Letters From New York
24 October 1966
Dear Mum,
Well, I've fulfilled my duty to my big sister, having penned a line or two over the weekend and here it is Monday again. Seems to me they roll around twice a week here but who cares, it gives one the feeling of being that much closer to you. We've had news from Bern of her visit to Sunshine and she tells me the screws will be out to have you visit the family "down south" at Christmas. Seems like a perfectly good idea to me and hope you don't go seeking excuses for not going. With no younger Dwyers there (not only us) you may find the festive season to be not quite the same and it could be quite a good break for you.
You seem to be getting around a little anyway what with trips to Bankstown. We're told that the new shopping centre there is really something to see and it must be quite a boon to Margaret being able to work as close to home. Shows what a small world it is when you can pick someone you know to run into that crowd. We hear that L.B.J.'s reception in Australia was spiced with a few demonstrations - I guess that's only to be expected - but generally the receptions were very good. Can't imagine what's happened to the government to be allowing free transport in to see the "fireworks" - passing up a revenue making operation like that seems crazy. As you will soon be there, we're becoming involved in electioneering here with a new Congress for 1967 to be elected within a couple of weeks. Believe me, on what we're seeing here, politics at home is small game.
Got the Cup result just slightly earlier than your letter, but thanks very much. My good thing (Tobin Bronze) evidently didn't perform up to expectations - but perhaps the Melb. Cup (to be run next Tuesday?) might give him his chance. Put Dad Rogers on to it - hope he didn't do the family fortune. Our latest bit of news is that we've clinched the car deal - Margaret will no doubt give you all the gory details - and are proud possessors of a very neat station wagon which has enough room for all the Dwyers and more. Have had a couple of drives in it over the weekend and it performs pretty well. Am really looking forward, of course, to getting out and around in it. A little unfortunate in having experienced a flat tyre already, but that was a minor inconvenience. Whilst out on Saturday bought some "gas" and, at my first attempt won a prize in one of the service-station jackpots - a whole 9 cents!!! On Thursday I'm taking the car into the U.N. garage for its compulsory annual checkup so should then have an expert's view on my buy.
Us in front of the new car on the way to Cape Cod - August 1967
Not so hectic a week this past one - moreso since the Bartels went away to Washington for the weekend - but did have some notable events. The U.N. reception on Tuesday afternoon was quite marvellous and Joan enjoyed herself immensely. It ran from 4-PM to 6-PM and we mixed with the Ambassadors and their wives as well as "fellow travellers" from the U.N.; meeting Mrs. Goldberg, wife of the U.S.A. Ambassador to the U.N. To wind up, we both left armed with a gift of "pretty's" from Revlon, arriving home in good time not to disrupt the normal evening schedule. On the same day we got news that our offer on the car was acceptable.
On Thursday evening - again with the Bartels (we seem to have found staunch friends there and, on all sides, our personalities seem to agree) - we were guests at the house of an English couple (the wife having taken a liking to Joan) and we had quite a marvellous evening. On this occasion the "old dear" sat with the Bartels children and we had a very attractive young New Zealand girl do the honours. She was most pleasant with them and gave us (as expected) good reports on them. The way they've accepted new people to look after them over here is quite surprising and the way that Cartherine & Michael have blossomed out is most encouraging.
The weekend, as I said, was rather quiet and today, being U.N. Day, the children were off school. Anthony, along with four others was selected by the school director to accompany him to a local new school opening as examples of the U.N. School pupils each being introduced to the congregation. I had the pleasurable experience of attending the special concert in the Assembly Hall where the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and a magnificent soprano (Mirella Freni) sang under the direction of Dr. William Steinberg. The soprano hails from Italy - via La Scala, Vienna and presently at the Met. in New York & its an experience I won't forget in a long time. As usual will leave the back for Joan.
Love and fond wishes,
Bill
Dear Mum,
Our Bill has done it again, we are now proud owners of a bus??? I wish I had the camera with me when I showed the youngsters the car. I will never forget the look on their faces, they just could not believe it. Within minutes I think that everyone knew the Dwyers had a car, there was great excitement. Have Vera and Charlie been over yet? You will have to come over & help me look after the children, Jenny takes all my time. She fell out of the pram two days in a row. Once while I was pushing it along the street had to buy some straps to tie her in.
God bless.
Love,
Joan