"...the city’s most successful Lord Mayor, Clem Jones..."
Oh dear. In 63/64 I was a sales rep for Lamson Paragon Ltd, printers. My territory, the south side of the river from West End to the park in East Brisbane. On the river side of Stanley Street, South Brisbane, I called on every business once a month. I was working that stretch one day when several clients/potential clients mentioned that their rent had been raised. "Who's your landlord?" "Clem Jones".
Clem's wife was running the real estate agency at the time. I've wondered a few times since then just how much Clem made when, I guess it was the City, bought that land for, what was it, an International Expo or something. (Or did he donate it?)
There are always surprises in your stories. You've written how Gough Whitlam (Labor) and Malcolm Fraser (Liberal) reconciled and became friends, and from this little gem it seems that Jim and Pete, despite sharing a social conscience, and obviously caring about human rights (hopefully not just caring about publicity) couldn't find it in themselves to co-operate with each other. I guess it's the way of the world, hence wars.
What I've found in life Aunty Helen is that some people hate you from the moment they meet you: for no apparent reason -- and others love or like you. And there's nothing you (or they?) can do about it. One day I'll put up a story on the journos who hated me!
Gough was also great friends with Liberal Jim Killen.
PS: I found as a parttime political writer that members hate many more people in their own party than in the opposition!
I particularly liked your last line. Your Soulmates makeup especially the eyes was definitely the 60’s So was the hair. As I had very curly hair I could never get mine to stay for that for very long. Fortunately I igrown to love my curly hair. Loved your telling of this story. I remember those people so wel.
Sheryl, my sisters and I have dead-straight hair and used to complain. We four have all gone through the frizzy perm stage trying unsuccessfully to emulate your natural curls, but now we, like you, accept the beauty we were given and put our energies into more nourishing activities such as grandkids and cousins.
That was an interesting read, Hugh. However it was the picture of your Sole Mate that took my breath away. Straight out of roaring sixties with that hair do. However being on the inside, Sallyanne made a far better Lord Mayor than your prison mate, but one thing you find surprising is that the Bonsai House at the Brisbane Botanical Gardens was the Brain child of Jim Soorley based on a large collection of Bonsai grown by a WWII serviceman, who served in Japan after its surrender. It is after its recent make over the perfect foil to the Japanese Garden that Sallyanne saved from World Expo 88. Both empowering the Gardens with a special flare, See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZTecg_f8vo&list=PLyl7ezOFzIjDyPKfHjO7sJ-Gd1lfXjhJf&index=12
Yes isn't it peculiar how sworn enemies can become staunch allies, and vice versa. Glad to hear that both sides took an interest in botanical gardens. More edifying than yet another stadium.
Yes, good to see politicians spending money on gardens. If only we could get them to plant lots of giant ed cedars to one day replace all those my ancestors and yours chopped down.
Helen an I planted at least a dozen in the bush for this reason. They should be gettingbig now ... if someone hasn't chopped them down.
After this story was published, Helga in San Fransisco sent the following;
Dear Hughie,
What a story this is! Incredible and fantastic at the same time…. Thank you for sending it.
Which made my day.
"...the city’s most successful Lord Mayor, Clem Jones..."
Oh dear. In 63/64 I was a sales rep for Lamson Paragon Ltd, printers. My territory, the south side of the river from West End to the park in East Brisbane. On the river side of Stanley Street, South Brisbane, I called on every business once a month. I was working that stretch one day when several clients/potential clients mentioned that their rent had been raised. "Who's your landlord?" "Clem Jones".
Clem's wife was running the real estate agency at the time. I've wondered a few times since then just how much Clem made when, I guess it was the City, bought that land for, what was it, an International Expo or something. (Or did he donate it?)
All I know Graham is that Clem left a lot of assets to various charities.
So he was well off.
Fair enough.
There are always surprises in your stories. You've written how Gough Whitlam (Labor) and Malcolm Fraser (Liberal) reconciled and became friends, and from this little gem it seems that Jim and Pete, despite sharing a social conscience, and obviously caring about human rights (hopefully not just caring about publicity) couldn't find it in themselves to co-operate with each other. I guess it's the way of the world, hence wars.
What I've found in life Aunty Helen is that some people hate you from the moment they meet you: for no apparent reason -- and others love or like you. And there's nothing you (or they?) can do about it. One day I'll put up a story on the journos who hated me!
Gough was also great friends with Liberal Jim Killen.
PS: I found as a parttime political writer that members hate many more people in their own party than in the opposition!
I particularly liked your last line. Your Soulmates makeup especially the eyes was definitely the 60’s So was the hair. As I had very curly hair I could never get mine to stay for that for very long. Fortunately I igrown to love my curly hair. Loved your telling of this story. I remember those people so wel.
I don't know anything about women's fashion Sheryl, but Sallyanne would have looked good in anything!
Sheryl, my sisters and I have dead-straight hair and used to complain. We four have all gone through the frizzy perm stage trying unsuccessfully to emulate your natural curls, but now we, like you, accept the beauty we were given and put our energies into more nourishing activities such as grandkids and cousins.
I just wish I still had my hair!
That was an interesting read, Hugh. However it was the picture of your Sole Mate that took my breath away. Straight out of roaring sixties with that hair do. However being on the inside, Sallyanne made a far better Lord Mayor than your prison mate, but one thing you find surprising is that the Bonsai House at the Brisbane Botanical Gardens was the Brain child of Jim Soorley based on a large collection of Bonsai grown by a WWII serviceman, who served in Japan after its surrender. It is after its recent make over the perfect foil to the Japanese Garden that Sallyanne saved from World Expo 88. Both empowering the Gardens with a special flare, See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZTecg_f8vo&list=PLyl7ezOFzIjDyPKfHjO7sJ-Gd1lfXjhJf&index=12
She took my breath away too Peter! And lots of other blokes too.
I call it "the male burden" -- that we can't resist beauty. As Ken Fletcher used to say: "Girls Hughie, they've got it all!"
Yes isn't it peculiar how sworn enemies can become staunch allies, and vice versa. Glad to hear that both sides took an interest in botanical gardens. More edifying than yet another stadium.
Yes, good to see politicians spending money on gardens. If only we could get them to plant lots of giant ed cedars to one day replace all those my ancestors and yours chopped down.
Helen an I planted at least a dozen in the bush for this reason. They should be gettingbig now ... if someone hasn't chopped them down.