ANOTHER MOVE FOR MY MOTHER

Excerpt from 'THE CLOCK OF TIME' by Gertrude Ruston.  (pp 210-213)

"MOVE TO JOONDANNA VILLAGE

While living at my duplex at Innaloo I decided to become a resident of one of the aged person homes then being erected.  This would reliev e my family of anxiety.

The Churches of Christ, of whom I was a member, had commenced to build at Joondanna, not too far away, and within reasonable distance of Perth.  I made application for a  unit on the ground floor which would have garden space, and my former neighbour in Fitzgerald Street, Mrs May Michael, also decided to take a nearby unit.

I sold my duplex after living happily in it for over three years, planned my new unit in Joondanna, and moved in before the official opening day, thus being the first resident in the building.  (This is the front view of Joondanna Lodge.  Mum's unit was right down the back on the right hand side).

After eight and a half years I am sure my decision was the right one as we have our entire privacy, all the residents are very nice, and it is always possible to have company if one wishes.  We are fortunate in having many amenities which some of the other aged homes lack.

My garden is my joy to me, and I manage to keep it bright with flowers.  (This is a snap of mum's garden.   It was always full of pretty blooms and it was from here that I often left for home with a beautiful bunch of sweet peas.  I mentioned that in Dear Mum and Dad on mum's birthday 15th April.  You can see the front door and also the bedroom window.  Sorry about the colour but I don't think this was taken with my camera.  It was amongst mum's photos.).

As a Justice of the Peace I am able to help others in the village from time to time.

As a J.P. I was also sitting on the bench of the Married Women's Court when that was in operation, and it was from this address that I started Beehive Industries.

It was also when at this address I was nominated as Citizen of the Year.


(The unit was quite self-contained and consisted of a well equipped kitchen next to which was the dining area.  Partly divided off was the living room and there was a good sized bedroom and a separate large bathroom.  If mum wanted to she could shut off the sleeping area with a large folding 'door' which kept it nice and cosy in cooler weather.  After one of my stints in hospital I even stayed with her for a few days and slept on her large couch.   I had also done the same after being in hospital when mum was living in her duplex in Innaloo.  I think she felt she still needed to mother me even though I was by then middle-aged.  I know it made her happy so I went along with it and I must admit it was very pleasant there just being the two of us for those few days).