IT was being scalded by steam while helping pour boiling water from a large boiler for tea making at the Wingham Show that gave dairy farmer Les Reeves the perfect opportunity to introduce himself to the pretty young cook from the Mayo hospital when he spotted her at one of the regular dances at the Belmore Hall in Taree.
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He recognised Hazel Hamilton, the girl who had rendered first aid and exactly 12 months later, they married on St Patrick's Day, March 17, 1945.
They married in St John's Church of England in Taree and went to live with Les's mother, Beth on the dairy farm at Warrawillah.
By the time their first child, Rhonda was born, Les was working as a docker at Machin's Mill at Elands. Les then joined the railway and he moved his family into two rooms in Wingham.
Les was one of 10 porters who worked at the busy goods yards at the Wingham Railway Station where up to 10 trucks of goods from potatoes to chaff and salt were received daily. Twice weekly two trainloads of livestock (20 odd trucks per train) left Wingham, destined for Flemington markets and Les enjoyed working with local cattle buyers, the late Darby Stone, Ernie Gibson and Charlie Chapman.
Les was appointed signalman at Kerriwong, near Kendall, travelling to work by train and the family made home a small cottage next to the railway crossing at the entrance of Wingham.
Back then, two young youths, Rex Hooker and Peter Back lived in a cabin nearby to operate the gates for passing trains.
Les and Hazel then moved to a flat next to the old Emporium, on the corner Isabella and Wynter Streets, opposite the Wingham Hotel which overlooked the original saleyards. By then their daughter Lesley was born and their first son Gordon followed soon after.
The railway siding of Killawarra was the next stop for signalman Les and his family. This was a little community of railway cottages where fetlars (line workers), engine drivers and workers resided with their families, and it was here Max was born. Les was sent to Station Master's School in Newcastle and was transferred to Yarra, near Goulburn. Each move would mean a climb up the career ladder and after a stint at Blayney the family moved into the railway cottage, next to the railway track while Les was stationed at Millthorpe. It was here, that Hazel got her first taste of cherry and pea picking to supplement the family income.
When Les earned his next stripe he was transferred back to Wingham, where the fishing was better! Wingham was to be his hometown station for the rest of his 37-year railway career and Les and Hazel moved to their modest home in Mortimer Street in the mid 50's which Hazel thought it was a palace. Their last two children, Ian and Lorrae were born.
As relieving station master at the region's railways including Gloucester, Dungog, Bulliac, Bundook, and Mount George, Les also managed to work casually for local carriers Jack Hancock and Jim Penno. With six children at school Hazel joined a contingent of local women to pick peas for the thriving industry. She would take one day a week off from the back breaking work to scrub the house and cook plenty of cakes and puddings. In those days the extra income meant an extra bucket of apples a week, plenty of food, books and clothes for the kids, and visits to the dentist!
Over the years Hazel cooked at both the Wingham and the Australian hotels and still managed to have meals on the table on time at home.
While Les enjoyed his annual trips fishing to Mungindi and trips to Cairns, the Gulf and Darwin, Hazel was content to stay at home in her garden. Her green thumbs and success with African violets led her to setting up her own wholesale nursery and for some years supplied big chain stores. She later set up a Pots'n Plants shop in the Wingham Arcade where she could expand her horticultural and floristry skills.
Les also loved his garden and had market gardens and gleaned much pleasure giving away his pumpkins, pimply quash and grammas.
There is still always plenty of colour - lots blooming at their Mortimer Street home. Hazel's front yard garden keeps her very busy while Les doesn't care for flowers - except cauliflowers - his domain has been the backyard and his vegetable garden but at 91, it's all getting harder to maintain. His wife of 70 years, who is also 91 still does all the cooking.
Les and Hazel have passed on their love of gardens to all of their children and great grandchildren. The whole family - six children, 15 grandchildren and too many great grandchildren to count all got together last weekend to celebrate Les and Hazel's 70th wedding anniversary.
In all 35 family members and dear friend Edna Walsh from Killawarra enjoyed the day.
