100 stories and counting
Short stories from the heart…about life, family and local history, people, places and food.
LATEST ON THE BLOG
The lifelong benefits of sewing lessons at primary school
FEBRUARY 7, 2024 I FAMILY HISTORY
Florentines: An extraordinary recipe for popular biscuits
DECEMBER 18, 2023 I FOOD
POPULAR POSTS
Betty Anderson: 100 years of gratitude and loving service
SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 I PEOPLE
In the tracks of Cobb and Co: The Winton-Boulia route
AUGUST 2, 2021 I PLACES
My mother’s schooldays: Rannes, the 3Rs and much more
NOVEMEBER 24, 2021 I FAMILY HISTORY
Hear the children cry: Bogantungan and the 1960 Medway Creek rail accident
FEBRUARY 26, 2020 I LIFE
A lock of hair: A treasured keepsake
JANUARY 20, 2018 I FAMILY HISTORY
WHAT’S NEW
Love in a little black diary now has a dedicated YouTube channel. To date, I’ve uploaded 22 videos, mostly short clips covering life, family, people, places and food.
WHAT READERS SAY
What a lovely article Judith; it brought back so many wonderful memories of the 1950’s for me. I grew up in rural South Australia, and we had so many of the appliances and utensils that you mentioned, and my mother made most of those recipes. I still make her meat loaf (very similar to the one you mentioned). We didn’t have electricity until 1966, so our fridge ran on kerosene, we had a wood stove and a petrol driven washing machine. I am looking forward to receiving more of your newsletters.
– SANDRA McKENNA
On My mother’s 1949 spiced meatloaf: Home cooking in post-war Australia, May 29, 2020
Dear Judy, I just came across your amazing story of the Apple Tree Creek Memorial. My name is Jeffrey Alexander Trevor and Alex Trevor was my great uncle. My dad, whose father was William Trevor, also was named Alex and one of my grandsons middle name is Alexander. In 2014 my wife and I visited Moquet Farm in France where Alex was killed and to this day somewhere unknown he lies. In 2016 we held a family reunion to commemorate the hundred years since Alex died. Thank you for your research and story.
– JEFF TREVOR
On Apple Tree Creek World War I Roll of Honour, November 11, 2019
What a loving, moving story of your mother. I so identified with it as my mother was about the same age. She passed away a few years ago at the age of 94. She too grew up in a household of brothers and by her own admittance, was quite the spoiled girl. She also suffered from dementia and when we could no longer have conversations, I found such solace in holding her hand. She always had the smallest, petite hands, despite raising seven rambunctious children. Your story brought such precious memories to mind, of which I am very grateful to you. You are a very talented storyteller!
– BREN
On My mother, a young woman, September 3, 2019
What a great story Judy. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Have a wonderful time at the celebration this weekend. I hope you, Tony and Ruth meet up with many of your students and work colleagues for a wonderful time and lots of laughter as you recall the beginning days of Blackwater High. Not sure teachers or students would be happy with those sort of conditions today but I guarantee many, like yourselves, would still cherish those memories.
– BETTY JONES
On Blackwater High School: The pioneering years (1973-1974), September 25, 2023