The post war baby boom was felt all over Australia, and for many men coming back from the war when jobs were scarce, a small dairy with a mixed farm and productive farmyard in the isolated Upper Clarence region of far northern NSW was the perfect solution.

The many creeks feeding into the Upper Clarence provided fertile flats suited to growing corn, and a comfortable subsistence living could be had. This isolated community also provided a good environment for raising children.

Many areas within the Upper Clarence were also known for its religious fervor and a strong social live developed around the parish churches. The most notable feature of Old Bonalbo was the village Hall. A very large building constructed entirely of local timber, even the ceiling was made of timber slats. Within the building the natural light and warm glow of timber made it a popular venue for community activities and large religious gatherings.

Church was the usual place for young people to meet their future spouse, and the various religious communities ran a busy social calendar for the young people of the district.

In the late 1950’s a lot of young people in the district were coming to the end of their school life, and for many of the girls a career in teaching or nursing lay ahead of them; but according to the Church Elders these young women were needed as wives for the farmers of the district The church elders decided that a “Pleasant Sunday Afternoon” was needed to settle as many young people into marriage as possible and discourage the girls from leaving.

Most families in the district attended church twice on Sunday, this was going to be a third church service on a Sunday afternoon, too much church for adventurous eight years olds.
On the appointed Sunday afternoon the hall was filled with visitors from the surrounding villages for a festival of hymn singing and prayer followed by afternoon tea.

Ellie and Prue were eight years old and inseparable friends, they had no intention of spending this perfect Sunday afternoon in church. Some of the boys had already made a dash for the creek; the younger children were not so bold and lingered among the trees behind the hall. The huge old Loquat tree that stood against the back fence was covered in fruit at this time of year, the perfect hiding place for two tomboys.

Prue and Ellie climbed to the top-most branches and began enjoying the succulent fruit. Younger children gathered around below the tree and called up for fruit to be thrown down to they. The stern church matrons on hearing the ruckus behind the hall marched around to the loquat tree to investigate.

“Come down” they demanded, “the boys can see up your dresses”
“They shouldn’t be looking,” replied Prue, surprised at her own defiance,
“Girls should not climb trees, you should let the boys climb the trees and then ask them to throw down fruit to you”