Page 14 - Gwen Landsberry - Memories Memento for Family

In October 2011, when Mum’s memory was slipping but still wonderfully intact, we took a

train trip to Wagga Wagga. I hired a car and we spent 4 days exploring old haunts in Junee

Reefs and surrounds. I was able to trace 3 school friends Mum hadn’t seen for 70 years! We

caught up with her cousins on the Casey side, in Wagga Wagga and Temora. Here are a few

excerpts from a little booklet I made up from Mum and from my journal entries and photos.

Our first day, we explored the main street of Junee and the newly renovated clock tower. The monument
inside carried the names of Allan, Harold and Jack O’Brien, honouring their service to Australia.

I stood with Mum before the new War Memorial Monument inside the clock tower, as she traced the names
of her 3 brothers with her eyes, and then her fingers.

“How does it feel to see their names Mum?” I asked.

“It feels strange,” she says. “It doesn’t feel real.”

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Just across the main road, Broadway Street, was Broadway Building Supplies. This used to be JS Taylor’s
and Nana and Pa O’Brien would come into town to do their shopping each week – bringing a few of the
children with them.

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