Lottie Beaton's Diary

Letterhead: "R.A.O.B., G.C.A. TRITON LODGE ORIENT No. 39. Box 23 Reedy. June 24 1941."

Content: "L. Beaton Cogla. Will you please excuse the beginning of this letter for I don't know whether a lady or a gentleman wrote the wonderful expression of thanks I recieved today. When one receives expressions of thanks and gratitude such as this one doesn't mind doing anything to ease and comfort those in trouble and in distress. I heartily endorse your remarks of Rev Barlee service and I am more than pleased you liked the service rendered by me. As you deeply and feelingly appreciate the assistance we were able to give to you and yours so also do we deeply and feelingly appreciate the thanks you have expressed to us. Your memories are beautiful ones and so also will ours always be. Thanking you once again and hoping to always remain Yours very sincerely Syd. Bennett Secretary."

"Cogla Reedy West Australia Oct 1st 1941. This is my second attempt at keeping Diary. my first having been lost with lots of interesting things and dates. So now I'll put some down from memory and continue with any real happenings at present. Ron is in England with RAAF having enlisted two years ago has now finished his course as a fitter. Peter enlisted soon after and arrived Malaya on the 10th Feb. 1942. and it fell on the 15th and we have not heard from him. so he is either a prisoner or dead. the former I feel sure. God I'd know by instinct if he were dead and I watch week to get news of him. Jean Kalgoorlie with the three bo... down Adelaide. in a Govt- job. Jean joining in time. Charl in Perth having"

"an A.W.A.S. (Australian Women Army Service) 15 F. [Feb] 1942. Edith married. Alex married and at home at present. but soon joining up. Beth already gone to Perth. Barlie at Yalgoo. managing with two children. Robert & Anne. and Margaret gone to Bunbury 16 Edward Street - little girls Madeline Judy & Heather with Ray her husband. Instructor at Harvey Camp."

Jan 28th 1942: 850 ewes arrived here bought from Albert Butters Marandong

Jan 28th 1942: Jean left Kalgoorlie for Adelaide by trans train

Feb 9th 1942: Alex left by train for Perth join the Military forces.

Feb 14th 1942: Mollie Anne & Robert. left for Claremont. going Beach cottage Rockingham

Feb 29th 1942: Cow. Teddy with Poly and Molly at paddock

Jan 17th 1943: "This is a poem I thought well worth recording. printed by the Western Mail made available by Mr Frank A Oakes of Roebourne brother of A E Oakes. (Amiler) also who wrote the verses in 1909. naming them A Message to Australia"

Poem: "My words shall be stern & steady / My message is grave and great / Warned by your guns Australia Sons / The brown men are at your gate / My words are not idle spoken / I speak of the things I know / Your blood cannot mix or mingle / The brown or the white must go / From the Gulf of Carpentaria / To the lip of the Southern sea / They will strip ye bare to bone & hair / They will beat ye to your knees / They will plough your fields with bayonets / They will strip ye before your maids to shame / They will strip ye bare to bone & hair / They will light ye up with flame"

Poem (continued): "Stand by your guns Australias sons / Watch out for your need is great / They will strip ye bare to bone & hair / Those brown men at your gate"

Feb 29th 1943: Barlie left by train for Rockingham

March 19th 1943: Left Cue arriving Greenbushes 31st March 1943 G B to stay with Ruby Loning (nee de Kalmen) on Thunderlarra Station

March 30th 1943: Barlie Mollie & family came home. Edith down following day.

April 1st 1943: Planted Nandina trees at Nandina Farm and settled down to a week here. which is long enough to stay in any place then on to Bunbury.

April 14th 1943: Peter Birth day born 1918. I. spent the day wandering about Bunbury watched a storm at sea which was grand and it swept back to the land. and got caught in it taking shelter At the Police Barracks

April 24th 1943: Arrived home by train, 20 rams from Mr Thompson arrived same train.

May 5th 1943: 5 cows arrived home from Morrisseys paddock

May 6th 1943: Charl went to Melbourne address WF45947 Lieut C E Beaton, Grong Grong J. A. L A.W.A.O.D. Toorak Road. J Toorak Melbourne Victoria

June 19th 1943: Charl arrived home on leave of five days at home

August 29th 1943: Mollie left for Perth to nurse her mother Amie came to stay for several months.

Oct 1st 1943: Italy just surrendered.

Oct 23rd 1943: left Meekatharra by plane to Kalgoorlie. arriving Sunday.

Oct 28th 1943: left Kalgoorlie for Adelaide arriving 30th Jean & boys meeting the train. and we drove to the home she is renting for the duration of war Harold leaving for West Australia by plane on Thursday Nov 4th to a Govt Job.

Nov 28th 1943: To Jean & Harold a daughter was born today. and her name is Jillian at the Calvary Hospital North Adelaide

Jan 8th 1944: walked to Kilburn post Office to get one pound that Edith sent me from Geraldton for my birthday. forced it to me on the day. I jan. I heard for the second time the value of Khaki Campbell ducks as layers and table birds. so will roar then when I get back home. Cogla West Australia

Feb 2nd 1944 Port Noalunga: arrived yesterday and found the beach a very safe and safe one for children so look forward to a real fortnight rest here Harold Jean four children and myself L Beaton

March 5th 1944: Went to top of Mt Lofty by car with Mr and Mrs Harold Stevens, Henrietta Street, Enfield Adelaide

March 21st 1944: left Adelaide by train to Perth 24. leaving for Cue on 28th by Murchison train arriving home 30th Cogla. Reedy.

April 5th 1944: Tiddley a bull calf. Poley one also a few days later and some weeks later Mollie Anne with one also Three Bull calfs. One turned out to be a heifer. Mollie Anne looney bin!

Nov 1944: Cyrus won the Melbourne Cup Peter Pan second

Nov 29th 1944: Daddie & Barlie went to Perth today

Nov 30th 1944: 43 point storm fell today

Jan 1st 1945: Gay Parade won the Perth Cup Smithie second Earl monde third I backed Blonde Princess. worse luck

Feb 4th 1945: 150 points rain fell to Yalotte

April 2nd 1945: registered heat today 102. 30 points rain fell about a week ago warm and sometimes hot to end of may

May 22nd 1945: Irene Beaton died today

June 27th 1945: A weeks rain. 308. 1945

July 15th 1945: Ron Beaton arrived by plane to Perth. after four years in England.

Aug 15th 1945: Japan surrendered. today Russia declared war on her and We used our atomic bomb.

Sept 2nd 1945: The surrender paper were signed to-day on board the Missouri by the Japanese.

Sept 1st 1945: Barlie took over as Manager of Reedy hotel today. leaving Cogla on previous Wednesday

Sept 17th 1945: A telegram from Peter today from Rangoon "safe in British hands. hope to be home shortly. Peter"

Sept 17th 1945: Jean & family went to Melbourne from Adelaide today. to live

Sept 26th 1945: A letter from Peter today written on 11 Sept in Thailand. hoping soon to be home telling of all the illness & starvation but was well when working in his 3 1/2 years prisoner of war in Japanese hands

Oct 24th 1945: Peter arrived by Morton Bay today from Singapore after three years a Prisoner of War in Siam

Nov 10th 1945: Peter and Connie came to Cogla by plane today, Daddie and I by train

April 21st 1946 Cogla Downs: Easter Sunday spent the morning in bed. Joan bringing my breakfast. April to date has been exceptionally dry and hot.

July 20th 1946 Cogla Downs: Up to date there has been no big falls of rain. and not a green blade. for miles lots of heavy frost very cold winds & showers of rain up to ten points

Oct 10th 1946: Still no rain. days cool. nights sometimes cold on 12 September Peter was married

Oct 17th 1946: she said "I am tired of knitting" "and knitting and knitting" "and knitting" If the M.O. said "go" I would not be slow slow sitting and knitting. Im Flitting Charlotte composed and won a pound while a patient in the Army General hospital at Northam

Nov 12th 1946: A week of cold west wind. dust storm high only fit to stop shearing

Dec 8th 1946: no rain up to now. few hot day Cogla 104. Yarrabubba 114. Coodardie 111. Nallan 109. lots of cold wind following

Jan 1st 1947 Cogla Downs: No rain up to date everything parched and dry. Cool nights

Feb 4th 1947: Fierce winds thunder and lightning extreme heat. night. as well as day which is quite unusual for here and very little rain

Feb 22nd 1947 Cogla Cue: our first cool day small storms once more. the worst Feb weather we had since coming here 34 years. and tomorrow we begin packing for a move to Mundaring Tenants have vacated the house after nearly twelve months of Court cases.

Feb 24th 1947: 46 points rain fell sat night. nothing on Sunday. and between then & the following Sat: 380 points. 300. at

Yalotte. and this week 6th March a further 35 points Tuesday night and 25 last night. bringing the amount to 440 points. for the fortnight and the country around homestead has turned from Brown to green rain falling at night intervals

March 16th 1947: Left Cogla. for Meekatharra Edith with us. where we stayed a full week leaving for Nallan station on the 24th. for Wudagda. our next stop Beaconsfield our next. Moora and on Friday the 28th arrived at Mundaring after a very good trip down in a Model B Ford utility joining Charlotte in our Community home. 1 1/2 acres of land. and we mean to grow lots of things. L & C Beaton

April 23rd 1947 Mundaring: Days quite hot. rained a little last week Nell & Jack popley came out to see us.

Nov 4th 1947: Melbourne Cup was won today by Haifari Fresh Boy 2nd. Red Fury - 3rd

Feb 9th 1948: Ron has been down from Kondonin for a fortnight. having Dr. treatment for his nose. Dr Einavoici. a specialist on nose throat & ear.

March 7th 1948: Alex & Beth left for Cogla today going thro Geraldton

Sept 30th 1948: To date the month has been freezing Cold winds gusts & showers

Oct 11th 1948: To date cold wet & gusty

Nov 3rd 1948: Lennard Brain died in the Three springs Hospital. A well loved Brother. in. law.

Nov 17th 1948: At times still freezing cold showers of rain 225 points on 12th this month.

Jan 1st 1949: Perth Cup. won by Gurtha Black Law 2nd Prince Brian 3rd

April 17th 1949: Our first rain on Easter Sat- yesterday. and more today Easter Sunday

April 22nd 1949: Royal Acadamy. won Kings Cup Connie my companion for the day

April 28th 1949: 70 135. points in 24 hours

Oct 18th 1949: All thro Aug Sept & up to date cold East winds. and for the month nice rains up to 100 points spread over the month and. no hot days at all We went to Meekatharra with Bob Graham eary in Aug. to Meekatharra for a month. Cogla for a fortnight. Cue & Nallan station for a fortnight. saw no green Meekatharra end. good from Yalgoo down. Bobs car a Hillman 14. and travelled beautifully

Oct 22nd 1949: A sad happening Bobbie Graham died to day by a fall from tank in Railway yards

Nov 1st 1949: Melbourne Cup won by. Foxzami. owned by Mr Robinson 2 B Hoyle. 3 Benvold.

Nov 29th 1949 Mundaring: our first really hot day.

Jan 1st 1950: Perth cup. won by Beau Vasse Peofred second Bhoetas third

Feb 6th 1950: Had two Stoneville boys for week end Allan Burnet and Kennith Stevens. both English boys only two years out -

March 16th 1950: Edith left by car. at half past five this morning for. Meekatharra. with. Mr Hogg Drs wife Micheal Hogg. 2 1/2. Susan Hogg two month. just themselves to do the long trip. very sure of themselves hope they have a good trip a wire from Edith "17th" march Had a good trip. reached Meekatharra same night.

April 12th 1950: Peter went thro to Bencubbin this morning. Barbara Stevens with him

April 2nd 1950: Allan Burnett & Arthur Crocket to stay the week end.

May 2nd 1950 Mundaring: yesterday and today hot & dry

May 3rd 1950: Charles Keith Blair passed by today on his way to Rawlinna 800 miles from Perth thro Norseman and beyond. on a wild dog expedition of which he is in charge for. W A. was overseer for us at Cogla. when we bought it in 1920. afterward owned Meenthena at Marble Bar. reared a family of 4 or 5. and has now sold out. his interest there. to enjoy a change of climate.

July 1st 1950 Mundaring: Peter took ourselves and Ron to his home in Scarborough Grande Parade no 62 to his home just finished which he designed himself. very good

and we had a most enjoyable day so pleased to see he & Connie with a home of their own. very cold frost in many spots.

Nov 1st 1950 Mundaring: Rained all day. today heavy wind and still raining tonight

Nov 7th 1950: The Melbourne Cup was won today by Comic Court - 1st Chicquita 2nd Morde Code 3rd.

Jan 19th 1951: Left Perth by plane. arriving Mordialloc 20th Victoria

Feb 3rd 1951: Picnic Ferntree Gully & to top half way up Dandenongs. going to stop later in afternoon to swimming pool at Emerald Lakes. whole of range beautiful. fertile country lots potatoes grown.

Feb 4th 1951: Motor run to Mornington. along most interesting beaches

Dec 29th (year unstated): Perth Cup won today by Atyamit, 1st -

May 23rd 1961: Ron went by plane to Adelaide. today on Chamberlains business

June 13th 1961: Telegram from Alex. saying 350 points rain at Cogla. to month date

Jan 1st 1962: Perth Cup won by

Oct 12th 1962: Jean arrived by train from Melbourne to stay with us till Oct 26th when she returns by plane to Mordialloc Victoria

May 26th 1952: Edith & Bill Marian & Nanna left today for Meekatharra. camped most of the way.

Oct 25th 1952: Jean returned to Melbourne. by TAA plane this evening after spending two weeks with us

Nov 5th 1952: Melbourne Cup won today by Nov 1 Dalray 1st. W Williamson No 19 Welcome Run 2nd Jam Martin Reformed 3rd.

Nov 5th: Three first Winners Dalray today Delta last year Comic Court third year

Jan 1st 1953: Perth Cup won today by Raconteur 1st - Jewel Pun 2nd Coronate 3rd.

Sept 16th 1953: Nanna Rollins died today

Nov 5th 1953: Melbourne Cup Winner Wodalla 1st - Most Regalto 2nd My Hero 3rd.

Nov 23rd 1953: Monday. Alex spent this week end with us and left this morning to go to Weld Club where he will stay till Friday. and will then go by plane to Cue. and home. he has had his second hernia operation. and has been a month away. It is also our fifty year Wedding anniversary

March 23rd 1954: Tuesday. Edith Marian and Bill left for Meekatharra this morning at 1/4 past 8.

July 25th 1954: Charles Beaton passed away at three oclock this morning. 14 Lyall st South Perth.

Aug 14th 1954: Edith left by Bus to Geraldton today. Meekatharra by Deisel tomorrow

Nov 2nd 1954: Tuesday. Melbourne Cup Rising Fast 1st Hellion 2nd Gay Hellious 3rd

Nov 1st 1955: Winner of Melbourne Cup. No 11 - 1st Toparoa. 1st No 1 - Rising Fast 2nd No 15. Sir William 3rd

Feb 25th 1956: Jean and myself went to Red Camp. 300. miles along the N.W. Road. Branching off at Wangaratta. 25. miles to Red Camp home of Mr. Evan Evans. returned Sunday afternoon calling at Puckapunyal to see Jim in National Training. got home by nine oclock to Mordialloc 1 Albert st. where I am staying with Jean & Harold Thomas.

March 6th 1956: Edith left for Meekatharra going thro Geraldton

March 18th 1956: We went to Shallow Inlet - Foster Gippsland this week end to see Peg and Frosty Fincham. very interesting trip Country much different to any I've seen scrubby growth. good port. people do well with 1300 acres fat lamb and dealers of it. in Jam fall

Nov 1st 1956: Winner of Melbourne Cup Evening Peal 1st Red craige 2nd Rising fast 3rd

Jan 1st 1956: Perth Cup Elmsfield 1st

May 9th 1957: Alex & Desmond left by plane this morning for Cogla

May 18th 1957: Peter left for Dongara this morning

July 26th 1957: Peter again left for Dongara Bet to stay with Margaret for a fortnight has had major operation

Nov 6th 1957: Melbourne Cup Straight draw. 1st. Prince Darius 2nd Panclic Pun 3rd

March 20th 1958: Judy's son arrived last night - whether before or after twelve I do not yet know.

Sticky Note: "This diary is printed in 'Land and Gold'"

Book Label: "March THE SWAN EXERCISE BOOK 1956. Name: L Beaton. Class: 14 Lyall St. Subject: South Perth"

Jan 1st 1958: Perth Cup Winner 1st Taiselher, Tribal Ring 2nd

Feb 18th 1958: Madeline McKay began work with West Australian News Paper

Feb 27th 1958: Peter left to return to Dongara by [Deryck?] truck Madeline returned home after three months with him at Dongara

March 4th 1958: Went to Metricup for the week end.

April 26th 1958: Jim Thomas left by plane for Wittenoom to work on Mulga Downs station

July 14th 1958: Edith left for Meekatharra today. returning by car ... had lovely week together

July 22nd 1958: A E Broad of Kirkalocka died at Pindar. buried his station home today

Aug 9th 1958: left for Meekatharra by plane returning 29. September. nice resting holiday to Edith Alex and Morrissey in Cue district returning trip Kirkalocka and by plane to Perth on 29th

May 11th 1958: Melbourne Cup. Baystone 1st, Monte Carlo 2nd, Red Pine 3rd.

Oct 15th 1958: Mr Bulloch of Bullochs Transport Wittenoom pt East-Perth, died today

Nov 30th 1958: Edith returned to Meekatharra after week with Margaret came down with Hospital secretary

Blank page with ink bleed-through from the previous page.

Dec 16th 1958: Peter Thomas arrived by train from Melbourne. His mother, Jean, and Jill a few days later to stay until the 28 January Jim also from Mulga Downs

Jan 1st 1959: Taiselher won the Perth Cup today La Cia 2nd Mac's Amber 3rd

Jan 28th 1959: Peter returned Jean Jill & Mordialloc by train to Mordialloc visit to Perth after 7 weeks visit to Perth

Feb 2nd 1959: Marion went by Bus to Geraldton today

Feb 9th 1959: Edith & Bill left by car for Dongara this morning

Feb 12th 1959: Alex went home this morning Phyliss Morrissey as passenger

April 2nd 1959: Charlotte took us (Aunt M West and myself) to Albany. Emu Point for Easter four days.

April 11th 1959: Edith is down with Ron and came over with he and his sweet little girls Christine & Lynette for Mothers Day Madge not yet out of hospital. I had lovely day. lovely flowers and many other nice things Peter rang from Dongara. long letter from Kelmscott also from Jean.

June 9th 1959: Anne Beaton died today age 93.

Aug 26th 1959: Came to Dongara by train to stay with Peter & Bet

Sept 28th 1959: returning to South Perth tomorrow with Peter by car.

Nov 3rd 1959: Melbourne Cup 1959 Macdougal 1st Nethergold 2nd White Hills 3rd

Jan 1st 1960: Perth Cup. Rendition 1st Brown Express 2nd Cunderdin 3rd

Jan 1st 1960: Perth A strange year ending with rain most days thro December & rained all day New Years Day and every day since and it is now the 7th but not out back where it is most wanted

Feb 1960: moved to Floreat Park 100 Alderbury Road. Corner block Rosedale St.

March 11th 1960: Bill Fisher left by car to Meekatharra going Moora first stop. Edith to stay a week longer

July 7th 1960: J A Beaton died today

July 16th 1960: Mollie Taylor died today.

15-9-60: "sorry a bit late with this lot. but would like to write a little about the weather to date cold and showery today. have had a miles of cold winds and cold rain. so will be pleased when it holds off and we get good spring weather and help the growth of the plants and give us a comfort of living"

21st October 1960: "marian fisher sitting still and wishing. makes no person great. the good lord sent the fishing. but we must dig the baits"

October 28: "planted Liquid Amber tree and Roberta Blown came this afternoon"

Signed: "L Beaton Floreat Park"

Tuesday 3-11-60: Melbourne Cup won by Hi. Jinks 1st, Bowcée 2nd, Alunga

Perth Cup: won by Englands Dusk, Kilginane 2, Thomps Bay 3

Monday 2-January 1961: "Had three wins on my Chosen horses 'Kilginane' paying 2-10-. Rowa Rowas 5/-. Tambles 5/-. Redrooes coming youth"

24-2-61, Tuesday evening: "Harold and Daniel Peter & Jill left by car to return to Mordiallac, Jean staying till later."

Oct 11th 1960: Reginald James Charles Beaton born 11th Oct 1960

Feb 2nd 1961: Jean left by train to return home to Mordialloc Victoria.

March 11th 1961: Edith & Bill left for Meekatharra by car at 20 past nine this morning expecting to arrive there by 6 in evening

March 15th 1961: Gwen Graham spent the day with me and took me to Sorrento Beach. and I saw for the first time the solid cement Dome tea room. well built cement brick toilet rooms shelter sheds made with Kentia Palms right on Beach.

Sept 28th 1961: Peter left yesterday to return to Dongara. after one fright with us, half a bad Rigors attack. bit came down to have a [?] sharpened at Mr [Edgecards?] shop

Oct 2nd 1961: Judy and Greame Stanton got home to Floreat at half past nine last night after leaving Kalgoorlie 9 10 morning, taking their car off the train coming from Melbourne

Oct 15th 1961: brought home 5 day black day old chicks & put them under the Golden R I R hen who would not give up clucking until she got some chicks 4 of kept it up for a year

Nov 24th 1961: Jillian Thomas was married today at Mordialloc Victoria

Late 1961: Perth Cup Royal Coral 1st Little Empire 2nd Ghost town 3rd went out with Bill & Edith

Handwriting Note: "Dear old John. how little we thought about it being the last time we should ever see him again. A well loved son in law L Beaton"

Jan 11th 1962: Edith and Charlotte left at 2 oclock to go for a visit to Albany Mrs West and Robert - W with them. leaving Bill Fisher and myself (L Beaton) to look after the ranch, 100 Alderbury st Floreat Park

March 26th 1962: Friday. Malcolm John Beaton was born today at about 2 oclock at King Edward Hospital

March 24th 1963: Jack Hope died at Geraldton in the Nazareth Home age 82.

Feb 19th 1964: Helen Brain died today in Parkside Hospital South Perth age 80 years

Sept 29th 1964: Kenneth Beaton died today age 88 years.

Handwriting Note: 1963 (written upside down)

June 12th 1964: Edith & Marian left for Meekatharra this morning going as far as Kirkalocka the first. Marian on finished at Freemantle Hospital, new course of nursing training at, King Edward

Mid 1964 (Undated): Perth Cup Winner Royal Coral 1st Charols Choice 2nd Friendly 2nd

Feb 17th 1966: Mr West & Wendy West came & had dinner with us and we took them to find Margaret in a house at Apple Cross

Sept 22nd 1966: It is now September 22nd 1966 and I want to write an important happening in my life. my father Robert Broad left Dongara in 1888 in Waggon & horses my mother Elizabeth Broad driving herself in a spring cart with four children myself one of them. also my sister Amie. and Fred my brother to do a 170 mile journey to Wydgee station and when we got there had to stay in tents until one was built. just a large one hut housed us all together with a ton of flour same of sugar & oats. a ton of tea & jam and pickles and general goods. only 5 or 6 hundred sheep no paddocks and they were sheparded by the natives until such time as paddocks could be and years later a better house to go on we went children grew up and helped with the station work myself marry Chas Beaton and moving to Thundelarra 50 miles

Handwriting Note: Thundelarra 50 miles