The Tree of Me

A few days ago I spoke about the Anderson's Reunion which was taking place over the Australia Day long weekend at Wallangarra. I wish to devote this post to part of Sunday afternoon. As it was Australia Day, we paused to listen to two former employees of Anderson's - Dennis Scanlon and Mac Riding. Dennis performed his poem You Know You're in Australia which he has allowed me to print below. Then he and Mac sang Advance Australia Fair . Both were moving renditions and I'm sure all of us there were moved by the performances. You Know You're in Australia If you've ever watched the Southern Cross, blazin' in the sky Gazed in awe at the majesty, of a wedge tail circling high Seen the break the big waves make, as they roll in at Bondi: Then old mate, you know you're in Australia If you've camped at Koscziusko - skied the new season's snow Been in the New England - seen the autumn glow Or if you walk right up Cape York and there...

This weekend will be a weekend for reminiscing. I am going to Wallangarra to attend a reunion for employees of Anderson's Meatworks. My father was the manager during the 1970s and early 1980s and we have a series of photographs taken at the works in the 1950s which detail the work that occurred in each department. My mother decided to put together  a small book for the occasion using these photographs and information from many other sources. Book to be launched January 25, 2014 A sneak preview of one of my favourite photos in the book. Boning at Anderson's, Wallangarra c1950s The books will be for sale from this weekend. I'll add purchase details to this post when they come to hand.

A few weeks I posted this photograph asking if anyone had could guess what it is. Well now I've got the answer for you. This photograph was taken at my father's work. I imagine it was taken in about the 1950s as I have many photographs taken at this time. My father worked at Anderson's Meat Packing Company at Wallangarra on the Queensland-NSW border. The image shows pumped up intestines which were then placed in drying rooms. After drying the ends were cut off and packed flat in cartons. And of course you can guess what they would have been used for - sausage casings. Here is a link to the wikipedia article about sausages .

This evening I read a tweet from My Heritage about an article at the emissourian -   Society Pays Homage to the Humble Apron . After reading the article I began to consider which aprons have meant something to me in my life. The first apron that came to mind was a green and white gingham apron that I made while I attended Jennings Public School . The girls spent many weeks making the aprons after making several preparatory obligatory samples. We had to cross-stitch the pleats into place and then cross-stitch several flowers onto the material and I can still remember how particular I was while sewing. I wanted it to be perfect!  Of course, while the girls were making aprons the boys were in another room. What they were making, I can't remember, but I do have recollections of them basket weaving at some stage. I was very proud of this apron but never wore it as I considered it was too precious. After a search in my camphor chest I found my apron, still in pristine condition...