The COVID-19 & Corona free thread.

[Saitch]

We never wore shoes to school, in Redcliffe, until high school. Them toffs from De La Salle probably did but they're probably making up for it now.

I have it on good authority that the toff you're referring to didn't wear shoes until going to De la Salle. They also found the first few weeks mighty uncomfortable, with shoes, long socks and a freakin' tie, not to mention the lid that had to be worn when outside the grounds.

A bit of a culture shock after five years at Kallangur S.S., shoeless. Still, it was better than becoming one of the Redcliffe High riff raff, though!

[Bigbjorn]

But did they wear shoes, Brian?
As an aside, my FiL was educated at a Catlick school in Belfast, prewar. As Catholics in a Protestant dominated city, work was occasional ad hoc. My FiL's family were so poor, three boys shared one pair of shoes between them. They took turns with the shoes, carrying them to and from school, to save wear, puting them on at the school gate. This was done regardless of the weather or snow on the ground.

Ian, I honestly can't remember. At the state school about half the boys went barefoot. Not so the girls. A mate who was the fourth boy in a family of eight children told me he never had a new pair of shoes until he left school and started work and bought them himself.

[4bee]

I got caned twice, the second time I was sent home for 2 weeks.

Apparently grabbing the cane in the hand that’s taken the strike, pulling it from the Headmasters hand and whacking him across the head with it isn’t acceptable. Who knew!

I was also assaulted by a Geography teacher from South Africa. Decided to pull my chatty arse out of my seat by my ear. Torn cartilage on my ear resulted in a broken nose for him.

That one at least didn’t result in any further action as the school wasn’t keen on the full story coming out.

JEEZUZ! I promise I will not mess with you if we ever meet Mr Tombs. No, honest.

[aussearcher]

No boy at Norman Park SS wore shoes before grade 5, and not many after that. The school oval was more gravel than grass and there was no "Blood Rule" for footy games.

[bob10]

We never wore shoes to school, in Redcliffe, until high school. Them toffs from De La Salle probably did but they're probably making up for it now.

I bet you didn't go skinny dipping in the creeks in the bush behind the school like we did at Stafford Heights. Or catch eels and yabbies while wagging school. My favourite job at Stafford Heights was milk monitor. You got to drink as much of the left over milk as you could. The only downside was the other boys thought you were teachers pet if you were always on the roster. Then you had to watch yourself when playing red rover, head high tackles were the go. I was inside centre for the five stone sevens, [ weight divisions those days. ] kept me on my toes. We still found it hard to beat Stafford State school, though. Ah, the good old days. Wasn't life great in Brisbane then. Just a big country town. We would walk to Stafford terminus to catch the tram to the valley, a leisurely tram ride , mum would do the shopping, and if we were really lucky, or actually if the purse could afford it, we would go into town for a pie and peas at some big shop, it was a legend in Brisbane , apparently. Can't remember its name, while Mum caught up, with friends & relatives. Then down to the matinee at Stafford movies, where we booed the baddies, and cheered the Indians. And chucked Jaffas' at mates who were lucky enough to have a girl at the movie. Then walked home past the smelly tannery. Come to think of it we did a lot of walking in those days, but not normally at night. The coppers would put you in the back of the car and deliver you to your home, and Father. Not a good outcome.

[V8Ian]

I bet you didn't go skinny dipping in the creeks in the bush behind the school like we did at Stafford Heights. Or catch eels and yabbies while wagging school. My favourite job at Stafford Heights was milk monitor. You got to drink as much of the left over milk as you could. The only downside was the other boys thought you were teachers pet if you were always on the roster. Then you had to watch yourself when playing red rover, head high tackles were the go. I was inside centre for the five stone sevens, [ weight divisions those days. ] kept me on my toes. We still found it hard to beat Stafford State school, though. Ah, the good old days. Wasn't life great in Brisbane then. Just a big country town. We would walk to Stafford terminus to catch the tram to the valley, a leisurely tram ride , mum would do the shopping, and if we were really lucky, or actually if the purse could afford it, we would go into town for a pie and peas at some big shop, it was a legend in Brisbane , apparently. Can't remember its name, while Mum caught up, with friends & relatives. Then down to the matinee at Stafford movies, where we booed the baddies, and cheered the Indians. And chucked Jaffas' at mates who were lucky enough to have a girl at the movie. Then walked home past the smelly tannery. Come to think of it we did a lot of walking in those days, but not normally at night. The coppers would put you in the back of the car and deliver you to your home, and Father. Not a good outcome.

Was the "big shop" McWhirters, bounded by George, Tank and North Quay?
Could've been Penny's, on Queen Street.
Both were notable for their nosh.

[bob10]

Was the "big shop" McWhirters, bounded by George, Tank and North Quay?
Could've been Penny's, on Queen Street.
Both were notable for their nosh.

Think it may have been penny's. I believe when they pulled it down, they took apart the café, and rebuilt it in the new building. Their pie and peas , on a plate, just like the toffs, was to die for. I seem to remember it was near the State Dental school, where Mum used to take us to be tortured. The drills were operated by belt, and used to grind away making a horrible noise. Mum paid for me to have some gold put in my front tooth, must have cost heaps. Then Dad took to me to the trials for the Brisbane High School Rugby League squad to play Ipswich and Toowoomba, and some Michelton thug knocked it out. Found out later I was short listed for the A team, and the thugs coach told him to take me out. Michelton were almost as big as thugs as Redcliffe. I still may have made the squad, but I did my Ligament in my knee in the last trial. Bummer. Joined the Navy after that and played Rugby. Found out the lads at Blacktown were just as hard as the ones at Redcliffe. Still , happy days. I actually had an offer to go to Wests and have a trial with their age side, rugby league. Not sure now what side it was, but the Navy wouldn't give me the time off. Probably just as well.

[Bigbjorn]

Was the "big shop" McWhirters, bounded by George, Tank and North Quay?
Could've been Penny's, on Queen Street.
Both were notable for their nosh.

Ian, that was McDonnell and East. Finney Isles and Penneys in Queen St. both had good dining rooms.

[scarry]

McWhirters were in the Valley.Brunswick,Whickam,and Warner sts.

Still there, actually,but been refurbished into a block of units around 25yrs ago.

[V8Ian]

Ian, that was McDonnell and East. Finney Isles and Penneys in Queen St. both had good dining rooms.

I

McWhirters were in the Valley.Brunswick,Whickam,and Warner sts.

Still there, actually,but been refurbished into a block of units around 25yrs ago.

Gentleman and Brian, I stand corrected.
Mac'n'East it was, I was confusing my Irish and Scottish shopkeepers. McWhirters was on the Valley Corner, bought by Myer and with Waltons and TC Beirnes famous for their Christmas Windows.