Chris Daniher
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
But Neil loved the shearing shed, the camaraderie, the stories, the people.
He loved his Uncle Jack, Cobby and Ethel, who would stir up Dad with his political views.
They were amazing shearers and amazing storytellers.
At each smoko, Neil would arrive and listen and partake in Mum's morning teas with scrumptious sandwiches, warm scones with jam and cream on top, and the biggest teapot you'd ever seen.
It was about five litres.
At 13, off Neil went to St Pat's in Goulburn as a boarder.
And to be honest, we all felt very sorry for him leaving the farm in the car with mum and dad.
It was a world away.
They played rugby instead of footy.
Cadets, which he disliked enormously.
Freezing winters and food that was no substitute for mum's tucker.
Every school holiday, he'd come home with an earache.
which somehow kept him on the couch for a week, being lovingly looked after by his mum.
By week two, he'd made a full recovery.
He was back enjoying one of his great loves, music.
He would come home with bands such as Supertramp, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, then later America Hall of Notes and Eagles.
He'd bring it home with him, different bands, different sounds.
He shaped our taste in music.
That was Neil, even though he was away,
He had this way of influencing the rest of us.