Gibson
Gibson, or Gibson Soak as it was originally known, is a small "village" 16 miles north of Esperance. It was a days drive in the stage coach and during the initial Kalgoorlie-Coolgardie gold-rush boasted three hotels to accommodate the weary travelers. By the early 1960s it had shrunk back to a single pub with three motel units, the all-important railway line and station, and the (Esperance) airport which was actually closer to Gibson. There was also the Esperance Downs Agricultural Research Station just a few miles north of Gibson.
The community at Gibson was thriving when Mum and Dad arrived. In time there were many wonderful activities at which to meet and make friends. I recall Mum and Dad being involved in the auspicious sounding Gibson Progress Association. I remember Dad reminiscing about the building of the new tennis courts and also building the Gibson Hall during the very early 60s. I located a bunch of photos which Joan Smith says were taken at the opening of the Hall which incidentally was the 23rd November 1963 - the day after US president John F Kennedy was assassinated. There are lots of photos of people I can’t recall and I’d be very grateful of being set right about who the people are and also what the occasion was.
I remember delivering grain in bags to CBH at the Gibson railway siding, as well as wool and collecting bags of super-phosphate. It was always a great adventure to go in the old Bedford truck with Dad and usually Paul. We generally specialised in getting in the way or getting out of the way - usually whichever was least required! The bag trolley was a source of great interest to us as a prop for games and we never tired of giving each other rides or playing games which involved pretending to be a bag so that we could be loaded onto or off the truck!
I also recall going with Mum to C.W.A. - Country Women's Association - gatherings which were held in the “Waiting Room” at the aerodrome as it was called then. There were metal swings in the bush outside the waiting room and the attendant preschoolers would oscillate between the playground and the meeting room as squabbles broke out or accidents happened and a cuddle was needed. After the Hall was built, the meetings were held there. The playground was also in the bush and were always gainfully occupied playing on the swings.