Citation
MacFie, Peter, 2022, See No Evil, https://petermacfiehistorian.net.au/publications/see-no-evil/
Abstract
Peter MacFie was born in Launceston in 1943 and lived there with his mother and grandmother until his father returned from fighting World War II in New Guinea. His father, Henry Hector MacFie, went to work with the Hydro-Electricity Commission and studied Engineering at UTAS. Peter’s mother kept house on the edge of The Glebe overlooking The Domain and increased the family. This is Peter’s view of his world as he ran free and gained an education from the children he played with while his father worked himself into the ground to try to cope with his nightmares of war, and his mother was dreadfully lonely and unhappy far away from her own close-knit family. Despite this, Peter recounts his childhood adventures with a golden glow.
Details
133 A5 pages, 123 images including 4 historic maps of inner Hobart, plus a detailed index.
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Sample Chapter – Introduction
A small boy in a red brick house on the hilly Glebe, perched on top of a hill overlooking Hobart.
A neat brick cottage in a row of larger weatherboard houses, some of two storeys with high gables, front steps and verandas facing ‘The Domain’.
Wild grass and native orchids, gum trees and open space, divided by a road, lined with ordered pine trees, all heading to the TCA – Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground.
From the back sunroom windows of the house perched on The Glebe he looked towards The Mountain.
In between was the Valley of Houses, smoky in winter, church bells ringing across the valley on Sundays from Trinity Hill in North Hobart and, nearer the harbour, the full chimes from St David’s Cathedral. Sometimes they rang out on evening practice nights, loud as if they were next door.
Houses clustered over the hills under the bushy silhouettes of Mount Wellington and Mount Nelson.
Down Aberdeen Street to the south was the Regatta Ground and then The River, where the town met the water. Wharfs and docks with big ships and fishing boats in small docks, factories around them.
It’s summer. The red brick cottage is hot. A hazy, clear day and the roar of some single-propeller aeroplanes coming down the valley, sounding low and echoing louder and louder. He rushes out onto the back steps over-looking the valley of houses:
‘The War is over – isn’t it?’
Hands across his eyes – he can’t see for the sun.
Hands across his ears – because the noise is so loud.
Hands across his mouth with …
The propellers on the fighters spin, matching the ‘bulls-eyes’ on their sides.
But it’s not war, not anymore.
There’s a victory celebration in Hobart, and it’s Regatta Day on the River Derwent across the other side of The Domain. The Navy is in, there’s an aircraft carrier at the big wharf, smaller warships in the river and – best of all – the circus is in The Hollow.
Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Photographs
Cover Images
References
Robbitee Bobbitee
Introduction
1 – Our Glebe Home
2 – Family and Home
3 – The Hydro
4 – The Domain
5 – Two Nannas
6 – Holidays
7 – School
8 – The City
9 – Moving House
Afterwards
Postscript
Addendum – How to spell MacFie
Father’s Family
Mother’s Family
Index
Index
accidents
ammonia, 48
barbed-wire, 21
rabbit trap, 65
alcohol, 34, 36, 59, 109
Anzac Day, 31, 96
Archer, Edward, 118
Archer, Frank, 119
Archer, Gerald, 63, 120, 123
Archer, Heather (Mrs Rob), 63
Archer, Hedley, 63, 120, 124
Archer, Lilian Elsie, 113, 122, See MacFie, Lilian Elsie (Mrs Henry 2)
Archer, Lillian (Mrs Hedley), 18, 28, 120, 121
Archer, Margery (Mrs Frank), 119
Archer, Martha (Mrs William), 117
Archer, Mary Margery. See Archer, Meg
Archer, Meg. See Robertson, Meg (Mrs Ron)
Archer, Rob, 123
Archer, Susannah (Mrs Edward), 118
Archer, William, 117
Armstrong (Thomas), 121
Armstrong, Agnes (Mrs Alexander), 121
Armstrong, Alexander, 121
Armstrong, Diane, 70
Armstrong, Dulcie (Mrs Stan), 69
Armstrong, Effie (Uncle Stan), 122
Armstrong, Ethel Lillian May). See Archer, Lillian (Mrs Hedley)
Armstrong, Lillian. See Archer, Lillian (Mrs Hedley)
Armstrong, Mary, 122
Armstrong, May (Mrs Thomas), 113, 121
Armstrong, Norman Stanley. See Armstrong, Stan (Great Uncle Stan)
Armstrong, Ross, 70
Armstrong, Stan (Great Uncle Stan), 69, 70
Armstrong, Thomas, 113
Auntie Aida, 67, 69, See French, Aida (Mrs Chris)
Auntie Dulcie. See Armstrong, Dulcie (Mrs Stan)
Auntie Heather. See Archer, Heather (Mrs Rob)
Auntie Jean, 57, 60, See McFie, Jean (Auntie Jean)
Auntie Jessie, 41, 69, See Shegog, Jessie (Mrs Sam)
Auntie Meg (Uncle Ron), 35, 38, 41, 42, 62, 63, 64, 70, 71, 72, 77, 81, 83, See Robertson, Meg (Uncle Ron)
Auntie Nancy, 97, 98, See Wilson, Nancy (Uncle David), See McFie, Nancy (Uncle David)
bikes, 54, 74, 76
billycarts, 22, 23
Boat Harbour, 81
books, 28, 50, 60, 68, 85, 96, 97
Botanic Gardens, 44, 46, 49
Brickendon, 66, 118
Bricknell, Mr Harry, 19, 20
Burnie, 35, 62, 71
Burnie Park, 74, 85
Cam River, 80
Cameron, Joyce (Mrs Neil), 41, 72
Cameron, Neil, 41
Campbell Town, 71
cars, 34, 61, 99, 102
Cattle Jetty, 46, 55
Cenotaph, 46, 96
Chapman, Captain William, 111
Chapman, Hannah Elizabeth, 111, See McFie, Hannah (Mrs Henry 1)
Chapman, Martha (Mrs William), 111
chooks, 35
Christmas, 40
circus, 15, 38, 39, 96
Coles Bay, 62
Collins, Dickie, 89
Connor, Bridget. See McFie, Bridget (Mrs Hector 1.1)
Cooee, 74, 75, 76, 81
Cooee Sale Day, 74
Cordner, Miss, 91
Cornelian Bay, 46
Coronea, Hadspen, 121
Coronea, Invermay, 121
Corraville, 66, 67, 68, 69
Cracker Morris. See Morris, Mr Eric K. (Cracker)
cricket, 16, 46, 47, 48, 53, 70, 81, 89
Crisp, Selena Susan Ida. See McFie, Susan (Mrs Teddy 1.1)
Crooke, Richard, 43
Dad, 99, See MacFie, Henry 2
bad memories, 18, 32, 34, 47
good memories, 22, 38, 39, 47, 51, 52, 62
war damage, 18
Dawson, Smoky, 76
Deacon, Ann. See Spurr, Ann (Mrs James)
Denovan, Christina. See Johnson, Christina (Mrs Alexander)
Denovan, Elizabeth (Mrs William), 119
Denovan, William, 119
Detention River, 81
Devonport, 99, 110, 112
dogs, 21, 29, 37, 40, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 67, 68, 69, 75, 77, 92, 102
Dumbarton, 58, 102, 103, 115
Father, 16, See MacFie, Henry 2
Fern Glade, 79
Fern Tree, 59, 61
ferries, 19, 44
fishing, 41, 65, 80
Floating Bridge, 35, 40, 44, 49, 90
Flynn, Errol, 22
Follies, 42
football, 46, 110
Ford family, 20, 36, 37, 40, 50, 88, 102
Ford, (Mrs George (Jack)), 19, 40
Ford, Barry, 19, 47, 86
Ford, George (Mr Jack), 19, 37, 40
Ford, Graham, 19, 37, 40, 41, 86
Ford, Ross, 19, 40, 41, 53
French, Aida (Mrs Chris), 66
French, Chris (Uncle Chris), 66
French, Geoff, 67, 68
Frog Hole, 49
gambling, 71
Gangell, Lillian (Mrs ?), 18, 19, 45, 99
Gaol, 18, 88, 98
Geard family, 55, 99
Geard, Colin, 22, 54, 99
Geilston Bay, 90
Girls, 53
Glebe Town, 16, See The Glebe
Government House, 46, 49
Grandfather Hedley Archer, 57, See Archer, Hedley
Grandfather McFie, 57, 106, 112, See McFie, Hector 2
Grandmother Archer. See Nanna Archer
Grandmother McFie. See Nanna McFie
Grant, Captain John, 109
Grant, Ellen (Mrs John), 109, See McFie, Ellen (Mrs Hector 1.2)
grass igloos, 48, 49
Great Grandfather Frank Archer. See Archer, Frank
Great Grandfather Henry McFie 1, 100, 106, 112, See McFie, Henry 1
Great Grandfather Price. See Price, Thomas William
Great Grandfather Thomas Armstrong. See Armstrong. Thomas
Great Grandmother Emily Price. See Price, Emily (Mrs Thomas William)
Great Grandmother Hannah McFie. See McFie, Hannah (Mrs Henry 1)
Great Grandmother Margery Archer. See Archer, Margery (Mrs Frank)
Great Grandmother May Armstrong. See Armstrong, May (Mrs Thomas)
Great Nanna Hannah McFie, 100, 112, See McFie, Hannah (Mrs Henry 1)
Great Uncle Gerald Archer. See Archer, Gerald
Great-great Grandfather Alexander Johnson. See Johnson, Alexander
Great-great Grandfather Armstrong. See Armstrong, Alexander
Great-great Grandfather Edward Archer. See Archer, Edward
Great-great Grandfather John Hall jr. See Hall, John jr
Great-great Grandfather John Price. See Price, John
Great-great Grandfather Spurr. See Spurr, James
Great-great Grandfather Teddy McFie. See McFie, Teddy
Great-great Grandfather William Chapman. See Chapman, Captain William
Great-great Grandmother Armstrong. See Armstrong, Agnes (Mrs Alexander)
Great-great Grandmother Chapman. See Chapman, Martha (Mrs William)
Great-great Grandmother Christina Johnson. See Johnson, Christina (Mrs Alexander)
Great-great Grandmother Mary Hall jr. See Hall, Mary Elizabeth (Mrs John jr)
Great-great Grandmother Price. See Price, Jane (Mrs John)
Great-great Grandmother Spurr. See Spurr, Ann (Mrs James)
Great-great Grandmother Susan McFie. See McFie, Susan (Mrs Teddy 1.1)
Great-great Grandmother Susannah Moore. See Archer, Susannah (Mrs Edward)
Great-great-great Grandfather Hector 1, 108, See McFie, Hector 1
Great-great-great Grandfather Henry Rockliff. See Rockliff, Henry
Great-great-great Grandfather James Moore. See Moore, James)
Great-great-great Grandfather James Sayers. See Sayers, James
Great-great-great Grandfather John Hall sr. See Hall, John sr
Great-great-great Grandfather Joseph Johnson. See Johnson, Joseph
Great-great-great Grandfather William Archer. See Archer, William
Great-great-great Grandfather William Denovan. See Denovan, William
Great-great-great Grandmother Bridget Connor. See McFie, Bridget (Mrs Hector 1.1)
Great-great-great Grandmother Edith Hall. See Hall, Edith (Mrs John sr)
Great-great-great Grandmother Elizabeth Denovan. See Denovan, Elizabeth (Mrs William)
Great-great-great Grandmother Elizabeth Moore. See Moore, Elizabeth (Mrs James)
Great-great-great Grandmother Hannah Rockliff. See Rockliff, Hannah (Mrs Henry)
Great-great-great Grandmother Janet Johnson (Mrs Joseph). See Johnson, Joseph
Great-great-great Grandmother Martha Archer. See Archer, Martha (Mrs William)
Great-great-great Grandmother Mrs James Sayers. See Sayers, Mrs James
Great-uncle Stan. See Armstrong, Stan
Greenhythe, 64, 69
greyhound racing, 21
Hadspen, 121
Hall, Edith (Mrs John sr), 121
Hall, John jr, 113
Hall, John sr, 121
Hall, Mary Elizabeth (Mrs John jr), 113
Hall, May Elizabeth, 121, See Armstrong, May (Mrs Thomas)
Hassett, Lindsay, 47, 89
Hayes, Mr Herbert, 100
Hector Cottage, 110
Heywood, Rev. G.T., 120
Hobart Railway Station, 72, 94, 96
Hobart Tigers, 46
Hooper, Christine, 89
Hooper, Mr Fred, 41, 42
Hope, Michael, 93
horses, 20, 21, 63, 70, 75, 76, 87, 90, 121
Hydro, 27, 29, 39, 44, 45, 102, See Hydro-Electric Commission
Hydro Picnic, 44
Hydro-Electric Commission, 27
Invermay, 69
Johnson, Alexander, 119
Johnson, Christina (Mrs Alexander), 119
Johnson, Janet (Mrs Joseph), 119
Johnson, Joseph, 119
Johnson, Margery. See Archer, Margery (Mrs Frank)
Keely, Jane. See Price, Jane (Mrs John)
Kensey, Martha. See Archer, Martha (Mrs William)
kite flying, 46
knife sharpening, 36
lamb marking, 68
Lamond, Stella, 43
Landfall, 63, 69, 113, 116, 120, 123, 124
Lane, Mrs, 91
Lawrence, ? Mrs ?, 92
Lawrence, Mr ?, 92
Leverington, 118, 119
Lillico, Mr A., 100
Lilydale, 120
Lindrum, Walter, 82
Longford, 72, 119
MacFie, Andy, 42, 101, 104
MacFie, Henry 2, 24, 123
MacFie, Jessie. See Shegog, Jessie (Uncle Sam)
MacFie, Josephine, 104
MacFie, Lilian Elsie (Mrs Henry 2), 24, 115
MacFie, Marg, 104
MacFie, Peter, 104
MacFie, Rob, 18, 22, 31, 38, 39, 51, 54, 62, 63, 68, 71, 78, 79, 100, 104
Mad Mick, 22
Maggs, Rev. Ivor, 42
magicians, 42
Martin family, 90
Martin, Roger, 89, 90
Mather, Chris, 89
McFee, Teddy. See McFie, Teddy
McFie, Alan (Uncle Alan), 57
McFie, Bridget (Mrs Hector 1.1), 108
McFie, Ellen (Mrs Hector 1.2), 109
McFie, Hannah (Mrs Henry 1), 99, 100, 112
McFie, Harriett (Mrs Hector 2.1, 28, 114
McFie, Hector 1, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112
McFie, Hector 2, 28, 58, 106, 112
McFie, Helen, 115
McFie, Henry 1, 57, 99, 106, 110, 112
McFie, Henry 2, 115, See Father
McFie, Jean (Auntie Jean), 57, 115
McFie, Jessie ( Auntie Jessie), 114
McFie, Jessie (Auntie Jessie), 57
McFie, Julia (Mrs Teddy 1.2), 110
McFie, Nancy. See Wilson, Nancy (Uncle David), See Auntie Nancy (Uncle David)
McFie, Paul (Uncle Paul), 57, 114
McFie, Susan (Mrs Teddy 1.1), 109
McFie, Teddy (Edward), 109
McFie, Toni (Mrs Hector 2.2, 115
measles, 45
Melba, Dame Nellie, 84
Menadue family, 19
Menadue, Jimmy, 19, 47
Menadue, Mr Jim, 19
mice, 17
Military Cross presentation, 28
Mill House, 120
Milligan family, 98
Milligan, Rev., 98
mischief, 39, 40
money, 21, 97
Moore, Elizabeth (Mrs James), 118
Moore, James, 118
Moore, Susannah. See Archer, Susannah (Mrs Edward)
Morris, Mr Eric K. (Cracker), 89, 91
Mother, 16, 94, 116, 122, See MacFie, Lilian Elsie (Mrs Henry 2)
Mount Wellington, 16, 59
Mowbray, 69
Murfitt, Edith. See Hall, Edith (Mrs John sr)
music, 16, 42, 83, 84, 85
organ, 43, 83
singing, 43, 57, 83
Nanna Archer, 24, 28, 31, 56, 57, 70, 121, 122, See Archer, Lillian (Mrs Hedley)
Nanna McFie, 28, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, See McFie, Harriett (Mrs Hector 2.1)
New Norfolk, 44, 45
Northbury, 118, 119
Owen family, 19, 102
Owen, Kath (Mrs Jack), 19, 36
Owen, Mary, 36, 86
Owen, Mr Jack, 19, 20, 36
Owen, Trish, 36, 53, 86, 105
Pace, Mr Ron, 19
Palfreyman, Ian, 89
Paloona, 112
Panshanger, 118
Penna, 40, 41
pets, 37, 50
canaries, 36, 50, 92
rosella parrots, 50
Piesse, Miss, 87
Point Puer, 113, 114
police, 52, 55
Pollock, Janet. See Johnson, Janet (Mrs Joseph)
Port Arthur, 19
Potter family, 19, 50
Potter, (Mrs Arthur), 19
Potter, Janet, 19, 36, 53
Potter, Mr Arthur, 19
Potter, Stephen, 19
Powder Magazine, 49
Price, Emily (Mrs Thomas William), 113
Price, Harriett, 112, 114, See McFie, Harriett (Nanna McFie)
Price, Jane (Mrs John), 112
Price, John, 112
Price, Thomas William, 112
Pulp and Paper Mill, 74, 85
Queen Mary’s Rest Garden, 111
Queenstown, 57
radio serials, 35
Reddy, Max, 43
Regatta Day, 15, 38, 39, 76
Regatta Ground, 14, 46, 48, 55, 96
religion: Baptist, 59
religion: Catholic, 36, 113
religion: Methodist, 34, 36, 39, 41, 58, 83, 97, 120
religion: Presbyterian, 110
Repat. Hospital, 34
River Derwent, 49
roads: Memorial Ave, 48
roads: Midlands Highway, 66, 99
roads: Mount Wellington Rd, 59
Robert’s the Skin Merchant, 88
Robertson, Effie. See Armstrong, Effie (Uncle Stan)
Robertson, Geoff (Uncle Geoff), 42, 43, 83
Robertson, Meg (Mrs Ron), 41
Robertson, Ron (Uncle Ron), 71
Roches Beach, 35
Rockliff, Hannah (Mrs Henry), 113, 121
Rockliff, Henry, 113, 121
Rothesay, 99, 112
Royal Visit, 98
rude rhymes, 53
Salter, ? (Mrs Harold), 19
Salter, Mr Harold, 19
Salter, Steven, 19, 22
sandpit, 34, 36, 53
Santa Claus, 40
Sassafras, 113
Sawkins, Ellen. See McFie, Ellen (Mrs Hector 1.2)
Sayers, James, 111
Sayers, Martha. See Chapman, Martha (Mrs William)
Sayers, Mrs James, 111
schools: Friends’ Infant School, 87
schools: Friends’ Junior School, 88, 91
schools: Friends’ School, 50, 102
schools: Hutchins, 109
schools: Lenah Valley Primary, 102
schools: Methodist Ladies College, 42, 122
schools: Scotch College, 42
schools: St Mary’s Convent School, 36, 86
Scott, Heather. See Archer, Heather (Mrs Rob)
Sergeant. Miss, 88, 89, 91
Shegog children, 69
Shegog, Jessie (Mrs Sam), 41, 69
Shegog, Sam (Uncle Sam), 41, 69
Shepherd, Dulcie. See Armstrong, Dulcie (Mrs Stan)
ships: Amelia Francis, 111
ships: Aurora Australis, 109
ships: Cartela, 19, 20, 105
ships: Chili, 118
ships: Frances Charlotte, 113
ships: Gold Seeker, 109
ships: Greyhound, 113
ships: Jane, 119
ships: Medway, 117
ships: Naracoopa, 20
shops: Bailey St, 92
shops: Bidencope’s, 96
shops: Blackwood & Lowe, 96
shops: Brownells, 96
shops: Canes, 18
shops: Charles Davis, 18, 96
shops: Little’s, 96
shops: Mathers, 96
shops: O’Conors, 96
shops: OBM’s bookshop, 96
shops: Soundy’s, 96
Simmons, Julia. See McFie, Julia (Mrs Teddy 1.2)
Sisters Creek, 81
skinny-dipping, 81
smoking, 37, 81, 82, 92
Somerset, 80
Spurr, Ann (Mrs James), 113
Spurr, Emily. See Price, Emily (Mrs Thomas William)
Spurr, Hannah, 121, See Rockliff, Hannah (Mrs Henry)
Spurr, Harriett. See Nanna McFie
Spurr, James, 113
Stenhouse, Peter, 28
stock whips, 75, 76
streets: Aberdeen St, 14, 16, 19, 37, 97
streets: Argyle St, 97
streets: Bailey St, 19, 54, 92
streets: Campbell St, 18, 88, 98
streets: Criterion St, 96
streets: Davenport St, 21, 92
streets: Edward St, 18
streets: Elizabeth St, 96
streets: Federal St, 93
streets: Fitzroy Pl., 59
streets: Glebe St, 21
streets: Lillie St., 16, 19, 20, 23, 36, 40
streets: Liverpool St, 52, 96, 97, 98
streets: Mary St, East Launceston, 56
streets: Murray St, 96
streets: Newlands Avenue, 102
streets: Park St, 91, 92
streets: Pillinger’s Dr., 59, 61
streets: Scott St, 48
sunburn, 65, 81
Sunroom, 39
swearing, 77
swimming, 54, 65, 79, 81
sycamore games, 50
Tapp family, 19
Tapp, Jimmy, 19
TCA Ground, 14, 16, 21, 46, 48, 89
telephone, 16, 62, 88, 99
The Depression, 28
The Dogs, 46, 49, See greyhound racing
The Domain, 16, 22, 46, 54
The Glebe, 14, 16
The Hollow, 15, 20, 38, 96
The Pulp, 81, See Pulp and Paper Mill
The River, 14, 46, See River Derwent
The Slippery Slope, 38
The War, 28, 32
Torquey, 111
tree climbing, 46, 48, 49
Trevallyn Dam, 45
Uncle Alan. See McFie, Alan (Uncle Alan)
Uncle Chris, 66, 67, 68, 69, See French, Chris (Uncle Chris)
Uncle David, 97, See Wilson, David (Uncle David)
Uncle Geoff. See Robertson, Geoff (Uncle Geoff)
Uncle Harky, 19, 37, 41
Uncle Paul. See McFie, Paul (Uncle Paul)
Uncle Rob, 123, See Archer, Rob
Uncle Ron, 35, 38, 41, 42, 43, 62, 64, 70, 71, 72, 74, 81, 83, 85, See Robertson, Ron (Uncle Ron)
Uncle Sam, 69, See Shegog, Sam
Uncle Stan. See Armstrong, Stan (Great Uncle Stan)
Upper Barrington, 57
Venus, Miss, 87
Vertigan family, 61
Walker, Jean (Mrs ?), 42, 101
Welch, Agnes. See Armstrong, Agnes (Mrs Alexander)
Wescombe, Dudley, 85
Western Junction, 72
White, ? (Mrs ?), 19, 23
White, Mr ?, 19
Whitemore, 66, 68, 101
Williams, Lyn, 105
Williams, Mr Chris, 75, 76, 77
Williams, Wanda, 18, 105
Wilson family, 64, 74, 80
Wilson, David (Uncle David), 97
Wilson, Margaret, 65
Wilson, Mr Tim, 64, 65, 74, 80, 81
Wilson, Nancy (Uncle David), 97
Wilson, Neville, 64, 74, 77, 78, 80, 81
Wilson, Wynn (Mrs Tim), 64, 74, 80, 81
Wockum, 21, 22
Woodside, 119
Woolmers, 66, 118
Wright, Mr Vern, 45
YMCA, 97