The Reef Read Online Free PDF Page A

well be how her mother saw her behaviour. Jennifer cringed at the thought, guilt stricken that she’d ruined her mother’s chances to remarry.
    Jennifer didn’t need to be pushed by Christina to get an after-school job. She was very aware of their strained financial circumstances, so she took a casual job with the National Parks doing general office work. She also assisted the two rangers compiling survey materials, questionnaires and reports. She found the information intriguing and she gradually came to learn a lot more about her hometown, the operation of the parklands around it, and theconflicts with farmers, developers and people concerned with animal welfare and the preservation of bushland.
    Christina had little interest in the stories Jennifer gleaned from the taciturn head ranger and she continued to encourage her daughter to join the local dramatic society. ‘Just help out backstage like I do. I know you’re not the sort to get up on stage and perform in public, but you have to learn to mix with people, Jennifer. You’re such a wallflower.’
    â€˜That’s okay, Mum, you’re the star in the family.’
    Christina missed the sardonic note in Jennifer’s voice. ‘Someone at work said the other day I should be on the stage,’ she smiled. ‘You have to speak up in this world, Jennifer. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. No one else is going to help you. I’d hate to see you turn into a doormat.’
    â€˜I’ll be all right, Mum. People are always kind and helpful to me.’
    â€˜That’s because you’re still young and innocent. Such a softie. You’ll have to toughen up when you’re dealing with a roomful of yelling, obnoxious brats.’
    Jennifer sighed and turned away. Her mother was determined that she become a primary school teacher. There had never been any discussion. Her mother had raised the idea as a job with good prospects, talked at some length about what she’d been told by one of the teachers who frequented the library, and convinced herself this was Jennifer’s calling. Her daughter hadn’t beenconsulted. Jennifer’s careers adviser at school had agreed that a teaching career would be desirable. So Jennifer went to see her adviser about university degrees in education. After looking at Jennifer’s high scores, and knowing her mother’s financial situation, he helped her fill out an application for a bursary.
    It wasn’t till Jennifer and her mother were walking home after her high school graduation ceremony, where Christina had basked in her daughter’s good results, that Jennifer announced she wanted to apply to Sydney University.
    Her mother shook her head in sad resignation. ‘That’s all very well and good, but there’s no way I can afford to keep you there. And why bother? You can get a teaching degree at the local regional university.’
    â€˜With my marks, I have a scholarship, Mum. A bursary and my government allowance will pay for accommodation and extras. And if I get a part-time job I can live cheaply on campus and pay my way. With a degree I can get a much better paying job.’ She took a breath to make her next announcement as casual as possible. ‘I’ve been considering my options and what I’m really interested in is nature and the land . . . and in Sydney I can study Environmental Science.’
    Her mother stared at her tall, pretty daughter as if seeing her for the first time in years. Her expression was that of someone who had eaten somethingbad. ‘And what good is that? What sort of job will that get you?’ she asked.
    Jennifer was faintly bemused at her mother’s attitude. ‘Something really interesting. I could share a house off campus, but I thought a college that was close to the library, classes and the cafeteria would be easier.’
    â€˜You would move away from home?’ Jennifer didn’t answer.