BIRD ON A WIRE

The inky blue hills far to the east beckoned the adventurous mind, and the warm moist air of springtime nurtures the inner spirit of small boys. The original Urbenville School sat high on a hill overlooking the valley and the village below.

On a warm November afternoon a group of schoolboys were throwing stones at a group of flock pidgins perched on the telephone wire attached to the wall of the schoolhouse. Just as Patrick, an adventurous eight year old downed a pidgin with a well aimed stone, the headmaster stepped out of his office and witnessed the event. Patrick was marched into the office and given six across the hand with his much used cane.

This got Paddy’s Irish up, and as he left the office, he picked up another stone and threw it at the pidgins, downing another bird.

A now red faced headmaster saw this act of defiance, and marched Paddy back to the office for six more, and a sharp slap across the backside for good measure. The next morning Paddy arrived early at school, and downed every bird on the wire.

HAVE-A-CHAT-PAT

The Urbenville Football Team returned home late from their match in Lismore. The night was wet and cold, and the old school bus had seen many better days. A storm had caused flooding along the Richmond River but they had been able to cross the old wooden bridges along their way.

The lights of home could be seen through the trees as they approached the Tooloom Creek crossing just a mile out from Urbenville village.

The rain had been heavy in the mountains. The water was high over the bridge and the railings could just be seen beneath the surface of the rushing water.

Many hours of cold and darkness were ahead of the team on this winters night. Paddy was an unstoppable larrikin with a streak that some said was courage; his family often despaired at his antics and daredevil ways. Paddy wrapped his legs and arms around the handrail and began to move into the swirling stream. Slowly he made his way across the creek, guided by the handrail. Reaching the other side he headed into Urbenville leaving his mates to a cold night.

Paddy spent his evening enjoying a few good ails in front of a log fire at the Urbenville Pub.
Years later Paddy’s larrikin spirit and unswerving courage would see him through tougher times on the Kakoda Track.