15 Year Old Trenna’s Own Words

This series of transcripts starts here.

1 March – 15 March 1973

Thursday 1 March 

Got up at 7.00 had a shower and breakfast then I met Julie and Sue at 8.30. 

BC was the same as usual. I met Julie and Sue at 4.15 we talked then I walked Sue to her bus stop, we were really being stupid. 

I got home at 5.15. There was a message for me to ring Jan. I had tea and at 6.20 Jan rang me and asked if I wanted to go to Putt Putt. 

They picked me up at 7.00. Mrs Nelson bought me a really nice top. 

Went to Putt Putt and Ian was there. Finally on the 12th hole I got to talk to him. He was really nice and well mannered. There were two other guys with him. 

We left at 10.15. I just couldn’t believe that I had talked to Ian, he was really beautiful.  He also won the tournament his score was 33.

COMMENT FROM TRENNA WHEN TRANSCRIBING

Mrs Nelson bought me a really nice top! I think the only top I ever was bought from her was a top she bought from (Clarks) in Vic Park. It was a knit short sleeve, V neck, button up, light blue at the top and light blue, white and pink striped arms and bottom of the top, not really modern but I wore it lots of times for BC then work, as well as casual outings. [GM (in 2022): I’m thinking it is the top she is wearing in the photo at the start of The 1973 Diary, Part 4, here.]

Friday 2 March

I woke at 7.00 but didn’t get up till 7.30, Lynette had already gone. I wore my new top that Mrs Nelson bought me. 

BC was the same except there was a party for Mrs Combes birthday and I was nearly sick after eating a great big piece of cream cake. 

Back to GFS at 4.30 and then I packed my things and went over to Janette’s. I got there at 20 to 6. We had tea then went over to the Club. 

Darryl brought his bike. It was only one wheel and no steering wheel and he rides it really well. 

After taking everyone home we went back to Janette’s place, had some supper and then we went to bed.

Saturday 3 March

Got up at 10.00, had breakfast then we went and had a game of snooker. After lunch we went to Putt Putt and Ian came. I couldn’t believe it. 

He stayed in his car (maroon). Then he drove off with Mike and came back about half an hour later.  Then he went home and I didn’t see him again. 

I really like him better than any other guy I’ve ever known. John was in a really bad mood and would hardly even talk to us. 

Mr Nelson picked us up at 5.15. We had tea then at 7.00 we went to his church meeting at Tuart Hill. It went from 7.00 till 9.30 and was really boring. 

After that we went over to Putt Putt. They were having a Putt Putt marathon and it was in aid of Legacy. We stayed there till 11.00 then took Wendy home, then came home to Jan’s and went to bed.

Sunday 4 March

Got up at 10.00 and found a note which Mrs Nelson left saying to get our own breakfast. We didn’t have to go to church. We had our breakfast then went and played snooker. 

After lunch it was really hot so we went and had a swim in Janette’s pool. After that we had tea and then at 7.30 we went to the church meeting. It wasn’t as bad as last night. 

Then at 8.00 o’clock went back to Janette’s place and so did some other friends of theirs. Jan, Kaye and their cousin who was really posh, and myself went in and listened to the record player and had a game of snooker. 

Then we listened to Jan’s cousin play the piano, she was really good.  We had some supper then finally at 12.10 they left and I was hoping to get an early night.

Monday 5 March [Labour Day Public Holiday]

I woke up at 10.00 and could have stayed in bed for the rest of the day. When I got up I had breakfast then listened to Jan play the piano and had a game of snooker. 

At 12.10 I washed my hair and had a shower. We had lunch at 1.30 and watched the “Ampol Hole in One” on TV. 

At about 2.30 we went to the Nookenburra Putt Putt, it was really old and not really as good as Cannington. 

At 4.30 we went back to Cannington, had one game then went home for tea. I packed my bags and at 7.30 we left to go to Putt Putt again. 

Janette’s grandfather had the first game with us and he really amazed me by telling me what to do all the time.  We left at 10.20 and then I was driven back to GFS.

Tuesday 6 March 

I awoke at 7.00 but I just couldn’t bring myself to get up before 7.30. Went down to breakfast and left for BC at 8.15. Julie and Sue didn’t come till five to nine. 

B keeping was the same. So was typing and shorthand. I met Julie, Sue and Nicky at 4.15. We talked at the end of Plaza Arcade as usual. 

We saw Vivienne and Les. At 5.00 I walked Julie to her bus stop then I walked back to GFS. There was an envelope waiting for me and it had my five dollars pocket money in it. 

I had my tea and watched TV. I tried on my only two winter dresses and I’ve decided I need some more clothes and shoes. 

I’ve just finished having my supper and now I’m going to bed and I’m going to dream about Ian and pray that it will come true.

Wednesday 7 March 

I woke at 6.30 then got up at 7.00 and had a shower. Had breakfast then left for BC at 8.12. 

Met Julie and Sue at 8.45 then went to BC. B keeping was the same as usual so was typing and shorthand. 

Janette met me when I came out of BC. I bought some blades for my razor then we met Nicky and Sue at Plaza Arcade (Julie had to go home early). We talked for a while then we walked Sue to her bus stop (it was the first time I had been in the new bus terminal). 

Then Jan and I went to Aherns and I bought some ornamental cherries to wear on my top. Janette caught the bus outside Edwards then I got back to GFS at 5.30 and had tea. 

I had a go at shaving my legs and succeeded in cutting myself. Now I’m going to watch Number 96 on TV then I’ll go to bed.

FROM TREN WHEN TRANSCRIBING

Bought from Aherns, ornamental cherries to wear on my top. (Black wrap around T top).

I walked Sue Butts to the new bus terminal on the corner of Wellington and William St to catch her bus.

Thursday 8 March

I woke at 7.10 and then got up at 7.30. I had breakfast, then went to meet Julie and Sue at 8.15. 

Met Julie and then walked up and met Sue at 5 to 9. BC wasn’t even worth mentioning, nothing happened at all. 

I met Julie, Sue and Nicky at 4.10. We helped Nicky look for a top but she didn’t like any of the ones we suggested her to buy. I walked Julie back to her bus stop and sat with her, my feet were really killing me from wearing my black high heel shoes. 

When we were sitting there Peter, the guy from Boans walked by with his girlfriend and another guy. They looked at us and gave us a filthy look and then started to laugh.  

At about 20 to 6 Derek Hamlin walked by and he’s still the beautifullest guy there is. Got back to GFS at 6.00 and had tea. 

Then I did some washing. Janette rang and asked me over for the weekend, I’m glad.

Friday 9 March

I awoke at 7.00 and got up and then went down to the laundry to do some ironing. Left to meet Julie and Sue at 8.15. We talked at Julie’s bus stop. 

Then went to BC. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. 

Hurried back to GFS, saw Julie and Sue on the way and spoke to them just for awhile then went on. Caught a bus out to Janette’s and got there at 20 to 6. 

We didn’t have any tea. At 7.15 we drove to the hall in the Combi. We stayed there till 8.00 and then we went to Hyde Park for the barbecue. 

On the way Mrs Nelson ran into the back of Mr Nelson’s bus and Janette banged her head on mine and I hurt my arm, it wasn’t serious. The barbecue was good but a bit boring. 

We took all the kids home and then we went home ourselves. I was still shaken up even when I got into bed.

Saturday 10 March

Got up about 9.30 and had breakfast. We then went down to the shop and did some shopping. 

When we got back we had lunch then we went to Putt Putt. None of the usual gang were there, but at about 3.30 Ian and Ken (green T-shirt) came. 

I couldn’t believe it. We played with them. On one of the holes Ken told Ian to move his arse and Ian said he did when he was walking, I thought it was really funny. 

When we had to go, I told him we were leaving and he asked if I really had to. I really felt like grabbing him, I’m really crazy about him.  

We went and got some chips for tea. We had tea then we went over to Fremantle Putt Putt, it was quite good until it started to rain. 

So we got a rain check and then went over to Cannington and had a game. We just talked to the guys there, it was pretty crowded. Then we went home to Janette’s.

Sunday 11 March

Mrs Nelson woke Janette and I at 8.00, we got up and had breakfast then we went to their Sunday school. That went well till 10.30 then we went home. 

My arm still hurts from the accident on Friday. When we got back to Janette’s, she made the lunch and I had a game of snooker. 

After lunch we played snooker and listened to the American Top 40. At 3.30 we went over to Janette’s Auntie Pat’s and her son was having his 20th birthday party so we joined in. 

They have two girls, Cathy 15, Lynn 17, they are both really pretty.  After about 5.00 we went back to Janette’s. She went off to some Teen Tea and left me by myself, nice girl. 

Mr Nelson drove me back to GFS at 10 to 7. When I got into my room I started crying, why wasn’t I made with a nice figure like others.

Monday 12 March

My alarm went off at 7.00 but I didn’t get up until 7.30. Had breakfast then went to meet Julie and Sue at 8.15. Met them at 8.40 and they told me they met two guys called Leigh and Greg. 

I went to BC nothing different happened except that Kathy got a job, so I won’t have anyone to have lunch with. 

Met Julie, Sue and Nicky at 4.10. We saw Katrina and Steve Dew. 

We were just standing talking at the end of Plaza Arcade and this Chinese guy came up and started to film us on a movie camera, even when we ran and hid in a shop, he followed us, it was really funny. 

Walked Julie to her bus stop then came back to GFS. Had tea and then I rang up matron (Templer) to ask her about getting to Dr Lamb’s tomorrow. 

She wasn’t at home. Came back and watched TV then had a shower and washed my hair.

Tuesday 13 March 

I had to get up at 6.20 today to get ready to go to Dr Lamb’s in Midland, I hope I can find my way there. I’ll try to ring Matron and ask her if she can tell me how to get there. God, please make my appointment successful. 

Got to Midland at 8.30 and after getting myself lost I finally found the place. Dr Lamb said that I had a haemorrhage in my eye and made an appointment for me with Dr Walsh in Perth for 1.00. 

I got back to Perth at 11.00 and went and had some lunch in Boans then I walked to Dr Walsh’s. I had to wait till 2.00, he said the same as what Dr Lamb said and told me to come back in six weeks time. 

Met Julie and Sue after BC told them what happened then went back to GFS. 

I bought a new razor, it’s a good lady’s one.

Wednesday 14 March

I got up at 7.00 and had a shower and breakfast. Met Julie and Sue at 8.40.  We talked for a while then went to BC. 

It was the same as usual, I found out that we have a holiday on Friday because there is a teachers’ conference. 

Met Julie, Sue and Nicky at 4.10. We talked for a while then I walked Julie to her bus stop. We sat and talked until about 5.00 then her bus came so I walked back to GFS. 

I went straight down to tea, then about 7.30 I rang Janette up, I don’t know if I’m going to her place for this weekend yet. After I had spoken to her I went back and did some typing on both Sue’s and Norma’s typewriter.  

Then I watched Number 96 on TV, after that I had supper then I went to bed. 

Today is exactly one month before Rebecca’s birthday.

Thursday 15 March

I got up at 7.20 and had a shower and then breakfast. I walked to BC with Lynette, Denise, Sue and I saw Les. Met Julie and Sue at 8.40 talked to them till 9.00 then went to BC. 

That was not any different than usual. Met Julie, Sue and Nicky after school. We saw Viviene and Les again. 

We talked at the top of Plaza Arcade for awhile then I walked Julie to her bus stop and talked to her till 5.00 then walked back to GFS, had tea and after tea I rang up Janette and arranged to sleep at her place for Friday night. 

When I came back Sue and I were mucking around and laughing at all the clothes we used to wear when we were 13 (white baggies, purple skinny ribs, a piece of leather around your neck and fringed desert boots). That’s what her roommate wears, she just came.

---

Greg’s Note’s

I remember Putt Putt being VERY popular for a short time.  There was even Putt Putt on TV – I think an American series with professional Putt Putt players.  I went a few times in that era but nowhere as much as Trenna and Janette obviously did.

NOTE: I have debated with myself about including the video that appears below. I wanted to give an idea of what Putt Putt was about. I’m trying to convey this era in Trenna’s life and these are the Putt Putt courses she played on. The other sad, but reminiscent thing is the ingrained sexism of the era, as portrayed in the last 10 seconds of the video!

Sunday 11 March. Listened to the American Top Forty. I think most people our age listened to Casey Kasem’s AT40. It was on the (AM) radio, and Casey started at No.40 for the week and worked his way down to No.1. Along the way he added lots of trivia and stats about the artists and the songs. I’m sure it has helped me at Trivia Nights, and Quiz Nights ever since.

Tuesday 13 March. Trenna loved her (soon to be) ophthalmologist, Michael Walsh to pieces, but he was THE WORST doctor we ever encountered in terms of keeping on schedule. Eventually his Secretary would make an appointment but say “ring up a bit before the appointment and I’ll tell you how many hours late he is running“.

To go straight to the next instalment in The 1973 Diary, click here.