What can we say about the year 1923 ? The Great War had been over for five years, and the winning powers were making sure the loser suffered the consequences. The Brit. Sir Eric Geddes promised “Germany would be squeezed like a lemon, until the pips squeak.” By 1923, hyperinflation had taken over. 4,200,000,000,000 German Marks equalled One American Dollar. Gold was lurking in the shadows, at $US21.32 an oz. The Dow was just recovering at 100 points, and six years later in 1929 topped 381. The rest is history.
Meanwhile back in the OZ. Billy Hughes had resigned. Don Bradman was still playing tennis. Bitalli won the Melbourne Cup and Phar Lap was yet to be born. Elsewhere. The trams still ran down George Street. You could catch a horse drawn cab in Martin Place, from where you would naturally “Go to Gowings”, and buy Vegemite for the first time. Unfortunately Aeroplane Jelly was yet to arrive. However, construction had started on the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
What else happened in 1923 ? The “Roaring Twenties” were about to take off, bringing in the start of the Jazz Age. The first colour films appeared but Mickey Mouse and the Talkies arrived later. The year did herald the birth of various celebrities who would go on to make their mark in the world, Rocky Marciano, Maria Callas, George Patton AND the One and Only Darwin Don. What a year to remember !
DARWIN’S BIRTHDAY BASH RUN
So we were all off to the Macquarie Uni playing fields to celebrate with I Owe A Dollar and Yakkity. Just to celebrate, they turned up something different – it rained. Initially, just to keep it social and the shoes dry, the Hares cleverly utilised the adjoining Uni walking, cycling and running tracks. On the moment when all thought it was time to turn for Home, it not only started to pissed down but the Tracks turned into the Bush. Onto those now well-known muddy, water-logged paths. Up until the three-cornered check, which proved to be a Check-Back, the Run had been exceptionally well-marked but once the On-Back was sort of found, it was every man for himself and make your own arrangements to get home in the continual rain. Most managed to find the Out Track and took the line of least resistance, accepted trudging up the long tortuous steep track and headed for home. By which time the gathering darkness was bringing a merciful end to what had been a dreary, rain soddened day. Major Disaster groping his way along was fortunate to be guided home. Tick Tock was less fortunate and finally appeared out of the gloom well after Darwin had extinguished the last of the eighty-nine candles on his cake.
”WHAT ?! EIGHTY-NINE, I DON’T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT, NEITHER WILL ANY OF THE LADIES”