From Germany to Marathon

When Mum and Dad came to Australia as refugees after the war they didn't bring much from their home countries of Germany and Poland. One thing they did bring was a tea set from our maternal grandmother.

As refugees they had to work where required by the Government and initially worked for Queensland  Rail,  on the Townsville/Hughenden rail line living in a shack at Marathon (half-way between Townsville and Mt Isa) where the steam-train stopped for water. Mum served the passengers mugs of tea in tin mugs and her home made goat-meat pies (she raised the goats and grew the vegetables)

She loved her 'special' tea set but when pieces were broken over the years my older sister decided to start buying her 'crazy cups'.  A matching cup saucer and plate.

Joh Hodgetts