The 1970's: A Turbulent Decade

The 1970's brought about numerous changes in Australian society. A change of government in Canberra the nation's capital brought rapid changes in Commonwealth Government reforms and legislation. Wage increases and soaring inflation pushed up the cost of commodities and basic items such as food and petrol. As interest rates began to climb; employers began to lay off workers in an endeavour to contain ever rising costs. Vietnam War issues came to a head during the decade. The political scene in Canberra seemed like an ongoing soap opera. We tuned in daily for another 'exciting' episode.
Early in the decade I moved interstate and began a new life in Queensland, Australia. Different careers with jobs that had steep learning curves and greater responsibility were ahead of me. As the decade moved on I found fulfilment on the personal level when I fell in love, married my beautiful fiancée and we later had two sons. However, it was also a time of personal and national economic pressures as costs continued to rise and showed no signs of slowing down.