NSW Seminarian St. Columba's College, archive of letters & ephemera.
1962 - 1965. Group of 28 handwritten letters and a few pieces of ephemera (postcard, clippings, photographs) from (Leonard) James O’Connor in Goulburn and later at the Springwood NSW seminary to his U.S. penpal, Janice Baginski in Calument City Illinois.
These penpals had been “introduced” via the mails from mutual friends in their respective
countries. Here is the Australian side of the correspondence. Jim O’Connor describes who he is –18 years old, living and in school in Goulburn NSW and writes of his interests in sport, movies, family, friends, education and various activities.
Much of his writing is devoted to explaining various Australian-isms to his friend in the U.S., including descriptions of the unique Australian wildlife, love for sport in general in Australia and specifically horse-racing, with a bit on the famous thoroughbred Melbourne Cup winner Phar Lap and national characteristics; various Australian-specific sports are explained: Rugby League & Rugby Union, Australian Rules football (aerial ping-pong) “…a bleeding noses is nothing to worry about…Peter & McGinley got broken noses last season. If the Gentleman who got an elbow in the stomach was playing Rugby he probably would have got a punch or a judo chop in the kidneys – they are very popular in Rugby...”.
He’s not fond of the ‘pommies,’ English immigrants to Australia and their tendency to put on airs and lord over others. For example, he attends a Scots Night which ends in God Save the Queen – during which he hums When Irish Eyes Are Smiling to himself.
Over a year’s time there is some change in his attitude towards the indigenous peoples of Australia, from a very conservative and biased viewpoint to one a bit more enlightened, reflecting the changes in the times. He writes of the story of Ned Kelly and his heroic stature in Australian folklore to this day, of Banjo Paterson and his swaggie wanderings; of ‘economy races’ sponsored by the gasoline companies; of various humorous incidents in daily life: at the Goulburn ANZAC day celebration, one of the honor guards passes out, drops his rifle and the bishop has to catch him as he’s going down. Or the collapse of the portable stage due to the rocking activity of some of the bigger boys at the school (no injuries).
Later, in 1963 he expresses his vocation for the priesthood and begins seminary training at St. Columba’s in Springwood; he is saddened to think that the correspondence will not be continued due to the school’s restrictions on letter-writing (later, relieved to find the rules not as strict).
O’Connor also writes of affinities between Australia & America; national sadness and shock at the death of President Kennedy, enjoyment of Mad magazine and shared movie interests. His family moves to Canberra in the meantime, happily to a ‘bonza’ new home; his studies are going well; he gets part-time work at Rogers’ dept. store during holidays.
Also: Australian women; counsel for true love; much chafing at being a “British subject.” Seminary proves to less rule-bound than expected; with description on the life, education, work while there, including the large landholdings & physical surroundings of the school. More Australian language and slang peculiarities are discussed and explained.
Russia-Cuba World peace fears, slightly – commies, Castro, Moscow puppetry of that island’s politics. Anti- Beatles and a fairly conservative, quiet person given to occasional whisky and smokes.
Each letter about 4 – 6 pages, written in a very legible inked hand; circa 25,000+ words. Very good condition. Item #24631
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