It was in 1972 before equal pay for women was introduced into Queensland, and the Year Book of 1966 indicates the average male wage of $32.70 and female wage of $24.55 for the same work and often times with a better female qualification.

Sue Campbell speaks of the 60’s Brisbane City Council policy, which forced her to resign when she married.

Hazel Campbell tells of bringing up 5 children as a single mum, teacher on less than $25 per week when equal pay was introduced and still had to fight tooth and nail to have the pay adjusted by Treasury.

Men were allowed to smoke at their desks – women were not.

Even in the late ‘70’s it was common practice for me, as an agent, to seek a doctor’s certificate from a female financial applicant as proof of infertility, so as joint wages could be considered as part of the borrowing equation.

Today we live in a more enlightened society where numerous females purchase in their own right; contribute borrowing leverage to increase family affordability and take work, rearing children, and home making all in their stride. In 1968, however, it took 8% of gross single income for housing costs, now it is more like 46% of gross.

When Ellen McConachie came to Albany Creek as a young bride in 1937, it was from the robust inner suburb of Windsor with 15,000 residents to a quiet backwater of less than 145 men, women and children. The closest bus stop to Albany Creek was outside the Royal Exchange Hotel (Aspley Pub) and vehicles were mainly produce carriers, not personal transport conveyors like today. If you wanted the bus you simply walked to it and many a time Albany Creek residents walked to Aspley or the tram terminus at Chermside.

I didn’t ever expect to see Brisbane City Council buses doing the rounds of our local streets. With 2 cars plus per family and regular bus schedules, I guess it’s hard to get locals to change their transport habits and revert to walking, car pooling or cycling. Only the increasing cost of fuel and mayhem of road congestion will effect change. However, if the modern alternative is available, the quicker will always win, irrespective of the cost. Just drive past our local schools at start and finish times.

It used to take half a day to get our eggs from Albany Creek to the Normanby, up to ¾ of an hour to ride a pushbike from Albany Creek to Wavell High, or walk one hour to the bus. Time moves on. Perhaps with the accent on global warming, people will buy scooters rather than big family cars and use ‘shank’s pony’ instead of fossil fuel.

In the meantime, to those young ladies who come straight from the gym and double park to collect the children from school – try Shank’s Pony (it’s better for the figure).

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Peter Campbell - 0418 774 663