15 Year Old Trenna’s Own Words

When I woke up my eye was still blind and I could have cried

1 February – 14 February 1973

Thursday 1 February

When I woke up my eye was still blind and I could have cried.

BC was pretty well the same as yesterday. I hurried home and put my Levi’s on and then went out.

“with your looks and my money we could do things”

I rang Nancy but she had already left work, went to GPO to ring Janette. At 6.30 I crossed my name off til 10pm, went out again.

I was walking along the Mall and this guy came up to me and started talking then he tried to hold my hand and said “with your looks and my money we could do things” so I started to really walk fast, I lost him. I rang Janette and told her.

Then walked over to Barby’s and got quite a few whistles. I stayed at Barby’s until 9.30, then Colin drove me into town and then I walked home, to bed at last.

Friday 2 February

Nancy’s birthday. It’s 8.30 and nearly ready to leave for BC.

Business college went pretty good. I rang up Dr Lamb to make an appointment but found out he’s moved to Midland.

Bought a pair of blue Oxford Bags and a green top.

Julie rang and we arranged to meet at 8.40 on Monday before BC.

Barby picked me up at 8pm and we drove over to Nancy’s for a birthday get together, we listened to records and then looked at her photo albums and there were some old photos and newspaper clippings about Dad and I just about cried.

I saw the photo of Glenn again, gosh he’s beautiful.

Had a game of scrabble then Alan drove me to the Anderson’s.

Saturday 3 February

I got up at 11.30 had lunch went back to bed til about 4.45. Got up helped get ready for the party. Had a shower and put on my mauve dress.

People started to arrive at 6.15. We had all types of salads for tea. I was really bored and tired believe it or not. But some kids had gone and had a sleep in our room so I couldn’t get through there to go to bed early.

They left at 11.00 and then brother, was I glad to see them go. I’m hitting the sack now thank goodness.

Sunday 4 February

Got up at 12 and went through to have lunch.

Aunty Jan took up the hem of my new pants and now I don’t like them, they look too much like flares. Aunty Jan also finished making my blue and white skirt at long last!

I watched TV most of the afternoon. Sue was in a real bitchy mood, Marg & Garry came over about 3pm, then Jenny and Peter came round, then Dave and Kerry.

Dave drove me back to GFS, dropped Kerry off first and she got in a big stink. The moment I got home I unpacked and got into bed to write in my diary. I’m going to read my book for awhile then I’m going to sleep

[GM: at the bottom of this page is written “(Please God make my eye better)”.

Monday 5 February

I got up at 7.20, had breakfast, finally was able to shave my legs a bit. Met Julie and Sue at 8.45.

BC was usual with quite a lot of new kids. Met Julie and Sue at 4.15 and we went and had a drink in Boans and said we’d meet again tomorrow.

Got back at GFS at 5.15, had tea then went out to ring Janette. On the way I saw the same guy that tried to con me up the other night.

I got through to Janette at 7.00 talked till 7.10 then on the way back through the City Arcade the same guy tried to stop me after following me for awhile, God, I could’ve swiped him one.

I’m going to have a shower, have supper and then get into bed and read for awhile.

COMMENT BY TREN WHEN TRANSCRIBING THE DIARY IN 2018. “Julie & Sue started at Edward’s Business College.
We meet everyday before BC at the London Court end of Plaza Arcade to chat and we do the same again after BC at 4.15. Later on, (Nick or Nicky) Nicole McCulloch also met up with us. Then I would often walk one of them to their bus stops.”

Tuesday 6 February

Got up at 7.20, had breakfast and left at 8.35. Met Julie and Sue at 5 to 9 then went to be BC. It was nothing different.

Christine and I were really being stupid when we were making the afternoon tea. Saw Katrina and Lynn and talked to them for awhile and then Julie and Sue came along. I walked Sue to her bus stop then went back to GFS.

I took the hem of my Oxford Bags down and put my tie at the back blue dress on and tucking into my pants to see what that looks like.

I rang Janet at 7.00 at the GPO and I talked to her till 7.30. There were these people singing out the front of the GPO.

I then walked over to Barby’s and I watched a pretty good movie and picked up my records and walked back to GFS, had a shower and now at 11.00 I’m getting to bed.

Wednesday 7 February

Got up at normal time had breakfast and went to meet Sue at 8:20.

Julie’s bus came in at 8:45, and Sue still hadn’t come. But she got there just as we were leaving.

Met Jan, Nick, Julie, Sue at 4:10. After having a drink we split up, Jeanette came back to GFS.

Then I went over to her place and then went to Putt Putt. First I just played then I made friends with a few guys there . The one who was serving was really friendly, he was really gorgeous, but young.

There was another guy, his name was Ian, he was really beautiful. We left at 10:20 and on the way had a race back with these kids in a car and nearly had a prang.

I got told off for being late. Well I’m going to bed now.

Thursday 8 February

Got up at 7.30, had breakfast and then at 8.10 left for BC. On the way I saw Garry Davies, I just spoke to him for a minute. Met Julie and Sue at 20 to 9 and then we sat down while they did their homework.

Got to BC at 9.10 and did switchboard. I had lunch by myself and at 1.30 went for a walk into town to have a look at some clothes.

On the way back I banged into Uncle Bill and he said he hadn’t seen me for a while. **

Met Julie and Sue at 4.15, then we went and looked at clothes. When we were in Sports Lanes there was this girl, she looked like a guy and she had a real deep voice like one, she even called the girl who was serving darling.

Janette rang me and we arranged to go to Putt Putt on Saturday afternoon then after that go on a river trip. I’ll try and stay at Barby’s.

Friday 9 February

Got up at usual time left at 8.15 and met Julie and Sue at 8.40.

BC was a day a bit out of the usual. We had to write an essay in reception. Miss Chandler was leaving today and they (the teachers) had a party for her.

Met Julie and Sue at 4.15 we walked round and looked at clothes, then I walked Sue back to her bus stop.

I walked over to Barby’s and asked if I could stay for the weekend she said yes, so I caught a bus back into town and walked back to GFS. Rang Janette at 7.20 but no one was home. I walked over to Barby’s and then just watched TV.

I was lucky to have a bed because Madge was coming to buy the mattress that I slept on. Barbie told me they had bought a new home it was fairly new, it was carpeted and air-conditioned in Balga.

Saturday 10 February

Got up at eight, had breakfast and a wash and left at 9.30. On the way into town I rang Janette to tell her I was coming.

Met Julie and Sue in the city at 10.15 and we just walked around town. Julie bought a top.

We bought some chips and then had a milkshake at Petite Cafe. I got over to Jan’s at 1.00.

We went to Putt Putt at 2.00. Bruce and Mike were there and they wanted to know if I really liked Mike and if Jan really liked Bruce, we thought it was real joke. It was really good fun.

We left at 5.30 and went back to Jan’s for tea. Murray Benton and Graham Harris came round at seven and boy did I feel great. We left at 7.30.

The river trip was pretty good. There weren’t very many more guys except for one called Paul. Mr Nelson drove me back to Barby’s at 11.15.

Sunday 11 February

Got up at 11 and had breakfast. Barby and Alan did some gardening while I played with Becky. I had salad and mash potato for lunch.

Then I watched TV. Didn’t do anything at all really, had tea at six then at about 7.45 Barb said she and Alan would take me back to GFS.

On the way out, “I love you too much to ever started liking you” came on the radio and I nearly started to cry, it really reminded me of Glen.

The song is by Lobo and called “Don’t Expect Me To Be Your Friend”. It is a cry-ey sort of song!

When I got back to GFS I had a shower, and now I’m going to get some supper, and get into bed. Either I’ll read for awhile or just listen to my transistor.

I’ve got exactly 7 more months till I’m 16. I wish I was really attractive so that I could let Glen know I liked him without being too shy.

Monday 12 February

Got up at 7.30, had breakfast and left at 8.15. Met Julie at 20 to 9. We waited for Sue till 5 to 9 but she didn’t end up coming so we left.

My first day back at bookkeeping was terrible. I didn’t feel too well at morning tea so I took a Disprin.

We had Miss Fenbert for typing and I and Chris had to do this thing with lines and it took us two hours to do it. Then I went out to do the teas in the afternoon. I felt really sick so I laid down till it was time to do the dishes.

Joan Brown goes to BC.

Met Julie, Sue and Nicky at 4.20, we went down to Jeans Dungeon for they wanted to book for the Rolling Stones and Jamie and Dave (Dick) were there and they came and talked to us.

I rang Janette at 7.00 and arranged to stay at her place next weekend.

Tuesdays 13 February

Got up at 7.00 and had a shower. I put on my black shoes and went down to breakfast. I left for BC at 8.20 but just as I got out the door I went back and changed into my white sandals.

Sue was at the bus stop before me for the first time. I told her that I meant to be late. The guy who worked in Boans while I did, walks past the bus stop at 8.30 every morning.

I told Julie and Sue that I wouldn’t meet them after BC cause I was going to go to the bank. When I was going past Walsh’s I saw David McDonald standing out the front.

Bookkeeping was much easier today and so was typing and shorthand. I never went to the bank, I just could not be bothered.

When I got back to GFS I did some washing. I’ve just had supper and I’m now going to get into my bed.

Wednesday 14 February

Got up at 7.00 and had a shower and my breakfast. Today is Valentine’s Day, if I only knew Glen’s address I would send him a Valentine’s card.

Met Julie and Sue at 8.45 then went to BC. Bookkeeping was okay but nothing really. Mrs Fenbert was away so we had Mrs Guilfoyle and I spent most of the time changing my tape. I did pretty well in shorthand and got my speed up to 100.

Met Julie, Sue and Nicky at 4.10 then I walked Julie to her bus stop. Then I caught the ferry over to South Perth to ask whether I could close my bank account. I did my banking in the chemist in Mends Street then they said I couldn’t I would have to go up Douglas Avenue.

I went up Millstream and I saw Dave (Due) with an iridescent green caftan on. On the way back to the city I saw South Perth slowly disappear, I nearly cried.

Greg’s Notes

On 1 February Trenna refers to “the Mall”. This was a fairly big deal in Perth city in 1973. The previous year a central CBD street, Hay Street, was permanently blocked off to traffic for one block. This was the first time many Perth people had ever experienced a pedestrian mall – known as The Hay Street Mall, or more usually The Mall, as it was the only “mall”. She has gone to the GPO (the General Post Office) – the city’s main post office to use the large bank of public phones that were there. It’s an H&M store now!
Also on 1 February Trenna notes that she got quite a few whistles as she walked along the street. For the benefit of younger readers who may not have seen this very much, it was very common in 1973 Perth (and elsewhere) for men to wolf whistle at women as they passed. I remember Trenna telling me how pleased, even elated, she was at being wolf whistled as it showed that she was turning into an attractive woman. Of course, society and Trenna’s view of wolf whistling changed over the years.
** Thursday 8 February Trenna bumps into her Uncle Bill and he says “he hasn’t seen me for a while”. WTF!! Uncle Bill is her actual relative – her Uncle – and he then (he’s dead now) lived in a Perth suburb 15 – 20 minutes drive from where the Seckington kids were in institutional care. For whatever reason he hadn’t seen Trenna since she was a very small girl. I wouldn’t have blamed Trenna if she had whacked him one!
Saturday 10 February Trenna goes on a “river trip”. These were popular in the 1970s. It was usually an evening cruising up and down the Swan River in an old ferry boat, with a rock band playing on board. All the ones I went to had a bar, and a lot of booze was drunk. She hasn’t mentioned it here so perhaps this was a Church organised river trip.
The Jeans Dungeon (12 Feb) I recall being in the basement of Walsh’s, at the end of the Hay Street Mall, but if someone has a different memory, please let me know.
A couple of points from the 14 February entry. The Chemist (Pharmacy) is still in Mends Street. As is “Millstream” which is an arcade, although it was extensively renovated and altered about 10 years ago. Trenna once told me that when she was young she and a couple of the other kids from Craig House would occasionally go there and do a little bit of shoplifting!

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