On 13 January 1939, Black Friday - bushfires raged throughout Victoria causing over 70 deaths. At Yallourn 1,000 people fought desperately and successfully saved the town and the various SEC work facilities. During these fires, the rifle range was damaged and the Department of Interior provided 100 pounds to carry out repairs.
In September 1939 the family returned to Yallourn and lived in a two bedroom cement rendered house with a tile roof at 44 Broadway West. In 1941 Bob started Grade 1at the Primary School, teacher Miss Partington and Headmaster Mr. Lindsay. In 1942 Chris started at the High School. On 20 April 1942 Jim received a letter from SEC that The Deputy Director-General of Man Power gave permission for leave of absence to join RAAF. 15 August 1942 Jim was granted a Commission as Pilot Officer, on 15 February 1943 Jim was granted a Commission as Flying Officer. May 1943 to February 1944 Overseas Service in Pacific, working on construction of airfields with the Americans in the Southwest Pacific. 1 March 1944 Jim was granted a Commission as Flight Lieutenant. In 1945 Chris completed Form 4 at the High School and remembers doing an exam on the date the war ended in the Pacific. From 16 April 1945 to 5 November 1945 Jim served with Number 6 Airfield Construction Squadron as Engineer/ Surveyor, with the Americans at Morotai and Balikpapan. On 9 November 1945 Jim was demobilized from the RAAF and returned as a Surveyor with the SEC.
Our teeth were looked after by Mr Rosenbrock (RAAF dentist) at the medical centre. Bob remembers he was more concerned about the ash falling off the lit cigarette into his mouth than the pain from the drilling. At this time, cost for free medical services was 5 shillings a week for a family.
Chris remembers attending YHS in Grade 5 (Primary) – teacher Miss Cornish. In Form 2, Miss Hewitt took Music and French and was the Form teacher. Miss Hewitt later married Mr Wynd, also a teacher at the High School. Mr Cartnell was the History teacher. Miss Young was the Geography and Art teacher. Chris started work in 1946 at SEC Typing Pool in the Main Office under Miss Herbert. She transferred to Coal Supply Drawing Office to operate the printing machine and file plans where she met Merv Godfrey, a draftsman who later produced the Melways Directory. Chris and Fae Lawson attended night school at YTS for Mechanical Drawing with teacher Claude Jones. Chris then became a tracer in the Drawing Office.
Immediate Neighbours: 42 - Mr & Mrs Dunstan, Shirley plus 3; 46 - Mr & Mrs Harris, Ivan
Nearby Neighbours: 41 - Mr & Mrs Needham; 47 - Mr & Mrs Smith, Owen, Tony & 2 girls; 48 - Mr & Mrs Quinlivin;
17 Meadow Lane - Mr (Barber) & Mrs Hudson, Barry, Helen
22 Latrobe Ave - "Tiny" & Mrs Chancellor, Elva, Greta, Clive