SNEAKING OUT

The white house is a small locked building ½ way between the old boys hostel land the girls side. Behind the white house there was a circular area where the tall grass was laid flat. A result of illicite liaisons. Study was from 6 to 8 pm in the evening. At that time some people would slip of to their appointed rendezvous. It could take considerable effort to organise one of these furtive events. These occasions were only short lived as lights were called at 9 pm. It was no mistake that lights out was a very vocal affaire. Summoning individuals from various secluded haunts. A great flurry of activity.

At another time I developed the habit of staying behind in the study to extra home work. I got very good grades that semester. But my motives had nothing to do with academia. I was trying to stretch my time to be able to comply with a mid night rendezvous. The study would last until 10.30pm and then up to bed, not too quietly, here is Rod going to bed .I would then quietly make up my bed with extra pillows borrowed from caring confidants. I would even dress the pillow dummies to a point. This saved my bacon on one occasion when a bed check was carried out. Not to thorough, thank goodness. It was useful to have a buddy lookout. On more than one occasion, on my turn to be buddy and lookout, I had to sneak out at day break to bring back individuals that had fallen asleep.

Then I would wait for the appointed hour, with blanket under arm. It was too dangerous to sneak out through the corridors as the floor boards made so much noise. Much safer to sneak out through the windows and across the roof to the ally bellow, then to keep to the shadows until you were down on the railway line. Stoop to hide behind the hight of the stinking roger cane and then a quick stooped jog to the tin ore crushing and processing plant.The battery. Then the wait in the dark for the shadows coming down past the back of the dolls house. Wrapped in blankets and crushing the frost under foot.

At about 4am the heaters for the bitumen plant would fire up with the jet plane roar. They were building Holcroft Drive at the time. This was the signal to return digs. Fond farewells and back along the railway and back up past the kitchen and not to get caught by the early start kitchen staff.

My admiration for my accomplices is astounding. When I consider the risks they took and the bravery they displayed .They certainly were very adventurous. They are remembered with the fondest of regards.

 TALL TALE

 The white house is a small building halfway between the girls and boys hostel.

The Dolls House is another accommodation section of the hostel where the junior members were cared fore by Mrs Wormsly. Some of these children were only prep graders and finished there schooling at Herberton.

The Pine Tree

It was the end of the year. Exams over. Spare time and idle hands. Spontaneous decision that Herberton needed a Christmas tree. Chose the Norfolk pine behind the girls study just across the road from the council hall. It is a tall tree now and it was a tall tree then. Found a large supply of toilet paper and set of to do the deed at midnight. Once again it was so bright that no lights were needed.

Dont know how I managed the task but I did manage to get the streamers out to the extended branches. Climbing to the top was scary, just one narrow stalk. Dont lean out and it should hold? Ballance of centre and snap!

Well the task was done and large pine is decorated with white streamers. Off to school satisfied with my handy work and in full denial of any complicity.

Lunch time comes and I am confronted by the strong arm and told to clean it up or ELSE. No lunch today. Up like possum and down came the streamers. You can do anything with the right incentive.

Lived to tell another Tall Tale.

THE CUTS

There is always that kid that authority has difficulty communicating with. The solution in this case is simple .Just assert that authority. This has to be a record. First thing every morning that authority was asserted. Immediately from assembly. MacGowan up the office. Wait ten minutes then the little ceremony

Stand there. Put your hand out. CRACK. The cane is in full duty. Nine to go. So another day in Rods education begins. The canes split and the splinter, catch and splits the skin. That is why they are called the cuts. That slowed down one teenage activity. Proberly saved me from going blind. I am told that number of cuts had to be some sort of record.

Tall Tale.

THE PICTURES
Oh. The Pictures

Not bad for 20cents, and the canvas seats? Thos seats really out do Village Gold Pass. I doubt if I could perform those tricks at the Village

Summer Holliday

Cant remember all the Presley titles, Pink Panther. 

And for the boys John Wayne James Bond.

And a host of others entertaining movies. Not that many of us got to see to see them all

At intervals, I had distractions.

The boys had to sit on the left side of the theatre and the girls to the right. So that any interaction that was possible, required some covert action. There was a small instant between the Movietone News and the Loony Tune cartoon, that there was no light for a second or two. It was that split second that you could use to slip across the isle. Then the search and destroy mission on the right side of the theatre. Climbing along and over all those old ruffled dresses until you had found the correct address. And settled in for the movie. Then the manoeuvring and defensive plays would occupy the rest of the evening.

Returning after the movie was just pure risk. I guess he authorities just had blind eyes.

Tall Tale