More blasts from the past via Australia
David and Trudi Mackenzie, occasional correspondents from ‘Down Under’, have sent the Lochaber Times another selection of photographs and memories.
The couple were among a large number of families from the Fort William area who emigrated to the Australian suburb of Frankston, Victoria, in the 1950s and 60s.
David writes: ‘I have some old photos of New Year’s Eve in the 1950s when we all got together at my parents’ home. Unfortunately all the old folk have passed on.
‘And I have photos of the fancy dress parade in Fort William when the town nearly all dressed up.
‘I also have a good story I sent to the Australian Scottish Banner with the title ‘From the Mod in Fort William to Sydney Opera House’ – a story of Rosemary Gunn who now lives in Sydney. I still keep in contact as we were children together in Seaview Terrace.
‘A well known Fort man, Donald Maclean, turned 80 last week. His sister Margaret worked for years in the paper shop. I hope the photos in this letter are useful. I remember well when the Arab Legion pipe band came to the Fort. As a youngster, I was not impressed there were no kilts and that they wore tea towels on their heads!
‘The shinty boys’ photograph shows my brother-inlaw Robbie Murray, who is the shortest fellow standing up.
‘Robbie would have been about 86 now but passed away a few years ago and there may be some old shinty players that remember.
‘The photograph has the same background as the Arab Legion pipe band - the old Fort shinty park.
‘The other photograph of the three boys was taken at the old wash house at the end of Seaview Terrace.
‘I was back there in 2015 and the old wash house was in need of repair, not to mention the washing green was now a jungle.
‘There are a number of folk that have lived in Frankston who are now back in the Fort. Bill Rogers and his wife who ran the newsagency at the station were married here and Elaine Clarkson has also returned to the Fort.’