Postmarked Farina

Description

Arno Nietz, a young teacher fresh from training was appointed to be the Head teacher of Farina, in far north South Australia in 1918.  This posting to a straggling railway town of iron and stone houses and a mix aboriginals, Afghans, itinerant bush workers and Government officers came as ‘something of a shock’ to Arno and he found solace in sending and receiving letters from his family and green and leafy North Adelaide.  As a window on life in an outback settlement at the end of the First War, the letters of Arno are a priceless resource to those interested in the nitty-gritty of daily life and the everlasting battle with the elements of heat, dust, floods and isolation.

These letters are from the heart untainted by a desire to please or self-censorship.  They reflect the emotions that many a young teacher ‘sent to the bush’ has experienced.  Their very rawness gives integrity to Arno’s voice.