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THE WISDOM OF SNOWY DALTON Reg Mounsey Sid Harta When I began reading Reg Mounsey’s story, I was reminded how tough it was to make a living, let alone exist, in Australia during the Great Depression in the 1930s. I am sure that is where the term the ‘little Aussie battler’ first came from. My father-in-law, God bless him, had a similar story to Reg’s – forced to leave school in Grade 5, he and his two brothers worked on various properties with their father trying to earn a few bob to keep the home fires burning. From what I’ve been told, he was quite a gifted violinist but all that was abandoned in the early years of his life. Born in 1926, Reg Mounsey is certainly no stranger to hardship either. When he was three years old, his mother died and his father was forced to place him in an orphanage, along with his two older brothers and younger sister. Orphanage life was very restrictive and disciplined. Reg slipped through the education net and could not read or write. In fact, while penning this story, he made copious notes in his own brand of writing which he taught himself. Reg, like other battlers before and after him, has been a jack of all trades. It was necessary to be if you wanted to earn some type of living during his lifetime. He fought for his country, worked at various occupations and has two broken marriages behind him. Reg has one passion though. During the years preceding WWII, he had managed to buy a block of land in the suburb of Hampton in Melbourne. Mysteriously, while he was serving to fight for his country, the government of the day saw fit to confiscate his land. He has spent the years since that time endeavouring to gain compensation for this loss, but to no avail. This incident has proven to be a driving force in Reg’s life – the idea of a fair go for all. (Incidentally, my father-in-law was serving overseas as well as being a prisoner in Changhi – while he was away the government confiscated his beloved motorcycle and to this day, we all wonder where it ever got to!!) This appears to be a common theme…………………… Yet, somehow, Reg has maintained his sense of humour and honour throughout his lifetime. Reg and his wife, Nymia, now live on the spectacular Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Good on you for speaking out Reg. Your life story is a lesson to us all – life can be hard and we cannot automatically expect justice or an easy ride…………..Well written, earnest and, at times, heart-wrenching, Reg’s story deserves to be heard. “Reg Mounsey may not be the original ‘little Aussie battler’ but by heck he certainly deserves the title – what a life, what a battle!’ “A book is a private companion”
Reg Mounsey's life story is one of courage and determination in a seemingly heartless world. Reg is an optimist despite the rough roads which he has travelled. Read more about “The Wisdom of Snowy Dalton”