James Denny

At the end of first year at N.S.B.H.S. my parents bought a property half way between Brewarrina and Goodooga. Some fourteen and a half thousand acres. No electricity, no phone, no water, no lining to the walls, and a tiny, corrugated iron shack, that was the "homestead" .We didn't actually move until after the end of second year, and I went off to Hurlstone Ag. High, as a boarder.

A really massive change. The nearest neighbour was a mile away. So I got to be a cowboy. Tight trousers, turned up hat, and elastic sided boots. And, attitude like you probably cannot understand. It's all mine, as far as I can see. Or, maybe, I am so insignificant against this incredible backdrop, of shimmering, heat-haze dreamtime, that whatever I do, it cannot possibly matter. Maybe, after all, the land owns me. Have you ever talked to an original person? Gary Foley thought I was Koori, too.

The rest of my life tends to reflect this, very ambivalent, and varied background. I think that I may well be the most married of all of us, at thrice. That's not what I started out to do, but...

Went up to "Uni" to be a brain surgeon. Anything that could be dissected was there before your eyes. Education could not have been better. Satisfying examiners, something else. Changed from Medicine to Pharmacy, to better proceed after an eye injury. Kept playing interfaculty football. Actually graduated!! The trip of life began.

Firstly opposite the Mater Hospital, as the late night chemist. On to Walgett to go into a partnership, but the deal crashed. Griffith was next, with the three acquired children, and their mother, who became Barbara McKay's very best friend, after only 6 months there. Remember Don? Acquired the bad habit of photography, from an apricot farmer who was a member of FIAP (Federation Internationale De L'art Photographique).

Then back to Crows Nest, with amazing customer people. Living back at Northbridge. Married voluptuous, Maton 12 string guitar. Worked on the Corso at Manly, doing the late night trip again. Sacked, unbelievably, out on to the street, confronted. Needing to feed self and others. Very late night chemist stuff at Top Ryde, midnight finishes. Living at Turramurra. Two armed robberies. My interviewing police officer said, "we'll get you a gun". I knew what that meant. I was a marksman shot. I did not go back. Divorce, for the first time. Moved out to Glenorie

The romance of motorbicycles. Hot and throbbing. There were many motorbicyclists amongst the late night people. 200 kilometres with the wind in the hair. More space. Peaceful. Green mental hospital. Working at North Carlingford, sacked again. And then Lane Cove.

Bought my very own business. Beecroft. I had relations that had lived there in the twenties. Just lovely. Felt most at home. Lunatics, not unlike me. Joined Rotary International. An eleven year buzz. Sold for oppressive landlord reasons. Had another marriage and divorce in two short years. Wonderful 19% interest rates. Recovered from asset reassignment following divorce. Married again, after quite a while. Pat liked space too, she lived just down the road, (nine kilometres). Still married to Pat. That's a big 18 year buzz. Went on the road seriously with caravan after selling Beecroft shop. Up to Cairns and down through the middle. Very addictive. Mother came home from UK. Lasted 6 months. For some reason or other bought pharmacy in Cobargo. Where?

Little town, community, real people. President of Yuin Folk Club. Joe Dolce and Greg Champion were billeted. Played harmonica, badly, so some thought, mostly in the shed. Sold up again after 9 years. Left Rotary International. Zoomed around OZ in a clockwise direction in another, better caravan. Did not get giddy except when 40 or 50 metres up on forest air walk. Took over 6 months and 25000 kilometres.

Now living in the Arts end of the southern highlands; as described in the local paper; in Bundanoon. Might help that my middle name is MacLean, and am life member of Clan Maclean, Glasgow Branch. Mad Scots that come to "Brigadoon" may kindly feed me haggis. I hope so. Also not drop caber on toe. Doing a little locum relieving work. Will be in Broken Hill soon. Otherwise all is cool. No issue, as the lawyers say, but four step grandchildren, one who is named "James" , so life could not be much better. Locally we have one health "retreat", Petrea King's "Quest for Life", and two Theravada Buddhist forest monasteries. Just think on that!

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