By Mavis Stower
A recent sentimental journey to a property 28 kilometres west of Inglewood saw three former school friends, all now 80 years old, share a day full of amazing memories of the time they lived on the property when they were children.
A highlight of the visit was a nostalgic walk over a section of bush track known as ’The Short Sandy Track’.
During their school days as pupils attending the nearby ’one-teacher’ Ben Dor Provisional School, a friendship was formed between Rosemary Lehmann-Moore (nee Stower), Sally Ferris (nee Bosnjak), and Joe Grasso.
Rosemary and Sally now live in Brisbane while Joe now lives on Coochiemudlo Island.
The bond forged 66 years ago between the three is as strong as ever, with the trio never losing touch over the years.
In 1955 Rosemary, Sally, and Joe lived on the property then known as ’Brooklyn’ (or Bosnjak’s farm) where their parents were growing tobacco.
The property was owned by Sally’s father, Nick Bosnjak, and was a hive of industry.
There were six inter-connecting farms with dozens of farm workers and their families living on site.
At one stage it was reputed to be the largest singly owned tobacco plantation in the Southern Hemisphere.
Each school day, children from the property traversed a rough, dusty bush track to attend the one-teacher Ben Dor Provisional School.
The bright spot along the way was a short stretch of clean, white sand edged with pine trees known to all as ’The Short Sandy Track’.
It was here that the three friends had their reunion and made their nostalgic walk.
All three declared the day had not only been perfect in every way but a long held wish, to return together for a visit, had at last been fulfilled.
