Chapter 3 continued

Chapter 3 continued...........

Heathcote School was only a short bus trip away but still too far. Always while scurrying to the bus stop in the cul-de-sac Rene and her three children would be soaked and the gale force winds blew them off balance with every step taken. Their ‘Mac’s’, ‘Gum Boot’s’ and rain hats did nothing to ward off the unpleasantness of dampness, and making useable function of an umbrella was out of the question due to the winds intensity. When they reached the bus shelter it gave a little relief but the wet blew in from all angles. The bus was an hour late due to the many road accidents, and together with the flooding and the inclemency of the conditions all who travelled on this day were delayed.

When the bus finally arrived the driver said it would probably take an extra hour to reach the Heathcote stop. Rene was in two minds, one wanted to get off and go home, but much to the disapproval of her three damp unhappy children, the other mind succeeded and she decided to continue on her mission to school. The trip, as expected, was not without drama. In various places the water was lashing the road up to and above cars hubcaps. Many vehicles were conked on the side of the road but most were simply traffic jammed. Rene’s eyes glassed over in dismay. She felt tormented as if someone upstairs was not only adding insult to her injury, but they were also conniving to dampen her spirits in assessment for a final showdown. She had to be seen to remain calm in front of the children, and although depressed worked hard to restrain from breaking down completely into a weeping mess of gloom; her wet tangled hair still dripping down around her face helped hide the tears and facial trauma associated with such physical abjection. Arrival at the school provided encouragement, for the registration was simplified by the kindness and consideration given by the teaching staff. They took the time to dry everyone and care for the children and hear Rene’s story from England to date. They themselves mostly immigrant’s, embraced her words with compassion and understanding and gave her hope with assured reports of better days ahead. The rain did not ease on the way home or anytime in the immediate future. On this Thursday Tim and Zoe were given a few days reprieve from school because they did not need to attend classes until Monday, but the rain did not ease and they still needed their raincoats in play for the week ahead.

Now with Zoe and Tim at school Rene was allocated a little more freedom. Factors in relation to parental responsibilities and the frustration of organising and amusing three bored children had been somewhat alleviated, but there was still Don to contend with, and at times he could be more of a handful than the other two put together. At least this phase of resolve did offer a little more sanity in Rene’s day-to-day chores but in retrospect it also allowed more time to reflect and ponder the choices made in travel. With so much time on her hands the days became long, and regret was constantly mindful. Boredom activated adverse emotions plaguing her senses, she had to do more than just housework to attempt interruption of negative reflections, so instead of staying home staring at four walls she sought the company of others by regularly taking Don to the communal hall (the canteen) for hot beverages, food and games such as cards and ‘Housie’; but even this was not enough to replete her sedulous personality, she needed more.

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CHAPTER 3 Continued

CHAPTER 3 Continued;

The main hut was shaped the same as all the other huts, except somewhat larger and similar to the wartime factories in England, like above ground shelters but much longer, half round, and completely covered with a shiny corrugated tin roof, continuous in the forming of its tin sides. As they near the main doors Bill requested;

       “Wait here please.” All stopped in family file whilst the escort entered the hut for further instructions. On return he said;

       “Okay, quiet please. You will all have to fill out a few forms. Inside we have officials who will check your documents, provide you with information such as canteen opening times and other formalities. Once you have all signed the register and finished the paperwork you will be shown to your hut.” With all the official procedures complete the Scotsdon’s were shown to hut number ‘54’. It was situated not far from the main hall, and not unlike any other hut, except the outside communal toilet and shower facilities were in close proximity; next door in fact. Two families shared the one roof. There was a door at each end of the hut and each unit was separated by a thin wall of plywood. The structure offered minimum privacy in speech, allowing each adjoining family to hear the smallest of neighbourly noises.

These living quarters, like conjoined twins, were typical of barracks and in close proximity to Ingleburn army camp. In its entirety the ‘Hostel’ housed, at a guess, probably as many as a thousand people. Although the units were small, they were convenient and provided homely comforts to begin. Laundry and washing facilities were shared amenities as was the canteen set at the top end of the ‘Hostel’. Adjacent was a public transport stop, the main office, the pre - school and other conveniences. Each unit had two bedrooms, a small lounge room and kitchen combined. One bedroom was furnished with one double steel framed bed and the other with two sets of bunk beds. The mattresses were paper thin and on the verge of needing fumigation. Rene cleaned them as best as possible and complained bitterly to authorities about the unhealthy climate, but to no avail. The seating was an old wooden framed, clothe woven, torn, two seat lounge, adjacent to a round laminated top, steel legged four setting dining table. Rene was wretched with the whole scenario, causing prolonged stress, worry and the irritation of leaving England as the instigation of many outbursts; tears of exile rolled down her cheeks daily. Ted unremittingly relayed the message this was supposed to be a place of temporary accommodation and there were no-frills attached. He said to Rene;

       “Most of those affiliated with this lifestyle, especially those from other lands, feel the same regret at some stage or another, but we need to be resilient and try hard to adapt.” But to adapt was difficult, the constant cold and tempestuous weather hindered liberal attempts for those aspiring to search for employment and provided most of the suburb with colds and influenza. Some were more easily discouraged than others and it was easier to stay rugged up inside than get about. To add to their difficulties, few had their own cars and the public transport was poor and lacking in frequency so the majority of inhabitants remained housebound and depressed. A couple of slow weeks passed and the time had come for Don’s brother and sister to enrol at the local school. There was no respite in conditions, the rain plummeted, amalgamating with gale force winds it created enormous turbulence and the driving rain on the tin roof rendered it impossible to hear normal speech.

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