Page 22 - Gwen Landsberry - Eulogies

I was a reasonable runner in Junee Reefs and did high jump and javelin.
They used to call me Jessie the Untamed Elephant, I think because I was
tall and gangly. We all had nicknames. The Burmister girls (Dulcie, Marie
and Shirley) were called the 3 Escaped Monkeys. Anne was asked her
name once by the Bishop. She said, ‘it’s Anne but they call me Podge’.
Dad used to fire the gun for the running races at the sports days. Anne
ended up in hospital after picking up a used bullet and sticking it up her
nose. She also ended up with two broken arms once and plaster casts.
Claire and I used to tickle her relentlessly when she was trying to have a
bath!

We were never bored at Junee Reefs. There were always responsibilities
and we never questioned them – letting the horses out, feeding the
chickens. Enjoyment was simple – play times with family and friends. We
had a tennis court. Not that we were posh. It’s just what people had in
those days. And a wood up the back of our place where we loved playing
hide and seek. Sometimes we’d all nick back home leaving the seeker
wandering around the trees trying to find us! The older boys, Jack,
Harold, Allan and Cyril, would go up the back property in shearing
season to earn some extra money. At the end of the day they’d come
back down the paddocks, singing ‘Red Sails in the Sunset…’, Jack’s voice
booming out and Claire would run like mad to Jack and be hoisted up on
his shoulders laughing and coming home.

What do I remember most from those times? The feeling of freedom.

I find my religion is familiar and a tradition. As I get older it’s a lovely
comfort. I like going to church. I like the service mostly and meeting up
with people socially after church. My Catholic faith has always been
there at the base of my life. I mostly go to church with Claire. I’ve taught
scripture to children for years and help at Mathew Talbot men’s home
serving food with Claire. I’ve always tried to follow what my religion and
God would want me to do.