There is one small incident I had forgotten that occurred while we were living in Goderich Street opposite the school I was attending.
The students were going to the Premier Theatre to see Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney in Boys' Town. We were to walk to the theatre which was at least a mile or two from the school and in crocodile file which meant two girls abreast in a long line.
We were not allowed to go unless we were wearing our hat and gloves and our blazers. Mum had been making me a blazer as we couldn't afford to buy one off the rack at Aherns (they sold all school clothing for Roman Catholic schools in and around Perth). She had had the pocket embroidered with the school logo, had picked it up from the shop that morning and still had to sew it on by hand.
We were already lined up and almost ready to leave and I anxiously hoped that Mum would finish sewing on the pocket in time. With about 2 minutes to spare Mum came rushing in the gate with the completed blazer so I was allowed to go with the rest of the students to see the picture. This was one time when it really was fortunate we were living right opposite the school.
I don't know how many of you would have seen this film but it was, and still is, very wonderful. Many of the girls, and the nuns, were seen shedding a tear while watching. Did I shed a tear too? Now, that would be telling wouldn't it? I would only have been 6 or 7 years old so perhaps I don't remember about that, but I do remember the film as it made quite an impression on me. I saw it again many years later and enjoyed it just as much as the first time.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
C/HOOD MEMORIES (4) A CHANGE OF RESIDENCE
I am not sure just how long we lived in the house in Wellington Street but I do know it was before I turned 7 that we moved to another place where we rented 2 rooms and shared conveniences and this was to a big house at 196 Goderich Street in East Perth. There were two flats in the back garden and my brother Len lived in one of those so I guess it was he that arranged for our move.
Auntie Sheila (wife of my Uncle Lindsay Anderson) told me recently that her grandfather had actually owned and lived in the very same house many years previously. A small world indeed.
I had begun attending Victoria Square College (now known as Mercedes College) while still living in Wellington Street but it was much more convenient for me now that we had moved as the front gate of the school was opposite where we were now living and I only had to cross the street to get to school.
My brother Len was married to Jean during this time and we of course attended their wedding and mum had made a very pretty horseshoe on a ribbon and I gave this to Jean, for good luck, as she was entering the church.
I celebrated my 7th birthday here and mum gave me a party to which were invited 5 girls from my school as well as 3 children of friends of mum and dad. I have a lovely picture of all of us with our party hats on all looking as though we are enjoying ourselves very much.
Brother Len also joined the Royal Australian Air Force. He'd never been brilliant at maths while at school and mum tutored him before he had to sit for his entrance exam and he passed with flying colours and eventually became an aerial photographer and during WW2 he actually flew out of Darwin with the American Airforce and took photos of the results of bombing raids on Borneo which was of course at that time in the possession of the Japanese. I may tell more about that on a later blog.
I think we were quite happy living in the house in Goderich Street but it would not be long before were were on the move again and next time it was to rent a duplex in Royal Street (also in East Perth). More about that next time.
Auntie Sheila (wife of my Uncle Lindsay Anderson) told me recently that her grandfather had actually owned and lived in the very same house many years previously. A small world indeed.
I had begun attending Victoria Square College (now known as Mercedes College) while still living in Wellington Street but it was much more convenient for me now that we had moved as the front gate of the school was opposite where we were now living and I only had to cross the street to get to school.
My brother Len was married to Jean during this time and we of course attended their wedding and mum had made a very pretty horseshoe on a ribbon and I gave this to Jean, for good luck, as she was entering the church.
I celebrated my 7th birthday here and mum gave me a party to which were invited 5 girls from my school as well as 3 children of friends of mum and dad. I have a lovely picture of all of us with our party hats on all looking as though we are enjoying ourselves very much.
Brother Len also joined the Royal Australian Air Force. He'd never been brilliant at maths while at school and mum tutored him before he had to sit for his entrance exam and he passed with flying colours and eventually became an aerial photographer and during WW2 he actually flew out of Darwin with the American Airforce and took photos of the results of bombing raids on Borneo which was of course at that time in the possession of the Japanese. I may tell more about that on a later blog.
I think we were quite happy living in the house in Goderich Street but it would not be long before were were on the move again and next time it was to rent a duplex in Royal Street (also in East Perth). More about that next time.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES (3) 3 SMALL INCIDENTS
I spoke of leaving the farm toward the end of 1937 and renting a couple of rooms in a big house in Wellington Street, the landlady of which had a son named (I think) Peter who was a bit of a terror.
I had been bought up for nearly 6 years very much on my own without much association with other children (I did correspondence lessons on the farm so no kindy or the like) and was by nature rather shy.
Three recollections (apart from my 6th birthday) I have while living in that house were these:
Running down the long gravel driveway by the house one day I fell and ended up with the worst gravel grazes on my kneea that one could have. Anyone who has suffered a gravel grazewill understand what I am saying. If I remember correctly it took several weeks for my knees to heal.
One day while playing outside I saw Peter making a small pile of dead leaves and bits of twigs right up against the side of the house. I asked him what he was doing and he told me he was going to set fire to the house. I remember rushing inside and up the stairs to tell mum we had to get outside as the house was going to burn down. She of course calmed me down and told me that Peter was only teasing and I believe his mother did tell him off for doing so. The house was built of brick so no way it could have burned down, or at least not from a small pile of leaves and twigs but I was obviously a gullible little girl and absolutely believed it could happen.
Having had to leave the farm with little more than our clothing and a few pound I had very few toys. I think I had a rag doll and a celluloid doll and perhaps a couple of books. One day Peter came and told me he would like to give me his old teddy bear as he was too grown up to have a teddy now which shows that underneath he was really quite a nice young lad after all. I had that old bear until well into my 30s when he began to really fall apart and we found he had been stuffed with tiny pieces of cork which I thought quite unusual. I for some reason had named the bear Norma.
Not huge events in one's life but still little things long remembered for various reasons.
I had been bought up for nearly 6 years very much on my own without much association with other children (I did correspondence lessons on the farm so no kindy or the like) and was by nature rather shy.
Three recollections (apart from my 6th birthday) I have while living in that house were these:
Running down the long gravel driveway by the house one day I fell and ended up with the worst gravel grazes on my kneea that one could have. Anyone who has suffered a gravel grazewill understand what I am saying. If I remember correctly it took several weeks for my knees to heal.
One day while playing outside I saw Peter making a small pile of dead leaves and bits of twigs right up against the side of the house. I asked him what he was doing and he told me he was going to set fire to the house. I remember rushing inside and up the stairs to tell mum we had to get outside as the house was going to burn down. She of course calmed me down and told me that Peter was only teasing and I believe his mother did tell him off for doing so. The house was built of brick so no way it could have burned down, or at least not from a small pile of leaves and twigs but I was obviously a gullible little girl and absolutely believed it could happen.
Having had to leave the farm with little more than our clothing and a few pound I had very few toys. I think I had a rag doll and a celluloid doll and perhaps a couple of books. One day Peter came and told me he would like to give me his old teddy bear as he was too grown up to have a teddy now which shows that underneath he was really quite a nice young lad after all. I had that old bear until well into my 30s when he began to really fall apart and we found he had been stuffed with tiny pieces of cork which I thought quite unusual. I for some reason had named the bear Norma.
Not huge events in one's life but still little things long remembered for various reasons.
Friday, February 10, 2012
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES (2) MY 2ND BIRTHDAY
We had arrived in Perth from our farm in Narrikup toward the end of 1937. With very little money and only virtually our clothing we had brought with us, we rented a couple of furnished rooms in a large two storey house in Wellington Street (near Plain Street). Dad of course immediately began to look for work. He had been the Chief Clerk in the Sugar Commission in London before emigrating to Australia but of course had been farming for 17 years since their arrival here.
I celebrate my birthday immediately following new year so it is always a summer birthday. As we knew very few people in the city it was decided that mum and dad would take me by tram to Crawley Bay where we could have a picnic lunch and a swim. In those days the river was very clean with only the occasional little white jelly fish which did no harm. Our landlady had a young son a few years older than me and he was asked to come with us to Crawley. We shall call him Peter which I think actually was his real name.
The single tramline ran from the city around Mounts Bay Road to Crawley Bay but whether or not there was somewhere trams could pass each other or if it was the same tram that travelled there and back all the time I can't remember.
We had a lovely time and on the way home when we were about adjacent with Jacob's Ladder when the tram driver began constantly ringing his bell loudly we all knew something was dreadfully wrong. All of a sudden there was a very loud bang and the tram stopped immediately. I think if I remember correctly a couple of floor boards in the tram sprung up and some of the seat backs moved forward as well. A couple of people did receive minor injuries but nothing of any real concern.
All the passengers jumped out of the tram and we were met with a most distressing sight. There was a large sedan with the front stove in right in front of the tram with several young people lying on the roadway (no seatbelts in those days of course). Even I at age 6 somehow knew by the way the bodies were lying on the road that at least one of two of them were dead and I don't recollect just how many of them were killed.
I was very upset and at the time I was eating what was called a bird's nest. It consisted of coloured shredded coconut held together with something sticky and shaped like a bird's nest. I remember saying to Mum "I can't eat this" and Peter said "I'll have it." That was the sort of lad he was. Nothing seemed to upset him.
The story came out later that the tram driver had seen the car heading straight toward the tram; it was thought the sun was in the car driver's eyes and he was for some reason driving down the middle of the road. He obviously didn't see the tram coming toward him and one wonders if he actually heard the tram bell being rung. There were at least 4 if not 6 young people in the car so perhaps they were making a lot of noise preventing them hearing the warning sound.
The tram driver at the very last moment, knowing his own life was at stake, jumped on to the running board of a passing car. I understand he was sacked from his job for leaving the tram and passengers appealed against his dismissal stating there was absolutely nothing else he could have done to avert the tragedy. Whether he was reinstated I don't know but I hope he was but I wonder if he would have had the nerve to drive a tram again.
It was not a pleasant ending to what had been a wonderful birthday but the young are usually resilient and I don't think it caused me any nightmares or anything untoward of that kind. Strangely though it is something I have never forgotten and the memory of that day does occasionally come back to me and I feel sad all over again for the loss of some young lives.
I celebrate my birthday immediately following new year so it is always a summer birthday. As we knew very few people in the city it was decided that mum and dad would take me by tram to Crawley Bay where we could have a picnic lunch and a swim. In those days the river was very clean with only the occasional little white jelly fish which did no harm. Our landlady had a young son a few years older than me and he was asked to come with us to Crawley. We shall call him Peter which I think actually was his real name.
The single tramline ran from the city around Mounts Bay Road to Crawley Bay but whether or not there was somewhere trams could pass each other or if it was the same tram that travelled there and back all the time I can't remember.
We had a lovely time and on the way home when we were about adjacent with Jacob's Ladder when the tram driver began constantly ringing his bell loudly we all knew something was dreadfully wrong. All of a sudden there was a very loud bang and the tram stopped immediately. I think if I remember correctly a couple of floor boards in the tram sprung up and some of the seat backs moved forward as well. A couple of people did receive minor injuries but nothing of any real concern.
All the passengers jumped out of the tram and we were met with a most distressing sight. There was a large sedan with the front stove in right in front of the tram with several young people lying on the roadway (no seatbelts in those days of course). Even I at age 6 somehow knew by the way the bodies were lying on the road that at least one of two of them were dead and I don't recollect just how many of them were killed.
I was very upset and at the time I was eating what was called a bird's nest. It consisted of coloured shredded coconut held together with something sticky and shaped like a bird's nest. I remember saying to Mum "I can't eat this" and Peter said "I'll have it." That was the sort of lad he was. Nothing seemed to upset him.
The story came out later that the tram driver had seen the car heading straight toward the tram; it was thought the sun was in the car driver's eyes and he was for some reason driving down the middle of the road. He obviously didn't see the tram coming toward him and one wonders if he actually heard the tram bell being rung. There were at least 4 if not 6 young people in the car so perhaps they were making a lot of noise preventing them hearing the warning sound.
The tram driver at the very last moment, knowing his own life was at stake, jumped on to the running board of a passing car. I understand he was sacked from his job for leaving the tram and passengers appealed against his dismissal stating there was absolutely nothing else he could have done to avert the tragedy. Whether he was reinstated I don't know but I hope he was but I wonder if he would have had the nerve to drive a tram again.
It was not a pleasant ending to what had been a wonderful birthday but the young are usually resilient and I don't think it caused me any nightmares or anything untoward of that kind. Strangely though it is something I have never forgotten and the memory of that day does occasionally come back to me and I feel sad all over again for the loss of some young lives.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
EARLY MEMORIES (1)
I sat today trying to think what would perhaps be my earliest memory that was a true memory and not something that had been told to me by my family and I think the very first real memory was of helping Mum and Dad fight a fire on the outskirts of our farm. We lived in Narrikup which is in the deep south of Western Australia and just north of Albany.
This would be about 1936/7 when I was 4 or 5 (probably 5 I would think). There was quite a bad bushfire and it was burning on the outskirts of some paddocks on our farm. I couldn't of course be left at home on my own with the risk of a wind change etc., so off I went with Mum and Dad to 'help' fight this fire.
What I do remember is being given small branches (more like large twigs) with which I was told to put out any little spot fires along the edge of the paddock. I can vividly remember doing that and am sure it was never told to me before I actually asked the folks about it. A true memory. Fortunately the fire was put out and no damage was done to property or livestock.
Owing to Mum's ill health we left the farm just before I turned 6 and although I've often tried to remember other things I can only surmise that I had a happy childhood with no bad memories so not a lot of memories. I hope that makes sense. I do remember the big stand of pine trees nearby and loving to walk under them and feel the crunch of the needles under my feet. The farm was named "The Pines" for obvious reasons.
I do very vaguely remember the geography of the farm and there were cows, the gentlest of which I was allowed to milk. I think I probably managed to get enough for the cat to have a saucer of milk. I also remember there was a lovely old grey horse called Bonnie. I am told I used to sit on her back and I feel I may remember doing that or was I just told I did. I also think I remember the cat or did Mum tell me all about him sitting in my high chair and joining us for meals at the table.
It is often in my mind what would have happened had Mum not been ill and we'd stayed on the farm. Would I perhaps have married a farmer and still be down there? Fate changes one's life in many ways and yet I do still quite often think "What if?"
This would be about 1936/7 when I was 4 or 5 (probably 5 I would think). There was quite a bad bushfire and it was burning on the outskirts of some paddocks on our farm. I couldn't of course be left at home on my own with the risk of a wind change etc., so off I went with Mum and Dad to 'help' fight this fire.
What I do remember is being given small branches (more like large twigs) with which I was told to put out any little spot fires along the edge of the paddock. I can vividly remember doing that and am sure it was never told to me before I actually asked the folks about it. A true memory. Fortunately the fire was put out and no damage was done to property or livestock.
Owing to Mum's ill health we left the farm just before I turned 6 and although I've often tried to remember other things I can only surmise that I had a happy childhood with no bad memories so not a lot of memories. I hope that makes sense. I do remember the big stand of pine trees nearby and loving to walk under them and feel the crunch of the needles under my feet. The farm was named "The Pines" for obvious reasons.
I do very vaguely remember the geography of the farm and there were cows, the gentlest of which I was allowed to milk. I think I probably managed to get enough for the cat to have a saucer of milk. I also remember there was a lovely old grey horse called Bonnie. I am told I used to sit on her back and I feel I may remember doing that or was I just told I did. I also think I remember the cat or did Mum tell me all about him sitting in my high chair and joining us for meals at the table.
It is often in my mind what would have happened had Mum not been ill and we'd stayed on the farm. Would I perhaps have married a farmer and still be down there? Fate changes one's life in many ways and yet I do still quite often think "What if?"
Monday, February 6, 2012
IS IT REALLY 6 WEEKS?
Now I realise that yes, it is just 6 weeks since I was here. I've opened up several times but nothing came to mind that was of interest to me let alone others. I guess at age 80 you are not up with all things modern so it's not possible to comment on them. If one does comment on modern times it sometimes comes out as a sort of criticism which is not good and usually not intended. Technology has left us way behind so perhaps we live in a type of time warp now.
I contemplated whether to get rid of my blog entirely but then realised that it is actually here for me and if nobody else ever reads it or comments......then so what?
What to write about is the question and I decided that perhaps reminiscing about 'little things' that have happened over the years could be the way to go so that is what I intend to do. As those events come to mind from time to time then I will write about them just for my own pleasure in having remembered them. Here's hoping my long term memory is still functioning.
If you are a friend who perhaps drops in here occasionally then I hope you will enjoy whatever it is I write about and as a favour to me perhaps leave a comment even if just to say "what a load of rubbish!"
No, only joking but then am I or am I dinkum about loving ALL comments people take time to leave.
I contemplated whether to get rid of my blog entirely but then realised that it is actually here for me and if nobody else ever reads it or comments......then so what?
What to write about is the question and I decided that perhaps reminiscing about 'little things' that have happened over the years could be the way to go so that is what I intend to do. As those events come to mind from time to time then I will write about them just for my own pleasure in having remembered them. Here's hoping my long term memory is still functioning.
If you are a friend who perhaps drops in here occasionally then I hope you will enjoy whatever it is I write about and as a favour to me perhaps leave a comment even if just to say "what a load of rubbish!"
No, only joking but then am I or am I dinkum about loving ALL comments people take time to leave.
Monday, January 2, 2012
ANOTHER MILESTONE IN MY LIFE
Today I celebrate my 80th birthday.....hard to believe as I sit here at my computer looking outwards but then I will later see myself in a mirror and realise that it is true. I have quite a lot of grey in my hair but much of it is still brown, and I often think if it was all white I would then believe I really AM 80. Of course the physical me is not good because of chronic osteo arthritis but mentally I think I am still doing rather well for which I must be thankful.
I had a fantastic 70th birthday but today is going to be more low key which suits me fine as I'm not quite the youngster now that I was 10 years ago. The family are coming for afternoon tea which I am hoping we can enjoy under the trees in our front garden with a nice cooling sea breeze blowing. Today is forecast to be 31C (87.8F) which is better than my last two birthdays when it has been 40C (104F) so one must be thankful that the weather is being somewhat kinder today. The sea breeze has arrived early today so I am hoping it stays with us until at least late afternoon.
My daughter blogged about my birthday and said some very kind words. I have not always been perfect but I have tried my best and hope through the years I've not caused bad hurt to anyone, or at least not more than was perhaps necessary at times.
MOH game me a really pretty 80th birthday card and the printed words in the card were:
"Your 80th birthday is a time of great celebration. A special day that's all about you; a time to feel the happiness that's warmly wished for you by your family and friends, today and always". He added his only lovely greeting (and some xxx's of course).
I think that says it all. I am grateful to have been given these many years of life and however many more days are going to be granted to me will also be grateful received. Today I especially remember with fondness all those that have already left this mortal coil and only wish they were still here to share this day with me. I think of them often and am so glad they were my family and friends.
I hope everyone had a most enjoyable Christmas and New Year's Eve and may this year of 2012 bring everyone peace, good health and much happiness.
I intend to try and find something worthwhile writing about, at least occasionally, and hope I will meet up with old friends on here from time to time.
I had a fantastic 70th birthday but today is going to be more low key which suits me fine as I'm not quite the youngster now that I was 10 years ago. The family are coming for afternoon tea which I am hoping we can enjoy under the trees in our front garden with a nice cooling sea breeze blowing. Today is forecast to be 31C (87.8F) which is better than my last two birthdays when it has been 40C (104F) so one must be thankful that the weather is being somewhat kinder today. The sea breeze has arrived early today so I am hoping it stays with us until at least late afternoon.
My daughter blogged about my birthday and said some very kind words. I have not always been perfect but I have tried my best and hope through the years I've not caused bad hurt to anyone, or at least not more than was perhaps necessary at times.
MOH game me a really pretty 80th birthday card and the printed words in the card were:
"Your 80th birthday is a time of great celebration. A special day that's all about you; a time to feel the happiness that's warmly wished for you by your family and friends, today and always". He added his only lovely greeting (and some xxx's of course).
I think that says it all. I am grateful to have been given these many years of life and however many more days are going to be granted to me will also be grateful received. Today I especially remember with fondness all those that have already left this mortal coil and only wish they were still here to share this day with me. I think of them often and am so glad they were my family and friends.
I hope everyone had a most enjoyable Christmas and New Year's Eve and may this year of 2012 bring everyone peace, good health and much happiness.
I intend to try and find something worthwhile writing about, at least occasionally, and hope I will meet up with old friends on here from time to time.
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