'Dear little gazanias'

After my first three years, out of teachers college, at Riverstone Primary School, which ALMOST seemed like country service> (I lived first in Matraville, Later Eastlakes.) I was still sent to Maude-via-Hay, in 1967.
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The principal of Hay Public School had been asked by the inspector to keep an eye on we one-teacher school appointees and so we were invited to the principal’s residence, in Hay, beside the school.
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(Please read "Sydney too far away and I woke in fright" in Making of Modern Australia ......)
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I parked my faithful little vw and walked to the driveway of the principal’s residence, where I was greeted by Alan Skinner, the principal, who introduced me to his wife, Myrl, who was tending the plants, there in the driveway.
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She explained how easy the DEAR LITTLE GAZANIAS were to look after, in Hay’s climate. The other teachers later went on their way, but Myrl, Alan and their kids became dear friends.