Hi there FOXY & BELLY...

I was fortunate, my Dad was in his late eighties when he died. However, for most of our lives, we never really got on very well together, only doing so in my later life when I had more sense.

Both my Mother & my Dad resented immensely that I choose to join the police force, after my discharge from the Military. Saying I was bringing shame down on the family. They even wanted me to remain in, and make the Armed Services my life's career?

Like most offspring, I always thought I knew best, more so than anyone else in the family. However as I aged, what Dad might not have known on specific matters, he possessed worldly wisdom, much like your two Dad's, FOXY & BELLY.

All three would've had to battle through the Great Depression of the 1930s. Even your Dad as well FOXY, back in your original country of birth? No one escaped the deprivation occasioned by this economic disaster. And while immersed in all its privation & impoverishment, they would've learned those hard, albeit valuable lessons of life. Lessons we were spared from learning, first hand?

I guess the only way most families managed to survive, is through the generous aid and support, rendered from their neighbours. There was no other option really, other than stealing?

Dear Belly, and O Sung Wu.,

Yes - my dad did have it tough. I don't know
about in his old country - but certainly in
Sydney. He worked in a rubber factory - did
double shifts to pay off the house - and pay
the bill's (mum worked as well).

I'm ashamed to say that I still remember as a young
kid waiting for a bus to go home from school
- when I saw my dad
walking towards the bus stop - he was coming home
from a shift at his factory . He hadn't had
time to shower and was still covered in black grime
from his job - well I pretended not to see him.
He didn't say a word to me - nor I to him about that
incident. But today - I'd give anything to re-live
that moment - and say sorry to him. My heart still
does flip - flops at that memory. The selfishness,
self-absorption of the young.

One thing I was happy about was the fact that dad did
manage to do something for himself before he died.
He bought a family car six months before his death.
It gave him so much joy to get his licence and then
go for drives into the country on week-ends. It
opened up a whole new world for him. God Bless him!

cont'd ...

I'm sure that both your dad's loved you guys
very much and were proud of you. How could they
not be. You're both such amazing men.

I think it's so important for all of us to
listen to the voices of each other - to help
us learn the true story of our shared histories
and to understand how it's still impacting on us
today.

Yes Belly, a brighter future is possible in our
communities if we build it together.

I'm not too sure getting to know your neighbours is always a good idea.

I have a new one, just moved in yesterday. A single lady, about late 30s, with a couple of kids about 11 & 13, a couple of dogs & a couple of ponies, an expensive horse float, & 4WD wagon to tow it.

She certainly can't be one of those poor single mothers, as a 12 acre hobby farm with river frontage & a nice house & sheds would not have come cheaply, but perhaps she is in the wrong neighbourhood. Only time will tell. We see a lot of people who follow a dream of country living, are gone with in a year or so. Like anywhere else, there are a lot of hassles come with that dream.

She came over to introduce herself, & seems a nice lady, but has no idea of country living. She is worried about snakes attacking her kids or horses & dogs. I pointed out that snakes don't attack trees, fence posts or other non threatening bits of the land scape, so leave them alone, & they will treat you as more landscape. The dogs may be a problem.

I have a feeling I am going to be called on regularly for help & advice. I have great neighbours. We help each other clean up after a blow nocks down trees & stuff, we share a friendly wave, & see each other occasionally at bush fire brigade fundraising barbeques, local markets & the like, Invite each other to parties that might get a little noisy, but otherwise mind our own business. I hope this lady is not lonely out here in the sticks.

Dear Hassie,

She just may surprise you. Give her the benefit
of the doubt. Many females have started lives
for themselves on their own and succeeded.
Who knows
a young farmer may come by and just find her to
be his cup of tea and vice versa. Or maybe
she's already got someone in mind.

I'm glad to hear that you've got good neighbours.
I imagine that it's even more important for that
to happen out in the country. People there get
involved in their schools, churches, clubs,
and communities in general. My brothers are
country lads - and would not live in any city for
quids.

It looks like this discussion may have run
it course. I'd like to Thank all who participated.
I look forward to our next one.