19th July 1865
100 Sussex Street,
Sydney,
Dear Jude,

I called at the post office yesterday and got your letter which I was very glad to get also Mammas, and Kate and Marias letters. Jack and Harry are quite well and as for myself I am as fat as a fool. I suppose that you will be expecting me to tell you something about Sydney. I cannot tell you much because there is not much to say about it there is very little difference between it and home I mean as to the look of the town the harbour is very nice and the Government gardens we were in them the other day and saw a Kangaroo and a lot of other animals. You talk of the weather being hot in Belfast but if you were at the line ? for an hour or two you would think you were roasting. We could wear nothing but a shirt and trousers, but when we got into Melbourne it was as cold is it is at home in winter and raining all the time we were there. We were sick enough of it though we stayed on board the ship and were only on shore once. Be sure and remember me to all our friends there are so many there is no use in mentioning them but in particular G. Oliver and Mary, J Surch, Sarah and poor Sally. Charley Russell and all the rest.

And believe me, ever your effect Bro,

S.S. Parkinson

I shall write to you again when I get into the bush - excuse this. Be sure and go with the girls to any meeting for if I was there I would be glad to go. I know now what is to leave sisters and be as kind as you can to Mamma and Annie. Please tell Maria that I could not deliver her letter to Mrs Fleming as she had left Melbourne and gone 70 miles into the country. They have a place of their own now. We are going to Harry’s uncle to Wedderburn as it is no go here, and we got a letter from him saying to come up to him and he could give us work, but I will tell you in my next letter more.

S.S.P. in haste