Memories of the Vagabond

The Vagabond as I remember her growing up
The wedding boat in 1997

 When the Beach or holidays are mentioned, I think of the Vagabond.

The smell of diesel always reminds me of the Vagabond.

The Vagabond was a big part of my childhood; most weekend and every school holidays.  She was built in 1958 by my grandfather and uncle and passed to my father, when Granddad died.

The Vagabond had a distinctive chug chug chug sound, which could be heard for miles.  I remember my Nanna listening out for it and then I would follow Nanna into the back yard, where she would look out to check if it was returning.  She would then start cooking for the men returning from fishing. I was only 6 when she died, so it is an early memory.

My Grandfather and Uncle took 2 years to build the Vagabond, which was launched
 4th October 1958.
You can read more here.

As a child, I loved it when dad would get up close to the Entrance of the 90 Mile Beach.  I really liked it when the boat would rock furiously in the waves.  I remember mum yelling at me to get inside the boat as I would be on the side and hold on to the railing with no life jacket on (maybe this was the first indication that I would like theme park rides?).

My grandfather, Gordon Walker aboard the Vagabond
Undated

I have many vivid memories of the Vagabond;

• When we drove into the Beach, the Vagabond was always moored in a prime position, across the channel from the jetty.

• The first time I saw a dolphin was when I was aboard the Vagabond.  I thought it was a shark!

• Dad holding me and letting me steer the boat but I couldn't see where we were going

• Pretending to steer the Vagabond from the rudder at the back of the boat

• Getting my fingers pinched in the cables that controlled the steering that ran along the side the boat

• Jumping up on the seat when a Flathead was flapping around as I didn't want to get spiked.

• Leaning over the side and washing bait from my hands by using the the water coming out the side of the Vagabond from the bilge pump.

• My mother's panic when my little sister (who was only a toddler) had fallen off the jetty and was in the water between the jetty and the Vagabond.  

The life jackets were similar to these
Image Source: www.ebay.co.uk

• The old dirty life jackets that were stored in the Bow, which smelt like diesel. We only wore them when we were playing in the water.  We would try (always unsuccessfully) to sink or go under the water wearing them.  Even multiple kids sitting on them would not sink them!  A lot of fun trying to sink them!

• There was no toilet aboard the Vagabond and we would need to to into the cabin, shut the door and use a bucket for a toilet, which would then be emptied overboard.

• Sitting in the sun on the engine box reading a book when the Vagabond was running.  It was very warm, noisy and rattled/vibrated.
• I liked to sit on the "Flying Bridge" when the Vagabond was motoring (but Mum didn't like it). I don't think anyone could ever tell me why it was called a "Flying Bridge" as it just didn't make sense to me.
• Rowing from the jetty to the Vagabond and then swimming and diving from the boat.
• Holding my breath and swimming under the Vagabond.  Initially the width and then the length as we became more confident. Don't think Mum and Dad knew about this.

The Vagabond's maiden voyage
4th October 1958
Gordon Walker and his sons on the Bow

• The Vagabond being up on the Slips, having barnacles removed and being painted.  It seemed so much bigger out of the water.
• Asking Dad to change the colour and being told that "Marine Orange and White are safest and easily spotted from the air in an emergency"

• Being told to stop winding and casting, winding and casting and to wait patiently for a fish to bite

• Trying to get out of the dinghy into the Vagabond  with one leg on each boat, the tide separated the boats and I did the splits, falling into the water, fully clothed.  I seem to remember this happening to a cousin too?

• Feeling guilty that my daughter got sun-burnt the first time we took her on the Vagabond (she was only a baby)

• My sister getting married aboard the Vagabond with my son and daughter in the wedding party.  We watched on from the jetty

I am sure that I will add further memories and find photos in future.

The Vagabond in 2013
New Owner, New Mooring, New Colour
Just not the same!

This prompt was inspired by Sepia Saturday.  Please click to read more posts.

G is for Grandfather Gordon

1904
Mother & Son - Mary and Gordon Walker

I was 14 when my grandfather died, but I don't remember much about him.  I don't think he had much time for children and I was a little scared of him.  He brought up his 6 children with tough love, which was the opposite to Nanna.

When we stayed over at our grandparents house, my sister and I would wake early in the morning but stay still and quiet.  We would wait until we heard the outside toilet flush, which was the sign that Granddad had gone to work.  We would then quickly run and hop in Nanna & Granddad's bed.  Nanna would make us a drink of Milo and have colouring books for us to play with.  She always spoiled us and made everything fun.

Gordon Stanley Allen Walker was born at Havelock, a small mining community near Maryborough, in 1904.  

circa 1909
Brothers - Gordon & Frank Walker

Although my grandfather would have liked an education, his family did not have the money to put two children through education and this honour was reserved for Gordon's younger brother, Frank, who showed greater scholastic potential.

Gordon followed in his father's footsteps and commenced work at the mines in Maryborough, until he could obtain an apprenticeship as a wheel wright.  It was while completing his apprenticeship that he met my grandmother, Rita Jones and they married in 1925.

Very soon after, they moved to Yallourn in Gippsland, where Gordon worked initially as a wheel wright and then as a carpenter for the SEC (State Electricity Commission).

1925
Rita & Gordon Walker

In 1946, my grandfather and a colleague/friend were working in the fire tower.  At lunchtime they were watching the traffic and Gordon said to Wally Bennie, "there's the gateway to Gippsland.  We ought to get out of this and start a joinery business of our own."

The Country Leader newspaper reports;

"They were both over 40, with growing families and secure jobs, but they thought it over and decided the risks were worth it.
They bought the site in Moore Street, cleaned it up and set to work to build a factory. This took nearly every weekend for two years, while they continued in their jobs at Yallourn.
They bought plant piecemetal, a machine whenever they could, and in 1948 they resigned and went into business.
Mr Walker had been with the SEC for 23 years and so had earned long service leave.
The SEC was some years ahead of the law in providing for long service leave, but it had a rule that a man had to be 45 to collect.
Mr Walker wasn’t old enough officially but he talked the Commission into giving him his six months pay.
Mr Bennie had his deferred pay and a bonus from the Air Force and an insurance policy had matured when he was 40.
The site of the factory was swampy, so, if the partners were to lay the usual sunken railway track for the truck carrying timber from stack to kiln they would have to concrete it.
Since they couldn’t afford the concrete, Mr Walker designed a different kind of truck that could be used on rails laid above ground. This incorporates its own hydraulic jacking system and its own turn-table and has turned out better than the usual one".

1946
The start of a new business
My Grandfather is on the left

Gordon Walker and one of his shooting medals

My father says that Granddad was an excellent shot and he would often go to the shooting range on a Saturday afternoon.  Dad would sit behind the targets keeping his head down and be given a signal when he could come out and change the targets.  Dad would be paid a shilling to change the targets.

Fishing was also a passion.  My grandfather and uncle took two years, working weekends, to build the Vagabond; a 27ft motor cruiser.

The Latrobe Valley Advocate reported October 7th 1958;
"BUILDING THE VAGABOND"
Few men would have the courage to tackle the building of a 16 seater motor cruiser with no experience of the craft, but it is exactly the task that Gordon Walker and his son, set themselves two years ago, and on Saturday they realised an ambition when they sailed their beautiful boat along Manns Beach and then to 90 Miles Beach.  The behaviour of the boat? Perfect, was the opinion of the big party that sailed on this trip."

4th October 1958
Launching the Vagabond

Gordon Walker

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 Gordon is the son of Ambrose Walker and brother of Frank Walker and Nellie Walker

Taking a Ride

Click on the picture to see more Sepia Saturday posts

What do we like to do at amusement parks?  Go on rides of course.....Well I do.  Therefore my twist on this weeks theme is "Taking a Ride".  When I started going through my photos, there we so many to choose between so I have included a selection of different types of "rides".

I have always loved this photo of my Great Grandparents, Mary & Ambrose Walker, with Buzz and Silver

My Great Grandparents, Mary & Ambrose Walker again.

1958
My Grandfather, father and uncle (and family) on-board the Vagabond, the boat built by my grandfather and uncle.

About 1925
My Grandfather, Gordon Walker

Sorry that the quality of the next photo is not the best but I love the old seesaw.

1924
My grandmother with her younger siblings

1928
My Grand Aunties

1930
My Grand Aunty, Lorna Pilgrim, on the trike

1934
My Grandfather, Allan Scott with Brumby 

1936
My Uncle is the one standing

1943
My Great Grandfather with my Uncles and Aunty

1948
My Uncle, Mother and Aunty - ready for Sunday School

My Great Grand Uncle on a load of hay

1933
My Grandmothers first flight

1975
My Grandmother on the camel