Picnic Day at Murray’s Farm

Memories from a happy childhood in Gwynneville

On a bright sunny day in November in the early 1940’s, my entire family, along with many other Gwynneville and Keiraville families, made the very pleasant trek over the hills to Murray’s Farm for the annual picnic day. Most people walked or drove there in horse-drawn sulkies. There were very few cars back then and petrol was rationed, so if you could walk there, you did!

Bev aged 4 at her Grandmother’s house in Croydon

The Farm was situated off Northfields Lane on fields near where the University of Wollongong is now situated, and was thrown open for the day to provide an opportunity for the residents of the area to meet up and socialise. For the children it was an opportunity to gather together for an afternoon of fun and games, such as 3-legged, sack and foot races.

Bev and brothers Peter and Graeme in their Gwynneville backyard, 1941

The adults looked forward to the Devonshire Teas, which were cheerfully served by women who had volunteered for the job. The delicious homemade scones were topped with homemade jam and cream made from fresh cow’s milk.

This was war-time and the picnic was a great distraction for families coping with food shortages and rationing. As a child at the time, I remember it as a very exciting day indeed, though the walk home was less exciting as that meant the day was sadly coming to an end.