December 1966 School Magazine

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

December, 1966

December, 1966

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

DIETING Have YOU ever considered going on a dietP As a matter of fact, this is my fifty-millionth decision to stick to it. I don't know how you feel about diets but they give me a very saintly feeling the first few days, then the hunger pains begin attacking me and I ask myself, "Is it really worth it?" The sight of that chocolate cake, just sitting there, practically begging to be eaten, is too much for my will-power! As soon as it is eaten, I start rebuking myself but a small voice, very deep down inside argues "It was absolutely delicious, wasn't it?" The battles I fight, nobody could guess at. My better half keeps on repeating, "Think how you'll look in a bathing costume! Don't be so weak!" But that small insistent voice urges, "Surely one small doughnut ( cake, ice-block, soft-drink) wouldn't matter." No-one seems to have any sympathy for me . Mother keeps telling me that it develops your will-power, etc. It's times like these that really depress me . I am sure that all my will-power at the moment could fit in the hole of that doughnut over there. Excuse me for a moment, will you . .. . - " STILL TRYING" , VIA, GIBSON HOUSE

THE OLD DROVER

The bright glow of the campfire shines through the trees. The drover is sitting on a log by the fire, whistling gently, waiting for the billy to boil. His dog sits quietly watching his master. He knows the nightly routine as the old drover has his set ways that seldom vary . After a final checking of the mob he lets his horses go and sets about making camp for the night. When his few preparations are made he fills the billy and hangs 'it over the fire and then sits ,and thinks over the day's work and makes his plans for tomorrow. His thoughts wander until he is brought back to the present as the billy boils. He lifts it off .:earefully, throws in the tea and settles down to enjoy his meal. ·The dog has his share now and even tries the tea but decides there are better things for a dog to drink. His master, a true bushman, likes his tea strong, black and very hot. His meal over, the drover tidies everything meticulously and then turns to his roll of blankets to sleep soundly until dawn. He is an old man who has spent all his life in the saddle. His face is brown and weather-beaten, the skin hardened by years of exposure to every kind of weather, his eyes screwed up and peering from beneath the broad-brimmed hat he always wears . His hands are bent and old, but still amazingly strong and the thought never occurs to him that he may be too old for the job. It is the only life he really knows and it is the one he .loves. He grieves to think that the "good old days" are almost gone forever, that road trains and trucks are taking his place. Almost , but not quite because he is seldom without a job. He is well known in the district and there is usually another mob waiting to be collected. He is on the move continually with his few possessions, his small string of horses and his dog. To some, the old man's life in the bush seems 1oneiy and friendless , but he has many friends that others never see. Drawn by curiosity to the fire at night , many of the creatures of the bush surround him. He lies quietly listening to them and to all the bush sounds which seem clearer and more beautiful at night. But these are just passing friends: his constant companion and friend is his dog. The dog is more valuable to him than any- thing else and in his eyes is far better than any human. His horses are very much his friends, and careless as he may be of his own appearance he keeps them shining. Together with the dog, they make a team to command respect from any mob and from the worst rogues in the bovine world. 61

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THORN BETWEEN TWO ROSES

- DIANNE PARK INSON, VIE 60