Without You I Have Nothing (65 page)

_{Expectantly the party
halted at a door with a brass sign, Blake Pastoral Company Boardroom.}

_{Jennifer stood,
perplexed, until she slowly realized they expected her to enter the room first.
"My God, what's going on?”  She was standing at the threshold of a new
addition to her old home - a Boardroom.}

_{Around the highly
polished teak table were large, leather upholstered, comfortable chairs and in
front of each chair was a name plate showing positions - Chairperson,
Secretary, Board Member, Company Accountant, Company Solicitor.}

_{Andrew sat Jennifer
at the Chairperson's seat and Eric sat Elizabeth in the Secretary's position. The
men sat in the Board Member's seats and waited. Then Jack and Brian sat in
their allocated seats and everyone waited for Jennifer who remained silent.}

_{Bubbling with
enthusiasm, Elizabeth requested, "This is now the company's official
boardroom so Jennifer please open the meeting."}

_{Jennifer declared the
meeting open and asked her mother to read the minutes from the previous
meeting, which were accepted.}

_{The solicitor stood. "I
have to report that Peter's ideas for seeking government grants and assistance
from universities have proved fruitful.}

_{"The Immigration
Department has granted visas for the people we sought and is keeping a close
watch on the wages and conditions being offered.}

_{"Letters of
appreciation have been sent to your families in KL and Singapore, Peter, for
their kind donation of the furniture and furnishings for this Boardroom."}

_{Turning to Peter he
added, "I'm afraid your idea, Peter, about bottled water is not viable but
Brian will explain."}

_{Brian looked
extremely pleased as he rose to deliver his report. "Low interest loans
were successfully negotiated with the Commonwealth Government and the money
used to bring six 1.3 megawatt wind turbines on line. These towers are on the
high ridge above the tree line at the State Pine Forest end of the properties.}

_{"Two
universities, Melbourne and the University of Technology Sydney have combined
to install a satellite Internet Provider System free - with the proviso that no
student will be charged for its use. It is to provide distance education
facilities. E-University is the 'in' word.}

_{"Research
departments of those universities are also co-operating to a huge extent on our
ideas for green, renewable, energy sources.}

_{"The idea that
the company investigates development of water conservation, water recycling and
water harvesting has really caused tremendous interest. The Commonwealth
Government and the two universities have combined to supply government money
and university academic expertise for the venture.}

_{"Despite the
scope of the new directions for Blake Pastoral, these new ideas have put no
financial strain on the company. Indeed, financially the company is stronger
than ever."}

_{"The production
of bottled water is not feasible as the spring water is unsuitable for such a
venture. That has been the only negative outcome I have to report."}

_{Eric took over.}

_{"We've increased
our stud bulls with three Murray Grays. We've kept within the budget allowed. The
purchase of twelve stud merino rams will eventually boost the value of our
wool.}

_{"As well, the
company has built pig pens in the area at the Forestry Commission end of Rocky Springs
for the processing of the wild pigs. European demands will lead to a lucrative
market.}

_{"The employment
of stockmen, laborers and farmhands has been difficult but the Department of
Immigration and Peter's Gurkha friends with their English Passports have been a
boon to us.}

_{"We constructed
solar panels at the same site as the wind turbines using land that is totally
unsuitable for grazing or crops. In conjunction with both the University of
Technology Sydney and the Melbourne University, we are presently investigating
the construction of a solar power station at the same location.}

_{"I'm very
pleased with our progress which has been amazing and I believe we will have
greater success in the next quarter.”  Smiling broadly Eric sat.}

_{"Andrew, present
your report please.”  Jennifer, being officious, was surprised at the speed
their plans had been implemented and sat back waiting for more revelations.}

_{Andrew switched on
the projector and stood. On the back wall a map of the two properties lit up
and, as he spoke, he pointed out the locations on the map.}

_{"We're presently
enlarging the shearing sheds on Deep Springs because of the projected increase
in our flock. The company is modernizing and converting the shearing shed and
shearers' quarters on Rocky Springs into a conference center and motel with a
view to making it a subsidiary university campus. The two universities are
behind this venture and have had a much-needed input into layout, size and
design.}

_{"We've purchased
a sixty passenger tourist coach for the transport of students and guests.}

_{"Accommodation
for all our workers and the necessary construction changes for their support
are complete. We used pre-built steel frames and all houses are fully equipped
with satellite TV using Blake ISP as the provider. I must add that we also have
kept within budget with our construction.}

_{"The
universities have assisted by installing satellite internet access for the Old
Shearing Shed Motel ready for lectures.}

_{"The Government
and the universities have made the project much easier. Without their
co-operation and financial support I doubt if we'd be so close to finalizing
the first stage of our plans."}

_{Jennifer leaned back
in her seat musing over the way things seemed to have fallen into place.}

_{Elizabeth was the
last person to give a report. Standing and smiling broadly, she showed her
delight in what she had to report.}

_{"The harvesting
of water has commenced and intensive vegetable farming has started along the
arable banks of the creeks."}

_{Laughing she turned
to her daughter. "See?  We didn't forget your comment. 'You're all mad! 
We'll be out of water in a week. This place - this motel - will soak up water
and no one will want to wash in a shaving mug’. In addition, we are constantly
aiming to ensure a permanent water supply.}

_{"Finding
suitable workers has caused a problem as we were unable to get what we needed
until we cast our net wider. The result of looking further afield is that we
have an enlarged family with the assistance and co-operation of the Immigration
Department. We now have a large number of new immigrants and their wives
working for us. Our workers include thirty-six Gurkha families, fifteen Thai
families, sixteen Tamil, twenty Cantonese families and twenty-five Vietnamese
families. Actually we have a multicultural township."}

_{Peter laughed.}

_{"All are legal
immigrants. All are earning fair Australian wages. The company employs all the
men and women. Both properties have cooks and servants to allow you, Jennifer,
freedom to pursue your studies and me time to further develop my musical and
teaching skills."}

_{"The motel has
staff and we are able to offer Australian, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese Cuisine
and a full interpreter service in Asian Languages. My head whirls when I try to
keep up with our workers and their abilities.}

_{"I've been busy
teaching the English language and Australian housekeeping to our newcomers. We've
opened a pre-school and I've been active, teaching the mothers how to run that
as a business. Additional teachers come from town to help. I've kept within
budget and am making a small profit, although making a profit is not my
aim."}

_{Eric waited until
Elizabeth resumed her seat. "Jennifer and Peter it's time to meet some of
Blake's new staff,” and he called, "Come in.”  Suddenly the room filled
with smiling faces.}

_{"Elizabeth,
you're Company Secretary and know more of our workers than Jennifer so please
welcome everyone."}

_{Elizabeth introduced
Jennifer and Peter, the solicitor and the accountant to everyone in the various
languages. The Board members were astounded at Elizabeth's fluency and they
could only grin, knowing that the teaching was going both ways.}

_{With the
introductions over everyone clapped and cheered Elizabeth for her successful
efforts in breaking down the language barriers.}

_{Jennifer recognized
the Regimental Sergeant Major from her wedding as he stepped forward to speak
for the workers.}

_{"Madam Chair,
Officers of the Board and Board Members. Everyone nominated me as spokesperson
to thank you for your generosity and humanity in bringing our families and us
to Australia. Your kindness will never be forgotten, and because you are
helping us make a successful Australian life for ourselves and for our
children, you can rest assured that we pledge our lives to make this company a
safe, secure and resounding success."}

_{"Now, before you
go on a tour of the properties, may I request that you join us in a little
festivity?"}

_{Without pausing for a
reply, he ushered everyone to the grand dining room where the table was
groaning with sweetmeats, savories and cakes. No one stood back - not the
servants, not the stockmen nor the board members.}

_{The food was just too
delicious to ignore. When Peter roared "dua tea au” gales of laughter met
his outburst and a servant handed him a glass of ice-cold fruit juice.}

_{Later in her bike
gear and following her parents, Jennifer leant across from her bike.}

_{"Will I ever get
ahead of you?  I don't know how I will ever be surprised again about the way
you’ve become part of my family?  How can I show you how much I appreciate what
you've done for Blake Pastoral?”}

_{Seeing the look in
Peter's eyes and the grin on his face, she knew she had said the 'wrong' thing.
Her husband was incorrigible. "Can't you think of anything else?” she
called behind her as she accelerated to join her mother at the front.}

_{Sliding her bike to a
halt at the new cow bails, she was astounded when her mother explained the
production figures.}

_{"Yes, we now
have our own milkers for milk, cream and butter. We're aiming to become
self-supporting and to sell any surplus in town to discerning buyers. You
should've seen our first market at the local school while you were away. The
Gurkha and Tamil women in their saris caused a stir and the local school earned
a lot in commission.}

_{"The vegetable
gardens have benefited from all the sheep, cattle and horse manure,” she
laughed. “We waste nothing.”}

_{With tears in her
eyes, she turned to her daughter and smiled. "Jennifer, I've never been so
happy in my life. In our little world, the changes have established a thriving
community. We are genuinely helping impoverished families from Asia.}

_{"I've done a lot
of teaching and there's a lot more to do, but I believe we've all learned a lot.
It's wonderful having so many happy smiling faces working safely here.}

_{"No one dares
come onto the property to take an odd sheep or two anymore. Our stockmen looked
after a couple of townies trying to imitate the swagman in Waltzing Matilda and
no one has been back to try their luck."}

_{Jennifer was
surprised at her mother's heartfelt enthusiasm and the new sparkle in her eyes.
It was as though Blake Pastoral had been lying dormant for a long time and had
suddenly awakened.}

_{A motor cycle gang
roared over the hill.}

_{Jennifer couldn't air
her thoughts through the approaching noise. 'What have my mum and dad done? 
Surely, could there be anything more to explain?'}

_{She knew they had all
plotted and planned this together before the honeymoon, but things had happened
so swiftly.}

_{Yet her mum looked so
vitally alive and her dad had a new spring in his step. Even Andrew had
forgotten to tease her. She liked what was happening and she liked their plans
for the future.}

_{Ten motor bikes
halted in front of her mother and the riders dismounted and removed their
helmets. All grins, the Gurkha stockmen waited to escort the party.}

_{"The buggers
can't ride horses yet they sure can round up cattle on those bikes,” was
Andrew's wry comment and he didn't bother to remove his helmet.}

_{"Got to teach
'em how to crack whips but they sure have learned how to make the cattle dogs work.
The dogs sit behind them and snarl at the cattle, and if that's not enough,
they launch themselves like projectiles and swing on the beasts' ears. The
cattle have learned how to behave - just like school kids marching into
school."}