Near the Tumut River (The Children's Corner)

13 July 1938 The Australian Worker 

Dear Worker,

It is a long time since I wrote to 'The Worker.'

My people are travelling the roads, just like the Gypsies, except for the fortune-telling.

It is great fun roaming over the country - a bit cold, but none the less enjoyable.

To hear the birds singing and to be camped near the beautiful Tumut River rippling nearby and breathe in the lovely morning air, is indeed a pleasure.

Tumut is a pretty little place, nestling in an amphitheatre of green and rugged hills, a great contrast to many other dry and dusty towns I have travelled through.

The tall and stately poplars that, adorn the plate arid much ad mired are just over the Bombowlee side of the little wooden bridge that spans the river.

I am glad I live in good old 'Aussie,' away from the bombs and poison gas we read about as killing so many innocent people in Spain and elsewhere.

Have you any sons, dear Editor? If you have I hope they will never have to go to a war. 

My uncle, an old soldier, says they are terrible.

If everyone loved nature and the bush there would be no wars - at least, I think so.

As the sun is getting low in the west and the night will be cold, I must stick to my job of cutting up the fuel to keep us warm. 

We are going to Adelong.

Would you like to hear from me again? Cheerio.

 "Roadster" (Joe Darcy). 

Camp No. 15,

Tumut (at present). 

(An excellent letter, lad, and we shall be delighted to receive another such from you. We quite agree with what you say about war. God grant that I our boys will never have to go through the fearful ordeal again.)