Take a trip along memory's lane. Share your stories of earlier times. Maybe it's an adventure in Dad's '34 Chev, your first job, the day you got TV, or tales from your student days.
Make your story long or short; include photos if you wish. The only thing that matters is that you jot down some of your best stories and send them in.
Email: webmaster(at)sydneyu3a.org with your story and include a head and shoulders picture if you have one handy.
The list of stories is growing weekly. Some early contributors have added to their list. New contributors are added at the bottom. We'll probably have to find a better way to organize them soon. But, for now, scan through the lot; they're all excellent.
Just click on the links to see a PDF of each story.
And now for something extra...
Now you can leave a comment or two on any of our stories. Click here to go to the comments page.
Facts of Life
If you've been following our other story telling section - Travellers' Tales - then the name Rex Benn will be very familiar. In this story Rex recounts some early life lessons gained during various university vacation jobs.
THE PROVIDER - CATERER
Rex proves to be a reluctant procurer
WILD OSCAR
At the time of this story of his schooldays Rex was obviously aware of some, if not all, of the facts of life.
Nineteen Thirty Nine
Rex recalls starting at a new school when his father starts a new life in the army.
Three Witches For Christmas
Rex recounts how his family endured their own double portion of toil and trouble.
THEOLOGIA HUMANA
Idealogue meets theologue?
Summer Holidays at San Remo
Master Benn takes the helm.
The French Camp
Poor Judith; poor Rex. You'll feel the pain.
A Capella
The poignancy of this story which will linger in your mind long after you've read it.
Off To Work Mum
John Pettett tells the story of a young lad and his Christmas casual job at DJs.
The Kitchen at Peachtrees
Why do Grandpa's have to leave?
Never Be Tempted By a Cheap Easter Egg
Lorna Clayton has a flood of memories for us to enjoy. In this first tale, she relates how it's always been possible to have too much of a good thing.
Midge
Sadly, they don't make aunts like this anymore.
Memories 1941
Here's a short poem to remind you of...well, just read it and see.
The Guest House
I'm sure I've been there too.
Verandahs
From whence to view the passing parade.
Grandpa's Lunchtime
As seen by a loving granddaughter.
Christmas 1937
Jim Dowell has contributed a series of stories recounting landmark events in his life. This is the first. Do you too recall Christmas when you were seven?
Nine Years Old
What have pantomimes and barrage balloons got in common? They were just a few of the things that caught the attention of nine year old Jim.
Evacuation
You do what you have to do.
The Australian Outback
And now for something completely different.
Grandma's War
Elizabeth Gray is a prolific writer. Here is a tale of a teenager in war time. No doubt, however, it is recounted for the benefit of those who couldn't imagine what Grandma got up to when those truly were the days.
THE BILLYCART
The Billycart was first published in "When I was Ten" a collection of Memories of Childhood 1905 - 1985 edited by Len Fox and Hilary Lindsay
Sydney's West
Here's the first of what we hope will be many stories by David Fernon. This tale was first published by Legacy Books in a publication entitled I Remember When - A Collection of Memories. There's no prize for guessing what it is about.
Grandpa's Place
Nowadays the words 'Sydney' and 'country' don't seem to go together. But David remembers a time when they did.
On the Veranda
Glennis Henning's story is a reminder of just how useful, and sensible, a verandah was. Makes you wonder just where all that good sense went.
The Appendicitis Case
Tom Ware was diagnosed with appendicitis. 'So what?' you say. Well he was in the navy and at sea in a small ship.
CRASH STOP
Have you ever been amazed at the way drivers of large trucks manage to squeeze through the smallest of spaces? Tom finds that it is not always possible.
Theory and Practice
What's the difference? Quite a bit, Tom found.
A Holiday in the Mountains
Ah! Peace and quiet; just what you need. Right?
The Oasis
A welcome place; until you have to share it.
The Lolly Lady
Kath Hollins takes us back to the days when a kid with a penny was rich.
South Africa - The 90 Day Law and the Night I am Held for Questioning
If the title isn't frightening enough then the story certainly is. Here is Gerald Sabel's true account of a slice of life in apartheid South Africa.
Home Remedies or Old Wives Cures
Who could forget? Margaret Dowell has a fascinating recollection of the home remedies that were popular when she was a young girl. Why not use the comments section to tell us of some that you remember? Or, better still, write your own story about the remedies your mother relied on way back When Those Were the Days.
The Singer
A first contribution from Anne Cary. A tale of happy memories and awkward moments.
