15 Year Old Trenna’s Own Words

All of June 1973

Tuesday 5 June

I got up at 7.20 and went down to breakfast. I left for work early as I had to stop at a chemist and buy a packet of Modess.

I walked through the dental hospital on my way to work and went to the toilet.

Work was pretty well much the same. Pat didn’t come in because she was sick. I found out that work is having a cabaret next Friday, but I doubt I’ll go.

Got home and Sue wasn’t home, when she got home she told me she was leaving and was going to stay with her sister. Oh God, I nearly died.

After tea we walked into town and bought 10 toffee apples. We walked down to Smiley’s shop and we met two friends of Sue’s, one called Ray and the other who kept on mauling me I nicknamed Gilligan.

They asked us to their flat. We went to “The Door”, it was full of Rockeys. We had a game of pool and Ray played “I’ve Got to Have You” on the jukebox it was bloody funny. Then we left and after a really good laugh I’m off to bed. (Sue gave a week’s notice).

Wednesday 6 June

I got up at 5 to 7 as it is today Sue has to go early to school. I had breakfast. Sue left, I changed the sheets on my bed, then Margaret and I left for work. It was really raining and windy on the way to work.

Cheryl didn’t come to work as she had the flu and I had to do the typing. Janette rang me at work. Sue met me on my way back to GFS (God I’ll miss her so bloody much, I’ll only have Rocky Margaret and Ruth to hang around with).

We had tea then Sue did some packing. Then we walked to the shop where we met Ray and Gilligan last night, but it was closed so we walked to the Fruitorium and I bought a beautiful hot cup of soup.

Walked back to GFS and then had some raisin bread and watched Number 96. Went to our room and Margaret came in with her grey pant suit which she pinched from her work yesterday, $34 worth. The stupid bitch.

I had a shower and now I’m off to bed.

Thursday 7 June

I got up at 7.30 and went down to breakfast. Sue left for work and I got dressed and walked to work with Margaret.

I mainly posted cheques today. Cheryl came to work today and she looked bloody horrible. She had on red and white slingback shoes, brown Oxford bags and a pink jumper. Other than that work was the same as usual.

I got home at 5.15 and had tea with Margaret as Sue wasn’t home. I talked to Lynette and Norma and have come to the final conclusion that they are utterly dense.

Sue came home and we went into our room and talked. Then we saw a cop prowling around the flats across the road.

So we went over to the telephone and saw lots of plainclothes men. I rang Janette and arranged to meet on Saturday.

We came back to GFS and now at 10.00 I’m off to bed. (I’ve just realised I have not paid my rent worst luck).

Friday 8 June

I got up at 7.00 and had a shower and washed my hair. Had breakfast and then went down to pay my board but Mrs Cole was so slow. She is really senile, so I just left the money with her then left.

Tonight there is a cabaret for work. Tina offered to take me but I can’t afford it worst luck. Work differed a bit today. David gave me some things that had to be copied on the copier, it was the first time I’ve used it by myself.

I had to do some memos because Cheryl left work early to buy something to wear to the cabaret, she is going with Mike (the van driver). Shit I don’t know how she could.

Got back to GFS at 5.10, then went down to tea. Sue went out about 6.30 and so did Marg and Ruth so once again I’m left by my lonesome self.

Lynette bought me 2 elephant piggybanks today and I filled one with one cent and two cent pieces.

I’m in bed now and I don’t think I’ll wait up for Sue, so I’m off to sleep.

Saturday 9 June

I woke at 7.30, but didn’t get up until 9.00. I got dressed into my Oxford Bags then went down to meet Janette.

We walked all around town looking for a lemon coloured jumper for me, but I couldn’t find any that I liked. We walked back to GFS at 12.00 and Janette rang her mum to ask if she could stay and see a film, 5 Fingers of Death.

We had lunch at the Petite. When we got to the theatre, it appeared that we were about the oldest and we thought we wouldn’t get in for half price, but we did.

It is the first film that I’ve seen that really made me feel sick. The acting wasn’t very good but the judo was really brilliant.

We had a cup of coffee at the Petite again then hurried back to GFS in the wind and rain. Janette rang her mum to pick her up. I had tea, everybody went out. I watched a movie, had supper now I’m off to sleep.

Sunday 10 June

I awoke at 9.30 but didn’t get up until 12.00, had lunch then Sue and I walked into town and we had a cup of coffee and pavlova at Camelot.

On the way back to GFS Sue found a wallet. We decided to take it to it’s owner Mr John Scheulyta.

We caught a bus to Morley Drive where he lived, walked for about 5 miles then found that number 40 (his address) was a block of flats. We asked all the tenants if they had heard of him but they hadn’t, then we found we were in Milner Street about 6 miles away from Morley Drive.

We rang GFS and said we would be late home. We rang a taxi to pick us up outside flat 199 then found it was flat 149 so we ran up North Beach Road to find 199, there was no such number.

We haled a taxi it cost $1.30 to get to his place, he wasn’t home we waited half an hour, next door neighbour came home, we gave him the wallet and our address then he called a taxi at 6.30 it came we stopped at Kentucky Fried Chicken and bought a dinner box each and chips then we caught a bus to town.

We ate them in a telephone booth in Terrace Arcade and God did I feel violently ill afterwards. We caught a bus back to GFS.

Mrs Cole had kept our tea and we had to eat bloody salad and chocolate cake God did I nearly bloody spew.

Shit I don’t think I’ll ever forget this bloody day. Margaret came home as drunk as hell and I still feel really full.

Well it’s now 10.30 and after bloody spending a day on a bloody guy I don’t even know, I’m off to sleep.

Monday 11 June

I got up at 7.00 had a shower then went down to breakfast. Sue did her packing.

I got dressed then went to work. Work was really busy and the day just flew, before I knew it I was walking back to GFS.

I had tea with Sue, most probably the last time ever. After tea we went up to Ruth’s room and decided to take Sue out to tea as a going away present.

We caught a bus out to Kentucky Fried Chicken (Sue, Margaret, Ruth and I), it was really pouring with rain. We bought a barrel between us and then ate it at the bus stop.

Then we caught a bus up to Kings Park to have some fairy floss but he wasn’t there so we caught a bus to Fairlanes bowling alley.

We had about four games of pool, then had an ice cream and walked back to GFS.

Well it’s now 11.00 and I’m off to bed. It’s the last night that Sue will be sharing a room with me worst luck.

GM: June 12 -17 No Entries

Monday 18 June

I got up at 7.00 and had a shower and then went down to breakfast. Margaret was in a real shit with Mrs Cole.

I got dressed and then went to work. I did mostly filing the day went really quickly which is good.

I got home from work at 5.10 and changed and waited for Ruth to come home. Margaret and Beth went around to Mrs Bank (flat around the corner) to see about a room. They came back and told us it was really great and only $7.00 a week and they told Mrs Cole they were leaving.

We went into Marg’s room and they were working out all the food they needed and they were really happy, then Margaret was called to the office.

She came back swearing and crying, Mrs Cole had rung Marg’s sister and she told Margaret if she left that she would get the women police onto her she had to ring her parents in S.A. and they were upset. Marg still packed her bags.

Well it’s really late and what a bloody day.

Tuesday 19 June

I got up at 7.00 and had a shower. Then I went down to breakfast with Ruth, Margaret was already there with Beth.

After breakfast I took a cup of coffee to my room then shaved my legs. Left for work at 8.45.

I filed during the morning, Tina was really great and posted the invoices for me. After lunch I caught up with today’s filing and then I had to go to the shop.

Nancy rang and invited me to her place next weekend and we would go and see Aunty Jan on Sunday. God I really don’t know what I’ll say to her.

Got unchanged (sic) when I got back to GFS and Julie rang me. She wanted to know if I was going to a thing like C.O.R. at school on Thursday, I wouldn’t mind but I don’t think I can worst luck.

Had tea. Margaret hasn’t been home yet. Tidied up my room. Ruth found out that she wasn’t allowed to move in with me.

I did some more knitting. I had a cup of coffee, now I’m off to bed, got to go to the dentist tomorrow.

Wednesday 20 June

I woke at 7.00 and was going to have a shower but I was too tired so I slept in until 7.30. Had breakfast then got dressed for work.

I posted invoices all day. I had a dental appointment at 11.15 and I had my last filling for at least 6 months thank God!

I posted invoices all afternoon as well as the morning.

I got back to GFS at 5.10 and waited for Ruth. Then as we were getting ready for tea Beth came in. She told us she and Margaret had stayed the night with the women police, Margaret had got the sack and had to appear in court on Friday.

God I feel bloody sorry for she is really in trouble.

Beth got bailed out but Margaret had to stay in because her shitty sister wouldn’t help her. We had tea then Ruth went out. I talked to Lynette and Norma for quite awhile then had a shower.

Ruth came home and we had soup for supper, she told me Kevin was buying her a friendship ring.

It’s now 11.00 and I’m off to bed.

Thursday 21 June

I got up at 7.30 and went to breakfast with Ruth. Then I got dressed for work. I was nearly at work today when it started pouring and my umbrella was no help at all.

I did all my old posting that had mounted up. Today I got a rise, I use to get $20.54 but today I got $24.94, but I don’t think I’ll get quite as much next week worst luck.

I got back to GFS at 5.10 and then had tea with Ruth, and Beth said she had found out that Margaret was staying at a Home. Ruth went out and I had a shower and washed and curled my hair but not really successfully.

Ruth came home at 8.30 and came in my room, we sat and watched the rain, it’s really pouring the cars have to drive really slow, the water must be at least 2 inches deep.

Well I’m going to have a cup of soup and then be off to bed, Sue Lee was going to ring but it’s 10 to 10 so I don’t think she will.

Friday 22 June

I got up at 7.30 and went down to breakfast with Ruth. Beth had breakfast with us and she was really scared, because she has to go to court today.

I got dressed and went to work. Work was really good, and I’m glad I’m actually up to date now which is really good.

I was just leaving work, to walk back to GFS when one of the men said he would drive me back seeing as it was raining. He was really funny and saying how he used to take girls out from there when he was younger.

Beth came up to Ruth’s room and told us she was let off for everything except for a fine of $13. Margaret rang while we were having tea. She told us she had been let off everything and was going back to Whyalla on Sunday.

Sue Lee rang at 6.30 and I told her about Margaret. Had a shower and did some washing.

At 8.30 I made myself a cup of coffee and now it’s 9.00, I’m off to bed early for a change.

Saturday 23 June

I got up at 9.30 and found that Ruth had left me a note to wake her up. I was a bit late she was already up.

I got dressed and went into town and bought a pair of shoes, I don’t know why because they don’t even fit me properly. Went back to GFS at 11.30 and then had lunch.

After lunch, I watched TV all afternoon. At 4.30 I packed my bags.

Nancy and Jim picked me up at 5.00 and we went back to their place. We had a really big tea watching TV.

Then after half an hour of deciding what we would do for tonight we decided we would stay home and play Monopoly. I was the drastic loser.

After a game of that and a game of Scrabble we drove into town to Charlie Brown’s and bought a pizza.

We ate that and had a cup of Milo, now at 20 to 1 I’m ready for bed.

Sunday 24 June

I woke up at 11.45 and got up and dressed. Jim was making brunch and Nancy was just finishing the washing.

Had brunch and then I had a shower and put on my Oxford bags and new shoes, they still hurt but not so much.

Watched TV until Barb and Alan came then Alan drove us all to the Anderson’s. At first when we got there everything seemed the same and then Aunty Jan started talking about Uncle Frank and I hadn’t been to see them for a long time.

That’s when I started getting shitty. Then Sue said she was going to Singapore and that I would have to go round when she had come back to see if she had bought me anything.

We left at about 5.00 and went back to Nancy’s. Barb, Alan and Becky stayed for a while then went.

Had tea watching TV. Jim fixed my record player which had been at the Anderson’s. Watched the film then Nancy and Jim drove me back to GFS now I’m off to bed.

GM: No entry for 25 or 26 June.

Wednesday 27 June

I got up at 7.30 and had breakfast at 7.45. I got dressed and then left for work.

There was hardly anything to do at work it was really boring today and it was about the first time the day didn’t go quickly.

I got back to GFS at 5.15 but waited until 5.45 for Ruth to get home so I could have tea with her. After tea I had a shower while Ruth and Beth went and made telephone calls.

Then I went into Ruth’s room and Beth gave me some really nice musk incense. It was really nice.

I put some nail polish on then had some supper and now at 10.30 I’m about to go to bed.

It hasn’t been a very exciting day at all today.

Thursday 28 June

I got up at 7.30 and tried to wake Ruth. Had breakfast then got dressed for work. I decided to wear my hair in high pigtails today.

I got to work the usual time but there was only Tina in the office. It’s Mike’s birthday today. I wished him happy birthday.

It’s also Julie Hampton’s birthday today. I finished mailing invoices today. Mike bought everyone morning tea.

In the afternoon I used the IBM electric type writer for the first time and have decided I don’t ever want to use a manual again.

I got back to GFS at 5.10 and got undressed then I waited for Ruth so I could have tea with her.

Had tea then talked in Ruth’s room. Then I had a shower and washed my hair.

It’s now 8.30, I’m now going to pay my board, watch the film on TV and go to bed.

I’ve just come back from watching the film, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?“. It wasn’t as good as I expected.

Now I’m off to bed it’s 11.30.

Friday 29 June

I got up at 7.30 and woke Ruth we had breakfast then I got dressed and left for work.

At first I didn’t have anything to do so I told Kath and she gave me a whole lot of typing to do and I did it on the electric typewriter, I did that all day.

I got back to GFS at 5.15 and had tea. Afterwards I watched a bit of TV then Beth came and asked me to help her move her things as she was shifting over here with Ruth.

We were just bringing over the last load when Sue Lee and Bella came. We were talking in my room for quite awhile then Sue pulled out a bottle of brandy. I didn’t have any.

When they left I went into Ruth’s room and was pretending I was drunk they really got sucked in.

I said I was going to do my washing at 1 AM and I was going to sleep on the floor. At one time I pretended that I thought I had set fire to Ruth’s bed.

It’s 1.30 now I’m off to bed they think on the floor not a bed.

Saturday 30 June

I got up at 9.00 and went down and had a cup of coffee. I was just drinking my coffee and pretending I had a hangover when Julie rang up. She asked me to go to the pictures with her.

I went into town in the morning and bought Julie a birthday present and some things for myself and came back nearly broke. I bought some smokes.

When I got back to GFS lots of the girls were talking about me on Friday night God everyone was really sucked in.

I had lunch and then Janette rang up. I didn’t say anything about last night. She asked me if I was going to the pictures I said that I didn’t think I was. I said that because I didn’t want her to go.

I met Julie and Sue in town at 5.00 thank God they came because this revolting guy was trying to con me up. The picture was really great and afterwards we went and had coffee at the Unicorn and then we were conned up by these guys there.

Afterwards we walked back to GFS smoking and laughing and singing it was really great. I told a lot of bullshit about being drunk all the time.

Then I walked Julie, Sue and Kim to their bus stop then came back to GFS and told her that I had been drinking Bacardi all night and a whole lot of other bullshit. I really don’t know what has got into me.

Well it’s 11.30 and I’m off to bed now.

Greg’s Comments

On 5 June Ray is trying to send a message by playing “I’ve Got To Have You”. It would have been the version by Carly Simon, which was a hit the previous year.

The picture is the album cover that the song appears in. Surely, they would have warned poor old Carly that here skirt was see-through?

From about this point in the Diary Trenna starts missing days. This escalates in future months to the point that there is only enough entries to fill two more posts in this 1973 Diary series.

However, there is still much, much more to come.