Growing up in Wombarra in the ’50s, George Manojlovic remembers the home-delivered ice, bread, and milk, as well as a unique form of takeaway provided by their next-door neighbor who was the dunny man with a red truck. The local kids would jokingly call it the fastest truck in the world due to its 40 pistons and flies. Similarly, Peter Miniutti from Ashbury recalls the milk delivery tradition from the ’80s, where his dog would help itself to milk cartons from houses in the street, leading to some comical encounters with the milkman.
Sharon McGuinness from Thirroul shares a story from the late 1930s in Canley Vale where her dad improvised a solution for not having ice delivered by building a cart for his blue heeler to fetch the ice from the nearby iceworks. On a different note, Pam Rawling from Freshwater admires the memory of Column 8 contributors who can recall their Argonauts name and number, while she still searches for hers after seventy years. Steve Hulbert from West Kempsey recounts a recent visit to Anzac Cove where preparations were underway for the dawn service, and he playfully stood on the podium before being asked to step off by security.
In Bulli, Frank McGrath mentions listening to Margaret Throsby’s voice on ABC North Coast via the ABC Listen app, indicating the enduring appeal of certain radio personalities. Delving into the origins of the surname Musk, Don Bain from Port Macquarie discovers its derivation from the Sanskrit word mushka, translating to scrotum, adding a humorous twist to the search for the meaning of names. To contribute to Column 8, readers are encouraged to send in their anecdotes and observations via email, including their name, suburb, and daytime phone number for publication.
The nostalgia for past traditions and quirky anecdotes shared by readers in their submissions to Column 8 encapsulates a sense of community and shared memories. From the quaint experiences of childhood in the ’50s with home-delivered ice and a witty dunny man neighbor, to the amusing antics of a dog helping itself to milk cartons in the ’80s, these stories evoke a simpler time when daily routines were filled with unexpected delights. The resourcefulness of individuals like Sharon McGuinness’s father, who fashioned a cart for his dog to fetch ice, speaks to a time when solutions were crafted from ingenuity and a willingness to make do with what was available.
Pam Rawling’s admiration for contributors who recall their Argonauts name and number, despite her own inability to do so after several decades, highlights the enduring impact of childhood memories and the connections forged through shared experiences. Steve Hulbert’s spontaneous photo-op on the podium at Anzac Cove, ahead of the dawn service preparations, captures the sense of reverence and playfulness that can coexist in moments of reflection and remembrance. Frank McGrath’s ongoing enjoyment of Margaret Throsby’s radio show via the ABC Listen app showcases the lasting appeal of familiar voices and personalities in the media landscape.
Don Bain’s humorous discovery of the Sanskrit origin of the surname Musk, translating to scrotum, brings a lighthearted note to the exploration of language and heritage. The diverse range of anecdotes and observations shared by readers in Column 8 demonstrates the power of storytelling to connect individuals across time and space, fostering a sense of community and shared history. As readers continue to contribute their stories and reflections to the column, the legacy of past traditions and the enduring impact of personal memories are kept alive and celebrated.
