These boots were made for looking like a cowgirl - c 1982

I went to university on one of the last Education Department studentships. This, and my earnings from working in the Myer underwear department on Friday nights and Saturday mornings meant I had a clothing budget for the first time.

I bought two pairs of boots, one black, one brown that I'd wear in winter with a skirt on the days I wasn't doing Chemistry or Physics pracs.

I suspect I actually bought the boots pictured after uni, but I kept them because I thought I might never get another pair, even though I haven't worn them since the 80s.

In fact, I bought my next pair of boots just last year when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was kindly giving handouts to keep the economy going.

So I did my bit.