15 Year Old Trenna’s Own Words
15th – 31st January 1973 – The Start of Business College, and arriving at GFS
Monday 15 January
It was the first day of Business College. I got up at 7 and Uncle Frank drove me in to town. I got there fairly early and went straight to the office.
I had to fill in a form, then I was given my timetable.
9-11am – Bookkeeping
11-1pm – Typing
2-4pm – Shorthand
My bookkeeping teacher was new and we got to know each other pretty well before the rest of the class arrived. I didn’t have any lunch but went and rang up Jan. Shorthand was really great.
Julie rang me up at about 6:30 and asked about BC and we had a good chat. I went to bed at about 9:00. Nancy rang up to see how I was getting along, also.
Tuesday 16 January
I caught a bus into town and got there fairly early, about 20 to 9. I went straight to bookkeeping. Today I got an exercise, and boy, is it hard.
Typing was OK except I’m not really used to the machines yet. I had lunch on my own and just read a book. Shorthand was really great. I think that is my favourite subject.
I got home about 4:45. Janette rang me at about 7:30 but we didn’t talk for long. It’s about 10 now and I think I’ll go to bed.
Wednesday 17 January
I got up at 7:20 and had a shower and breakfast. I caught the bus into town but this time I walked slowly to BC and got there about 8:50.
I’m still doing the same exercise in bookkeeping. I just can’t do it. As I was about to sit myself for lunch a girl told me I could sit with her cause she wanted someone to talk to. Her name is Kathy and she is about 18.
When I got home I just set the table. Afterwards Janette rang to say she had got 7 credit passes in just the core subjects in her Achievement Certificate! After talking to her for quite a while I decided to go to bed.
Thursday 18 January
I got up at usual time and had breakfast and a shower and caught the bus into town. Bookkeeping was the same as usual (horrible).
I had morning tea in the canteen with Kathy. We did a speed test in typing and brother was I hopeless. I had lunch with Kathy and we seem to get on very well with each other. I went into town with her to look for some cords.
Shorthand is getting a bit harder but I’m still thoroughly enjoying it. When I got home my achievement certificate was waiting for me. It took me awhile to figure it out, but finally with the help of Uncle Frank and Ian, I did. I got seven credit passes but even that won’t keep me up all night, it’s 11, I’m for bed!
Friday 19 January
Business College was the same as usual. When I got out at 4:00 I went hunting for a bucket and spade for Beccy’s Christmas present, but I could not find a pair anywhere.
Then I caught a taxi from the city to Barby’s, played with Rebecca, had tea watching TV then listened to some records. Colin, Barby and I played cards in the kitchen.
It’s now 11 o’clock, everyone else is in bed and I’m on my comfortable mattress in the lounge, with the nightclub over the road’s music singing in my brain.
Saturday 20 January
I woke about 9:30 after having a very enjoyable sleep. Then Barby, Becky and I went to do some shopping. When we got home I had a headache and didn’t feel very well, then I started my periods right on time. I didn’t have anything for them so I had to use toilet paper.
About 8:00 Nancy and Jim came around ready to go to the ball. Barby, Alan, Nancy and Jim went to the ball. Nancy had brought photos from Barby’s BBQ. Glen was in one. Boy, he’s super beautiful. Becky didn’t play up at all.
After watching the end of TV, Colin and I played cards. Then we had a fight over one of the games so I went to bed.
Sunday 21 January
I woke up at about 10:00 and went straight to the toilet. Hardly any blood had soaked through the toilet paper, thank goodness.
Barby said that she enjoyed the ball. Karl came around about lunch time, I nearly started balling, he reminded me so much of Glen. He played the guitar and sang with Alan in his bedroom for quite a while and about 2:30 he left.
I watched TV and played with Rebecca in the afternoon. Some friends of Alan’s came round after tea and left about quarter to eight. Alan, Barby and Becky drove me back to the Anderson’s who had visitors, who pestered over Rebecca. Barby only stayed about ten minutes, don’t blame her, but I hated to see her go.
Monday 22 January
When I got into town I had to go to Boans to buy a packet of Modess, and gosh trying to cover them in my bag while I was at BC was pretty hard and quite embarrassing too at times.
When I got home I was in the middle of changing when Nancy rang up to remind me about tomorrow.
I had been in my room till about 7:30 and hadn’t spoken to anyone very much so Auntie Jan came through and wanted to know why I was unfriendly and stubborn, and if my period was due. I could’ve belted her skinny head in.
So I went through but didn’t talk much. It’s 9 o’clock and I’ve had enough of staying awake.
Tuesday 23 January
Got up at 7:20 had breakfast. I wore my new dress (green crepe) it looked okay when I was standing but when I sat it nearly fell off me it was so big. Saw Julie Foster in town.
I met Jim out the front of HBF at 4:30 and then caught a taxi to pick up his car at Eurocars, then we went and picked up Nancy from work. Then we went to Nancy and Jim’s flat where I had tea.
After tea we went and saw Jenny in hospital (her little son Ian). When we got there her sister and Tony were there. Jenny hardly even spoke to us so we left fairly early.
Then we went over to Jim’s parents’ for a drink. Went for a drive in Jim’s dad’s new Rover, Posh! Then we came back to the Anderson’s, they are out.
Wednesday 24 January
I got up usual time but had a shower before breakfast and Auntie Jan went off her head at me because I should have let Uncle Frank in first. Business College was same as usual.
At afternoon tea time, as there had been a party for my shorthand teacher I was able to have some sponge and coffee and felt pretty sick afterwards. Auntie Jan caught the same bus as me home.
Nixon made speech declaring that there would be peace in Vietnam. All Americans from prisoner of war camps would be set free within the next 60 days.
And the news of the day…I found out I get $5 weekly pocket money at GFS.
Thursday 25 January
When I got into town I bought bias binding and an orange and a green towel.
BC was the same as usual, the days go really fast. In typing I was just about to start my typing speed test when I had to go up to the canteen for Mrs Elliot to buy her cigarettes.
On way home I bought a toilet bag.
Uncle Frank and Ian went out, there was only Sue, Auntie Jan and I at home. I had to try on quite a few clothes that Auntie Jan was altering for me.
It’s 11 o’clock I’ve just finished watching Mannix with Dave and Kerry and boy will I be glad to hit the sack
Friday 26 January
I got up normal time had a shower and got dressed. I went through to the kitchen to check the time thinking it was only 8:10, but it was 20 past.
I ran down to the bus stop but the bus went by. I had to wait till 8:45 for the next one. When I was coming out of BC Auntie Jan was there to meet me so we both went to Coles and I bought a coffee mug.
We went home together but she got off at the shopping centre. I went over to babysit for Donna at 7:15. She said should be back at 11. She didn’t get home till 3:00 and I could’ve killed her. I had a splitting headache and was really tired.
Saturday 27 January
It’s 3:00 in the morning and I am just going to bed after having a splitting headache. Sue woke me at 12:15 and I had some brunch. After about 12:45 I felt so tired that I’m going to have another sleep.
Sue had just come back from Rollystone. She woke me up at 4:30 and I had a cold shower to wake me up. About 5:00 Sue and I went over to babysit at Margy’s. (Joanne, Shona’s girl).
I had another splitting headache, when Sue was making our tea. I had a Disprin but after that I felt really sick. I had a rest on the spare bed and by 9 o’clock I felt better so I got up and had something to eat, then took the baby for a walk. I went to sleep until it was time to go.
Sunday 28 January
I got up at 9:00 and went and had breakfast feeling a lot better. After breakfast, Sue, Uncle Frank and I had a game of bingo, I won every game that I played. That took as till lunchtime.
Sue and Auntie Jan had gone to Yanchep with Nanna for the afternoon. They asked me to go but I couldn’t think of anything worse. It is now 2:30 and I’m about to have a shower, wash my hair, shave my legs and shape my fingernails.
I never did to get around to the shaving my legs cause I couldn’t get the darn razor to work. Sue and Auntie Jan got home about 6:15 and then we had a really nice roast for tea.
After tea I watched TV. I’m going to have a proper nights sleep tonight for sure.
Monday 29 January
We got to GFS at 2:00 and after waiting for an hour I got sick. I had to run out and boy did I be sick.
I finally got to my room at 3:30, a favourite. At tea time I made friends with four other girls, all around my age group.
After tea we looked at each other’s rooms and then went down to the lounge room to listen to some records. They only had one.
Debbie’s parents were going to take her out at 8 o’clock, finally in the end she offered us all to go with her. Her parents came about quarter to eight and then we walked all around town.
I got my picture taken out the front of Plaza Arcade. We then went through the Parmelia Arcade and then to Forest House. We had coffee and sandwiches in the restaurant then went up to their apartment.
[GM: This outing is described in Kitchen Tape No.24, here.]
It’s now 10:15 and I’m going to bed
Tuesday 30 January
I got up at 7:15 and rushed down to have my breakfast with Debbie and Lude. I tried to put on my nail polish but it was hopeless.
It’s now 8:20 and I’m nearly ready to leave for business college.
I had a change in my timetable today, I’ve dropped bookkeeping and picked up reception. A lot of new girls came today and my reception class was really packed out with girls.
On the way home I spoke to S. Killick. She told me she was getting engaged in March. I also saw Erica Shran and Steve Dew (school).
After tea Debbie and I went for a walk and looked at the Concert Hall, only from outside. Then we came home and had a game of canasta.
It’s now at eight and I’m just about to get to the shower. It’s 10:30 and I’m getting into.
Wednesday 31 January
On my way to BC I looked for some bags, but I didn’t see any that I really liked. It was just before nine when I walked past Walsh’s and bumped into Alan, we just spoke for awhile.
Reception was really great. I was reading my books at lunchtime when my left eye started going blurry and as I walked down to class it got worse until I couldn’t see anything out of it except a blurry light orange, brown colour.
On way back from Key Personnel I saw Aunty Jan, we just looked at a photo and then I went on my way.
I passed a bag shop, so looked in and bought a white shoulder bag.
After tea us girls went over to Nettie’s room and just talked.
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