15 Year Old Trenna’s Own Words

This series of transcripts starts here.

All of May 1973

May 1, 2 and 3

GM:  There were no entries in the first few days of the month.

Friday 4 May

I woke up at 6.45 then got up and had a shower and washed my hair. I went down to breakfast. 

Work was pretty good. In the morning I had plenty to do, but I wasn’t being rushed, but after I had lunch I was really piled up with work. I didn’t leave work until 5.05 as I hadn’t finished the filing. 

As soon as I got back to GFS I finished my packing and got changed. Then I caught a bus over to Janette’s.

I got there just before 6.00. We had tea and Janette told me about the exams she had just completed at school. 

We left for Club at 7.30, and when we got there not so many kids were there because they had gone to Police & Citizens. We had a cake making competition, but Janette and I didn’t get a prize. 

We drove Diane back to her place then we went back to Janette’s and we had some toasted cheese sandwiches for supper. Janette asked Mrs Nelson if we could see Frenzy and she said she didn’t know.  

Now I’m off to bed.

Saturday 5 May

I woke at 8.45 and Janette and I got up and dressed. Mrs Nelson said that we were allowed to go and see Frenzy. She drove us into town at 10.00. 

I looked around for jeans and shoes but was not able to get my size or find ones that I really liked. I bought some underpants at Boans. 

We went and had lunch in the Petite then we went to the theatre and bought our tickets. There were four beautiful looking surfs and then I recognised one as being Andrew Witt, I didn’t say anything to him although he kept looking at me. 

The film was really good, it was about the dirtiest one I’ve seen. After the film we went and had a cup of coffee in The Forum then caught a bus back to Janette’s.

We had tea then we got dressed in our Oxford Bags and I packed my bags and we drove over to a ladies place where we spent the evening singing hymns. Graham Morris was there.

Then Mr Nelson drove me back to GFS.

Sunday 6 May 

I woke at 9.15 but I didn’t get up till 12.10. I got dressed and then I went down to lunch with Ruth.

After a very unenjoyable lunch I went down with Margaret to do my washing. She helped me do some, I needed help, I emptied my wardrobe and washed practically everything in it. 

After that I went into Ruth’s room and then Margaret, Ruth and I walked down to the shop. We were followed by some guys in a car and offered a lift but we refused. 

We saw that there was a sign at the front of some flats for a vacant room. So I went to enquire but found that it was only for guys and then the guy got really violent and told us to get lost. 

At 5.30 we caught a bus to the Canning Highway Kentucky Fried Chicken. We bought some tea then caught a bus to Kings Park and bought a Mr Whippy, then we walked back to GFS. 

Sue came home feeling really sick and now I’m going to go to bed.

Monday 7 May

I got up at 7.30, we slept in a bit too late, because I was going to have a shower if I woke at seven. Went to breakfast, which was a freezing experience, as all the tables and chairs had been shifted onto the back porch, because the dining room was being painted. 

Work was really good at first but by about 11.30, I had about 300 cheques to mail out, so I was working flat out for the rest of the day. 

I got home at 5.05 and Sue wasn’t home, so I bought in most of my washing, when Sue got home we went to tea.

After tea we went into Ruth’s room and talked to her about Lynette as she was getting on my nerves. Then Sue, Ruth, Marg and I walked down to the shop.

Marg and Ruth went home and Sue and I went to a coffee shop, had a cup of espresso coffee and toasted cheese sandwiches, we walked home and then went to bed.

Tuesday 8 May

I woke up at 5 to 7 and Sue and I had a shower and washed our hair. Went down to breakfast (on the patio). Huh. I borrowed Sue’s hairdryer.

I rang up the dental hospital and got my appointment for tomorrow changed to 12.30. 

Went to work and did filing and then I had to post out a lot of invoices. Nancy rang and asked me around for tea tomorrow. I posted invoices most of the afternoon. 

They might be firing Helena as she keeps missing work.

I got back to GFS at 5.10, Sue wasn’t home. We went down to tea and found that the place was slightly crowded. 

After tea we walked down to the shop. Then Sue and I walked into town and then came back to GFS at 8.45.

We watched Number 96. It’s now 10 o’clock and I’m getting into bed.

Wednesday 9 May

I got up at 7.30 and went down and had breakfast. I got ready for work.

Helena rang up work today and said she was gonna quit. I asked Kath if I could go to the dentist.

I got there at 12.20 and I saw Colin, he was waiting for an appointment too. I had to have x-rays and was given another appointment. 

The afternoon went fairly quickly. I changed into my Oxford Bags and went out the front of Girlock. Nancy and Jim were already there waiting for me. We went to the shop on the way to the flat. 

I looked at quite a lot of photos and then had tea watching TV. We talked and then watched Number 96.

After that we watched a film, but halfway through it Jim said it was time for me to be driven back to GFS. When I got back I changed into my pyjamas and then watched the end of the film. Now I’m off to bed and ready for work tomorrow.

Thursday 10 May

GM:  No entry

Friday 11 May

I got up at 7.00 and had a shower. Had breakfast then went to work.

Nothing out of the normal happened today but it was still interesting.

I got home at 5.10 but didn’t have any tea because it smelt so foul. Sue was going out so I waited for her to get ready and then when she was ready I walked her to the Fruitorium, I bought some chips. I then walked back to GFS. 

I had a shower and washed my hair then I just got into bed and read Sue’s True Confessions. About 12.00 Sue came home and we talked about what she did and how she got kicked out of the Repetry. It’s now 12.30 and I’m off to sleep.

GM: I’m guessing this is the Repertory Tea and Coffee Lounge, in City Arcade, near Snob Boutique and near the glass elevator  (or lift). I don’t remember it, but I found this photo in the Western Australian Library.

Saturday 12 May

Sue and I woke up at about 8.00 but we didn’t get up until

GM:  End of entry!

Sunday 13 May

GM:  No entry

Monday 14 May

I got up at 7.30, I woke Sue, although I didn’t know if she wanted to sleep in. I wore my new shoes to work. We had a new lady start work today called Pat, she seemed quite friendly. 

I typed my first two letters out today. And brother, Cheryl didn’t like me taking over that job as she usually does it. 

I got home at 5.10 and Sue and I went down to a not too exciting tea. So we decided to go out for tea. We went into town and caught a bus out to the Cannington Kentucky Fried Chicken. 

We ate it at the bus stop then we caught a bus into town and walked around looking for Sue’s bus concession as she had lost it on the way to get our tea. We saw Gary Jones and his girlfriend on the bus. 

Sue and I then walked back to GFS. We talked to Ruth and then went into our room and read for awhile.

It’s now 11.30 and I’m really tired, so I’m going to sleep.

15 – 18 May

GM:  No entries

Saturday 19 May

Sue and I woke at 10 and we went down and made ourselves a cup of coffee. 

Then I changed and walked her into town. I bought a ham and salad roll at the Fruitorium.

I went into David Jones and looked around because I couldn’t afford to buy. I went back to GFS and had lunch with Margaret. 

GM: Here are another couple of photos from the State Library Collection. Apparently this is the interior of David Jones Department Store in Perth in about 1972. BTW, David Jones is apparently the oldest continuously-operating department store in the world still trading under its original name.

Then I changed into my Oxford bags and pink jumper. I was going over to see Matron. I waited for a bus for 30 minutes and then caught a taxi.

When I got there only Helen was home. She hasn’t changed. We talked for ages then Matron came home. At about 5.00 Peta and Sally came home. It was really good to see them. 

Then their boyfriends came Geoff and Bruce they were really nice. We had curry for tea.

After tea we watched TV and Matron rang Mrs Anderson to see how Uncle Frank is. She said that he was really sick and there was no hope.

Geoff and Bruce drove me back to GFS. It’s now 10.00 and I’m off to bed.

Sunday 20 May

I woke up at 1.05 in the afternoon so I wasted half a day already. I got up and had a shower then I went down and watched TV.

I watched two films, they were both quite good, the last film ended just before teatime.

I had tea with Marg and her slack friend whom I can’t stand. They asked me to do their dishes for them and when I said I wouldn’t she got in a real shit.

I went to my room and seeing I had no lunch or breakfast and hardly any tea I got the remains of the Easter egg that Nancy and Jim gave me for Easter and I took it down and watched TV again.

Then I went up to my room, Ruth had come back from her holiday and I talked to her for a while, then we went down and made ourselves a cup of coffee. 

I went back up to my room and read some of Sue’s True Confessions.

It’s now 12.00, I just hope I wake up tomorrow because if I don’t. [GM: …]

Monday 21 May

I woke up at 6.30 and had a shower. Had breakfast with Ruth and Marg. 

Work was the same as usual but not at all boring. I was flat out until 5 to 5. I got home at 5.10 and had tea.

After tea I sat and talked to Ruth and Marg. We walked down to the shop and Marg made a telephone call. 

Then on the way back to GFS. I saw Derek Hamlyn and brother he must be inhuman he’s so beautiful. 

We walked back to GFS and then we just sat in Marg’s room and talked. Margaret asked me what had happened to my parents so finally I’ve had to tell them.

I went down and watched TV  (Number 96). Then I decided to read the paper and I found out that Uncle Frank had died. I burst out crying and then felt embarrassed because everyone saw.

I went up and told Marg and Ruth so then I had a cup of coffee and felt a lot better.

It’s now 11.30 and I’m off to bed.

Tuesday 22 May

I woke at 7.20 in a bit of a bad mood as I had hoped to wake at 6.30 and have a shower. Had breakfast with Margaret.

I wore my black and white striped jumper today, you couldn’t really tell that it was out of shape.

Nancy rang up just after lunch and I told her about Uncle Frank. About an hour later she rang again and told me the funeral was this Thursday and to try to get some time off work to go to it. 

I got back to GFS at 5.10 and I got a postcard from Janette saying that she had at last reached Alice Springs. Had tea then I found that Julie had rung me but seeing the phone was out of order I couldn’t speak to her.

I washed out some under clothing. Then I had a shower and washed my hair. I went and watched TV.

I started to watch the late night movie but after seeing the first few minutes decided to go to bed, it was really weak. I went to Marg’s room and she gave me a cup of beautiful soup, now I’m contented and off to bed.

Wednesday 23 May

I got up at 7.25 and went down to breakfast. Margaret decided she would stay home because she felt sick. I got dressed for work and then I rang up Margaret’s work to tell them why she was away.

I rang Nancy at two but she wasn’t there, then about 2.10 she rang me and I told her that I was able to get time off for the funeral tomorrow.

On the way home from work I saw Gabriel one of the girls from business college. I found that she worked just at the back of Girlock. 

It’s now 5.30 and I’m just about to go to tea. After tea Ruth, Marg and I walked to the shop.

I rang up Marg’s boyfriend, on the way back these guys followed us and then they sat at the bus stop outside Marg’s room. Mrs Hovile told us off and Mrs Cole said that she would give us 24 hours notice.

Sue came home and we told her we had been kicked out for sure. It’s now 11.30. I’m off to bed.

Thursday 24 May

I got up at 7.00 and had a shower then I had breakfast. I wore my grey skirt and black shoes and body shirt. Nancy and Jim picked me up at 20 to 10.

What a day for a funeral. It was really grey and raining. We picked Barby up then went straight to Karrakatta.

There was a real lot of people and about 90% of them were men. Aunty Jan, Sue and Margaret didn’t come. Uncle Frank was cremated.

Nancy drove me back to work at 11.15, I made a cup of tea then the rest of the day was the same as usual.

Got back to GFS and paid my board. Sue came home we had tea. We walked up the shop. I rang Mrs Nelson, I told her I would be at her place by 8.00 tomorrow.

Came home had a cup of tea, then went up to our room, read for a while it’s now 11 I’m off to sleep.

Friday 25 May

I woke up at 7.15. I got up and went down to breakfast. I got changed and then went to work.

I was really busy making phone calls about invoices and doing a lot of filing.

GM:  End of entry.  Then 26, 27 and 28 May are also blank.

Tuesday 29 May

I got up at 7.30 and had breakfast. Sue left at 8.00 with Margaret.

GM: End of entry.  And No more entries until 5 June.

Greg’s Comments

On 19 May Trenna visited Matron from Craig House and Matron rings up to find out how Uncle Frank (Anderson) is. Matron reports there is “no hope”. Yet we know from the Kitchen Tapes that Trenna is shocked when Mr Anderson dies a day or so later.
I’m thinking that, despite being touched by death so many times a 15 year old Trenna just doesn’t grasp the gravity of the situation.

On 22 May Trenna talks about her black and white striped jumper and that you can’t really tell it is out of shape. She tells that story in the The Kitchen Tapes No. 23, here.

Trenna says that Uncle Frank’s wife and two daughters weren’t at his funeral. She told me in later years that it was “packed” with people and that she was at the back and that she has no idea if they were there or not.

---