The thong I wore today kept rubbing against the cuts. Not many people asked me what happened, surprisingly! Mr Howard let me in the lab, even tho’ I only had 1 leather shoe on. Religion so only 1 period of science. [Wow, I don’t remember any religion lessons at high school? Interesting that it was Science that had to take the back seat…] Chilly wind & overcast but I love it, House is coming along nicely. Louvres in bedroom & front door is on. Pretty good day at school!!!
Tuesday 9/10/84
Nothing much happened today – Pretty “straight”. Wore a non-stick pad over me cut. Is not gonna heal, I know. Got on bus early again (love doing that!) Toni & Natasha are away. Think Natatsha has Toni’s fever. Can’t wait for the Bluelight!
Wednesday 10/10/84
Don’t think I’ll need a thong tomorrow. Last nite did wonders! Left the bandage off and HEY PRESTO! My foot’s almost healed! I can walk on it but from limping the last 3 days, I’m in the habit. Even the cut is now a scab! Lucy bought her dog to speech – after speech went to shop. mum saw a car crash today. An old man (78yrs) died at Aeroglen Drive T-Junction of the Highway near BBC Hardware & Food Barn.. Poor bloke. I feel so sorry…
Thursday 11/10/84
Got a shirt from a different op-shop was $4.50 whereas the one I wanted at the other shop was $1. Got my white shoes too (Like my black flatties) Breakdancing finals was tops!! xcept sometimes couldn’t see a thing cos’ people would stand up in front. Mim found Glenn – they had a good time. He kissed her on the cheek several times but that was all – it was UNREAL!! [I’m fairly sure that I’m referring to the Breakdance Comp here and not the kissing action]
Friday 12/10/84
Alright today. Got on bus early still; I had shoes on & was walking properly! Have a splitting headache cos I’m excited ’bout the Bluelight. Can’t wait!! BAD false alarm today. Got a really bad pain down near my kidneys. Thought it was my you-know-whats. [Uh-huh. Clearly had no ideas where exactly my kidneys were situated in my body…] HEART ATTACK!! Had laughing fits in History. It has been rumoured that Mr Howard was the other driver in the fatal crash which mum saw. He was at school (but officialy still on sick-leave) & was alright. Had a fire alarm. Have gone crazy over Inspector Gadget now!! SLOWEST week I have ever known! Bluelight was alright. Toni, Karen & Lucy went for 1st time but we ignored them. Remember 1st Bluelight you went to?? & Mark gave you the funny, sincere look? Well he did it again!! So I can’t wait for Justine’s!! (Party) Met Julie H. & Ngaree went (very unsuccessfully) spunk-hunting.
Saturday 13/10/84
Went to the [Fun in the Sun street] parade today. met mim & Fi, Before it. Julia’s float went past – I saw her – so did Mark & Jason. (they rode) & came back a little later. (I was thrilled to the bone!) When they had to go, Mark said “scusem wa” & I quickly moved. God I love him. John’s nice too! OH HELL!!
Sunday 14/10/84
Just did HW. Then went to see finish of Fun Run. After leaving the beer tent, went to Dianne & Kerry’s for dinner. Watched “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (My 6½th time!!!!)
Woke early – gave mum $10 & wrote on the card “all we can afford is to give you a wish of good luck”. Mum’s eyes watered when she read it. BORING 1ST DAY BACK. While Ms Woods is overseas on holiday, we have Mrs Clayton, for english. Is alright. Had strawberries & cream after a big tea, then rich (birthday I s’pose) cake. Geoff is staying.
Tuesday 2/10/84
I have decided to turn over a new leaf: I will now be as nice as possible to mum & get stuck into my work and studies. Catherine W. (and Gina) came over. Catherine is Julia’s best friend now. Got an invitation to Natasha’s birthday party (slumber, video party) Beka, Fi & I have decided to go & play tricks all night to scare them all!
Wednesday 3/10/84
Normal school day (God these days are going slow) HEATH’S BIRTHDAY! After school took him a little patty cake with 1 candle on it!! (& a present) Played with him all afternoon. Didn’t go to speech because didn’t know what day I was s’posed to go (but it was meant to be today. Will go with Natasha & Megan tomorrow
Thursday 4/10/84
Natasha’s Birthday. Yesterday – Heath’s 2nd was Lorelle’s & the 1st was mum’s. Funny, eh? Did go with Natasha & Megan. ← she’s quite nice now. Mum went to Carol B.’s & bought home some clothes. I love the 3/4 length, royal blue pants & green & white tennis outfit and the coloured grandpa shirt & the pale blue, full skirt. But tonite went to Breakdance 3rd & final heat. Fi & Catherine W. came. Got there about 7:30 so missed most of it. Kylie S. & some other Freshy Yr7 girls But she did acrobatics stuff & the (gigantic) crowd cheered, screamed, whistled, clapped. Loved her! After, did some quick grocery shopping before coming home & having a late night. On the bus it was not Fi’s day. It was rubber band day & she got hit in the eyes3 times.
Friday 5/10/84
Another boring school day (No one’s birthday this time (today, I mean) Dad picked us up & we went to the Red Beret (fooled around) I was in a silly mood, then back at Dad’s flat, had an early-ish night.
Saturday 6/10/84
Up early doing shopping etc. Dad has decided to give mum the tiles for the bathroom in our house. At home had lunch, did a little HW then had a shower Both my tyres have punctures so I can’t ride to Natasha’s. I pumped ’em up but as soon as I got round the corner they were flat as pancakes again. The PARTY was great! Will probly get only 5hrs sleep!
Sunday 7/10/84
Bad luck at the party, tho. Toni left early in the morning with a fever, Angela’s glasses were almost smashed about 7 times. Justine (YUCH) mangled her little toe & I SPRAINED MY ANKLE. Starting jogging on wet concrete) Only one home was Nana. She came & took me to the ambulance depot. They bandaged it up & told me to soak it in icy water. At home, did this for about 30 mins, when dad came. At dad’s watched TV all day & (very carefully) played handball with Julia. Dad said I should relax it today & work muscles tomorrow. Good excuse to miss PE, huh?! Excited now cos’ it’s fun being fussed over!! (Mum was at Joss House wen it hap’ned. Nin was asleep when she got back so she didn’t find out till sometime later. She immediately rang me to find out about it.
Toni didn’t pick me up today thank god. She got ‘the message’. Karen is upset about our thinking they’re immature so now she gets on at our stop, before me, and gets the seats closest to the back (cos’ she knows I like to sit there)
Tuesday 4/9/84
Haven’t fought once with Julia since Friday! Good, huh?! Mum is going strong on the nicorettes. Am VERY PROUD of her! It took a lot of willpower & she’s done it, alright! [Hmmm, it’s only been a week Lissy…!] Am still very tired. Worked on the jigsaw puzzles again. Did no HW. Got a terrible headache – worse – I got a few more during the rest of the day.
Wednesday 5/9/84
In speech, we asked Mrs McI. if Fi could come to class (we weren’t doing work cos’ exams had finished) so Luc & I got Fi worked up – she was worried all day – thinking it was something bad! Had fun! In Double Science, we swapped rooms with 9B. We had B1 & they went to F1². PES mucked around Got some more headaches today.
Thursday 6/9/84
Woke ‘automatically’ early (6:00). Slow day. Started gymnastics puzzle & finished it this arvy. Fooling around, I bruised my arm – the bone. I was using my right arm for support on the floor, when Julia pushed me, I fell on it & so did she. I panicked – thinking at first it was broken but (un)fortunately it wasn’t. [I’d fractured my right wrist when I was about 10 years old – landing on it after a failed high jump attempt – so I knew the pain of a broken bone. UNfortunately meaning, time off school and/or the excuse that I’d be unable to write…] Early to bed – but I can’t sleep.
Friday 7/9/84
Woke again ‘automatically’ around 6:00. Didn’t learn for maths & I think I’ve failed (or close to it) but – german was a SYNCH. Took $5 to school – $2.20 for German BBQ on Wednesday & 50c for pizza lunch. Watched movie “Can’t Stop the Music” & it’s now the 4th or 5th time I’ve seen it.
Saturday 8/9/84
Did go to tennis finals cos’ didn’t know where it was held/or what time etc. When I rang Fi she said she wasn’t going either cos’ she didn’t know enough about it either. Lazed around. Got words for songs, while listening to a tape. ATE UMAH After yummy salad sammy, went to help mum paint house but Jules & I ended up playing hopscotch, catchey & water fights. At flat – washed my bike for the 1st time EVER! BOY was it DIRTY! After tea watched the movies. Late one “No Sex Please, We’re British” was HILARIOUS!!
Sunday 9/9/84
Woke at 8:30. Had pancakes for brekky. Got dressed, sat down & did HW. Dad came at 10:00 and at his place (took him 2 GIANT pancakes) went to beach & did HW till Jill & Barry came. Looked over their house, then went for drinks to the ‘San Remo Hotel’ Pub. Watched movie and am pooped!
Can’t believe Shane’s ear is pierced!! He looks a real punce! It soo stupid! Good, fast day. (but got a lot of HW) Got essay done just in time! Wrote a quick, crappy conclusion. Toni picked me up again as usual. Forgot to tell her I don’t want her to anymore. Don’t know why. Got the bath for the house! Is GROOVY!
Tuesday 28/8/84
Today I was tired & forgetful Here I was picking flowers for a science experiment in double science & I forgot to bring my leather shoes! So Melissa C. & Wanda & I stayed outside for the 1¹⁄3hrs. Had to write lines. [I am fairly sure that was possibly the onlly time in my life I ever had to write lines. I was such a Good Girl.] Mum bought a stupid present for mim, so went to change for nail polish and lip balm.
Wednesday 29/8/84
Gave mim her prezzy at speech ←didn’t do a thing so I hafta go tomorrow for 20mins. Panicked cos’ I thort I had ta do my english artistic speaking, but mine’s on Monday. Am peeling from sunburn. soo tired – don’t seem to be getting enough sleep. Got a seat on the bus.
Thursday 30/8/84
Did I tell you Nana left for Brisbane on Fri. & I hafta start her car every day? [In case you haven’t read previous entries, this responsibility was entrusted to me by my grandmother whenever she left town. I don’t actually recall ever being remunerated for the task, but then unpaid chores were part-and-parcel of being a kid in those days.] Well cos’ o’ skool, I haven’t had time – done it once this week. Horrible, slow boring day. Nothing happened. Xept stayed longer at Mrs McI.’s than had planned to. Didn’t do any HW. Late night.
Friday 31/8/84
Slow, boring day. Mum’s got niccotine chewies – hasn’t started them yet, tho. Worried ’bout speech exam. Late nite.
Saturday 1/9/84
Didn’t go to tennis. Lazed around at home. Studied for speech & helped mum paint Julia’s bed white. Early night. Boring day. Mum finished her fags & started the “Nicorettes” – said they taste horrible. [Mum’s smoking habit spanned about 25 years in the end, and I lost count of the number of times she tried to give up. By the time she passed away, she had been off the fags for approximately a decade. This particular attempt was therefore not one of her successes and the gum’s flavour might just have been one of the reasons, you think?] Worried about wot to wear to my speech exam.
Sunday 2/9/84
Coral Coast Triathlon swim leg, 2008 (unable to find pics of 1984 competition)
FATHER’S DAY. Shitting myself this morning – wore grey pinafore, black & red checked shirt, black shoes, red stockings & black belt. I did terrible!! Only my poem “Mushrooms” turned out good. After, (didn’t see Dad start or finish the Coral Coast Triathlon) we met mim at the triathlon finish, then went to little Di’s after lunch. Saw Kim N. (lives just across the road) Had a fun game of baseball. After, picked up uniform & gave dad his prezzy, then went to Ian B.’s for tea. Home late. little HW done – NOT much at all.
Practically asleep on my feet today. Not a good day – slow & boring. Mick came late, so we were the 5th bus to leave, instead of 3rd. Got a book out of the library called Manx Mouse – haven’t started reading it yet. At home, rode to shop & bought a ‘Cool Shark’ for arvy tea – there is NOTHING & I mean nothing to eat in our house. [I tried to find a picture of the old ‘Cool Shark’ ice blocks but to no avail. They were literally blue in colour and the thought of that toxic colouring now sends shivers down my spine]
Tuesday 14/8/84
…and in case you didn’t know what the knees were…
Asleep on my feet again! Am SO TIRED lately! Slow day. Shamed Sharon M. today. She likes John C. & when he walks past our stop in the mornings, well today we yelled out things like “Sharon loves John” etc. Still haven’t started “Manxmouse” yet. At last year’s speech concert, I had to wear a black cotton dress. Today I cut it into a tube. Just belt it at the top & it makes a great skirt!! [My mum didn’t think so. “I wish you wouldn’t cut everything up” became words I got too used to hearing. But I was a budding fashion designer…what did she expect?]
Wednesday 15/8/84
ANOTHER slow day! Went to the dentist: he said I’m his no°1 toothbrusher (with) braces) & I’ll have to have these shitty braces on for 18 months. Stayed in at art in Big Lunch. After speech went to shop & our tree. Ate & got home on dusk! Supposed to get my ear repierced (the right one – the one I couldn’t get an earring into) Pat said it was too small so I’ll hafta go back & get him to do something.
Thursday 16/8/84
Didn’t go to Kevin Shorey today – just forgot! STUART d. has sugar DIABETES. [Type 1, unlike the majority of children these days, sadly] Fi said he went into hospital today [I have omitted a potentially sensitive statement here] she’s really upset – cries & everything. Mim & I wanted to go & see him but couldn’t. Today was boring – watched high jumps again. Phillip & Matthew were around asking Julia to go for a walk. Kept bugging us but was fun!
Friday 17/8/84
Dunphys may be buying the Sheridan St Newsagency!! And Fi said I could do the paper run but Nana is against it. UP HER ARSE!! Today was also .. Boring. In Double Science ½ of 9B had to come into our class because their teacher was absent (& there were no relieving teachers) but Fi went into 9C. Went to High Jumps AGAIN. Watched the movie “the Big Bus”. Was meant to be funny, but wasn’t that good. In fact, it was pathetic.
Saturday 18/8/84
Am bugared. Mrs H. drove us to & from tennis. Got home, showered & had lunch. Made my black skirt, dressed & met Karen to go to the Freshy fete. Stayed for ½hr – wasn’t great. Rushed home, changed, picked up Lucy & went. The Cairns High (CHS) fete was fantastic & great. The Disco was unreal (or at least the breakdancers were) Got growing pains [aching legs] therefore I was tired & bored. Mima was with Glenn C. most of the night (y’know his sister Lynette – the one with all the fashionable clothes.) He is spunky!! (and year 8) Am sooo tired now.
Sunday 19/8/84
Woke up 8:30. Left for dad’s. Stayed at a park while dad had a trial run for triathlon. [It was his debut – and maiden – entry in the major local event , the “Coral Coast Triahtlon”. I am quite certain he was a part of a team, since I don’t recall him ever owning a bike. He was a (fun) runner.] Went to little Di’s place for lunch after & stayed till 7:30. Back at dad’s had soup for tea, got into bed at 8:50 & I hoped to be asleep before 9:30.
Sooo tired this morning! Did exercises & couldn’t take my eyes off the book! When were ready Dad drove us home where Toni was & packed lunch. When we pulled up at school, I finished “Lovers & Gamblers” ‘Happy’ ending but I didn’t like it cos’ too many good characters die. Mucked around today – it went fast. Surprising amount of HW. Did some title pages in Toni’s History & Science books & she paid me with a pkt of chips. Personally, I don’t think that’s enough!…
Tuesday 17/7/84
Woke early, got to bus stop early. Quite tired, in fact, VERY tired, have been all day. At School, Mr Howard was bashed up. (Not at school, dummy) He came with 2 black eyes, bruised nose & grazes. Musta bin in a fight. Went shopping & bought red tights & hair mousse. Hairdressers were booked out – couldn’t find shorts or scarves either.
Wednesday 18/7/84
Day went really quick – was so excited about tonight. Came home, had bath, dressed & went to speech. Fi rode me home coz mum forgot me & was late. Had dinner & went. Was UNNRREEEAL. Am so excited for Friday now! It’ll be Triffic
Thursday 19/7/84
After a LONG, SLOW day, I gorged on the choccy’s from my Show bags. I’ll never get them again – waste of money. Watched TV & relaxed. Actually wrote a 6 page letter!!! (To Jodie & Mike) [our ‘closest’ cousins – mum’s sister’s offspring] Me? Yes! Have planned out tomorrow; Sleep in, have brekky….
Friday 20/7/84
LAST DAY OF THE SHOW – OHHH!!! Had the usual show day holiday. Planned out my morning – did everything perfectly. Got to mim’s at 1:30, Fi got there at 2:00 & we left at 2:45. Had the greatest time EVER! Went on the Orion: 2, Whizzer: 1, Paratrooper: 2, Ferris wheel: 1, Hurricane: 1 & Gravitron: 1 Truly, totally unreel! Met Justine etc & Jason P. & Mark!♥ But I don’t think he even sees me. Oh well – I don’t mind dreaming!
Saturday 21/7/84
Woke at 7:30. Rushed for tennis – Martin D. dropped us in. After, walked to Stereo World – drove mim & Fi to our place – ate lunch – went to mims & swam all arvy (till 3:00) Went to Fi’s & cooked custard and some patty cakes. At home, slept well.
Sunday 22/7/84
Woke at 8:00 & lazed around all day Umah! Feel guilty about eating between snacks & the HORRIBLE bulges of FAT on my stomach. I want to get rid of them but my will power isn’t strong enough. Anyhow watched TV all day – early or reasonably early night. Am not looking forward to school 2morrow.
2ND SEMESTER 1ST DAY BACK. Woke early. Made cards & almost missed bus. Boring day – Shane broke his arm – suck eggs! No one noticed my teeth – I had to tell them! Held a yummy dinner for Nana!
Tuesday 10/7/84
Wasn’t excited in the least! Still aren’t Altogether I now hove $69 in my money box ($5 from working for dad + $14 mum, $5 julia, $20 Geoff, $10 Nana & $12 Jodie & Michael & Co. Extra $3 was my own. Luckily no one sang Happy Birthday, but almost did. Chook, pavlova & Nin & I cut our cake! Also got my black shoes. Fi gave me a black chain necklace & a Sportsgirl bag (to take my tennis things in) Lucy gave me beautiful coral earrings but STUPID me lost one.
Wednesday 11/7/84
Wore one earring to school. Boring day. Am now really stuck into a rudy book Lucy gave me – “Lovers & Gamblers” OK… Mim gave me (at speech) a basket of lollies (most of which she ate.)
Thursday 12/7/84
Dunno why but today I feel different. Went fast today. Practised skipping for the Jump Rope for Heart skipathon, fed the cats for the last time & went late nite with my $69. Bought red’n’black check blouse, red floppy sox, red belt, grey vest & black jumper 4 the show. Had $7 left UNBELIEVABLE! Bought everyone a drink. Crawled into bed
Friday 13/7/84
Papa has yet to give me $20 (I hope) I’ll keep that for summer fashions. Got my money from St C’s [the family whose cats I’d been feeding for the previous fortnight] $60! I’ll use $40 for the show ← I can’t wait. My terrific outfit is planned. Boring day. did more jump rope at school & almost finished book!
Saturday 14/7/84
Got to Beka’s & decided we didn’t want to ride so rang mum (we were running late anyway) Played exceptionally well considering we hadn’t played in 2 weeks. After walked from courts in Dalrymple St, Edge Hill, to Stereo World (PUFF! PUFF!) Chose movies & Mr B. dropped us to Beka’s. Had lunch & rode home. Grabbed me speech stuff for drama practise. While mim was in, Fi & I (word) fought with little cheeky kids next door. Mrs McI. helped me a lot. Staying at mim’s now. Watched (boring) Boy George concert & “American Werewolf in London” for the 6th time. Fell asleep around 12:00.
Sunday 15/7/84
Got 9½hrs sleep! (woke at 9:30) Dozed till 11:15. Brunch was chips, saveloys & fish fingers then at shop bought HEAPS & I mean HEAPS of lollies & went our own ways. Packed for Dad’s & started HW. At 6:00 took HW but didn’t do any. Watched movie. Read a lot too. Sleep well I hope.
At 5:15am today it was 8.5°C. Lowest temperature recorded since ’65 (7.3°C) COOOLD!! Tho’ Hobarts max. today is expected 8°C! Our max 4 tomorrow is 23°C! Townsville 4.5°C, Irvinbank -10°C Herberton -2.5°C. Cairns coldest ever was in 1932: 6.8°C. But today, at work did Women’s Weekly Puzzeler & some book work for dad. Staying 2nite again
Tuesday 3/7/84
At home, Mima came up & we made Marshmallow – what a mess! It boiled over & under the hotplates. We had to cleaned it up (euch!) Bonza tea of meat pie. Est. temperature minimum is 10°C tonight – not as bad as last night but not as good either – course it is! I love WINTER & JULY! When Polly came over I had to try’n’sleep in an ice cold bed! BRRR!
Wednesday 4/7/84
Polly, Julia, mima & I went to town with mum & in Suzie Cue like in all shops, the carpet gave us electric shocks. I rubbed my feet & touched Julia. We nearly fell over! There was a LOUD POP & we were SHOCKED Badly! After I got my braces tightened went to Earlville & Kmart (saw Mark!♥) Then had powder & towel fights before feeding the cats. I flung the meat accidently into some bushes when the others told me to swing it round & flick the blood on each other & it broke!! On Tuesday Julia told mima I like Mark. Knew I couldn’t trust her.
Thursday 5/7/84
At mima’s worked with clay until they went out at 10:30. I had a key so, at home, watched TV till Brewers picked me up again about 2:30. Watched “Conan the Barbarian” on their video – alright, mum picked me up, I fed the cats & had a late night at home.
Friday 6/7/84
At 8:40 mima rang & asked me into town. There was a big mix-up. I couldn’t make the 9:00 bus as she had asked. She got on thinking I was down near Griffith St – it was Clare McK. So I rang Mrs B. & she picked me up on her way in. I met mima & we walked around. At 12, saw Fi & Sandy Lee (they were waiting for greyhound bus – SL was leaving. She is nice after-all. I misjudged as usual. We missed the bus cos mim a wanted to buy some books, but the Dunphys dropped us home. Watched TV Dad came. Staying at Dad’s 2nite.
Saturday 7/7/84
Lazed about at home. Mima rang in the arvy & I went up to help her & practise speech work. Ex’s were very hard. Mum picked me up, fed the cats, and had a late night at home.
Sunday 8/7/84
Read Dolly & helped Julia with her Spain project all day. Watched TV etc. Fed the cats & went to bed quite early. I’d summarize the holidays as good, fattening (did exercises only for 1 week) am fat now. Finally, me teeth are together! See, on Wednesday when I had them tightened, they became so close I almost fainted. The next morning they were shut. Looks great – UNREEEEEEAL!!!
Late night last night. Slow day today. Maybe going late night shopping. On the bus, it was boring as ever. This week has gone so slow!! Went late nite for ½ hour. The black belt I saw is gone, but there are two others I like (both black) $10 or $20 or in City Girl a double wrap belt $20.
Friday 2 March
Good day. Got 17/20 for English essay (Insurance claim) Handed in my letter one. At tennis, mim, fi & me couldn’t beat Toni & them to the courts so we all played together. Was fun. When the others went, they left a bottle so we went & refunded it. [Better recycling initiatives in the ‘politically incorrect’ 80’s? Take me back there please] The shop was closed but the snack bar was open. The lady said we could refund if we bought something. Bought 2 10c bubblegums. We got free fats frogs (but fi got a ‘Wiz’) They were damaged so she gave them to us. When I came home dad was here and I told them about riding to tennis lessons in the morning. They both wouldn’t let me. We brawled about it & still aren’t on good terms. I’m minding my business and mum’s minding her.
Saturday 3 March
Made up with mum after she rang Mrs B. and arranged to pick up everyone. Had fun! Was in their group (lied that I had taken lessons years ago) Anyhow, did okay. After had a swim at mim’s. Beka was snotty about something. Had a picnic lunch at my place when Beka left. Then made 2 cakes. After, dressed up and walked around the streets with ‘Thriller’ blaring from the tape recorder which fi carried; mim skated & I carried a basket. Teased hair’n’everything!! Looked TERRIFIC!! They’re sleeping here.
Sunday 4 March
Recorded a make-believe radio station & did HW. The we dressed the same as yesterday and walked to the shop in the rain by the longest route. Ran into Martin & Shane. They teased but we know they’d be too gutless to do anything similar. After lunch did HW, had a water fight & played games. Early night.
Monday 5 March
Boring school day. Have decided what to wear to our disco but I can’t work out colour coordination. Early night.
Tuesday 6 March
On the news & in the papers, Brian D. (Fi’s Dad) fell off his boat at 10:00pm, while the crew slept. He was fixing nets on the ‘prowler’ when a giant wave knocked him over. In the water for 6½hrs, he was lucky no sharks were nearby.
Wednesday 7 March
Mossman Sports Day. At school am doing tennis but today, we had to go temporarily into other groups. I played Fi in ‘Touch Footy’. The last two periods were ‘fun’ versions of maths’n’history. //Fi’s dad is alright & on his way back to Cairns. Toni was away today. Think she wagged it.
Thursday 8 March
Toni is away today too. BOG!! Went late nite. Found a great pair of grey jeans but they were stretch jeans – I don’t want to show off my fat legs. On our way home, went to the Food Barn. I bought their special – 4 chocolate bars for $1!! [Hilarious. Complaining about fat legs in one sentence followed by 4 chocolate bars in the next..insanity!]
Friday 9 March
Toni came today. My english model is unreal!! Used crushed velvet for the floor and walls. Floor, chocolate brown; Walls, beige. Ate my last chocolate bar for big lunch. Went to Julia’s disco. Shane said he wasn’t ‘gonna go’, but he did (because I was, I think) At disco (mim came) Brendan said Shane loves me & that I should “try him tonight”. I don’t know whether to believe him or not!!
Saturday 10 March
Got into group 3 (out of 4) with mim, fi & beka but was put down when they went up again. [tennis fixtures] I’m not going back again, EVER. PM: made more things for my english model and started my “Cairns Colours My World” Banner. 4CA are holding this competition to celebrate the Opening of the International Airport. Celebration week is from 17.3.4 to the 26.3.84 Pay $5 & you get paint & canvas supplied. 17 & over win $250. 16 & under win $250. 250 paintings will be chosen & hung in the streets of Cairns. Anyway after, went to mim’s, made up another radio station & slept at Fi’s.
Sunday 11 March
Got to sleep at 2:00 last night. Mim & I had a laughing fit & made up some, mistake, millions of silly riddles (some good) Eg: [Q] What do you call a mashed up Chinaman? [A] Custard! Ha, ha!! Slept until 10am then played hospitals, made patty cakes (with sickly sweet mock cream) PM: Helped fi make her disco outfit then swam at mim’s. At home, started painting banner. I was meant to take my brace off at 4AM but slept in & therefore gained 6½HRS. [Because I knew there’d be times I’d want to go out in public when I should technically be wearing the brace, I became extremely disciplined in recording (& ‘accruing’) time so that I could afford to have those special occasions ‘off’.]
Monday 12 March
I have a feeling this is gonna be one P*A*C*K*E*D week!! I haven’t done my english model or the essay yet! UM-AAAH! Boring School Day. Went clothes shopping today (for disco) Bought an ESPRIT shirt (white & aqua green) earrings (Sportsgirl; red’n’white) black dog collar, white mesh’n’buttons, lilac stockings & blue socks. I couldn’t get any shoe colour – OH NO!!
Tuesday 13 March
Am excited about the disco. About the shoe colour, both mum & Nana tried to get it today but ….alas, NO. What shall I do???
Wednesday 14 March
Up early. I haven’t finished my english yet – HEAVENS!! Kept my bag (of disco clothes) in my locker all day. Coloured my shoes with black & white shoe polish. Worked quite well. Disco was unreal!! After rushing out of speech to Fi’s, hurredly dressed & left. Shane didn’t go. I almost won best dressed but Rebecca P. beat me. (Bitch) Naah!
Thursday 15 March
Pretty hectic day! Got to bed 11:30 last night. Woke at 5 this morning, but did get my english done. Mum wrote a (lie) note, so that I can hand the model in on Monday. At lunch did German research. Is due tomorrow. Also, banner is due Sunday now because not enough entrants, lucky, huh? On bus Martin & Patrick kept saying Shane had a crush on me. I don’t believe them.
Friday 16 March
In history, Mr Van Slooten & Mr Addison have decided to join their classes together & have an Asian day. Good, eh? That means I’ll be with Shane most of the day! I think Shane likes me. He keeps pulling my hair gently on the bus!! Melinda is sleeping tonight
Saturday 17 March
Today went with mum to see some of her clients, then browsed in town. Found this beautiful dress – a skirt with straps (like braces) attached (a pinafore) It’s really neat & suits me well. Gotta save $25. Spent the rest of the day on my banner. Am now finished. Looks unreal!! Julia is staying at Dad’s tonight
Sunday 18 March
Went to Mulleys this arvy! Came home at 9:30. Also, finished my english model at 6:00. Looks fantastic with little telephones’n’everything. UNREEAL! Julia came home & told us that Roger & Leonie are splitting up. Today ate so much cake! UMAH!!
Monday 19 March
Got driven to school because of my model. Toni came with me. Lotsa people saw it & liked it. I’m proud of myself!! Tried to finish German tonight. Mum’ll just have to wake me up early to get it done. Lucy went home today; felt sick. Everyone was in a weird mood today!!!!
Tuesday 20 March
Funny (weird) day today. I don’t think I love Shane anymore, i.e. I’m not sure; I do but I don’t. Early to bus stop. Had science test – quite easy! Also watched Thorn Birds Ch3 in the mini-series was unreal. BP test on Thurs. Began netball in P.E.S.
‘The Thorn Birds’ was the first (Australian) mini-series I can recall being allowed to watch
Wednesday 21 March
Bad girl today, wore wrong shoes, ring & necklace; forgot hat. Want to get my haircut (short bob with flicked fringe – to suit my round face) tomorrow night Good time on bus. Asked Ms Chant about test prepare sheet; still don’t get it. “Flashback” costs $13.50, OH NO!! Had 50c to spend today.
Thursday 22 March
Mr Mahony’s (dd Yr 7 teacher) birthday today!! BP test was EASY!! When I went late-night shopping, beautiful pinafore was gone; only red or blue left. PITY. At lunchtime we made a long grass rope (from grass roots) about 15m long! Angela came on bus this arvy. Tony WHOOPS!! Toni said we’ll go to the First bus stop on the corner of Down St & Kamerunga Rd in the morning
Friday 23 March
Today got really tired at lunch. Got my english assignment back – 19/20 VHA or A. My model will be displayed in the library!! Took a book out for Nin called “In the Wet” by Neville Shute. Began 1st chapter. Sounds good! (I’ve found some really good books in our school library!) After school Jules & me had a water fight. She is staying at Dad’s. No one noticed my haircut (because it wasn’t that short after all). Toni, Angela, Rebecca & me went to the first bus stop. No big deal! Mum & I watched the (funny) movie.
Saturday 24 March
Very boring day today. Went to town in the morning. Got “Flashback” & new felt pens. Drew all day. Rang Fi but she wasn’t there. She & mima rode to tennis & were at Elisia’s, doing some project. Mum & I are going to see “Never Say Never Again” & “Yellowbeard” at the Drive-In.
Sunday 25 March
Remember when my last band broke? (Well, it was Wed, 22/2) Well today the other one broke off. Stupid, stuffed things! Only 10 days till it comes off! Mima slept at Fi’s Today I was upset about them being together all the time; leaving me out. But we went to the International Airport & looked about. A man told us we weren’t supposed to be there so we left, as the police were “on their way”.
Monday 26 March
English Demonstration today. Did it on how to & how not to eat SPAGHETTI & SOUP!! Went off well – I forgot a few things but got 16/20!! Also today, took out yesterday’s hurt on Fiona, saying she “didn’t go to the Bluelight [disco] because Jemima wasn’t allowed.” She said, “that’s not a nice thing to say.” I said “but it’s true.” We didn’t speak again for the rest of the day.
Tuesday 27 March
Watched the last of ‘Thorn Birds’, tonight. Was sad – only watched ½. Fi & I sorted everything out today. The last two weekends were “groggy weekends”. They “didn’t want me being bored” with them. Toni & I almost missed the bus. Were at the drain/Gina’s house when Toni saw the bus coming. We ran like Hell! I have also officially declared I no more love Shane.
Wednesday 28 March
I think I do still love Shane a very little bit, but I also see Kristian L. (just a VERY weeny bit) Shane is still ranked no.1 on a friendship (male) list. Got up late (7:10) Toni told me about ‘Thorn Birds’. Ralph & Dane died, Meg, her mum & Jussy made up & lived together. Sport day today. Played tennis. Had Rebekah as my partner. Was in a BAD mood. (Speech was good) During dinner, there were 5 blowies (blow flies) zooming around, which got me mad, and then, when we got back from the shop, Julia shut my foot in the door!!
Thursday 29 March
Raining & overcast. Lucy, Karen & I want to go in the Conga line – we don’t know what to do! (Will it still be on? ie will the rain halt it?) BORING SCHOOL DAY. Went into town this arvy – saw some banners – approximately 20 have been put up, minus ours. My pinafore is being ordered in again by Rockmans. Hopefully there is a white size 8. Julia bought a new outfit tonight – apricot & white striped T-shirt, peach skirt & matching mesh overskirt. Altogether $13. Not bad, eh?! I might borrow something….now & again!!
Friday 30 March
Had 60c, bought 2 nutellas. 30c change. Karen “wasn’t allowed” to go in the Conga line; Lucy & I did. Went to the Food Festival, after, for tea. Met mima. Was so crowded! Ate & drank all night! (Well, not all night!) Watched TV. The USA Rock Awards were on – Michael Jackson won heaps! 8/13 I think!! He looked ready to cry!
Saturday 31 March
Mima, Fi & Mrs B. stopped in on me & asked me if I’d still like to go to fixtures cause I’m in Fi’s team. I said yes – my excuse was that I’d been sick over the last 2 weeks. After, (mim & fi went to Elisia’s for project work) at home, went straight into town to see our posters/banners, then Geoff took us to the new airport (it was now officially open) looked around, had tea (at home), then, back at the airport, watched the first Jumbo Jet land & take-off. It was GIGANTIC!
Normal school day (boring!) – fun on the bus. I think Martin P. & Patrick L. still like Fiona (from gr 7 – remember Lucy’s party, Martin?) Day 2 today!! Is Hot!!
Thursday 2 February
Cooler today because of a breeze. Toni thinks Shane likes Justine – Hope not ! ! ! Fiona’s & my plan is kinda working. Late night 9:30.
Friday 3 February
Good day. Went to Lucy’s after school. Mim, fi,Beka & her were all there. Played a ‘matron’ game. Are all sleeping at mim’s
Saturday 4 February
Supposed to go to town today with Fi, Beka, Lucy, Toni & Karen at 9:00. Toni didn’t want to come, Karen and Fi weren’t allowed and Beka didn’t show up at the bus stop so Luc & I went by ourselves at 10:00. Lazy arvy!
Sunday 5 February
Lucy, mim and fi couldn’t come to Green Island with me, Jules, Nin & Ruth. It was Rainy & overcast. Hoped it wasn’t raining over there – it wasn’t, but was horribly black in clouds. Bird pooped on me twice!! On the way there, I threw up my cherry jam, which I had on toast for breakfast!! [I vividly recall this trip, in rough conditions on one of Hayles’ older Green Island ferries. My sister threw up into her beach towel and after vomitting myself, was amused to find a whole piece of said fruit in the tissue after clearing my nasal passages.] Walked around & had a swim was COLD!! Lost my earring back. Not allowed to watch ‘Grease’ on TV – poop!! (Melinda S. came with us to Green, today)
Monday 6 February
Mum let us watch ‘Grease’ after all. We begged and were a bit naughty, but we watched it!! My left ear is … INFECTED. I wore no earrings to school & fi blew me up – she told me they would close up. Saw Kevin Shorey this afternoon. We had to buy a whole new earring to replace the lost back, but when I cleaned my ear tonight, with the hydrogen peroxide, I dropped the new back down the sink plug. God, I’m an Idiot, a Fool!!
Tuesday 7 February
Today mum saw Kevin Shorey. He gave her a stainless steel back!! THANK GOD!! Pretty good day!! Swimming carnival next Tuesday!! Went to our houses to sort out entrants in the races. Mandy came over for a talk today & brought Heath. He’s big & beautiful!
Wednesday 8 February
Orthodontist appointment 8:30!! Came back to school during period 1 only have to wear my brace till April; UNREEALL!! 1st Speech day today, for the year. Lucy, mim & elisia are in my group. Watched Hoges tonight. Was hilarious!!!
Thursday 9 February
Although Sixteen Candles hadn’t yet been released, I’d already had the pleasure of wearing this kind of orthodontic brace.
In the paper this morning, a year 8 boy from our school had 60 birthday punches from mates – his arm was severely bruised “Shane E.” I don’t know him! They say it happened on the Stratford bus & Paul P. threw one of the punches. Um-aaaah!! With my brace, the reason I only have to wear it until April is that he only wanted to pull my jaw back so my teeth were in their proper grooves, not pull all my teeth back into place!
[I had an amazing amount of dental work carried out on my little head over a number of years, and at this stage I am wearing one of those external braces …yes, you can imagine exactly what I’m talking about; the ones that have the external ‘handle’bar & elastic around the back of the skull – the largest, most conspicuous orthodontic contraption in existence! Thankfully I only had to wear it for 14hrs per day, so I was rarely seen with it in public.]
Friday 10 February
Ruth left today. Pity!! She is very nice. Gave us $5 each last night – gave us lots of things!! GOODBYE!! Had fun on bus coming home. Mim, Fi, Beka, me & Jules played tennis at the Freshy courts. Martin, Patrick & Shane were playing cricket & whistling all the time. I wonder who Shane was whistling at. I think it may have been me!! HOPE!! I tried hard to ignore but I couldn’t help noticing Shane whistled the most!! When he left he did one last loud one. Was it for me? Only hope.
Saturday 11 February
Stayed at Fi’s last night. Went to Sportsworld & watched Fi, Beka, mima & Polly in tennis lessons. Came back to mim’s for a swim. Beka & Fi left – I stayed for lunch. Fi came back after. We had another swim then watched the ‘Thriller’ Jackson special which had been taped from an old ‘Airwaves’ show. Melinda is sleeping tonight.
Sunday 12 February
I am still wondering about those whistles on Friday afternoon. I mean, were they for real? Who were they for? Who blew most of them? It is making me too excited. Today just read, lazed & did Homework until went to Fi’s & did some cooking with Fi, mim & pol.
Monday 13 February
That whistling job had me going all weekend – everyone knew there was something on my mind!! I’m just DYING to know! Shane didn’t act unusual today. Perhaps it was my imagination. My new togs:
diary sketch of the new togs (read: swimming costume)
Tuesday 14 February
ST VALENTINE’S DAY!!
Was no rain, just overcast. TRINITY WON!! Elliss 2nd, Clifton 3rd, Kewarra LAST!! Shane came 2nd & 4th in his races!! Looked at each other on the bus!! Geoff gave mum flowers & choccy
Wednesday 15 February
DAY 5 TODAY. I hate this day!! Today on the bus, Shane gave me an accusing look, when he opened the sliding window, as if I shut it, but I didn’t. I said,” I didn’t shut it”. He just went “Hmph” and I said “Poofter” aloud – I think he may have heard me. Hope not. Feel Energetic!!
Thursday 16 February
Some samples of the ‘fashionistas’ that earnt me some pocket money. How’s the Boy George look-alike?!
I am very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very upset over Shane. I think he did hear me yesterday. He has been giving me the cold shoulder & I’m not used to it from him. I’ve also lost a good piece of essay for English. Really good & I can’t remember it so I’ll have to start from scratch, but the 2nd copy won’t be as good as the first. Have started a drawing business. [Ah! Here’s the li’l entrepreneur again] Draw girls wearing different fashions – sold for 5c. I also take orders for 10c. This arvy I told Karen how I felt about Shane when we got off the bus and started crying. She didn’t like seeing me cry but promised to talk to him & tell him I do love him & am upset over him. She’s a very good friend.
Friday 17 February
Boring school day. Did homework at mima’s with fi & her. Had heaps of fun!! Don’t think I got much done. Had an early-ish night.
Saturday 18 February
Fiona slept at Jemima’s last night. They went to tennis but it was raining so Jemima got her new racer and rode back to Freshwater with Fi. I took Mr. B.’s racer & we rode out to Beka’s. Decided to ride to ake Placid for a swim, but was too rough. Ended up at Freshy Creek.
Sunday 19 February
In the morning, mima & Fi came round & asked me if I’d like to ride to town. Packed lunch (took $5) and went. They had their racers, while I struggled on my stupid old pushbike. Dropped in to see if Elisia wanted to come, but wasn’t allowed. Had fun. On the way home, it poured. Were all sopping wet!!
My ‘Bomby’ Bike
Monday 20 February
Julia’s ears have closed up!! Ha, ha!! Na, she’s a sport! Mim & fi came around after school & we went for a ride up Simon and into ‘new’ Cassowary St. We found a dead snake on the road. We all dared each other to ride over it. We were about to move it with sticks when a bloke threw it away into the bush.
Tuesday 21 February
Today was good. At lunch, we were lifting each other’s skirts up and I got Karen twice, she got me 3 times. On the bus she tried to pull mine up in front of Shane but she couldn’t because I got off at a different stop & ran home (I got off at the corner of Griffith & Old Smithfield Rd. Toni was in on it too).
Wednesday 22 February
Had my photo taken for my I.D. card; a card which entitles me to discounts at various shops & places. Lotsa HW. 1st English essay due tomorrow, 1st two numbers on German assignment to be done by tomorrow and History assignment due next Wed. Forgot to bring some bubblegum, today!! Speech was okay. Today, also, my band broke. I was chewing gum and the slot came off * It was on the brace when I took it off.* [*there were hand-drawn illustrations at these points in the original diary but unless you’d actually been a ‘victim’ of this kind of brace, the sketches wouldn’t mean much] Mum said we’ll go in tomorrow. Hope it’s not booked out!
Thursday 23 February
Nana & I went late-night shopping tonight in town. Mum & Jules went to K-Mart. I bought a clear plastic rain-jacket from Sportsgirl & Nana bought me a blue-y-green dress form Katies. Last year (when I didn’t know Mandy P. was Adrian’s sister) I called Mandy a tart. In Mathers tonight she walked past and said “let her call me a tart, I don’t care”. Adrian (embarrassed) said “shut up”. It looks like Mole-inda (Melinda S.) blabbed it out to Mandy, cause no one else would.
Friday 24 February
Good day at school, but forgot bubble gum again!! Went to play tennis with Toni, Justine, Natasha, Karen & Lucy. Had fun. I think I can play tennis – my arm is quite strong! Justine’s tyre punctured so mum took her home and we’re minding her bike tonight.
Saturday 25 February
Have all my savings worked out. I have a list of about 20 that I’d like, a total of $487!! OH GOSH!! But I’ma gonna do it! Enter every competition etc! AM: wrote out english essay. PM: went with Fi & mim to mim’s for a swim. Helped get them ready for Jason P’s Party. Julia slept at Dad’s tonight.
Sunday 26 February
Did some homework. Wasn’t allowed to ride into town this Sunday (it ended up mim, beka & fi didn’t go either – it was raining!) Mum tried to mow block [of land that was to be the location of our next home] in the rain. Got ½ done. I did 10 new girls to sell. Had big rumball & salad roll for lunch. Went to mulleys with Dad & Jules. Had tea there too. Watched TV & rollerskated!
Monday 27 February
On Saturday, wore mima’s ugly purple earrings home – Nana had a fit. When I tried to put my stud in my left ear it stung so I pushed hard and a bit of skin poked out. I was supposed to go to Kevin Shorey’s to have it checked but ‘didn’t have time’. Saw Mr F. [our family dentist] today when we dropped Petra home from school. He noticed the difference in my teeth!
Tuesday 28 February
Julia came home from school because she felt sick. Had a laughing fit on the bus when Patrick hit his head really hard on the portrack & when the dog barked & started chasing Toni & Rebecca P. bolted and I hung onto them. Very tired today HOT!! Early night -mum had coffee with Geoff.
Wednesday 29 February
Good day; did some pictures to sell and Mr Van Slooten helped me sort out my History assignment. Still can’t find ‘Flashback’ History Textbook. Late for Speech. Mim, angela, Fi, elisia & me were about the only ones who wore our uniforms to the inter-school swimming carnival (shame!!!!!!)
SLOWEST week I have ever known! Bluelight was alright. Toni, Karen & Lucy went for 1st time but we ignored them. Remember 1st Bluelight you went to?? & Mark gave you the funny, sincere look? Well he did it again!! So I can’t wait for Justine’s!! (Party) Met Julie H. & Ngaree went (very unsuccessfully) spunk-hunting.
A Life in Words 