Gady Team. Welcome to another episode of Roll with the Punches podcast. I'm your host, Tif Cook, and today's episode is extra special. It is extra special because we are talking to my pop Cook. He's my grandfather. He is sitting with me on the weekend of his one hundred and first birthday, just saying it's amazing I got to sit with him and have a chat about all things growing up in the northwest coast of Tasmania. Little town called Kindred, That's where we held his ninety ninth and his one hundredth birthday. Shout out to everyone who attended, who was going to be listening to this episode. We're talking about what it was like to grow up in a world where television was a long time coming and you could leave your doors unlocked. Holy hell, like those were the days. Anyway, I am gonna love and cherish this episode forever. We are so blessed to be to capture moments like this and hold them forever. So thanks Frank, You're a legend. Thanks everyone for tuning in. Enjoy. Nobody wants to go to court, and don't. My friends are test art family lawyers know that they offer all forms of alternative dispute resolution. Their team of Melbourne family lawyers have extensive experience in all areas of family law to facto and same sex couples, custody and children, family violence and intervention orders, property settlements and financial agreements. Test Art is in your corner, so reach out to Mark and the team at www dot test Artfamilylawyers dot com dot au. Frank Cook, welcome to Roll with the Punchers.

Gady Team. Welcome to another episode of Roll with the Punches podcast. I'm your host, Tif Cook, and today's episode is extra special. It is extra special because we are talking to my pop Cook. He's my grandfather. He is sitting with me on the weekend of his one hundred and first birthday, just saying it's amazing I got to sit with him and have a chat about all things growing up in the northwest coast of Tasmania. Little town called Kindred, That's where we held his ninety ninth and his one hundredth birthday. Shout out to everyone who attended, who was going to be listening to this episode. We're talking about what it was like to grow up in a world where television was a long time coming and you could leave your doors unlocked. Holy hell, like those were the days. Anyway, I am gonna love and cherish this episode forever. We are so blessed to be to capture moments like this and hold them forever. So thanks Frank, You're a legend. Thanks everyone for tuning in. Enjoy. Nobody wants to go to court, and don't. My friends are test art family lawyers know that they offer all forms of alternative dispute resolution. Their team of Melbourne family lawyers have extensive experience in all areas of family law to facto and same sex couples, custody and children, family violence and intervention orders, property settlements and financial agreements. Test Art is in your corner, so reach out to Mark and the team at www dot test Artfamilylawyers dot com dot au. Frank Cook, welcome to Roll with the Punchers.

Thank you.

Thank you.

This is your first podcast debut. How are you feeling?

This is your first podcast debut. How are you feeling?

Oh, not really excited, but all right.

Oh, not really excited, but all right.

Well, I was quite excited to pick you up from your place and realize that I was actually second in line today to be interviewing you. You're a bit of hot property around here.

Well, I was quite excited to pick you up from your place and realize that I was actually second in line today to be interviewing you. You're a bit of hot property around here.

Yes, yes, in demand. Ever since I turned one hundred and one, I've been in demand. Saw all's foreign to me, this sort of stuff.

Yes, yes, in demand. Ever since I turned one hundred and one, I've been in demand. Saw all's foreign to me, this sort of stuff.

Yeah, you know what. Yesterday I was doing a post about your one hundred first birthday and I thought, I want to look at some milestones of how we can describe how long you've been pacing around this earth. And I thought, what's like, when did television come in? I wonder when television came in? I looked up and you were thirty two when television was introduced to Australia, So you had thirty two years and I thought to myself, imagine if I could have said to you at thirty two years old. In sixty nine years, you and I are going to be sitting at a table with microphones and we're going to have a conversation that's called a podcast, and people are going to have these computers in their pockets and they're going to be able to press them and listen to the conversation that we're having to say. Can you imagine what you would have thought if I'd have said that to you at thirty two years old.

Yeah, you know what. Yesterday I was doing a post about your one hundred first birthday and I thought, I want to look at some milestones of how we can describe how long you've been pacing around this earth. And I thought, what's like, when did television come in? I wonder when television came in? I looked up and you were thirty two when television was introduced to Australia, So you had thirty two years and I thought to myself, imagine if I could have said to you at thirty two years old. In sixty nine years, you and I are going to be sitting at a table with microphones and we're going to have a conversation that's called a podcast, and people are going to have these computers in their pockets and they're going to be able to press them and listen to the conversation that we're having to say. Can you imagine what you would have thought if I'd have said that to you at thirty two years old.

No, No, I wouldn't have believed. You wouldn't have thought it possible.

No, No, I wouldn't have believed. You wouldn't have thought it possible.

What is it like to look back at how much has changed in life since since you were growing up?

What is it like to look back at how much has changed in life since since you were growing up?

Oh? Unbelievable. Unbelievable Because I was, as you know, born in Kindred like nineteen twenty four and those went just a Kindred school those days. We walked two miles to the back to the Kindred School back home again and very few motor well I did that for the first five years I went to Kindred School and then I got a pushbike. I was one of the lucky ones. I rode the pushbike the last two years. But things have moved since then.

Oh? Unbelievable. Unbelievable Because I was, as you know, born in Kindred like nineteen twenty four and those went just a Kindred school those days. We walked two miles to the back to the Kindred School back home again and very few motor well I did that for the first five years I went to Kindred School and then I got a pushbike. I was one of the lucky ones. I rode the pushbike the last two years. But things have moved since then.

In your family growing up, what was growing up like life on the farm yet?

In your family growing up, what was growing up like life on the farm yet?

Yeah? Yeah, there was Ken, Ken and Kay with two brothers and Beryl, four of us. I was the eldest. Yeah, and Dad at the farm there and he the farmer farmers. Farmers those days worked their land with draft horses, no tractors or anything then, so I I when I left school at fourteen, I took over one of the draft horse teams because Dad was went to the First World War and he was wounded in the knee with a shrapnel and it it affected his walking. And he could do all that, all the other all the farm work, but he couldn't walk all day behind the horses. So I inherited that, and he had we had five draft horses, and he had I had a man their work when employed, and he had him and I worked the two teams of horses. Well. Then when the Second War broke out, he enlisted so left that left me in charge of the five draft horses. Yeah.

Yeah? Yeah, there was Ken, Ken and Kay with two brothers and Beryl, four of us. I was the eldest. Yeah, and Dad at the farm there and he the farmer farmers. Farmers those days worked their land with draft horses, no tractors or anything then, so I I when I left school at fourteen, I took over one of the draft horse teams because Dad was went to the First World War and he was wounded in the knee with a shrapnel and it it affected his walking. And he could do all that, all the other all the farm work, but he couldn't walk all day behind the horses. So I inherited that, and he had we had five draft horses, and he had I had a man their work when employed, and he had him and I worked the two teams of horses. Well. Then when the Second War broke out, he enlisted so left that left me in charge of the five draft horses. Yeah.

Right, What was it like to link during World War Two?

Right, What was it like to link during World War Two?

It was pretty tough. You made the best of it, I suppose because things were rationed. The government issued all the people with coupons, so you used them if when you were when you went to buy clothes or your groceries, you had to have coupons. You know, here so many coupons. And then the ones that had cars, they were issued with petrol tickets and you had to if you bought you had two or three gallons of petrol, that have handed so many tickets and that they were they were had uh uh sent out every month. So things were a bit. Didn't matter to me a lot because I was young, young and wasn't dependent on that sort of thing. But uh, now it was the the rationing and all the uh uh the labor was scarce. All the young young fellas all they were drafted into the army or the army or the air force of the navy. When you turned eighteen. I was fifteen, I think when the war broke out, and uh when you turned eighteen, you had to register with the government and uh and go and have it suh t turned down to a doctor to have a medical check up, and then that went to the government and they a lot of due to where they wanted to if you were just drifting around with no tie as much your way into the army. Well, I was sent back home, of course, to work on the farm. A lot of a lot of girls were sending put into the munition factories and different things like that around, So that was yeah, but you know, pretty restricted. All the sport was like I started playing cricket and football with Kindred when I left school. Well, two years later all the sport was canceled and there was no more sport for four years and the war ended.

It was pretty tough. You made the best of it, I suppose because things were rationed. The government issued all the people with coupons, so you used them if when you were when you went to buy clothes or your groceries, you had to have coupons. You know, here so many coupons. And then the ones that had cars, they were issued with petrol tickets and you had to if you bought you had two or three gallons of petrol, that have handed so many tickets and that they were they were had uh uh sent out every month. So things were a bit. Didn't matter to me a lot because I was young, young and wasn't dependent on that sort of thing. But uh, now it was the the rationing and all the uh uh the labor was scarce. All the young young fellas all they were drafted into the army or the army or the air force of the navy. When you turned eighteen. I was fifteen, I think when the war broke out, and uh when you turned eighteen, you had to register with the government and uh and go and have it suh t turned down to a doctor to have a medical check up, and then that went to the government and they a lot of due to where they wanted to if you were just drifting around with no tie as much your way into the army. Well, I was sent back home, of course, to work on the farm. A lot of a lot of girls were sending put into the munition factories and different things like that around, So that was yeah, but you know, pretty restricted. All the sport was like I started playing cricket and football with Kindred when I left school. Well, two years later all the sport was canceled and there was no more sport for four years and the war ended.

Wow and how old were you when the war ended about.

Wow and how old were you when the war ended about.

And I was about nineteen or twenty.

And I was about nineteen or twenty.

Yeah. Wow, you were a good sportsman.

Yeah. Wow, you were a good sportsman.

Yeah, yeah, well I started off when the sports started again, they leaving Association which Kindred is part of. There was Olveston and Preston and Sprint and Fourth formed up, so I played with Fourth. Then the next year the Northwest Union started up and Olveston got a table. I went played with Olveston, and then the following year Kindred got a team, so I went back to Kindred and played the rest of the football with Kindred. Occasionally I went to Fourth and SPRNT when Kindred didn't never.

Yeah, yeah, well I started off when the sports started again, they leaving Association which Kindred is part of. There was Olveston and Preston and Sprint and Fourth formed up, so I played with Fourth. Then the next year the Northwest Union started up and Olveston got a table. I went played with Olveston, and then the following year Kindred got a team, so I went back to Kindred and played the rest of the football with Kindred. Occasionally I went to Fourth and SPRNT when Kindred didn't never.

Team I've got. I remember last year looking at a photo of you being carried on the shoulders of the team after an epic performance, and half of them made cigarettes hanging out of their mouth. That that half of them had cigarettes and out of there now, yes, yeah, straight off the footy field.

Team I've got. I remember last year looking at a photo of you being carried on the shoulders of the team after an epic performance, and half of them made cigarettes hanging out of their mouth. That that half of them had cigarettes and out of there now, yes, yeah, straight off the footy field.

Now, yeah, that was the day. That was my last game of football. I was thirty seven. Then in nineteen sixty one, Ken, my brother, he coached Kindred and we won the premiership, first Kindred premiership for fifty years. It was my last goal game. I kicked six or seven goals and they carried me off the field.

Now, yeah, that was the day. That was my last game of football. I was thirty seven. Then in nineteen sixty one, Ken, my brother, he coached Kindred and we won the premiership, first Kindred premiership for fifty years. It was my last goal game. I kicked six or seven goals and they carried me off the field.

What a champion, What a champion?

What a champion, What a champion?

I wouldn't say that.

I wouldn't say that.

What was the farm when I when I would yeah, when you grew up?

What was the farm when I when I would yeah, when you grew up?

Yeah? When see, I got married when I was twenty five and we moved on to our own farm which was out on the Kidred Main Road. And I still had the draft horses, still had a pair of draft horses to work the land. So that was in nineteen forty nine.

Yeah? When see, I got married when I was twenty five and we moved on to our own farm which was out on the Kidred Main Road. And I still had the draft horses, still had a pair of draft horses to work the land. So that was in nineteen forty nine.

And when how old we when you met? Nan?

And when how old we when you met? Nan?

Oh? When we were going to school?

Oh? When we were going to school?

High school?

High school?

Oh no, Kindred State School, primary school, Kindred Church rare. Yeah, you had to be privileged to go to high school. Those day. But first of all, if you lived, we've drave a fourteen mile from the high school? Was to get there? How did you get there? Oh? There? So I didn't want to go to high school anyway. I couldn't leave school quick enough.

Oh no, Kindred State School, primary school, Kindred Church rare. Yeah, you had to be privileged to go to high school. Those day. But first of all, if you lived, we've drave a fourteen mile from the high school? Was to get there? How did you get there? Oh? There? So I didn't want to go to high school anyway. I couldn't leave school quick enough.

So you married Nan, Tell me about life then we're kids.

So you married Nan, Tell me about life then we're kids.

Well, we went out and settled on a farm, and with the two draft horses, milked a few cows, six or seven cows by hand. And then the boys came along, five.

Well, we went out and settled on a farm, and with the two draft horses, milked a few cows, six or seven cows by hand. And then the boys came along, five.

Of them, and.

Of them, and.

And we got rid of the cow. There were two, you know, there were too big at time. My too long a day. So I got rid of the cows and ran sheep and cattle and grew crops. Well, then when I when I was able to get attractor things alded? Did it so easy then? Yeah? Yeah, compared to the draft horses. What year was that?

And we got rid of the cow. There were two, you know, there were too big at time. My too long a day. So I got rid of the cows and ran sheep and cattle and grew crops. Well, then when I when I was able to get attractor things alded? Did it so easy then? Yeah? Yeah, compared to the draft horses. What year was that?

When did you start to move from draft horses to tractors and equipment?

When did you start to move from draft horses to tractors and equipment?

I would say I would say around about four years, probably four years before I got a tractor. Yeah, the award had finished and there was a waiting list attractors. Know it was a tractors, and that weren't matterfactured during award or went into the war effort factories, so it took them so long to catch up. You put your name on the list at the machinery agent and when you and each time they got a consignment of tractors, they went down and when your name come up, you were next in line. Well that's how you got your tractor. Yeah, no, I think the attractors came out from England those the first lot those times before they got manufacturing in Melbourne. Again.

I would say I would say around about four years, probably four years before I got a tractor. Yeah, the award had finished and there was a waiting list attractors. Know it was a tractors, and that weren't matterfactured during award or went into the war effort factories, so it took them so long to catch up. You put your name on the list at the machinery agent and when you and each time they got a consignment of tractors, they went down and when your name come up, you were next in line. Well that's how you got your tractor. Yeah, no, I think the attractors came out from England those the first lot those times before they got manufacturing in Melbourne. Again.

What was it like having your first son? Oh?

What was it like having your first son? Oh?

I don't remember, really, I don't remember. Really. He was born in Devonport at the old maternity hospital in Devonport.

I don't remember, really, I don't remember. Really. He was born in Devonport at the old maternity hospital in Devonport.

He ended up with five of them, ended.

He ended up with five of them, ended.

Up with five?

Up with five?

Did you did? We are hoping for a girl?

Did you did? We are hoping for a girl?

Oh? I wasn't hoping as much as Carmel was. She always was. I think that's why she kept on having kids. She wanted a daughter. Well, then when the fifth son came she gave up forgot about the daughter. When that was the end that we had no daughters, And then then we had seven granddaughters one grandson.

Oh? I wasn't hoping as much as Carmel was. She always was. I think that's why she kept on having kids. She wanted a daughter. Well, then when the fifth son came she gave up forgot about the daughter. When that was the end that we had no daughters, And then then we had seven granddaughters one grandson.

You flipped him, Rovert. Talk about getting married to Nan, Talk about the wedding. What was it like back then? Haven't getting married?

You flipped him, Rovert. Talk about getting married to Nan, Talk about the wedding. What was it like back then? Haven't getting married?

It was at Austin. Yeah, yeah, at Augustin and just had a small just had a small wedding, not a lot of guests. When they went to Bernie that night, got on a plane next morning and went to Melbourne for on our honeymoon. A couple of weeks in Melbourne. No money, no money. But so that was the start off.

It was at Austin. Yeah, yeah, at Augustin and just had a small just had a small wedding, not a lot of guests. When they went to Bernie that night, got on a plane next morning and went to Melbourne for on our honeymoon. A couple of weeks in Melbourne. No money, no money. But so that was the start off.

What was it like back then with money and finances and getting by, especially with five kids, like with farming a very up and down time for you.

What was it like back then with money and finances and getting by, especially with five kids, like with farming a very up and down time for you.

Yeah, well farming. Farming kicked on because there was such a such a shortage of everything after the war, you see, and everything you grew or produced was in demand. So farming was was, you know, thrive, but you didn't you know, if if you had a couple of pounds in your pocket, then you were made, which is four dollars now, and wages wages those times when my father and that man he had employed before the war broke out, he was playing him thirty bob, which had one pound ten a week in eskeep, which is three dollars in today's one three dollars a week and eskeep.

Yeah, well farming. Farming kicked on because there was such a such a shortage of everything after the war, you see, and everything you grew or produced was in demand. So farming was was, you know, thrive, but you didn't you know, if if you had a couple of pounds in your pocket, then you were made, which is four dollars now, and wages wages those times when my father and that man he had employed before the war broke out, he was playing him thirty bob, which had one pound ten a week in eskeep, which is three dollars in today's one three dollars a week and eskeep.

Coffee for that.

Coffee for that.

No, so that's how things were then. Their money was scarce, and like I say, if you had a few shillings in your pocket, that's all you needed. You go to dipp' pull a shower day out somewhere and you have money left over.

No, so that's how things were then. Their money was scarce, and like I say, if you had a few shillings in your pocket, that's all you needed. You go to dipp' pull a shower day out somewhere and you have money left over.

Did you have tough times with farming?

Did you have tough times with farming?

Yeah, well it was tough for a start with the draft horses because you know, so slow, took a long time to get anywhere. Yeah. No, they from then on it was good because there was such a man. Whatever you produce, you got well paid for it because it was scarce in demand. Wool sheep, your sheep and your shoulder sheep, you woold a good price. Yeah, he got well paid for everything.

Yeah, well it was tough for a start with the draft horses because you know, so slow, took a long time to get anywhere. Yeah. No, they from then on it was good because there was such a man. Whatever you produce, you got well paid for it because it was scarce in demand. Wool sheep, your sheep and your shoulder sheep, you woold a good price. Yeah, he got well paid for everything.

What were some of the biggest changes in life or the world or the way we do things?

What were some of the biggest changes in life or the world or the way we do things?

So we had there was no hydro power when we got married. It was years after before that, before the hydro power came through a Kindred. No, I'm wrong with the power did Captain Kindred before we were married, because when we built the house we had the power put on. So yeah, hydro. But I can remember when they put the power hydro power up through Kindred, big event. But I was up living and it was before we were married.

So we had there was no hydro power when we got married. It was years after before that, before the hydro power came through a Kindred. No, I'm wrong with the power did Captain Kindred before we were married, because when we built the house we had the power put on. So yeah, hydro. But I can remember when they put the power hydro power up through Kindred, big event. But I was up living and it was before we were married.

So how how did you how do you keep food, how do you before power? Oh, wood fire, that's not going to keep it cold. Keep cold, that's going to keep it up.

So how how did you how do you keep food, how do you before power? Oh, wood fire, that's not going to keep it cold. Keep cold, that's going to keep it up.

Yea, It depended on the cold weather. There was no refrigerators, no fridges or the women cooked on a wood stove and the old wash house out the back. They put through the clothes in a tub of water. Wow, hung them on the line. Primitive days.

Yea, It depended on the cold weather. There was no refrigerators, no fridges or the women cooked on a wood stove and the old wash house out the back. They put through the clothes in a tub of water. Wow, hung them on the line. Primitive days.

It was like, do you ever look back and think that that just the time it took to do the basics? Do you ever think that might have been a better time?

It was like, do you ever look back and think that that just the time it took to do the basics? Do you ever think that might have been a better time?

Oh? In one way, it was a lot of old especially old farmers now that I talked to, you know, we discussed things that happened and they and they also they were the good old days. But I don't know whether they were or not. I don't think i'd like to go back to them, but I but I know I know where that what they meant. You know, you could go you lived and you helped each other. Yeah, harvest time, if you had a crop to harvest, your neighbors come and helped you. You could go away for the day or for a week, and you never thought about locking your house. Everything was safe, you know. So that's why that's what they say. I think when they say they were, they were the good old days. Yeah, but in other ways they weren't.

Oh? In one way, it was a lot of old especially old farmers now that I talked to, you know, we discussed things that happened and they and they also they were the good old days. But I don't know whether they were or not. I don't think i'd like to go back to them, but I but I know I know where that what they meant. You know, you could go you lived and you helped each other. Yeah, harvest time, if you had a crop to harvest, your neighbors come and helped you. You could go away for the day or for a week, and you never thought about locking your house. Everything was safe, you know. So that's why that's what they say. I think when they say they were, they were the good old days. Yeah, but in other ways they weren't.

Did you travel outside of Australia.

Did you travel outside of Australia.

Yeah, we went. We went to a trip after we buried in the Livingport. Yeah, we went to Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, organized to when some friends went with us from Gaula. Yeah, that was a good trip. We used to go to Melbourne quite a lot because the relatives or dad's people were in Melbourne. They moved to Melbourne.

Yeah, we went. We went to a trip after we buried in the Livingport. Yeah, we went to Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, organized to when some friends went with us from Gaula. Yeah, that was a good trip. We used to go to Melbourne quite a lot because the relatives or dad's people were in Melbourne. They moved to Melbourne.

Now I've got a I want to hear a story. I want to refresh her on a story. I have got a piece of jewelry that Nan left me and it belonged to her father. It's the heart chain lock. It a necklace, the gold necklace, and it's got and it's a hollow heart with teeth marks in it. Teeth mark in it.

Now I've got a I want to hear a story. I want to refresh her on a story. I have got a piece of jewelry that Nan left me and it belonged to her father. It's the heart chain lock. It a necklace, the gold necklace, and it's got and it's a hollow heart with teeth marks in it. Teeth mark in it.

One of those boys would do that.

One of those boys would do that.

Do you remember the story to that?

Do you remember the story to that?

No, I don't. You don't know. I don't remember that, but I'd say I wouldn't hazard I guess, like I said, one of the boys might grabbed it and picked it up and bit it.

No, I don't. You don't know. I don't remember that, but I'd say I wouldn't hazard I guess, like I said, one of the boys might grabbed it and picked it up and bit it.

Well, that's exactly what happened. It was I believe Bennie. Was there a Bennie A Benny I don't know. See this is where I need to get the details.

Well, that's exactly what happened. It was I believe Bennie. Was there a Bennie A Benny I don't know. See this is where I need to get the details.

Yeah, No, we're our moments, bring with those five boys, bringing bringing them up. And I used to have a little, a little switchy stick I kept up on the in the cabinet with one of the step out line that they give him a few stripes around the legs, which you'd be in trouble if you did that now. And one day Michael, I don't know what he did, but I rushed and grabbed a stick. I gave him a switch around and he ran. He ran straight down the passage to the front door, and the front door had glass panels in it, and he kicked the bottle of glass panel out, so we got another touch up. Then we had to go there to Devin bought them and get a new paint of glass. And Ian was over there at school football practice. We had to pick him up. So we've got the pane of glass cut. Put it on the back floor instead of putting it on the seat, put it on the back floor of the car. Ian got in the back with his football boots, tried on it and smashed it so so so we're headed around to the glass place for another pane of glass.

Yeah, No, we're our moments, bring with those five boys, bringing bringing them up. And I used to have a little, a little switchy stick I kept up on the in the cabinet with one of the step out line that they give him a few stripes around the legs, which you'd be in trouble if you did that now. And one day Michael, I don't know what he did, but I rushed and grabbed a stick. I gave him a switch around and he ran. He ran straight down the passage to the front door, and the front door had glass panels in it, and he kicked the bottle of glass panel out, so we got another touch up. Then we had to go there to Devin bought them and get a new paint of glass. And Ian was over there at school football practice. We had to pick him up. So we've got the pane of glass cut. Put it on the back floor instead of putting it on the seat, put it on the back floor of the car. Ian got in the back with his football boots, tried on it and smashed it so so so we're headed around to the glass place for another pane of glass.

Who was the biggest handful out of the five?

Who was the biggest handful out of the five?

I don't work.

I don't work.

Come on, no, drop them in it.

Come on, no, drop them in it.

No, I don't think so. I think they're all about the same. They're all good boys. They never took they never took that got into any trouble.

No, I don't think so. I think they're all about the same. They're all good boys. They never took they never took that got into any trouble.

If you think back, what were the what were your fondest years? Do you have, like a say, a decade that was your fondest in terms of where you were, what you were doing, or just the age it was or the time it was.

If you think back, what were the what were your fondest years? Do you have, like a say, a decade that was your fondest in terms of where you were, what you were doing, or just the age it was or the time it was.

No, I don't think so. Every decade was probably different. Things progressed and you went with the times, and I wouldn't think one was any So as things went on on the land, things got easier with machinery. You know, you had tractors, you had irrigation and all that sort of thing. All cost money, but it meant that you were safeguarded. You had if you had a dry spell or something like that, you didn't worry.

No, I don't think so. Every decade was probably different. Things progressed and you went with the times, and I wouldn't think one was any So as things went on on the land, things got easier with machinery. You know, you had tractors, you had irrigation and all that sort of thing. All cost money, but it meant that you were safeguarded. You had if you had a dry spell or something like that, you didn't worry.

When when I imagined back then it would have been quite expensive. Did you have finance things like that or did you need to come up with the money.

When when I imagined back then it would have been quite expensive. Did you have finance things like that or did you need to come up with the money.

No, No, by that time we had the money because things were going to things do you you know, appreciate on the farm and things that you made on the farm, but you had the money in the bank. And those days you never thought about buying anything unless you could pay for it. That was household things too, you know, waited you turn time of fridge or a washing machine. But you made sure you had the money so that when your boarded you could pay for it. There was no guard finance cards and that sort of thing those days.

No, No, by that time we had the money because things were going to things do you you know, appreciate on the farm and things that you made on the farm, but you had the money in the bank. And those days you never thought about buying anything unless you could pay for it. That was household things too, you know, waited you turn time of fridge or a washing machine. But you made sure you had the money so that when your boarded you could pay for it. There was no guard finance cards and that sort of thing those days.

Yeah, you did after farming, what did you do then?

Yeah, you did after farming, what did you do then?

Yeah, well we were on the farm for twenty five years. I was fifty and the boys were starting to grow up. Ian was already working at the post office in Devonport, traveling to Devonport night in the morning, and the other boys got so and it wasn't we didn't have enough a big enough farm to take any of the boys in Wisby, you know, So we decided to sell up, go to Devonport where they could finish their school and get a job in which they did in Devinborhy finished their school in Devonport and as they left school they got a job. So that was that was the main reason I left the farm. Yea.

Yeah, well we were on the farm for twenty five years. I was fifty and the boys were starting to grow up. Ian was already working at the post office in Devonport, traveling to Devonport night in the morning, and the other boys got so and it wasn't we didn't have enough a big enough farm to take any of the boys in Wisby, you know, So we decided to sell up, go to Devonport where they could finish their school and get a job in which they did in Devinborhy finished their school in Devonport and as they left school they got a job. So that was that was the main reason I left the farm. Yea.

And what were the options for jobs back then, Like, did you did you have aspirations on on what you wanted the kids to do?

And what were the options for jobs back then, Like, did you did you have aspirations on on what you wanted the kids to do?

No, no, I didn't know. I didn't know. They all got different different jobs and no, none of none of of them are on the farm. When I I when we went to Devonport, I already had a job to eed up as an assistant field officer with Simplot. It was edgeles those days out in the harvest. I did that for a couple of years. It was just seasonal. Then I got the job at the golf course greenkeeper. Greenkeeper. Yeah, never been on a golf course of my life. It was just like a big farm, but a lot different work. I liked. I loved that. I stayed there for thirteen years until I retired.

No, no, I didn't know. I didn't know. They all got different different jobs and no, none of none of of them are on the farm. When I I when we went to Devonport, I already had a job to eed up as an assistant field officer with Simplot. It was edgeles those days out in the harvest. I did that for a couple of years. It was just seasonal. Then I got the job at the golf course greenkeeper. Greenkeeper. Yeah, never been on a golf course of my life. It was just like a big farm, but a lot different work. I liked. I loved that. I stayed there for thirteen years until I retired.

What did you love about that?

What did you love about that?

Oh? Just the open, the open, outdoor work. It was a tractor work and marwers and all that. Everything was outside. A lot more like farm work. Yes, that was the main thing which I'd been used to.

Oh? Just the open, the open, outdoor work. It was a tractor work and marwers and all that. Everything was outside. A lot more like farm work. Yes, that was the main thing which I'd been used to.

What are some other big changes you remember when we were having lunch Sunday, you mentioned back in the day, women didn't used to smoke, and you said, if you ever saw a female smoking, you'd turn your head and be like, oh yeah, things like that.

What are some other big changes you remember when we were having lunch Sunday, you mentioned back in the day, women didn't used to smoke, and you said, if you ever saw a female smoking, you'd turn your head and be like, oh yeah, things like that.

What else, Yeah, well that's right. Ninety or more of the old farmers in my day smoked. They rolled their own, bought the tobacco older, and they all smoked, but very rarely, you sort. I think we had one lady, and Kindred was a smoker, and when there'd be a dance on and that shit come to the dancers, we'd wait for watching her go up into the anteroom to have a smoke. And from then on, you know, if you saw a woman, a girl smoking, you stood back and looked at him and thought, what the hell are you doing?

What else, Yeah, well that's right. Ninety or more of the old farmers in my day smoked. They rolled their own, bought the tobacco older, and they all smoked, but very rarely, you sort. I think we had one lady, and Kindred was a smoker, and when there'd be a dance on and that shit come to the dancers, we'd wait for watching her go up into the anteroom to have a smoke. And from then on, you know, if you saw a woman, a girl smoking, you stood back and looked at him and thought, what the hell are you doing?

What do you think now of the world?

What do you think now of the world?

Oh well, I just take it for granted. Things that altered so much, things that happened, things that are happening now. I never I never ever thought about it. Yeah, but anyway, that's the way it goes.

Oh well, I just take it for granted. Things that altered so much, things that happened, things that are happening now. I never I never ever thought about it. Yeah, but anyway, that's the way it goes.

When you weren't working, what did you love to do?

When you weren't working, what did you love to do?

Oh well, I still played cricket and football, And when I too old to play cricket, I took on golf because I was working out at the golf course and I was used to watch these fellows go around every time. Every now and again, i'd see someone that hit the ball along the ground or hit it out into the trees or something. I thought, I think I could do better than that. So yeah, one of the other Sephisods worked out there with me. He'd never played sports. It's like he was anxious to ago at golf. So even I wor not. We borrowed a couple of sets of clubs and we played after work. We used to play four holes or five holes a couple of times a week. That's how I got going. Yeah, I took to it, and I really liked it. I played until I was too old to play, finished up playing in a going around in a golf buggy?

Oh well, I still played cricket and football, And when I too old to play cricket, I took on golf because I was working out at the golf course and I was used to watch these fellows go around every time. Every now and again, i'd see someone that hit the ball along the ground or hit it out into the trees or something. I thought, I think I could do better than that. So yeah, one of the other Sephisods worked out there with me. He'd never played sports. It's like he was anxious to ago at golf. So even I wor not. We borrowed a couple of sets of clubs and we played after work. We used to play four holes or five holes a couple of times a week. That's how I got going. Yeah, I took to it, and I really liked it. I played until I was too old to play, finished up playing in a going around in a golf buggy?

When where? How long ago was that? When? What age do you reckon? You gave up golf?

When where? How long ago was that? When? What age do you reckon? You gave up golf?

Oh, I was sixty five when they retired me probably ten years later. Yeah, perhaps more. Yeah, it's just together there, I've forgotten one of the few things I've forgotten.

Oh, I was sixty five when they retired me probably ten years later. Yeah, perhaps more. Yeah, it's just together there, I've forgotten one of the few things I've forgotten.

You don't forget a lot you do not get played on.

You don't forget a lot you do not get played on.

After I retired, for quite a while, they used to go to the veterans tournaments around and filled the mate. We had great days.

After I retired, for quite a while, they used to go to the veterans tournaments around and filled the mate. We had great days.

What do you reckon. The key to a good long life is Oh.

What do you reckon. The key to a good long life is Oh.

A lot of people asked me that when I turned a hundred, and I said, well, I said, I've just lived an outdoor life, good outdoor life. Never smoked. But I said, I think the main thing is you've got to have a hell of a lot of luck. Yeah. I've had no serious illness, serious illnesses. I've nothing struck me down, So I've been lucky. Other than that, I don't know that you've got to do anything special. Just take it as it comes.

A lot of people asked me that when I turned a hundred, and I said, well, I said, I've just lived an outdoor life, good outdoor life. Never smoked. But I said, I think the main thing is you've got to have a hell of a lot of luck. Yeah. I've had no serious illness, serious illnesses. I've nothing struck me down, So I've been lucky. Other than that, I don't know that you've got to do anything special. Just take it as it comes.

I think I thought about it a lot. I thought about a lot when you turned one hundred, and I thought about it also in the context of Nan living to ninety five and the character of both of you, and I remember talking about it at your birthday because it stood out so much. I went, it's not because he avoids lollies, because he eats a lot of lollies. It's not because he doesn't drink, because he has a beer.

I think I thought about it a lot. I thought about a lot when you turned one hundred, and I thought about it also in the context of Nan living to ninety five and the character of both of you, and I remember talking about it at your birthday because it stood out so much. I went, it's not because he avoids lollies, because he eats a lot of lollies. It's not because he doesn't drink, because he has a beer.

When I was young, I had a beer when we were during the war, when we were up at Kindred. The Kindred's bus used to run from Kindred into Devonport of a Saturday night to the pictures and they'd always have a dancewered forth of a Saturday night to brace uns for the Red Cross and comfort funds. Wore effort. So the ones that when we're few of us young phellows, he'd drop us off at fourth at the at the hall. We'll hurry about. But after seven so we we'd head over to the pub. So you didn't have a few. And he had to be twenty one those days, so we were under age. So were you sneak over and have a few beers and then walk back to the dance. Every every now and again, the cop at fourth he'd come and he knew what was going on, and he come and he'd open the door and he'd stand there like out we'd go. There was an out a door down on the other end of the bar. Were way we'd go out and that's straight over to the hall. Well, we never caused trouble and he knew, he knew we were all under age and and he so I think he used to think, oh these fellows have had enough. Now I'll go on the shows.

When I was young, I had a beer when we were during the war, when we were up at Kindred. The Kindred's bus used to run from Kindred into Devonport of a Saturday night to the pictures and they'd always have a dancewered forth of a Saturday night to brace uns for the Red Cross and comfort funds. Wore effort. So the ones that when we're few of us young phellows, he'd drop us off at fourth at the at the hall. We'll hurry about. But after seven so we we'd head over to the pub. So you didn't have a few. And he had to be twenty one those days, so we were under age. So were you sneak over and have a few beers and then walk back to the dance. Every every now and again, the cop at fourth he'd come and he knew what was going on, and he come and he'd open the door and he'd stand there like out we'd go. There was an out a door down on the other end of the bar. Were way we'd go out and that's straight over to the hall. Well, we never caused trouble and he knew, he knew we were all under age and and he so I think he used to think, oh these fellows have had enough. Now I'll go on the shows.

Oh that's the best. Were you were? You a bit of a rascal? What's the what other stuff did you get up to when you were young?

Oh that's the best. Were you were? You a bit of a rascal? What's the what other stuff did you get up to when you were young?

That you shouldn't have nothing, nothing that wasn't inside the law.

That you shouldn't have nothing, nothing that wasn't inside the law.

Well that wasn't inside the law for a star, So that's a fib nothing else. Do you remember? Like when I see old photos of Tazzy and Devonport and I guess for you, Kindred, what's it like like? Do you remember how it used to be?

Well that wasn't inside the law for a star, So that's a fib nothing else. Do you remember? Like when I see old photos of Tazzy and Devonport and I guess for you, Kindred, what's it like like? Do you remember how it used to be?

Yeah?

Yeah?

Yes, what's it like to drive through now and see it have changed so much?

Yes, what's it like to drive through now and see it have changed so much?

Unbelievable. Even when we left there, we had irrigation and things were going well. But to see it now, the big pivotal irrigators and you touch a button, press a button and start them out. We've got to go out and move it. So went in my day we had laid the pipes and it went for two hours in a shift. Well then when that was up, you stopped it and you moved them up another two pipes, lenks up the paddic. It took you probably five or six shifts to irrogate one paddic and you had to do it all my hand, connect the carry them to connect them all up. Hard work. But now just press the button from inside. But another part of their expensive, big, big money. But they get yeah, they've got it they're getting well paid for their produce. Yeah, but everything they buy in hours big money, tracked tractors and all machinery their expense.

Unbelievable. Even when we left there, we had irrigation and things were going well. But to see it now, the big pivotal irrigators and you touch a button, press a button and start them out. We've got to go out and move it. So went in my day we had laid the pipes and it went for two hours in a shift. Well then when that was up, you stopped it and you moved them up another two pipes, lenks up the paddic. It took you probably five or six shifts to irrogate one paddic and you had to do it all my hand, connect the carry them to connect them all up. Hard work. But now just press the button from inside. But another part of their expensive, big, big money. But they get yeah, they've got it they're getting well paid for their produce. Yeah, but everything they buy in hours big money, tracked tractors and all machinery their expense.

Do you ever have domestic pets on the farm.

Do you ever have domestic pets on the farm.

Yes, I always had a cattle dog. It was a cattle dog and a couple of cats. They kept the rats and the mice down. They were living in the barn and red kelpie dog three or four or the sheep dogs get a look. Yeah.

Yes, I always had a cattle dog. It was a cattle dog and a couple of cats. They kept the rats and the mice down. They were living in the barn and red kelpie dog three or four or the sheep dogs get a look. Yeah.

We fondest memories, Oh.

We fondest memories, Oh.

So many of them. I'd say winning a premiership Kindred for Kindred football and cricket. Tell my best memories.

So many of them. I'd say winning a premiership Kindred for Kindred football and cricket. Tell my best memories.

What made that for you?

What made that for you?

Oh?

Oh?

Well, it was just a competition you competitive? Or was it camaraderie as well?

Well, it was just a competition you competitive? Or was it camaraderie as well?

You are both competition competitive, competition from the other teams and the teammates you played with good times.

You are both competition competitive, competition from the other teams and the teammates you played with good times.

Is there anything you do differently if you did life again knowing what you know now.

Is there anything you do differently if you did life again knowing what you know now.

I don't know. I don't have to think about that, because you couldn't start off the way I did now, because it's not just not there. All the farms are different, so you couldn't. You couldn't start off for the pair of right horses. But I wouldn't want to do that again.

I don't know. I don't have to think about that, because you couldn't start off the way I did now, because it's not just not there. All the farms are different, so you couldn't. You couldn't start off for the pair of right horses. But I wouldn't want to do that again.

Were there any times that were particularly difficult and how do you get through them?

Were there any times that were particularly difficult and how do you get through them?

Oh? Yeah, you sort of you took things as they come, made the best of the bad times.

Oh? Yeah, you sort of you took things as they come, made the best of the bad times.

Yeah. Do you think it's become easier these days to get through tough times?

Yeah. Do you think it's become easier these days to get through tough times?

I don't know. I don't know, because things are so different. Like I said, hour these days, we're gonna go away, leave our house, lock it up. You don't hear of a murder about every five years and that sort of thing. Well, now it's every day things. Things are so different. You have to be so careful. So I'd have to adjust to that sort of thing.

I don't know. I don't know, because things are so different. Like I said, hour these days, we're gonna go away, leave our house, lock it up. You don't hear of a murder about every five years and that sort of thing. Well, now it's every day things. Things are so different. You have to be so careful. So I'd have to adjust to that sort of thing.

And there's a lot more people now, like well that's it.

And there's a lot more people now, like well that's it.

Yeah, a lot more people in the country, in the towns.

Yeah, a lot more people in the country, in the towns.

I was looking at mum scot on the wall up there plaque of her for her seventieth birthday, and so it's got all of the things that were happening that year, and in big bold print it says the popular world population just hit two point six billion, and that was in nineteen fifty three and we're over eight billion now And I'm like, what's it going to be like in another fifty years.

I was looking at mum scot on the wall up there plaque of her for her seventieth birthday, and so it's got all of the things that were happening that year, and in big bold print it says the popular world population just hit two point six billion, and that was in nineteen fifty three and we're over eight billion now And I'm like, what's it going to be like in another fifty years.

I don't know.

I don't know.

That's sanity, isn't it.

That's sanity, isn't it.

I've got no idea. Possibly there'll be another World War.

I've got no idea. Possibly there'll be another World War.

One. Thing when I was saying about before about character, yourself and Nan Carmel never spoke ill of anyone or anything, And for me, that really stands out. There's not a lot of people that don't at least have something to say.

One. Thing when I was saying about before about character, yourself and Nan Carmel never spoke ill of anyone or anything, And for me, that really stands out. There's not a lot of people that don't at least have something to say.

As I said, I don't know I said to you or Margie, I said, I made thousands of friends or no enemies, no real enemies.

As I said, I don't know I said to you or Margie, I said, I made thousands of friends or no enemies, no real enemies.

So how'd you do that?

So how'd you do that?

Well? Whether I probably turned me back on a lot of things that I could have carried on about, Yeah, I don't know.

Well? Whether I probably turned me back on a lot of things that I could have carried on about, Yeah, I don't know.

Yeah. I think that also comes into longevity, you know, the ability to just not get wrapped up in things, which is harder these days because everyone everything's put in front of you on television and on phones and in the newspapers, and you're given things to be outraged about, and you're given things to argue about or to believe or disbelieve. And then was into church.

Yeah. I think that also comes into longevity, you know, the ability to just not get wrapped up in things, which is harder these days because everyone everything's put in front of you on television and on phones and in the newspapers, and you're given things to be outraged about, and you're given things to argue about or to believe or disbelieve. And then was into church.

She went to church every Sunday morning.

She went to church every Sunday morning.

Yep, four, you didn't.

Yep, four, you didn't.

I stayed home and cooked a dinner.

I stayed home and cooked a dinner.

Oh, perfect, perfect, She's scored big there.

Oh, perfect, perfect, She's scored big there.

Do you remember when we used to take you up to the garner to Darren and as soon as we turned it into Exeter, I'm hungry. I'm hungry. And we had to call it the bakery there and get you something to eat. Do you remember that?

Do you remember when we used to take you up to the garner to Darren and as soon as we turned it into Exeter, I'm hungry. I'm hungry. And we had to call it the bakery there and get you something to eat. Do you remember that?

Ye? And do you remember that you used to allow me to buy and the massive jar and Natella and eat it with a spoon on the drive down and then pull into that bakery.

Ye? And do you remember that you used to allow me to buy and the massive jar and Natella and eat it with a spoon on the drive down and then pull into that bakery.

At another time we were going along that along with that long straight before we get to Exeter, and oh, cand we go a bit faster, can't we go? An fringship with a week later for breaking the speed limit? But you never offered to pay the fine.

At another time we were going along that along with that long straight before we get to Exeter, and oh, cand we go a bit faster, can't we go? An fringship with a week later for breaking the speed limit? But you never offered to pay the fine.

Well, I wasn't in the driver's seat. I wasn't in the driver's seat. We've got to take responsibility for our own actions in this life, don't we. I think you taught me that. Yeah, they were good memories. And horse byes you and horse by the horse by?

Well, I wasn't in the driver's seat. I wasn't in the driver's seat. We've got to take responsibility for our own actions in this life, don't we. I think you taught me that. Yeah, they were good memories. And horse byes you and horse by the horse by?

Yeah that was come on, give you a horse by? Yeah?

Yeah that was come on, give you a horse by? Yeah?

Now I remember getting a lot of those. Were they were they affection or punishment? Were they affection? Punishment?

Now I remember getting a lot of those. Were they were they affection or punishment? Were they affection? Punishment?

It's good to say here you're going and give your horse bites and keep you I think that think any malice.

It's good to say here you're going and give your horse bites and keep you I think that think any malice.

I think there was malice when your fingernails would dug in.

I think there was malice when your fingernails would dug in.

Every down again.

Every down again.

Ah the best. Any closing words of advice for the listeners, No, no, no, just just cope with everything.

Ah the best. Any closing words of advice for the listeners, No, no, no, just just cope with everything.

Don't let everything get out of hand. Just keep up with it because I can't.

Don't let everything get out of hand. Just keep up with it because I can't.

You are a superstar. Thanks Frank, Thanks thanks,

You are a superstar. Thanks Frank, Thanks thanks,