Ann Scotchmer’s Diary - Ann Scotchmer’s Diary 1918-1919

A historical fiction based on real people and real events in Nowra, NSW, 1918-19. Ann Scotchmer (11 years) is motivated to start this diary by the excitement buzzing in her hometown when the Great War ends and the soldiers start coming back from Europe. She marches in a parade and enjoys a street party where a fortune-teller gives her a cryptic message that scares her.Grandma Fitzgerald gives her a paintbox for her birthday and Grandpa Scotchmer's Christmas present is a leather-bound sketchbook and classes at the School of Arts. This is great for Ann who has ambitions to be a famous artist. However, while she is excited, the adults are worried about a deadly influenza that has spread across Europe and has found its way to Australia.When the Catholic school closes, Ann has to spend her days at home with her five younger brothers. She wishes her mother wasn't so busy with the boys and now Mother is pregnant again. Ann hopes she'll get a sister this time.Ann fills the long hours drawing in her sketchbook and recording in her diary the ways in which Australians coped during a pandemic that they thought was caused by bacteria. Even though her parents are lucky enough to have a successful business, a cook and certain luxuries, this doesn't stop the influenza coming to their home. Ann is convinced the fortune-teller has put a curse on them, especially when her mother contracts the Influenza.