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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