Following footsteps from the past
We had a family trip to Shepparton today. After shopping we went swimming at the indoor pool and then stocked up on bulk foods at the fruit factory.
Afterwards we travelled about 40km out of our way to enjoy a barbecue at Goulburn Weir near Nagambie. Juliet and I had been there before with the twins and liked the peaceful outdoor setting.
Goulburn Weir is close to Angustown, where my great-grandparents raised their family from 1890 to 1910 before shifting to Shepparton.
Today I noticed a headstone near the weir wall and walked over to have a look. It turned out to be a First World War memorial. Rural Australia is dotted with these, even in the most unlikely places.
I scanned the names to see if there were any Goreys, because four brothers from my grandfather’s family served in WW1.
There weren’t any; I suppose because they left the district four years before war started, but I noticed two Days, who were neighbors.
After reflecting on the war I wandered down to the weir with my sons Michael and James. They threw stones into the water, harassed bugs and generally had a good time while I watched from a tree stump.
I thought then that the same event may have occurred at the same place in my immediate family 110 years before.
My grandfather Michael was born in 1884 and his brother James in 1894. My son Michael was born in 1996 and his brother James in 2003.
I wondered if my grandfather skylarked at the weir with his little brother. The scenic spot is only about 10km from where they lived, so it seems entirely possible.
I'm a 41-year-old father of four working as a newspaper editor at Mount Gambier in South Australia.
November 21st, 2005 at 7:17 pm
We had a sort of family day trip to Shepparton too Michael, yesterday (Sunday) to visit Leanne’s parents, brother & sister.
Conversation, as usual, centred on what’s in the headlines and what’s on the main TV news. It’s like regurgitating stuff you never wanted to consume in the first place.
Terrorism & muslims were at the top of the list (no surprises there). It seems like they’re everywhere these terrorists, Shepparton too (it’s got a big Iraqi population you see).
I wonder if their necks have returned to normal colour yet? Oh, the in-laws!