Letters From New York
Monday 24 April 1967
Dear Mum,
Note that (American time) it’s Lindsay’s birthday (hope the party was a roarin’ success) though out there you’ll be well into the Anzac Day holiday and celebrations. Trusts this finds you well and received some encouraging news from Fivedock of your visit there and of your general state of health. Good to know that you’ve been able to get together with the Rogers’ from time to time to compare notes and keep in touch. We’re thinking of you all on Saturday and do hope my card reached Lindsay in time (it was very difficult to get a 21st card). Have sent another one out to Glenn though imagine it was “out of order” as I suppose the wishes should now coincide with his feast day.
Your letter arrived a day early (on Thursday) and finds us all fighting fit with the exception of Dad who again has a ferocious head cold and sore throat – must be old age taking over early. Often marvel (touch wood!) how lucky we’ve been with our big brood in the way of illnesses – particularly over here – and feel for poor Joan and her family. Bad enough having to move and re-form a household without having illness on top of it all. Surprised about your news of Bobby Limb – we’re managing to keep quite up to date with the Australian papers now that I’ve got such a good source here – as Jill Bartels forewarned us only the day before that she’s likely to have him as a guest (he’s a patient of her brother!) during his stay in New York whilst visiting the World Fair in Montreal. How’s that eh!! See that Graham Kennedy scored numerous awards in the Logies – the Australian T.V. viewers must be as gullible as the Americans. Hope you enjoy “Man for All Seasons” – it is the show I’d dearly like to see. You must be quite gay joining the Labour League – hope you don’t get involved in any Communist fronts!!!
Have had a hectic few days commencing Friday with a meeting of parents at the Village Branch of the School protesting the proposed closing of the school next year. It rather seems that it is doomed here as there is an enormous modern school to be completed – built out into the East River – in Manhattan by September of 1968 and the authorities say it won’t be possible to finance both of them at the same time. The principal “gripe” of parents is that children under 10 years of age should not be expected to face two trips daily (into & out of Manhattan) by bus – 1 hour each – to go to school. There are other issues too but the cards seem to be stacked against the Village School staying open – certainly not beyond 1970. The meeting was very well attended and a committee of five (including Greg) was appointed to carry the flag.
Whilst on the School, today was another of those parents days where the children were given the day off and Joan was able to interview each of their teachers. She received rave reviews from each of them as to the children’s progress (bearing out their fine school reports) and the Art teacher was ecstatic over Anthony’s work in all fields, so much so that she’s recommended that one of his pieces in linoleum carving for insertion in next year UNICEF calendar. Phillip has also had one of his paintings accepted for publication in a magazine coming out in June. (Naturally will try to get copies!) Each of them is going well in their French and possibly the only subject for concern is Maths (wouldn’t it!). As if we haven’t had enough school, Greg and I were then delegated by Jill and Joan to attend a meeting at the Catholic School this evening to get the good oil on the communion arrangements – now less than three weeks away. Feels like the good old days with school on all the time!!
Saturday morning I was off early in the car to do some shopping for new car tyres – ALONE; it’s becoming quite impossible for us all to go out shopping particularly with Jennifer now commanding all the attention in the world and completely independent and self-willed. Got the tyres OK and arrived home early in the afternoon only to have to go out for the garden fencing later in the day. Was quite wrecked that evening as I’d been conned into sitting up till 2.30AM on Saturday morning with Greg watching a film “The Nun’s Story”.. He was leaving his old job on Friday (having been promoted & transferred) and was a little merry after a party and having received a gold plated golf putter (prior to the school meeting!!).
Sunday morning was spent erecting the garden fence with my next door neighbour – quite a good job too, even though I say so myself – and it should keep inquisitive, precocious children out. Have already planted three extra rose bushes and some violets and pansies. Hoping to get some more plants from an Aust. friend at the weekend. Seems like old times! On Sunday afternoon we (all of us!) attended a service, atop Rockefeller Centre, in memory of Anzac Day arranged by the Aust., New Zealand Committee in New York. There were nearly 400 persons present and, after the ceremony (which took 45 minutes) there was a very nice afternoon tea served. All in all a most pleasant afternoon.
Had a letter from Bern today (dated Monday last) telling us that Kerry had found us tenants for the house but a follow up note the next day said he’d struck a hitch with his new house and the agreement for the new tenants to move in last weekend fell through temporarily. Hope they haven’t lost the contact as a result and that things go OK for the Rogers! Hope that covers news of the doings for the week – will leave, as usual the back for Joan.
Loads of love and wishes,
Bill
Dear Mum,
Thank you for taking the photos out to Five Dock. They were all thrilled to see them. Mum was sorry she was at bowls when you went over. It rained all day today & was not a very good day to have the children home, although Bill took Anthony into the U.N. with him today. They left about 8.45 & did not get home till 6.45 tonight. Anthony says he wishes he could get a job in there. I thought he would be bored spending so much time there but I was wrong. All their teachers are very pleased with their school work & it makes me very happy to know they are doing so well.
Love to all, God bless you,
Joan