10 April 2024
We arrived in Winton today. I’ve been here a number of times, most memorably with Mum and Dad for the opening of the new Waltzing Matilda Centre in April 2018.
Mum and Dad met in Winton. Mum had finished her nursing training in Sydney and felt like an adventure, so headed north on the train with a friend seeking their first nursing jobs. All the way up the coast to Cairns they didn’t find any work but were told there may be a job in Cloncurry. Mum took the job and worked there for a year or so, until moving to a nursing job in Winton. After a year or so a young male teacher (Dad) moved into town doing his country service and, as they say, the rest is history.
At the opening of the new Waltzing Matilda Centre, I was proud that Mum and Dad could see one of my photos displayed in the main exhibition area. When Nicole and I visited today I wasn’t sure it would still be there but, surprisingly, it still is! So, it was great that Nicole could see it up there too.
When I spoke to Dad from Longreach yesterday and said we were heading to Winton today, he reminded me of a story from Mum and Dad’s Winton days. Today, it is a 1hr 45 min drive from Longreach to Winton on a very good bitumen road. Back in the late 1960’s when Mum and Dad were out here however, it was dirt all the way. Dad was taking Mum to a ball in Longreach and owned a Mini Moke (see below if you’re not familiar with the type of car), so you can only imagine how much dust there would have been coming in. All I can say is that Mum must have really fancied Dad if she’d do that trip in that car.
I’ll dedicate this post to Mum who passed away last year. Unfortunately, this is my first trip to Winton I won’t be able to share with Mum. I miss you.
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