This article is based on an interview conducted by a Council staff member, with a resident of Glenroy who has given her personal experiences, stories and anecdotes on growing up in New South Wales, moving to the Moreland municipality and having a passion and talent for the arts and crafts. These are personal reminiscences.
Growing Up
Born in 1918 in a New South Wales town of Leeton, she is from an Australian family with her mother born near Bendigo and her father born in South Australia. They have a Welsh, Cornish and Jewish background. She experienced numerous events whilst growing up, notably The Great Depression and economic decline which preceded World War II occurring from 1939-1945. She has many memories of growing up, in particular of having limited water, and always being cautious and having to save water from showers. Also, it was noted one experience in particular in which she used to play tennis as a racquet was given to her at a young age, although she noted she couldn’t see over the net! By age 7 she was playing, and she finished up competing in A grade tennis in Melbourne, therefore revealing a talent of hers.
In relation to schooling, she attended primary school in Yanco, a town near Leeton and was very good at school, mentioning she was only 2 points away from gaining a bursary award; the equivalent of a scholarship. She enjoyed school and went on to high school; however had to leave school at age 12 to care for her ill mother. Sadly, when she was 15 her mother passed away. This led her to take on the role of housekeeping and caring for her family; notably the most difficult job of all.
This became her full time job and role for many years for her own family, purely looking after and caring for her family of 5 boys (her husband and 4 sons) and at one stage she had a niece living with her; an admirable job.
Moving to Moreland
After a period of time living in New South Wales, in 1941 she moved to Melbourne. It was there that she experienced living in many of the Moreland suburbs in the municipality with her husband and family. This included living in West Brunswick, followed by Coburg and then Pascoe Vale. After this, they went on to live in Gisborne for 8 and half years on a 10 hectare block of land. This was something her husband had always wished for; to live on a large area of land. She has four sons, all of which were butchers; following on from a family tradition as her husband was also a butcher.
After this period of time, she and her husband bought her current house in Glenroy, and she has lived there for 25 years. She has a very large family and extended family; with four sons, ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren to be this January.
Interest in the Arts and Crafts
With a focus on needlework and crochet, a lifetime love of arts and crafts began at the age of 7. This came from her mother who was a very talented and great seamstress. After emulating her mother and teaching herself needlework, this lead to her beginning to create pieces of work since she was merely 7 years of age. She specifically remembers a particular doily of which she created which was dark blue embroidered, and it was highly recommended in a competition when she was young. This was the beginning of her creating pieces of work, completing needlework, tapestry and crochet since this time. However, she only began to enter competitions in 2009 and this year in 2010 at the age of 91 and 92 respectively. This was due to her son’s partner who saw her talent and provided her with an idea that she should enter into competitions and have a chance for others to see her work.
Achievements
She has a strong interest in crafts and art and has won numerous prestigious awards for this. This involved participating in sections of Aged Care and Over 80 years categories within the various competitions. She has a whole collection and album dedicated to her winnings and prizes of which she was awarded with at several competitions. These have included:
• Sunbury Agricultural Show- crochet and doily- 1st and 2nd prizes. Announced the Grand Champion.
• Lancefield Agricultural Show- crochet- 1st and 2nd prizes.
• Wauchope Show- crochet, baby booties, shawl, baby jackets and shrugs- 1st prizes and ribbons as well as a letter of thanks for participating in their 100th Annual Show.
• Royal Melbourne Show – crochet- 1st prizes. She was entered into this show as it was considered that she was up to this high standard. The Royal Melbourne Show is the annual showcase event and this is an amazing achievement to enter her crochet- doily’s, baby wear, shawl and needlework into the competition. This Show is seen to be a prestigious event where an abundance of talent is on display, and it features many different types of arts and crafts and garments.
These achievements show the enormous talent of which she has and there is no doubt she would have won several more awards if she entered at a younger age or continued to do so.
Furthermore, over time she has also completed a lot of valuable volunteer work for different organisations, giving up her time and making and creating products for others. Making a shawl for the Royal Children’s Hospital is one example of her generosity, having it auctioned off for others. She will be turning 93 next year and has decided not to enter any more competitions, as she mentioned she was finished crocheting and needlework and admitted that the idea of having and deserving a break was important.
Living in Moreland
In mentioning experiences and living in the Moreland area, she has many friends and family living close by and of who provide regular visits. She is still able to catch up with some friends of which she knew growing up.
Looking back, changes that she noticed the most from growing up to current society, the biggest difference was the economic situation being worse. It was noted that she believes she grew up in better conditions, specifically in prices of food with it being much cheaper in the past. Also in particular, one example was the difference in wages, as they received 3 pound a week as wages (the equivalent to $5) and that was used to pay bills, electricity, food and daily living; a stark contrast to today’s society.
Currently, she does not attend any specific clubs or associations socially, as she is happy at home and has a great neighbour who visits and assists her. She has many opportunities to see family members and spending time with her many grandchildren which she loves, and she enjoys living in the Glenroy area.