In 1971, I was 17 and attending Oak Park High School in Plumpton Ave, Oak Park. I was in Year 12 and hoping to do well enough to get into university to become an English teacher.
I liked to wear jeans but could only afford Wrangler, not Levi or Lee. I listened to music by the Beatles, the Bee Gees and the Rolling Stones. I played netball and spent time with friends. On Saturday mornings, I had a little part time job at Knuckey’s Milk Bar, in Pascoe Vale Road. In retrospect I think I was quite slow calculating the change. And it had been two years since I was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Nevertheless, I felt that my life was quite ordinary.
My boyfriend was 18 and he had gone to Glenroy Technical school. In 1971, he was studying first year Accountancy at Preston Senior Tech.
I can remember the new brick library being built in Glenroy. I thought the concrete arches at the front made it look a bit space age. It was definitely a ‘modern’ looking building at the time, in contrast to the other shops which made up the small shopping strip in Glenroy.
In March of 1971, it was confirmed that I was pregnant and in April I was asked to leave high school. However, my English teacher, the principal and assistant principal encouraged me to continue my studies and recommended that I enroll at the Victorian Correspondence School, which my parents did for me.
When I was at high school, I was studying English, English Literature, Australian History, French and General Mathematics. Unfortunately, the Correspondence school did not offer General Mathematics, so I had to drop that subject and instead I picked up Modern European History.
Every six weeks or so, a large, thick, buff coloured envelope containing the lesson plans for that time period would arrive in my letter box. It was expected that I would work through these lessons and then post them back to the correspondence school in the reply-paid envelope.
If I remember correctly, in June or July of 1971, I had a set of tests that I had to complete. In order to undertake these in ‘test like’ conditions, it was recommended by the Correspondence School that a library would make an ideal setting. The librarian could also verify that the tests were completed without any use of reference materials.
So, I walked up to the library with a sealed envelope containing my tests under my arm and asked the librarian if she would be able to help me. She was happy to assist. Once I was settled into a small glass walled room, towards the back of the library and on the rear car park side, I set to work. I can remember concentrating very hard and writing and proofreading until the time limit was up.
I can only guess now that I took a break and stretched my legs, before beginning the next test. However, I would have had a lunch break, probably eating my sandwich outside. Once finished, the librarian signed the form that had accompanied the tests and then I sealed up the envelope and posted it on my way home.
I was grateful that the library existed. During my tests, I was cocooned in a quiet contemplative environment. The library gave me the chance to do my best.
In 2021 Glenroy library will celebrate its 50th anniversary and my son will turn 50.
Image credit: Leigh Trevaski
And what of the remainder of 1971?
Unfortunately, when I next had tests to do, which were sent to me from the Correspondence School, I had been hospitalised due to some complications with my diabetes and pregnancy. So, the nursing staff in the ward where pregnant diabetic mothers were being looked after, authorised the forms on my behalf. Therefore, I no longer required the staff at the Glenroy library to supervise me.
My son was born in September of 1971. He remained in the special care nursery for a month at the Royal Women’s Hospital. Then he came home with me to my family home in Oak Park. His father and I continued being in a loving relationship.
In November, during the weeks when I had my final exams, my son and I stayed with my grandmother in West Brunswick, so I could catch the tram into the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton. My grandmother looked after my son while I sat my exams.
In January 1972, I gained a place at Coburg Teachers College and my son’s father and I became engaged in March 1972. Sorrowfully, my boyfriend, and the father of our small baby, died in a workplace accident on Easter Monday April 3rd, 1972.
Since I stayed living in the local area, and when I am able to, my use of and connection to the Glenroy library continues up until the present day. Libraries will always have an important place in the community.
That is a great story. What a wonderful journey you are on. It was inspiring to read that you’ve received great support from your family and teachers, during those very challenging teen years. Sometimes, we forget how important libraries are in our lives and personal development.
A fabulous story Leigh and shows how big a part libraries play in the community, supporting community as well as allowing access to books.
I admire your persistence to complete your education and your commitment to continue your education.