My Portfolio

  PERSPECTIVE      We have reached an apex of history which will never be understood by future generations.  The disintegration of the Communist block of nations may continue until they are forgotten, a concept this generation finds unimaginable, but which is true, non-the-less.      Communism may become forgotten.  Incredible.      The...

My grandfather, Petillo Emmett Leatherwood, loved history because he lived it. Growing up quite literally at his knee, I lived history vicariously and learned to love it, too. He was born in 1873 on a tenant farm in Bastrop County, TX. Orphaned by the death of his father at the age...

Joyce and Ted lived with Ted's parents for the first 3 months of their marriage in 1960, and when Joyce became pregnant they then moved to Joyce's parents home which was extended to accommodate them until they had saved enough money to buld their own home.  In February 1964 with two...

Ruth and Murdoch travelled via Melbourne to Tasmania and sailed on the Princess of Tasmania across Bass Straight.  They spent two weeks touring and highlights were Port Arthur and the Hobart Casino.  

Ruth's 21st birthday celebrations were held at the Royal Coach Motor Inn in Adelaide South Australia.  It was a small affair.  

Joyce tells us about living in Peterborough in rural South Australia as a child and the upgrading of their external 'long drop'tiolet with a 'toilet pan'.  The nightcart man was responsible for regularly picking up full pans and replacing them with empty pans. One day there was a mishap in the...

Ruth and her husband often visited Mrs Barnes, widow of George Barnes of Port Broughton.  Mrs. Barnes' house was filled with wonderful furniture and brick-a-brack, which was much admired by Ruth's husband.  Ruth's amusing story leads us to the deceased estate auction after Mrs Barnes' death, where their expectations of acquiring...

Ruth gives us an overview of her favourite book - Blow the Wind southerly by Kay Brownbill of South Australia.  It is a book which spans over 100 years from the mid 19th century.

Judith, who was living in Darwin at the time, decided to get married at St George's Church Magill South Australia because church had a lychgate and she describes herself as a 'romantic'.  She wore a wedding gown made from white and gold material she had bought on a cruise a few...

Ruth was 21 when she met Murdoch, her future spouse.  He was not what she expected and she wasn't sure that he was the 'right one'.

Ruth tells us an interesting story of her mother's advice on the best place to meet a nice christian boy.  She then goes on to give us a somewhat amusing account of her first date and her first love.    

Joyce tells us how she went to dances and balls as a young teenager in the early 1950's, and socialised with sailors who were on shore leave.  She corresponded with Peter from Surrey for 5 years after meeting him at a dance.  She also went on holidays to Perth where she...

Ruth shares her memories of fasions of the late 1960's - the mu-mu, short dresses and empire line dresses, Prue Acton, Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton.  She also remembers important news stories of those days.    

Judith joined the Department of Air in Queensland in 1966 and soon after joined the Federated Clerks' Union.  She shared a flat at Wiindsor initially with her brother and two of his friends, and after they left she then shared with 2 hairdressing apprentices, one of who remains a close friend...

Ruth's interests as a young adult included ten pin bowling, ice skating and going to the beach.  She was a member of Legacy and met her friends mainly through her church.  Her interests were embroidery, crochet and different crafts. Endless Summer was one of her favourite movies.  She is still in...

Judith relates two very different experiences in her first two jobs as a Nanny and Governess in her gap year in 1964.    

Joyce talks about her first job and how she secured it...

Ruth tells us about her first job with the Olumpic Tyre and Rubbger Co. at the top of Anzac Highway in Adelaide. She travelled to work by bus which was 3/4 hour journey. She was hired as a mail clerk and was required to sort mail into pigeon holes, frank the...

Jill  talks about the many interests she has enjoyed over her life.  First and foremost are her husband, four children and grandchildren, Other interests include, reading, jigsaw puzzles and her travels to Hong Kong, China, USA and Thailand and other interesting places.   Jill also tells us about the significant work...

Bill loved sailing, it was his passion and when he was not working as a butcher in Adelaide he was usually in a boatoff the coast. Sailing was Bill's hobby, his passion and his life outside work.