The Pepperming Tree

Just out of a small town, near Ovens Creek in Victoria, Australia, there was a small house. Living in this house was a girl named Jane, who was eleven. There was her mum, Malia, and her dad, John. There was also Kunokeli, their dog.

They had a small property that was large enough to supply food and drinks to them and extras to sell. Near the edge of the property was a Peppermint Gum Tree. Jane loved to climb it. At the back of the property was a small creek. Past that, there was nothing for about two kilometres. To the left was a small forest. On the right was a road that was hardly ever used.

Past the driveway was Oaks Avenue. Jane and her parents were not the only ones living on Oaks Avenue. Across from them lived Bill, who was twelve and his parents. The two families were very close. Jane had just received a diary from Bill and she used it for the first time when she started at Ovens River High.

1912

Monday 22nd January

Today I started at Ovens River High. It was much bigger that I expected. At my primary school, there were only one hundred students. Here there are over four hundred. All the kids come from different places. Like this guy in my class is from Corowa. Another from Yarrawonga. Bill also goes to Ovens Creek High. He’s in Year eight. He showed me around the school. I also met this nice girl Saedy.

Jane would bring her diary and a pencil to the Peppermint Tree. She would climb to one of the branches and write what had happened. She couldn’t write everyday because of chores and homework. But she tried to.

Saturday, 27th January

High School is so different. It is not much harder from primary school except for bigger classes. In art, we had free time. I made Bill a card for his birthday. I am also making him a diary, so we can be the same I hope he hasn’t already made one. The first week of school went so fast.

Wednesday, 31st January

It’s the last day of January already. Bill’s birthday is in three days. I finished the diary. Saedy is so nice. She is from Beechworth, which is nearly twenty kilometres from Everton. Everton is where I live.

Saturday, 3rd February

Today is Bill’s birthday. He turns thirteen. Bill has invited some friends from school and me. I hope I know some people.

Sunday, 4th February

The party was great. I knew some of the boys from primary school and others because Bill had introduced them to me during the week. There were no girls. I waited with Bill ‘till everyone had left before I went home. I gave him my present before I left.

Saturday, 16th March

Today is my twelfth birthday. Mum said I could invite four people for lunch. So, I invited Bill, Saedy, Jimmy and Hailey. I have known Hailey since Kindergarten, though we are not best friends. Jimmy is in my class and a friend of Bill’s. Saedy is staying overnight.

Sunday, 17th March

Saedy just left. I got a new bike from my parents! I got a new pencil from Jimmy and a fan from Hailey. Saedy gave me a teddy that she had made. Bill gave me