Things were pretty rough in Sydney then: Chicka Madden

Born in 1937 at Tamworth, Uncle Chicka Madden spent some of his time in Uralla, with his Aunty, and some being educated at Redfern Public School. At the age of 14 he got an exemption from school so he could start working and help support the family after his father had joined the army: “You were scratching for a feed.” All the work opportunities were in Sydney and Chicka got an apprenticeship at Sydney Engineering. His mother later worked for Butler and Norman’s, washing bottles.

Keywords: Suburban living; daily life; childhood; school; values; moving; Redfern; working; change, city

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