Australia Our Home (105)

Rbjustme: I had the fortune, of knowing my great grandmother, a lady from the days when times were very pressing and stressful. She went through the great depression and two world wars. She saw a relative go down with the Titanic, she lost relatives in both world wars, she saw a son go off to the second world war, she raised his sons children as if her own during that period, but she never complained.

I used to love going to her house and sampling the old style of cooking, the best meals I have ever eaten, the stories she used to tell, both terrible and the good.

She told me a story I will never forget, the last time I saw her about her mother, and Ned Kelly. Her mum,(my great great grandmother) was out in her yard chopping wood and the Kelly gang rode up to the house, she immediately recognised them and drew a derringer pistol (a miniature 2 shot weapon) from her stocking.

Ned Kelly, quietly said to her, Lady we are not going to hurt you, we just want to know if you could give us some water and some flour to feed some hungry people and children that we know?

My great great grandmother, placed the derringer back into her stocking and obliged, Ned Kelly thanked her and then rode away with the gang, they never returned or pestered her again. My great grandmother obtained possession of the derringer after her mum passed away, but had given it to one of her sons, and I never saw it, I believe it is now lost.

Rbjustme: That doesn't mean we all take that attitude, it's stupidity.

justjim63: Yep You hit the nail on the head Merri, We have our share of problems here but compared to many nations our is truly wonderful. The fact that we can air our views online is something that we take for granted, In some countries You could be jailed or executed for doing it. We have a functional democratic government and living standards that are the envy of the world. So concentrate on the good, for it outweighs the bad by a hell of a lot.

justjim63: Thanks for sharing Rb, It made me think of My grandparents and how tough they had it in their day. After my Grandad got back from the First World War He and My Grandmother lived in a bark hut with a dirt floor. He was a timber cutter felling trees for the clearing of Glen Maggie dam (You might know it since You're a fellow Gippslander) and My Gran had to walk 5 miles into town to get groceries etc. Also My Dad, to this very day won't eat rabbits or mushrooms as when He was a kid that's often all there was to eat. So folks, if You think we have it rough today, think again. We're awfully lucky to live here.

justjim63: Bloody hell Rb I could buy You a beer mate! thanks for calling a spade a spade, As far as Robp being a respected member that's a matter of personal opinion not fact.
He's a character I'll give You that but some of his posts have been a little out there to put it mildly.
As for our country, I love the place, it's a paradise on earth. I served 17 years and saw some pretty crappy places run by some even crappier people. Yes by all means if You don't love it then leave.

justjim63: Bloody hell Rb I could buy You a beer mate! thanks for calling a spade a spade, As far as Robp being a respected member that's a matter of personal opinion not fact.
He's a character I'll give You that but some of his posts have been a little out there to put it mildly.
As for our country, I love the place, it's a paradise on earth. I served 17 years and saw some pretty crappy places run by some even crappier people. Yes by all means if You don't love it then leave.

justjim63: Bloody hell Rb I could buy You a beer mate! thanks for calling a spade a spade, As far as Robp being a respected member that's a matter of personal opinion not fact.
He's a character I'll give You that but some of his posts have been a little out there to put it mildly.
As for our country, I love the place, it's a paradise on earth. I served 17 years and saw some pretty crappy places run by some even crappier people. Yes by all means if You don't love it then leave.