History Notes - Marie Smith reminisces

Reminiscences of Marie Smith (nee Flynn)

 In the later part of the 1930’s, there were two emporiums in Barraba—Dean & Smith who sold to M.C. McKenzie & Son and J.T. Treloars (the sign is still on the top of the building).  Treloars sold their store to M.C. McKenzie & Sons and in doing so stipulated the staff had to receive positions in their store.

Those I can recall were from the Grocery section - Alec Faddy, Dick Myers, Lou Coleman and Walter Flynn.  This sale motivated Walter to purchase his own business from Mr & Mrs Steve Newton and it became Flynn’s Corner (now The Corner Store).  It meant a move for the entire family to squeeze into the premises.  Bill and Wal in one room, the next room was the lounge - sitting - ironing room (whatever) - next Lilla and Walter’s room with a bed for Marie and Jan.  I’m not sure where Don and Geoff would have slept - so just as well they were in the RAAF.

 McKenzie’s manager refused to release Walter until he convinced them it was in their interest to do so.  Lilla, Bill, Wal, Marie and Jan did their part in running the store until then.  The shop would open around 8am and close when there were no more customers arriving, usually around 10pm, as it became a meeting place for all the teenagers who lived around that end of town.  During this period, chocolates, crumble bars, chewing gum, etc. were hardly thought of except once in a blue moon we would get a delivery and almost every child in town came a-running.  Sugar, tea and butter was rationed.  Each person had a ration book, etc.

 When our men returned from the war, they were entitled to a tobacco ration.  We dreaded this time as each parcel had to be wrapped and named and go on a big bookshelf.  Of course, purloining a bit from here and there for the heavy smokers became a real headache because Dad couldn’t say no to them.  One morning a surly, unkempt character entered the shop and demanded Mum sell him some tobacco.  She assured him there was no spare.  He threatened her and made advances towards the end of the counter, “I fought for people like you in the war.”   Fighting words to her!  “You didn’t fight for me at all,” she said. “I had two sons fighting for me.”  He kept coming and at that moment, Mavis Hatch, who lived on the opposite side of the street, came in the door.  He eyed them both up and down, turned tail and left.  Mavis was very upset and enquired why Mum had not called Dad into the shop. 

“He isn’t here,” says Mum. “I’m by myself.”  This naturally gave an excuse for a cuppa and sympathy.  One wonders if two ladies put the ‘bee-jeebies’ up him, did he actually come face to face with the enemy!