Roundabout at Bangalow by Shirley Walker Page B

by 11 to 6 and I scored 2 of the tries for the Brothers — and when he does finally get fencing work out in the bush, they send a car to bring him in each weekend (so you see I am of some importance out here) .
    It’s not clear whether he is pursuing the pleasures of a young man, a sporting hero living as a bachelor in this free and easy frontier town, or whether he is, as he maintains, doggedly looking for work. At one stage his arm is almost broken by a back-firing truck that he is trying to start with a crank-handle — Bugger me if the old thing didnt backfire when I was cranking it up and nearly broke my arm. I went to the ambulance and got it bandaged up but it is still very sore. I played football again today. He says he can’t work, therefore there is no money, but he still plays football, scores the winning try and sends the newspaper cuttings to his mother. Meanwhile every letter looks forward to a job and the big money , but by the following letter he’s chasing a different dream:
    There is a big job of bridge-building starting in about six weeks time at a little place called Yulo [Eulo]. It is about 180 miles west of here and I have got my name on the list to start on it … The wages run out at about £5.10 a week and they pay £1.1 a week extra for camping allowance .
    There is 12,000 head of bullocks leaving Charters Towers and going right down over the border to Bourke and there is a good chance of me being with them. I came out here intending to get a cheque and I will get one if I have to rob the bank for it …
    Things are bloody bad here and a man cant buy a job at any price. But it is raining here now and there should be plenty of work soon .
    I am not working and havent done more than a weeks work since I came here. It is no good me telling you this because I know you wont believe it .
    He sends her money in dribs and drabs, with promises which often don’t eventuate.
    If I only send a pound I know it will be acceptable until I get some more … perhaps I will be able to send you a few quid next weekend … I am sending you a pound today and may be able to do some more by next mail .
    When I am born on 2 July 1927, he is obviously pleased and doesn’t mention the fact that he would have preferred a boy. As well as his two older brothers his mother is now urging his return and she wields great influence. He’s on the defensive:
    I would love to see you and the kiddy but I hate coming back again broke and this is the place to make money fast if you can only get into the shearing sheds. The reason why I never wrote before was because I had no idea where you were and another thing I didn’t know whether they would give you a letter. However all is well that ends well and with regards to the babys name I dont care what you call her so long as it suits you because you had all the trouble of bringing her to light. There are some great people here and if ever I get enough cash I am going to fetch you out here to live. There is no bloody backbiting bastards out here like there is down there. The idea of coming back there broke seems silly because the best a man can get down there is £5 a week whereas out here hundreds of men are getting up to £30 a week shearing and fencing. Anyhow I am going to have a crack at it before I come home. I dont think there is any need for you to start walking up to Charleville with a revolver yet …
    Buoyed up by their apparent reconciliation and his new status as the father of two he at last gets a job fencing. It is forty-two miles out in the bush and, perhaps on purpose, far removed from the temptations of the town. While he is there he has his twenty-first birthday but doesn’t consider it worth mentioning:
    Well old girl I am going to the bush today and I am going to make some money for you. I am going fencing by contract so that the harder I work the more money I will get … In this work a man is likely to