A WALTZ FOR MATILDA THE LETTERS. Matilda s letters:

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Lesley Scott
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1 A WALTZ FOR MATILDA THE LETTERS Matilda s letters: AUGUST 1894 p. 1 Dear Dad Introduction to Matilda and her life 12 years old, lives with sick mother, in boarding-house in Grinder s Alley. Works in the jam factory. Aunt Ann has died. An appeal for help. p. 20 Dear Dad Tells of mother s death. A desperate appeal for help. p.25 Dear Mrs. Dawkins Explains why she had to leave so suddenly. p. 83 Tells Tommy of her new life with her Dad and describes Moura for hi. She issues an invitation to Tommy to come and visit. p. 120 A very brief, matter-of-fact letter, telling of her father s death. p. 139 Tells Tommy that she is back at Moura. Her awakening love of the bush is obvious. She introduces Auntie Love and her dog. p. 148

2 Talks about Mr. Doo and Auntie Love and makes it clear that they are looking out for her. Her resentment of Mr. Drinkwater is obvious. p. 157 Describes her father s funeral. Talks affectionately about Auntie Love and her growing love for her life at Moura. She names the dog Hey You. p. 161 Deat Tommy # Introduces Mr. Doo s intended wife, Patricia. Gives details of the care that she receives from Mr. Doo, Mr. Sampson and Auntie Love. Auntie Love is giving her lessons in survival. Names all of her animals. p. 189 Thanks her for her offers of help. Describes life on the farm and her growing knowledge of sheep and farming. DECEMBER 1894 p.209 Talks a lot about Tommy and his ingenuity. Describes her growing farm and understanding of the wool and sheep trade. Expresses her displeasure at the Drinkwaters attitude towards natives. JANUARY 1895 P. 222 Matilda discusses her self-education via the library. She is sorting out her place in the world: is she the boss, how to interact with men. She seeks Mrs. Ellsmore s guidance as a woman. p. 250 Describes the fre and its impact on her farm and the community. This letter seems unfnished. APRIL 1896 p. 257 Dear Miss Thrush (Her old teacher) Reveals her developing knowledge of the wool and sheep industry, her concern for animals and nature. She looks forward to Mrs. Ellsmore s visit.

3 SEPTEMBER 1897 P. 271 Dear Miss Thrush Introduces the issue of women s suffrage and the petition put before parliament. She shows concern for the just treatment of her workers, especially the Indigenous ones. Her knowledge of farming expands. She mentions Tommy, his gifts, and refers to him as a brother fgure. MAY 1899 P. 296 Mentions Bertram s marriage to Florence. Seems to be warming to Mr. Drinkwater and mentions the motor car that Tommy helped to design and construct. Mentions the new Federation referendum p. 343 Dear Mrs. Thompson (Tommy s Mum) Trying to contact Tommy and apologise. JULY 1899 Dear Mrs. Thompson (Tommy s Mum) Another letter asking to contact Tommy. Message that the men have gone shearing and where they are. JANUARY 1902 P. 378 Dear James (from Matilda) Discusses her concern for him. Mentions issues on the farm and makes her expertise obvious. Her more comfortable relationship with Mr. Drinkwater is also obvious. She mentions the new Australian fag. MARCH 1902 p. 388 Speaks fondly of Mr. Drinkwater. Does not approve of Bertram attitude of James. JUNE 1903 P. 409 Dear Ms. Hindmarsh Discusses Ms. Thrush s wedding and her trip to the city to attend. Talks of visiting her old haunts and how much things have changed. She has no hopes of marriage herself.

4 FEBRUARY 1910 Dear Mr. Smith (Shearing Equipment supplier) Enquiry about electrical shearing equipment. AUGUST 1913 P. 440 Dear Matilda (from Patricia Doo) An invitation to celebrate her son s engagement to a young lady in the town. Letters to Matilda p. 181 Dear Miss O Halloran Connects Matilda to her past friend, Matilda s Aunt Ann. Offers her help, sends a parcel. Suggestion that she does not totally support the Drinkwaters. From Mrs. George Ellsmore. NOVEMBER 1898 P. 282 Dear Matilda (from Miss Thrush) Gives Matilda advice on how to act as a lady should. Mentions the failed federation Referendum and her hopes for women s suffrage. She mentions Tommy s motor car. p. 322 Dear Matilda (from Miss Thrush) Mentions her good opinion of Mr. Sampson. Hints that Tommy might make a good husband. Mentions the referendum and the suffragette movement. p. 334 Dear Matilda ( from Brian Gotobed) Message that the men have gone shearing and where they are.

5 p. 346 Dear Matilda (from James) Makes it clear that his father doe not condone a marriage between James and Matilda. p. 353 Dear Matilda (from James) Not coming back to Drinkwater yet. Father still disapproving of their match. OCTOBER 1899 p. 357 My very dear Matilda Tells of father s continued disapproval and his anger towards Bertram. He is going to join the army and fght in the Boer War. p. 396 Matilda my darling (from James) Explains what happened in South Africa and why he is being shot. He reaffrms his love for her. JUNE 1902 P. 401 My dear Matilda (from Miss Thrush) Women in Australia have been given the vote NOVEMBER 1915 P.454 Dear Peter A letter to one of the workers from the area who was fghting at Gallipoli. Letters to Mr. Drinkwater

6 P.382 LETTER TO MR. DRINWATER FROM THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY Informs him that James was shot by fring squad because of his shooting of Boer prisoners. P.384 LETTER TO MR. DRINKWATER FROM BERTRAM. Bertram speaks of his shame for James and asks his father to take steps to disassociate from James. SEPTEMBER 1914 P.444 A LETTER TO MR. DRINKWATER FROM HIS GRANDDAUGHTER, ELLEN. Thanks him for the present of a plane ride.

INTERVIEW WITH Dr ROBERT (BOB) STORY

INTERVIEW WITH Dr ROBERT (BOB) STORY (Founding Committee Member 1960; NPA President 1963/64; Life Member 1984) FIONA:- This is a National Parks Association of the ACT interview with Dr Robert Story, one