got home.
SATURDAY JANUARY 11th
Ron took us to the beech, Point Leo, also to the surfing beech, it was a 50 mile run and a very hot day the flies were everywhere, we were glad of the insect repellent, sailing boats were on the water, and also plenty of surfing
SUNDAY JANUARY 12th
It is much cooler today. Total fire ban, some have been summonsed today for having fires, which means a 400 dollar fine or 2 years imprisonment or both the news caster said, the fires have been the worst for 20 years in Victoria.
MONDAY JANUARY 13th
We set off about 10:30am for Phillip Island, and to the hobbies, which are rocks standing out of the sea, we watched the blow hole, in which waves run in, and then are blown out, it is a cave. It was a hot day in the 80's, we climbed on the cliffs and the sea looked lovely, we had our lunch there, then we went to the beech at Cowes, the people on the beech looked like half casts, they were so very sunburnt. Then we went to Cat bay, to Shelley Beech, the beeches are very narrow, but the sea is a lovely blue. we had tea on the beech, then we went on our way back to Phillip Island. On our way back we saw about 10 Koala bears in the gum trees, in one tree we saw two baby Koala's their little faces looked so lovely when they looked down at us. We went to the Island to see the fairy penguin parade, there were hundreds of people there, but we got a very good view. It has to be nearly dark before they come out of the sea, they come out in a crowd, no one is allowed to take flash photographs. We left about 9pm and got home about 11pm, we had done over 200 miles and we were all tired. It always goes dark about 8pm in the summer.
TUESDAY JANUARY 14th
It rained a little, we didn't go out.
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 15th
We went to Eildon Weir but we stayed at Maroondah highway for lunch and then we travelled miles through bush country, the scenery was very pretty especially when we got to Eildon. The country seems so vast there are miles and miles of fields and trees. We got home about 6pm ( temperature in the car was 100).
THURSDAY JANUARY 16th
We had a day at home the temperature went to 93 it was still 92 at 9pm, we were all panned out so Ron got the car and took us out till 10pm and in one of the dark lanes a fox ran in front of the car, we went as far as the Yarra river then came back to watch Cliff on the television, we felt cooler but it was still 90 degrees.
FRIDAY JANUARY 17th
It has been hot all night, Ron and Clarice have gone shopping it is to hot for me. We have got all the sunblind's down and the cooler on, the news said the temperature is 91 degrees and still rising, there is also a total fire ban on today. 3:15 pm the temperature is now 100, the house is like an oven, the temp in the car is 120 degrees. No pension yet. 6:30pm temperature now 101, so Ron has decided to take us to the river, just got back 8:30pm it is now dark, the dogs enjoyed having a swim and Patrick and Michael too. Ron went in the river too, afterwards Ron took us on a lovely run to Warrendyte to see the burnt out area's and we saw a house with only the chimney stack left, it is still really hot but the weather forecast predicts cooler weather for tomorrow.
SATURDAY JANUARY 18th
We went to Ferntree Gully, we went miles through bush country, then we went to Dandenong
SUNDAY JANUARY 19th
90 degrees to hot to go out
MONDAY JANUARY 20th
We all went out about 11am to the beech at Brighton. We had lunch there then we went Rosebud beech it was crowded dozens of children in the sea all went swimming including Clare with the two dogs. I sat on the beech on a garden chair with the head umbrella it was lovely. I watched the children some of them had little canoes and the sailing boats looked very pretty as they had sails of different colours, it was just over 50 miles there is still a fire ban there has been fires at Mornington today we went through there yesterday.
TUESDAY JANUARY 21st
Clarice and I went to Melbourne the temperature went to 92 degrees, although the shops were lovely and cool. 8:30pm temp 87 weather report has just said it will be 100 tomorrow at the moment to hot to move.
THURSDAY JANUARY 23rd
After lunch we went to lake Eildon, Ron took us all on the ferry and the scenery was lovely, mountains all around the lake. We arrived home at 6:30pm then we had tea and then we went to the drive in to see Around the world in 80 days.
FRIDAY JANUARY 24th
It was very hot temperature 92 degrees and it was one of the hottest nights of the summer, the temp was 80 all night.
SATURDAY JANUARY 25th
Still hot in the morning temp 85, but at 12:30 temp had dropped to 65 then it thundered and lightened and rained heavily.
SUN /MON/ TUES/ WED 26th/27th/28th/29th
Still very hot
THURSDAY JANUARY 30th
Midday still 95 degrees, we turned out to go to the drive in but to many cars were waiting so we went for a run round Warrendyte, it was cooler than going home.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1st
Still hot all week, went to the drive in.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7th
Much cooler
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8th
Still cooler 68 degrees, after lunch we went for a run to King Lake, the scenery as usual was lovely, got home about 5:30pm
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 14th
All last week was very cool, temperature around 70 degrees, Friday 14th went to the drive in to see the 'Guns of Navarone'
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15th
After lunch we went to a beauty spot in Warrendyte through bush country, we saw where a lot of fires were, two houses were burnt right out, it is about 6 miles from here, but goes on for miles.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18th
10:15am temperature 78 degrees, the forecast says it is rising and will go to 88. Last night on the news we were shown pictures of Britain covered in snow drifts, also we saw pictures of Kent covered in snow. Temperature now 94 degrees.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19th
too hot to go out. 2pm 96 degrees, 4pm 98 degrees, 10:30pm 85 degrees.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20th
9am temperature 88 degrees, very hot all night.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21st
Still at diner time 93 degrees, then a cool change temperature at tea time 76 degrees, then rain.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22nd
Rained all night, and all day, fruit crop valued at a million dollars ruined, temperature 65 degrees. 11:45pm still raining, had electric fire on tonight.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23rd
Still raining steadily and feeling chilly.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28th
It has been very cool all week, but today a nice sunny afternoon, we went to Clayton to the drive in, it is almost 10 miles. We saw two good films, 'The hell drivers' and ' It is a lovely way to die'.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 5th
left home about 8:40am to go to Warburton, Clarice, I and Michael went with Ron to Court, he was fined 20 dollars for travelling to fast in a built up area, afterwards we travelled along the mountain road, (Mt Donna Buang) on our way a black kangaroo came across the front of the car, it was a big one. Then we went to Maroondah highway, to see the dam, it was very low, the water was so low we could see a lot of the ground, the reserve is a lovely spot, heaps of gum trees, and lots of pretty flowers. Then we went to another pretty spot, it was a place full of ferns, and a spring running over the stones, it just looked like a fairy glen. The gum trees were huge, we had a job to see the tops. Arrived home at tea time, it was a very cool day, temperature 68 degrees
FRIDAY MARCH 7th
Nice and warm, went to Clayton to the drive in
SATURDAY MARCH 8th
A lovely day we had a run to the Dandenong, there is a lookout and a café at the top, we walked down to the park, and there were trees there that I have never seen, very tall and big, the trunks were yards thick. We then went on a run to Sherbrooke Forest and then home for tea. After tea we watched the television and also the big fight between Rose and Rudkin of Liverpool, of course Rose won, but there was talk afterwards that the points were not added up correctly, Rudkin should of had more he fought very well.
SUNDAY MARCH 9th
Temperature at 12 o clock 78, very warm, Clarice and I have been to church it was full, got home at 10:45 the service starts at 9:30. There is a special service for children next Sunday, for Mothering Sunday. This afternoon we went through Warrendyte to Mount Slide we went along the mountain road and along a very rough bush road, there were miles of vast country and hundreds of trees. The news (Weather) it is going to be very hot tomorrow in the 90's.
MONDAY MARCH 10th
Temperature 12 noon-90 degrees, everyone is on holiday it is Labour day and it has been celebrated this morning by a Moomba day festival. We watched it on television from Melbourne it lasted over two hours, I had never seen a precession like it everything was represented.
TUESDAY MARCH 11th
Very hot 92, we had rain after tea and it rained all night
WEDNESDAY MARCH 12th
Drizzle all morning, temperature 78, cooler but very humid.
TUESDAY MARCH 18th
Still cool, went to Sherbrooke Forest hoping to see the Lyre birds but we only heard them, but we had a lovely walk I the forest and park
SUNDAY MARCH 23rd
Went for a run, stopped to view some new houses, lovely but expensive.
TUESDAY MARCH 25th
Went to Yan Yean reserve to see the dam, it is a lovely quiet spot surrounded by mountains and trees some of them have very pretty leaves.
FRIDAY MARCH 28th
Went to the drive in
SATURDAY MARCH 29th
Nice and warm but the morning was chilly after lunch we went to Point Leo, not many people on the beach.
SUNDAY MARCH 30th (and all week)
chilly mornings and evenings but the afternoons were lovely and warm, it is dark at 6:30
SATURDAY APRIL 5th
We went to Port Melbourne and saw some very big ships, it was a lovely warm afternoon we went on Princess Pier and Station Pier, the names of the ships in Station pier were, Aramae (London), Sirius (Manilla), Angelina ( Lauro). Princess Pier, Ashoka Javanti (Bombay), Nottingham (London) and Vishua mahiima (Bombay).
SUNDAY APRIL 6th (Easter Sunday)
Clarice and I went to church Methodist (Holy Communion). After lunch we went to Fern tree Gully then up the mountain road and from up above the Gully looked a picture, we could see for miles in the gully there were hundreds of cars and crowds of people, heaps had lit fires in the fireplaces and were having tea, and there are quite a lot of Cockatoo's some lovely white ones with touches of yellow. Then we went on to the National Park ( Nicholas Memorial). Then we came home through Sherbrooke Forest, I forgot to say there were miles and miles of paths and springs and waterfalls, and on the ponds were the most lovely lilies I have ever seen. Such colour's a red one caught my eye. The park belonged to Aspro. The week following Easter was very hot 86 degrees
FRIDAY APRIL 11th
Went to drive in after lunch went into Melbourne by train with Claire and her friend Steven, we went to the National Gallery, the building itself was worth seeing, the front doors are made of glass with water running down them, and the ceilings were really something. It isn't finished yet it is four storeys high and in the courts are fountains, we called for tea before returning home.
APRIL 12th to 19th
very much cooler, the roses all look lovely, cold and wet all week.
SUNDAY APRIL 20th
Left home after lunch for Mytleford, it is 195 miles, we have going for a week, we have got a very nice flat, and the hills are a lovely view.
MONDAY APRIL 21st
Went to Mount Buffalo, passed Mount Bright and Mount Beauty, halfway up the Buffalo was 2550 feet, when we reached the top it was 4450 feet. The chalet was 4450 feet. It is a lovely place, at the top are lookouts and the scenery was magnificent, gorgeous water falls running over huge rocks, some of the rocks must of weighed tons. There is a ski run and horse riding and lake, we spent a lovely day.
TUESDAY APRIL 22nd
We went to Alwell, New South Wales, to see the Hulme weir, and on the way back we called at Beechworth, and saw the prison where Ned Kelly was jailed
WEDNESDAY APRIL 23rd
11.20am we are at Mount Buffalo, I am sat right at the top, and I can see rows of mountains, the scenery is beautiful, there are huge rocks some must weigh hundreds of tons. Ron, Clarice and the two boys have gone to look for Lyre birds, I saw several on Monday, and some wonderful waterfalls running down huge rocks , the gorge was a wonderful sight.
THURSDAY APRIL 24th
Sat in the car at Bright, Ron and Clarice have gone into the shops, it is a lovely warm day. Sat at the top of Mount Beauty having lunch, 11 miles of winding road to the top. The view is lovely, can see rows of mountains. Bogong, 20 miles of winding road, we passed a power station in well kept gardens. (McKay Creek Power Station)
FRIDAY APRIL 25th
We are climbing Mount Hotham, it is 20 miles of steep winding roads, Clarice and I daren't look down, now I am sat in the car, near Blowhard. The others have gone climbing a hill, we still have 6 miles to go to the top, it is a lovely warm day.
SATURDAY APRIL 26th
Left for home at 10am called at Wangaratta, and now we are sat in the park at Bonalla, it is a beautiful day, like Summer again. We went to the museum and saw lots of old curios, it was very warm 85 degrees and 75 degrees in Melbourne, we called at Kilmore for lunch. We arrived home at 4pm.
THURSDAY MAY 1st
It has been nice and warm all week.
FRIDAY MAY 2nd
Charles, Colleen, Ron, Clarice and myself, went to the Dorchester Hotel it is a very nice place. In one room there must of been 100 tables, supper was served if wanted, also a good band which played for dancing, about 10 waiters.
TUESDAY MAY 6th
Clarice and I went to Melbourne to do some shopping, it was chilly all day and during the night the temperature dropped below 40 degree's. The weather report this morning (May 7th) said it had been the coldest night for nine months.
FRIDAY MAY 9th
Ron and the two boys and myself went to a musical concert, given by the Maroodah band.
SATURDAY MAY 10th
We went to Melbourne and went to Fitzroy Gardens and saw Captain Cooks cottage. We paid 10 cents to have a look round, it was in very good condition considering it was very old, it was transferred to Melbourne bit by bit in 1934.
THURSDAY MAY 15th
Clarice, Ron, Charles, Colleen and myself and Colleens parents went for a night out to the Dorchester Hotel.
SUNDAY MAY 18th
Went to Mrs Fieldings for Supper.
SATURDAY MAY 24th
Went with Ron around his district, called at Ivanhoe, Northcote and Brunswick.
WEDNESDAY MAY 28th
Went to Melbourne with Claire.
SATURDAY MAY 31st
Went to Essendon airport, it was bitterly cold and raining.
SUNDAY JUNE 1st
First day of Winter, cool but nice and Sunny.
MONDAY JUNE 2nd
Went shopping to Forest Hills, went to the bank.
THURSDAY JUNE 5th
A nice day, after Fog, Wednesday we went to Melbourne to do some shopping.
FRIDAY JUNE 6th
Thick fog in the morning, planes were grounded three times this week, the fog came back at teatime.
SATURDAY JUNE 7th
The fog went and it was warm in the afternoon, we took Charles to Glen Waverley,(College) then went on to Cambewell, about 7:30pm we went to Burwood to the party , there were about 100 guests, plenty to eat, also dancing, we got home just after midnight. (CHARLES ENGAGEMENT)
SUNDAY JUNE 8th
we are going out to tea to Mrs Sylvestero
MONDAY JUNE 9th
Ron starts his new work (Temporary promotion)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 11th
Ron took Clarice and me into Melbourne, to the Capitol, to see 'Where Eagles Dare', we left at 7:30pm and got home about midnight, it is a very busy place at night time.
SATURDAY JUNE 14th
We all went to Melbourne early in the morning, Ron bought me a present , and Clarice a bracelet, we went by train, from Burwood, Ron left his car in the car park. After lunch, we went for a drive around Fern Tree Gully, a lot of traffic on the roads.
SUNDAY JUNE 15th
After lunch we went for a drive through Warrendyte and came back through Croydon, we also went along the river, quite a lot of people were there, young men were in canoe's and paddling, the river was high.
MONDAY JUNE 16TH
The Queens birthday everyone is at home on holiday. Temperature this morning was 31, later 54, frost too this morning.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 18th
Ron took me and Clarice to the Regent in Melbourne to see (The Longest Day)
FRIDAY JUNE 20th
We had an earth tremor
SATURDAY JUNE 21st
We went to Melbourne to the zoo
SUNDAY JUNE 22nd
We went for a run through Warrendyte, came back through Templestone, it was a lovely afternoon.
TUESDAY JUNE 24th
Temperature 63
WEDNESDAY JUNE 25th
Temperature 58.Me, Ron, Charles and Colleen went to the Dorchester Hotel, Clarice had the first night of the play.
THURSDAY JUNE 26th
Clarice and I went to the Forest Hills after lunch shopping, it was a warm afternoon. After tea Ron and me, and the two boys went to Mrs Fieldings for Sherry, we enjoyed it. Got home just after 10pm. Clarice went to the play.
FRIDAY JUNE 27th
Last night in Australia, Ron, Me and the two boys went to see the play (Breakfast for two) got home just before 11pm.
SATURDAY JUNE 28th
Left Ron's at 7:45am for the Airport (Essendon). Left at 10:30am arrived Sydney at 11:10. Left Sydney 12pm. Arrived London Sunday at 7:40am. Left for Manchester 12:15am, arrived 12:45pm
