In 1956 Reg Britton and his young wife Billie (Dad and Mum) brought their first home and some land in Condamine QLD. With them was a toddler (me 😊) and a baby (my sister Donna). I spent all my childhood at Condamine finally leaving in 1970 to go to boarding school in Toowoomba and then permanently in 1971 to join the Navy.
Through hard work and determination Dad established a livestock trucking business and during our childhood years we were what would be considered at the time to be “reasonably well off”. Every school holiday was spent on the Sunshine Coast at Caloundra and when home we had a great ski boat.
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| Our house |
Growing up very small country town was probably the best childhood (I am biased) anyone could ever wish for. Those were the days when children could wander anywhere (as long as they were home by dark) and parents didn’t have to worry about them.
So, it was school, sport, swimming, fishing, shooting, skiing, holidays on the coast and weekends out on my school mates’ farms.
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| Star pupil in 1966 |
So, on our wandering around the east coast this trip we decided to spend two nights in Condamine.
There is not much that is familiar after fifty-five years, but our family home is still occupied and Dad’s truck shed, although falling down, is still recognisable, and some things are familiar close up.
It was good to wander around town and reminisce about my childhood days.
Short video is HERE
Foot Note: Mum and Dad left Condamine late 1971 as well, as increasing competition (every man and his dog were buying a truck and selling services cheap) and the QLD Rail Tax Levy (charged to Trucking Companies who competed with the State-owned Railways) made it unviable to keep the business going.
10 comments:
Always great to go back to your beginning. Keep having fun.
Dry July fish wise here.
The best state in Australia is Queensland, the rest are just good to holiday in.
Hi Kerry & Linda, I haven’t commented before but seen this comment of yours, my wife Sue &Myself camped next to u for a couple of weeks on the Georgina River in Camoweal, Qld in 2015. I bought a chain saw off u & we cut a bit of firewood 🪵 for the fire. We had the black 200 series toyota Land Cruiser with a Franklin Caravan. Good to hear about u two & safe travels. I think we told u that we live in Malanda on the Atherton Tablelanda.
Did you knock on the door of your old home and ask for a look inside? I'm sure they would have welcomed you. Would have been so nostalgic 😢
Another great KB production 🥰 love seeing where my Daddy comes from 😘 CJ
Well done Kerry.
Cheers
Fred
magnificent childhood memories, Kerry....gosh there is something written by you for your offspring. Best times Neil and Jane
I enjoy hearing about your history! Very interesting 😊
Always nice to revisit your childhood
Your Sis Donna
A good read. It’s always interesting to visit where you grew up, reminiscing about ‘ the good old days’! Greenman
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