Boolaroo Bulletin Centenary Issue

THE secret to living to a good ol' age in Boolaroo is to have a hot bath every day, a little advice from Boolaroo resident Jack Eastlakes! One sunny, yet cool and windy morning, I had the absolute pleasure to meet Jack who was sitting quietly on his verandah enjoying the warmth of the sun. Spending time with Jack Eastlakes, his son John, daughter Shirley and son-in-law Les Mason, the stories, the people and the town`s historical importance reminded me why I have become so fond of Boolaroo, the warmth and good nature of the many residents who have lived in the area for all or most of their lives and the spirit that lives within these folk. We talked of times past when Jack could remember a bustling town; the Lindstrom Bros., Friths and The Co-op stores and many highlights that spanned over nearly a century. As the interview began with Jack proud of his 97 years; he began to tell his story.

Jack arrived in Australia in 1924 and worked as a Miner at the Stockton Borehole. He started as a miner in England at the age of 14 and worked hard in pits and mines until the age of 60. (It was brought to my attention recently that photos of men in the early days are all thin men, is this a reflection on today's trends and work duties?). In war times there were 10 hour shifts to produce coal for guns.

With the vast distance from Boolaroo to Northumberland, Jack met another "Geordie", a nice girl, Florence who caught his eye as she walked by one day, they met again at a dance at the Sulphide Welfare Hall and later married. Jack recalled an earth tremor in the Sulphide Hall when the walls shook in approx. 1924. I asked Jack why he liked the area?

"Boolaroo is a nice place, I like the people, the kindness and friendliness that people have shown to me over the many years", Jack replied.

As Jack finds it more difficult to move around there is always someone to help him daily, whether family or community aid, eg Meals on Wheels. Jack remembers when Kingsford Smith's plane landed on the Boolaroo Racetrack. Jack was a member of the Co-op store, and of course in those days it was the "wife's department". Everything could be bought at The Store from bakery needs to hardware. Jack's son John Eastlakes worked for over 5 years in the bakery when the bread cart was horse drawn and there were stables for the horses. In the early days doctors made up their own medicine whilst you sat and waited for a "brown bottle". Jack never had much money to go anywhere so weekends and holidays were spent down at Speers Point Park, thousands came from all over to camp and frolic by the Lake. We talked about the "night soil carters", the blasts from the Quarry, the respect in the community for the Hawkins firm, the parades from the Commercial Hotel down to the Park which ended up as a community picnic with concerts and singers. The respect for the local Bank Manager and Postmaster, to whom everyone lifted their hat when acknowledging a friendly greeting. Jack's family were supportive of this interview and to the future "concern for safer airplanes" and a strong will, Jack intends and hopes to live to see 2020 and reach 120, if this small miracle can happen it may prove to others that Boolaroo is the place to live if you want to live a long, and fullfiling life, just like Jack who was frisky enough to give me a "peck on the cheek" to bid farewell.
Thank you Jack!

- Interview by Jennie Barrie