Eunice

I was born in Ceduna in 1940 and raised on a farm on edge of Nullabor Plains in remote South Australia. My paternal and maternal grandparents pioneered much of the lands around us which is still owned and farmed by our families.

I was a shy well behaved girl as all children were expected to be in those days... seen but not heard... until I went to boarding school and saw a different way of life; a life I longed for; a life full of fun and laughter.

Slowly as I grew, through many trials an tribulations I unwittingly 'emerged'... whether it be for the good or the bad... you be the judge... but I don't care...I will happily leave this earth and RIP.

These were the days of the general opinion that... women were put on this earth to support and pamper men!

My parents, descendants from British ancestry, were strict Methodists, teetotalers, hard workers, affluent and influential.
I was expected to be seen and not heard and follow the example of my parents, aunties and cousins, of whom I was the youngest by 10 years or more. They were Queen Victoria's protégé and doing her proud.

I was groomed to marry a farmer... to the only child of a neighbouring farmer... to conveniently merge farmland properties.

This book covers my first 20 years 1940 to 1960.
There was no electricity, water or telephones in our remote area; indeed only the well off could afford such luxuries even in the cities.
We managed very well without these services never feeling deprived.
We felt fortunate to have a weekly mail delivery, incoming one day outgoing the next day.

Country life in those days was tough rough and lonely but no-one complained... it was the way of life.
Everyone just 'got on with it' accepting their 'lot in life'.

I lived through World War 11; Live horse power, steam trains, nuclear weapons testing at Maralinga; Daisy Bates living nearby with the natives; neighbouring natives with no white fella rights; punishment an eye for an eye, murder was execution; Sunday a day of rest and devotions, no shops open, no sports social or competition played, we attended church. Computers, robots, mobile phones and IT devices absolutely unthinkable and unimaginable.
We did have a very nice long drop dunny dad built, in the paddock a way from the house which we were proud of..

In this book I unreservedly spill my gutz of my feelings and thoughts.
As I lived through my younger years I dared not voice an opinion as a child.
As a teenager I didn't feel I had a voice.
My survival was natural instinct and a heap of luck.

It was as it was in those days. It was the accepted way of life. We new no different.

I'm sure many older readers will associate themselves to Eunice.