This beautiful poem which I’m sure could be termed a “sonnet” (a little song) was submitted to the tenindewa.com site by Brian Griffiths to honor an old Tenindewa resident who despite surviving the first world war suffered severe PTSD as we term it today (post traumatic stress syndrome). In his day it was commonly called “Shell Shock”. Harold Hayes farmed in the Bindu area (north west Tenindewa) and a Government water bore, adjacent to the site of Harold’s residence, still bares his name…”Hayes’s Bore”.
Brian Griffiths is one of the most senior living members of our (unofficial) Tenindewa Hall of fame. He is the son of Bill and Ivy Griffiths who built the current store in 1932.
The road running passed the store bears their name…Griffiths Road.
This sonnet speaks of “the Somme” a river in Northern France which has seen many a conflict since 1415 and the battle of Agincourt when the English defeated the French. A seriously defining and historic conflict in that part of Europe.
But the battle of the Somme in 1916 which lasted for 5 months, and which destroyed 1 million lives is more pertinent to Harold Hayes.
As a backdrop to this tragic story, it is appropriate to note an article written in the Weekend Australian newspaper in April 2023 by the well-known and articulate demographer in Bernard Salt. Salt tells us that “every generation had its hardships. But none had it tougher than the generation that built modern Australia—mostly those that were born in the 1890s. In their twenties, and with some still in their teens, many signed up for the World War 1. More than 60,000 [Australian] men out of a population of five million died in the name of the British Empire. Many who lived through the war, and the subsequent Spanish Flu pandemic, had to deal with the quiet hell of what we would now call Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. But they survived (albeit some barley) they married and had children in the 1920s thinking no doubt, that the worst of times was over.
Not so. The Great Depression arrived in the 1930’s when so many had young children, and unemployment peaked above 30 percent. But again, they survived only to make it through to the 1940’s when World War 2 took their sons.
After the war, and by then well into their 50’s the children of the pre-Federation Australia era would have experienced moments of joy as their (many) grandchildren, the Baby Boomers, arrived. But a long retirement was not for this generation because their life expectancy was less than 65. Often, they died at work.”
Jean Hayes middle front
Related Articles;
Mullewa Mail
16 July 1932
TENINDEWA TENNIS
City v. Suburbs
From Our Correspondent
A match was played at Tenindewa on July 8 between the “City” players of the tennis club and the “Suburbs”
The match resulted in a win for the City, the scores being—City; 13 sets, 96 games; Suburbs: 5 sets, 75 games.
Following are the scores; Suburban players being mentioned first—
Short and Hamilton lost to Oldham and Gordon 3-6
Hayes and Curtis beat Mitz and Williams 3-6
O’Donnell and Simpson lost to A. and F. Butler 6-8
Brenkley and Burton beat Griddle and Mullender 5-6
Nattress and Betts lost to Ullrick and Starling 6-5
Hayes and Short beat Oldham and A. Butler 4-6
Hamilton and Curtis beat Gordon and Mitz 6-4
Nattress and Burton lost to Mullender and Starling 6-5
Brenkley and O’Donnell beat F. Butler and Ullrick 3-6
Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Brenkley lost to Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Oldham 6-1
Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Griffiths lost to Mrs. Butler and Miss Penny 4-6
Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Curtis lost to Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Butler 3-6
Mrs. Brenkley and Mrs. Griffiths lost to Mrs. Oldham and Miss M. Penny 4-6
Mrs. Hayes and Short lost to Mrs. Gordon and Oldham 1-6
Mrs. Brenkley and Hayes lost to Mrs. Oldham and Gordon 3-6
Mrs. Curtis and Hamilton lost to Miss Penny and Williams 5-6
Mrs. Griffiths and D, Farrell lost to Miss Peden and D. Bell 2-6
Mrs. Curtis and Simpson lost to Miss M. Penny and Criddle 5-6
June 27th 1936
Mullewa mail
Tennis
Tenindewa Vs Pindar
The above match played last Sunday on the Tenindewa courts was a forcible reminder of Lewis Carroll’s famous ballad, in which the walrus is lecturing to an audience of oysters and punctuating his lecture from time to time, with a few mouthfuls of his audience–in spite of their frantic protests–is supposed to have said –“I weep for you” the walrus said. “I deeply sympathize.” With tears and groans he sorted out– two of the largest size.
In the men’s singles particularly, this rule was scrupulously — or unscrupulously– observed by Tenindewa, as all Pindar players were cleaned up, but…..with such an air of good fellowship that the cleaning up was really enjoyable. The Pindar captain was swallowed boots and all –6-0 and his doughty opponent looked as if three or four more of the same would merely whet his appetite for lunch.
On the other hand the Pindar ladies, reinforced by the addition of three Mullewa players, refused to be swallowed, showing some knowledge of the swallowing art themselves.
However the day’s play was very enjoyable. The courts were in excellent condition and the day, though was cool, was fine. Tenindewa won very comfortably by 20 sets to 12 and one set was unfinished at 4 o’clock all owing to the failing light. Many of the games however, were very evenly contested and some fair tennis was witnessed.
The very best of the day’s tennis was provided by the men’s top singles, in which Oldham beat Williams 6–8, and the two top ladies singles in which the Pindar ladies were successful–Mrs. Wright winning from Mrs. Hayes 6–3 and Miss Brand winning from Mrs. Oldham at the same score.
Afternoon tea was provided by the local ladies and was much appreciated. In the exchange the usual courtesies at the conclusion of the match it was mentioned that Pindar was having its its courts reconditioned, after which it is hoped to stage a return match on it’s home courts.
The full scores are as follows (Tenindewa players being mentioned first in each case):
Men’s Singles
Oldham beat Williams, 6–8: W. Weir beat Simpson, 6–0: R. Short beat Sutherland, 8–6: S Hayes beat Wickham, 6–4: Hayes beat Eustace, 6–4: Butler beat Penman, 6–3: Brenkley lost to Small, 8–6.
Ladies Singles
Mrs. Hayes lost to Mrs. Wright, 8–6: Mrs. Oldham lost to Miss Brand, 8–6: Mrs. Butler lost to Mrs. Renner, Mrs. Short beat Mrs. Stoner, 6–8: Mrs. Curtis beat Mrs. Small, 6–4: Mrs. Brenkley beat Mrs. Hayley, 6–5.
Men’s Doubles
Oldham and W. Weir beat Williams and Simpson, 6–3: R and J Short beat Sutherland and Wickham, 6–2: Hayes and Butler beat Eustace and Penman, 6–3: R. Weir and Curtis, beat Stoner and Kinsella, 6–2, 6–0: Brenkley and D. Bell lost to Proctor and Wright, 4–6: Brenkley and Bell beat Small and Proctor, 6–3.
Ladies Doubles
Mrs. Oldham and Mrs. Hayes beat Mrs. Wright and Miss Brand, 6–3: Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Short lost to Mrs. Renner and Mrs. Stoner, 2–5: Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Brenkley lost to Mrs. Small and Mrs. Hayley, 4–6: Miss Stafford and and Miss Quinn drew with Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Simpson, 3–6, 6–4.
Mixed Doubles
Oldham and Mrs. Oldham beat Williams and Mrs. Wright, 6–4: W. Weir and Mrs. Hayes beat Simpson and Miss Brand, 6–4: R. and Mrs. Short lost to Sutherland and Mrs. Renner, 2–6: J. Short and Mrs. Butler Wickham and Mrs. Stoner, 6–2: Hayes and Mrs. Curtis lost to Eustice and Mrs. Small, 5–6: Butler and Mrs. Brenkley lost to Stoner and Mrs. Foster, 4–6: Curtis and Miss Quinn lost to Kinsella and Mrs. Simpson, 2–6: R. Weir and Mrs. Stafford Vs Penman and Mrs. Hayley, 4–4 (unfinished).
Total Scores: Tenindewa, 20 sets and 160 games: Pindar 20 sets and 140 games.
Note; The Pindar names are interesting. Bert Simpson MLC held the seat of Central Province for 17 years. Neta was his wife. They lived in Pindar for many years.
Mrs. Annie Small (wife of Pindar pioneer, Peter) and the mother of 4 beautiful daughters, including the two brilliant artists, in Ailsa (Flannigan) and Elisabeth (Barnetson). George and Mrs. Stoner and Harold (Jim) and Thelma Wright are immortalized by the famous Alf Cough built shed that still stands at Pindar with their names emblazoned on the front. Mr. and Mrs. Foster were long time Pindar residents and are not to be confused with the iconic Foster family that came to Tenindewa some years after this event.
April 1949
Tenindewa Notes
Greenough Sun (Thursday 14th April 1949)
The second draw of the local Tennis Club’s handicap tournament was played on Sunday the 10 of April. Play was well up to standard and players were very keen. Following are the results of the days matches;
Men’s Singles
T. Foster defeated K. Butler
5-6, 6-1, 6-2
D. Heelan defeated G. Rumble
6-4, 6-1
L. Starling defeated F. Butler
6-4, 6-4
Men’s Doubles
A. Cream and D. Brenkley defeated P. Butler and J. Brenkley
6-5, 1-6, 6-3
E. Hearne and W. Cox defeated D. Heelan and F. Butler
6-4, 2-6, 10-8
Mixed Doubles
Mr. and Mrs. Oldham defeated W. Weir and Mrs. G. Rumble
6-5, 6-3
Mr. and Mrs. Oldham defeated Mr. and Mrs. Hayes
3-7, 7-5, 6-5
November 9th, 1950
Geraldton Sun
Tenindewa Pars
Our local Hall was the scene of a happy gathering recently when all our folk got together and gave a sendoff to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hayes, who have been farming in this district for 20 years. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes will be greatly missed by our Tennis Club as they were both very enthusiastic members of the club for a number of years. Mr. Hayes was also a keen supporter of our Progress Association. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes had to give up farming on account of ill health, and they are now living at Safety Bay.