Bendigo Advertiser '' the way we were'' from 2002. Golden years: st Killian's Bendigo students; circa 1946. Back row (from left): Jermehi Loria, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, John Keating, Alf Triolia, Peter Gill, Hogan. Fourth row (from left): unknown, Gavin Conroy, unknown, unknown, Terry Duffy, Tom Vlaemink, unknown, Brian Robertson, Bryan McMahon, unknown. Third row (from left): unknown, unknown, Barry Breton, Frank Comer, Kevin Rogers, Bob McMahon, Bob Beecroft, Billy Settling, John Ryan, Robert Burns, Frank Kirk, Merry Tweeny. Second row (from left): Patsy Reid, Wilma Collins, Noelene McKay, Vivienne Brown, unknown, Judith Rothenberger, Eileen Bevans, Margaret Walker, Cathy Riodan, Bernadette Mulhinal, Elaine Thompson, Judy O'Bryan. Front row (from left): Jacki Hogan, Claire Barrett, Geraldine McKenzie, Carmel Green, Elaine Lowndes. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

RECORDING OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND WESLEY COLLEGE STUDENT MUSICIANS; VOCALS; TOM HOWARTH, JODIE WHITTON, NORM WHITTON, LES PATTEN, SATCH NIEMIEC, JUDE NIEMIEC, SIMON NIEMIEC, KIT ANDERSON, FENJA SHAW, WESLEY COLLEGE & ST ANDREWS CHOIR; RICK MORRIS, PENNY ROGERS, LIZ FLETCHER, MICHELLE MUNRO, CANDICE COLLINS, PAT COOK, JENNIFER HULL, MAUREEN HARRIS, DOLLY TORNEY, GLENICE MCLENNAN, FRANK HARRIS, REG KINNERSLY, KEN HALL, TOM WICKHAM, JUDITH FAWCETT (CONDUCTRELL) ORGANIST MARGARET MCCALLUM MUSICIANS GUITARS: SATCH NIEMIEC, LES PATTEN, JODIE WHITTON BASS: SATCH NIEMIEC KEYBOARDS: MICHELLE LEISHMAN, GEOFF GAIR, SATCH MIEMIEC ACCORDION: KATHLEEN CRANAGE DRUMS: PERCUSSION - NORM WHITTON HARMONIES: MODIE WHITTON VIBRAPHONE, SAX & CLARINET: GEOFF BAIR WESLEY COLLEGE; VIOLINS: NAYAN PURI, KATE MORGAN, JOSH CASAN VIOLA: DAVID BAIN CELLO: NOCHOLE SANDS, KATHERIN SCHORNKOW TRUMPET: LEIGH CONSENTINO, BRANDON CHEONG FLUTE: TASHI COOPER, DOMINIQUE SLOMAN CLARINET: EMILY SIM, ZAC GROSSCOMPACT DISC WITH RECORDINGS OF CHRISTMAS CAROLSclunes christmas, clunes 150yrs

James Rogers was born in Wallaroo, South Australia, but came to Sailor's Gully, Eaglehawk with his family as an infant. He was converted in a Salvation Army meeting at Bendigo. He became a member of the Primitive Methodist Church at Eaglehawk. He was stationed at: 1888 Murtoa; 1889 Hamilton; 1892 Melbourne, Collingwood; 1892 Beaconsfield; 1894 Penguin; 1900 Castlemaine; 1905 Dimboola; 1909 Geelong, Yarra St.; 1913 Kilcunda & Powlett River; 1917 Kyabram; 1920 North Melbourne; 1923 Brighton; 1928 Prahran; 1932 Supernumerary Hawthorn. Gaol Chaplain 1909 - 1912; Hospital Chaplain 1935 - 1936Died 2nd September 1937 Agnes Rogers (nee Caldwell) was born in 1867, married James Rogers in 1892 and died in 1951. The children in the photograph are: James Stanley (born 1893), John David (born 1895), Agnes Pricilla (born 1897), Robert Leslie (born 1899), Jean (born 1900), Ethel Margaret (born 1903), Amelia Florence (born 1905) Lois Susan and Ella (twins born 1908).B & W studio photograph of Rev James Rogers, Mrs Agnes Rogers (nee Caldwell) and their children. The images of two men in uniform (presumably absent overseas) have been superimposed on the photograph to complete the family group. james rogers, agnes rogers, agnes caldwell, methodist, primitive methodist, eaglehawk, minister, first world war

Collection of Margaret ScarlettCream Bone handle with steel shaftJoseph Rogers and Sons.domestic items, cutlery

A white document titled 'State College of Victoria Bendigo Graduation Ceremony.' Bendigo City Hall, Friday 7th Dec. 1973 at 10.30 A.M. Council: Mr. J. P. Pearce, Mr. E. B. Ashman, Mrs. R. C. Graham, Mr. M. John, Mr. W. P. Lomas, Mr. W. P. Mitchell, Mr. C. R. Moyle, Mr. D. O'Brien, Mr. M. T. Pease, Mr. M. C. Prichard, Mr. K. G. Scarrott and Mr. J. P. Wilson. On the inside cover is a list of the Staff: Principal: Mr. K. G. Scarrott. Vice-Principal: Miss A. Downard and Warden for Men: Mr. F. M. Courtis. Art Staff - Mr. F. M. Courtis, Mr. B. A. Clemson, Mr. K. G. Harrison, Mr. K. W. Endersby, Mr. L. J. Langan, Mr. R. N. Bruce, Mr. D. J. Watson, Mr. R. J. Harris, Mrs. M. M. Clemson. Education - Mr. D. O'Brien, Mr. F. A. Jones, Mrs. N. F. Fawdry, Mr. A. D. Maltby, Mr. J. Brasier, Mr. A. Attrill, Mr. K. P. O'Hagan, Mrs. M. J. Smith, Mr. E. F. Bell, Miss P. R. Wess. English - Mr. T. J. McCabe, Mr. G. L. Colson, Mr. W. P. Lomas, Miss M. C. Gates, Mr. R. M. Counahan, Mrs. R. M. Griffiths, Mrs. E. L. Angus. Library and Aids - Mr. B. D. Gill, Mr. J. R. Goodrich, Mrs. E. I. Perry, Mr. R. D. Robinson, Mrs J. A. Maltby, Mrs. G. L. Barnes. Mathematics - Mr. K. C. Coles, Mr. A. J. Jones, Mrs. H. Knox, Mr. C. T. Dillon. Music - Mr. B. R. Reed, Mrs. B. P. Hyett, Miss E. A. McConnell, Mrs. M. P. Hibberd. Physical Education - Mr. R. Colliss, Miss J. de Ferranti, Mr. A. J. McIntosh, Mrs. S. M. Wheeler, Mr. D. Pinniger, Mrs. S. L. Anderson. Procedures and Practice of Teaching - Mr. B. T. Geary, Mr. C. J. Barnes, Mrs. D. E. Plim. Science - Mr. R. F. Colbourne, Mr. R. E. Martin, Mr. L. E. Leeson, Mr. N. J. West, Mr. P. L. Killeen. Social Science - Mr. L. A. Hall, Mr. J. A. White, Mr. R. B. Silverback, Mr. G. F. McIntosh, Mr. G. N. Dunn, Mrs. S. Sarto. International Teacher Fellow - Mr. D. J. Jones. Associated Medical Staff - Dr. L. M. Cleeve. Registrar - Mr. W. D. Kolle. On the following page is an outline of the program which includes an introduction by the Chairman of the Council Mr. J. P. Pearce. The signing of the Graduation Book is - student representatives are presented to Mr. J. Revell Inspector of Schools, by Miss Downward. The Principal's speech is presented by Mr. K. G. Scarrott. Miss Downward presents all the graduating students to Mr. Moyle. Congratulations are offered by Cr. A. Craig, Cr. M. O'Halloran for the Shire of Strathfieldsaye and the Principal of Golden Square State School, Mr. J. Hendry. The Occasional Address is presented by Mr. C. R. Moyle. The Master of Ceremonies is Mr. B. A. Clemson. The pianist is Barbara Hyett and the organist Michael Bottomley. On the back of the program is a list of the graduating students - Diploma of Teaching (Primary) - Rita J. Aniolkowski, Debra A. Ball, Valda J. Batey, Judith Batten, Mrs. Julie Bennett, Lidija A. Bertlands, Verence A. Bonsor, Barry R. Borneman, Michael K. Bottomley, Gregory Bowen, Ian G. Butcher, Christine V. Callaghan, Elizabeth A. Cannard, Janette J. Chaffey, Mrs. Sandra K. Chamberlain, Lorraine J. Chambers, Suzanne E. Chislett Mrs. Elaine Clark, Kathleen A. Cleave, Jennifer R. Cody, Janice E. Cole, Mimie E. Crook, Lidia Czerkaskyj, Kathryn F. Davis, Ivan J. Dedini, Bryan W. Derrick, Kaye E. Dillon, Bernadette M. Dixon, Marie L. Dowd, Dianne M. Dwyer, Helen D. Eames, Norma C. Eddy, Mrs. Rozlyn Effenberg, Barbara I. Fairmaid, Anne C. Ferry, Noela M. Flanagan, Lorraine J. Ford, Helen T. Fraser, Pauline H. Fraser, Julian F. Fuhrmann, Mrs. Susan L. Gemmell, Lynette M. Gilmore, Timothy A. Godber, Stephen J. Gough, Rosemary Joy Graves, Robyn M. Hanna, Geoffrey J. Harrison, Aileen M. Harrop, Margaret E. Harry, Kathryn Hermecz, Jennifer A. Hewetson, Mary Hickey, Mrs. Susan Higgins, Mandy S. Hilson, Anthony V. Holland, Galye A. Holyman, Julie M. Hyde, Susan B. James, Lorraine I. Joiner, Annie N. Jones, Ian D. Jones, Mrs. Margot E. Jones, Heather M. Jordan, Helen R. Keane, Joy Keating, Clare R. Keogh, Margaret T. La Fontaine, Kerry M. Larcombe, Julie T. Lewis, Michael R. May, Catherine A. Mays, Colin S. McKeown, Elaine A. McNabb, Bruce J. Meager, Noel C. Meredith, Margaret C. Metcalf, Jennifer J. Millard, Kerry M. Muldowney, Mrs. Kathleen E. Muller, Diane Nankivell, Roslyn B. Nankivell, Lennard Roy Neilsen, Mrs. Nanette B. Newstead, Anne M. O'Sullivan, Mrs. K. S. Parker, Heather J. Perrin, Kaye P. Ramsdale, Elaine J. Reddington, Cheryl Reid, John E. Reid, Mary L. Reilly, Mrs. Andra F. Robertson, Edwin D. Rogers, Mrs. Lorraine J. Rogers, James J. Rolfe, Laurice J. Ryall, Bernadette Ryan, Colleen F. Ryan, Alan J. Sands, Mrs. Judith A. Scarrott, Peter B. Scarrott, Suzanne M. Scott, Lynette J. Scown, Kathleen A. Sexton, Wendy A. Scheumack, Bryan W. Simm, Irene Simonaitis, Christine M. Smith, Heather N. Smith, Mary A. Smith, David G. Steel, Kate F. Stewart, Robyn F. Sutton, Barbara L. Turner, Robyn J. Turner, Dawn E. Veal, Ann Vickers, Johanna M. Vringer, Lisa D. Watkins, Barbara A. Watts, Sherrie M. West, Annette L. Whiting, Teresa L. Williamson, Jennifer L. Wirth, Margaret E. Wishart. Trained Infant Teachers' Certificate - Mrs. Annette Reid. Trained Primary Teachers' Certificate - Mrs. Gail Bennett, Prudence E. Chapman, Christine Colbert, Patricia L. Harris, Mrs. Gwenda Haveckin, Mrs. Jill Hobbs, Wayne Jackson. Mrs. Barbara Liston. In the centre of this program is a ticket for Miss J. C. Burnett to attend it.bendigo, education, state college of victoria bendigo, la trobe university bendigo collection, collection, bendigo teachers' college, bendigo, education, teaching, teachers, students, tertiary education, graduands, graduates, staff, graduation, bendigo teachers' college staff, bendigo teachers' college students

A magazine with a yellow cover and red print. It contains on the front cover the college motto 'Per Ardua Ad Astra Bendigo' and 'Bendigo College of Advanced Education Teacher Education Graduates 1984.' This magazine contains photos and social notes related to the activities of the students during the year. It also has contributions from Science Majors, Music Majors, Physical Education Majors, Social Science Majors, Maths Majors Art Majors and English Majors. Photos; page (a )in the centre of the magazine - Felicity Tomlinson, Linda Steele, Noelene Stock, Margaret Hawksworth (Madge), Janine Benson, Peter Fleming (Flem), Wendy Hawking, Jenny Soule, Stephen Bolton (Bolthead) and Catriona Webster. Page (b) Jo Monagatti (Mum), Matthew Itter, katy Morris (Crazy Kath), Julie Whitfield, Steve Rogers, Jaylea Mayhew-Stone, Jenni Mandersloot, Jenni Lanyon, Lou Nethersole, Ken Smith, Sharon Scanlan (Scanners) and Dave Douglass. Page (c) Tracy Pollesel (Stretch, Olive Oyl), Terri Anne Haebich, Jo A'Beckett, Carolyn Tavener, Sue Burgess, Donna Walker, Pamela Thorpe, Carolyn Coles, Robyn Proud and Evelyn Kristenson. Page (d) Lex Johnstone, Karen English, Sally Broadbent, Kristen Moore, Valma Bailey, Kerry Watson, Deva Guna, Bernie Conlan, Wendy Hicks, Colleen Maher (Pubes), Diana Sherwood. Page (e) Neville Avery, Sandy Olsen, Jennie Sali, Kate Elder, Carol Bourchier (Snourchier), Jim Chamouris, Sue Opie (Slopes), Lynne Nichols, Debbie Tupper, Anne Hubber (Hubs) and Mary Murphy (Murph). Page (f) Debbie Turvey, Maria Aloizos, Jo Van Heek, Christine Smith, Patricia McCormack, Chris McBain, Fay Stevenson, Barb Salatheil, Corrine McNally, Carol Humbert and Jan Bradley. Page (g) Tricia Wright, Andrew Williams (Big Man, Mad Dog), Roslyn Boys, Kerry Tighe, Debbie Joy Head, Carolyn Thornton, Sue McMurray, Carolyn Uebergang (Banger), Rita Nolen, Jane Mangan, Karen Atkinson and Tracy Kerridge. Page (h) Meredith Walters, Mick Belardinelli, Jackie Smith, Mary Cullen, Jeanine Gitters, Marg Tope (Topey), Don Baker, Karen Weightman (Wackers), Lyn Deary, Stuart Bolt, Annie Koehn and Debbie Flint.bendigo, education, bendigo college of advanced educati, la trobe university bendigo collection, collection, bendigo teachers' college, bendigo, education, teaching, teachers, students, magazines, bendigo college of advanced education, bendigo college of advanced education graduation, tertiary education, students, staff, graduation, graduates, graduands

The biographical profiles of members of the Lioness Club of Kew in the scrapbook include: Shirley Van Scoy, Marjorie Rogers, Lucy Weber, Prue Molnar, Joyce Ward, Thelma Battaini, Lois Baker, Ruth Finger, Norma Finley, Pam Rowe, Jan Watkins, Kathleen Holgate, Leby Stone, Lorna Patching, Dorothy Cameron, Glad Kenner, Edna Cartwright, Jean Franklin, Valerie Newbegin, Thelma Leech, Debbie Davis, June Jerrett, Edna Glover, Gloria Grey, Jessie Watson, Helen Joyce, Shirley Gates, Lynette Skues, Pam Dewar, Babe O'Neill, Liza McLaine, Sandra Murphy, Gretta Murphy, Marie McGonigal, Barbara Barker, Joy Bridgeland, Judy Dent, Margaret Allen.Kew has had a number of women's organisations of national significance. The Lioness Club of Kew was the first such organisation in Melbourne and its records are consequently of historic significance. The scrapbook has added social and spiritual significance as it provides a key resource for profiling often unknown women in women's community organisations during the 1980s in Kew and Victoria. The scrapbook was deposited with the Kew Historical Society for safekeeping. It is complete and comprehensive allowing for interpretation.A scrapbook, compiled by members of the Lioness Club of Kew containing photographs and typed profiles of members dating from 1982-7. The profiles were added at monthly intervals under a heading "Lioness of the Month". The scrapbook also contains some annual reports and president's reports. At the back of the scrapbook are two newspaper cuttings (The Free Press, March 19, 1980), profiling the new president, Mrs Helen Joyce, and the Club. The photographs taped into the inside of the front cover are identified as those that were reproduced in the publication 'Where Violets First Grew', the Lioness Club of Kew's partial history.lioness club of kew, women's groups -- kew (vic.), kew lionesses

Arthur Henry Miers, pictured back row left in the photograph played for cricket, football and baseball teams in Kew for a number of decades in the first half of the twentieth century. He was born on 22 November 1901, the son of Rodolph Theophilus Miers (1874-1951) and Margaret Frances (Margaretta) Fry (1875-1958). He had two brothers, Rodolph Cecil Miers (1904-80) and Charles Wilfred Miers (1906-88), and a sister Marjorie Elizabeth Miers (1911-84). Arthur Miers died in Kew on 25 January 1966, and after his body was cremated, his body was interred in the Mausoleum of Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery.Modern print copy of an original photograph of a Kew Baseball Club team at Victoria Park, Kew in 1948.Donor notes: BACK ROW: ARTHUR MIERS; ??; FRANK CULLEN, MICK HENLEY; FRED PICKERING; ?? / CENTRE ROW: JACK SIMONTON; MAX ROGERS; CLAUDE BRAY - PITCHER AND GEORGE WAKEFIELD / FRONT ROW NORM LEES AND UMPIRE - AT Victoria Park / TO RIGHT OF TEAM: BETTY MIERS - SCORER / C. LATE 1940Skew baseball club, baseball teams, sports -- kew (vic.), arthur miers

A community cookbook compiled by students and parents of Surrey Hills Primary School. It records the names of students and their families alongside recipes. Includes some class photos, past and contemporary.A community cookbook compiled by students and parents of Surrey Hills Primary School. It records the names of students and their families alongside recipes. Includes some class photos, past and contemporary. A5 spiral bound.surrey hills primary school, (ms) trudy opray, (ms) trudy schuringa, (mr) william greenwood, (ms) michelle wilson, (ms) sue wearne, (mr) isaac guorgi, (mr) zachary rogers, storm bell, (mr) sean drennan, (mr) james stewart-lambert, (ms) margaret staley, teachers, (ms) amy wise, (mr) maximillian robson, (mr) brandon soussa, (ms) amy ritchie, (ms) ky reiter, (mr) caen minett, (miss) laura hartin, (ms) callum dickinson, (ms) parker fox, (ms) melissa ritchie, (ms) annabelle guillon, (mr) luke ritchie, (mr) xander simpson, (ms) nicki sommerville, (mr) matthew gibney, jarrah marsh, (mr) alistair fitzgerald, (ms) jessica oakley, (mr) ethan o'neill, yuyu li, (mr) nathan ridd, (mr) finn evans, (ms) emily waters, (ms) maeve lun, cook book, (mr) matthew seddon, (ms) eleanor lau, (mr) bridget perry, (mr) kent mohr, (ms) sophie leigh, (mr) angus watt, (mr) adam paterson, (mr) oscar savage, (mr) cameron miller, (mr) taylor lamb, (mr) luke smith, (mr) weldon xu, (mr) darcy lewis, (mr) patrick cassidy, (ms) georgia betson, (mr) thomas wilson, (mr) david adetunji, (ms) tilly lang, (ms) ella davis, (mr) brendan doidge, (ms) nikita taltavull, (mr) lachlan assauw, (ms) nicola penny, (ms) lily gooding, (mr) anthony tchakerian, (ms) angelique alexandrou, (mr) sam castricum, luna vasquez, (ms) maggie chen, (mr) nickolas kronenburg, (ms) lillian liberg, (ms) eliza o'farrell, (ms) emily montagu, (mr) rory o'neil, (ms) georgia opray, (ms) hope beale, (ms) zara wearne, alex jennings, (ms) bridget hough, (mr) isaac williams, (ms) chloe eberbach, (mr) jack stewart, (mr) charlie stewart, (ms) rebecca doherty, (mr) harrison veitch, (ms) lucy pollock, (ms) madeline jackson, (mr) ben sommerville, (ms) claire simpson, (ms) georgia gale, (mr) thomas gilmore, (mr) lucas barnett, (ms) alexandra morris, shengning meng, (mr) ashleigh ohlsen, (mr) benjamin proe, (ms) sarah douce, (mr) callum wearne, (ms) hannah murphy, eun bee hwang, (mr) john stanley, (ms) claire smart, (mr) mathew grinsted, (ms) talia dickson, (ms) julia foster, (ms) emma pearce, (ms) kate gibney, (mr) matthew clements, (mr) riley reynolds, (ms) imogen fitzgerald, (mr) spencer harvey, (ms) emilie wickie, (mr) arran roxburgh, (mr) riley bolton, georgie ellis, (mr) mitchell coles, (mr) lachlan hogan, (mr) thomas hawkins, (ms) lina monaco, (ms) isabel maruskanic, pat leigh, (mr) riley bennett, (mr) tim cassidy, (mr) ruben schuringa, (mr) stuart raftery, (mr) harrison pike, (mr) miguel lourenco-keene, (ms) molly patrerson, (ms) bridie o'dare, (mr) matt beard, (mr) nick betson, (mr) kieran port, (mr) joshua benton, (mr) ben wheeler, (mr) edward vienet, (mr) joel assauw, (mr) liam jackson, (ms) alexis liberg, (mr) darryl mohr, (ms) tess walters, (mr) thomas maruskanic, (ms) laura seddon, (mr) jamie reiter, (mr) darcy bolton, (mr) harry murphy, reay o'dare, (mr) sam douce, (ms) ellen holley, (mr) john walters, (ms) shauni tonge, (mr) charlie ellis, (mr) tom o'farrell, (ms) georgia cook, (ms) gabrielle opray, (mr) ewan roxburgh, (ms) stephanie smart, shuai li, (mr) alec binns, (mr) ben oldland, (mr) max tutty, ameika brecko, (mr) matthew hogan, (ms) samantha stacey, (ms) amy aston, (ms) eleanor merriel, (ms) olivia grierson, (ms) allison cran, (ms) hayley pollock, (mr) ryan loo, (ms) alexis polidoras, (ms) ashleigh doherty, (ms) olivia betson, (ms) caroline morrison, (mr) jackson morris, (ms) kate grinsted, (mr) ben williams, (ms) eleanor dart, (ms) lucy butler, (ms) kirstie janetzki, (ms) kirsty mcintosh, (ms) brigitte gilmore, (mr) cameron crabb, (ms) laura donaldson, (mr) james hawkins, (ms) madelaine coles, (mr) jack stacey, (ms) gemma o'farrell, (mr) dylan jones, (ms) jasmyn gilliland, (ms) madelyn mohr, (ms) sophie hodges, (mr) aidan dowel, (mr) jack strozycki, (mr) robert vienet, (ms) laura tune, (mr) reuben williams, (ms) hannah simms, (mr) nick dart, (mr) alex hansen, (ms) tamara webb, (mr) nick allchin, (mr) timothy raftery, (ms) jenny mcfarland, (ms) mary bates, (mr) jackson haar, (ms) katherine dartnell, (mr) mitchell cheong, (mr) ethan maddy, (ms) andrea walter, (ms) virginia bartlett, (ms) neroli mitchell, (ms) robyn mccluskey, (ms) sue vero, (ms) jan anderson, (ms) deb cramer, (ms) shirley geraghty, (ms) anne strasser, (ms) jacqueline stanley, (mr) oliver gale, (mr) sebastean baker, opray family

Mary Tolhurst M&DHS - March 29th Dunvegan Willows Park Melton 1992 Ladies Oral History Day Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transfer to CD 2011 by Tom Wood Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 I was born in Rockbank, and when I was five years old moved to Toolern Vale and started and finished school there. Toolern Vale only consisted of the Store, Post Office and shop, where you could buy your fodder, and pollard supplies, the Hall, the little Church and the bluestone School. The School changed shape three times from the 1800s[1869] til the time I went there. There was four generations of my family that went there and it was destroyed by fire in 1965. Marjorie nee Myers Butler. Yes, I remember along with it your lovely Ronisch piano. Mary, quite true! Marj what you say about the Ronisch piano. When I came the age to learn music my mum and dad couldn’t really afford it, but still what parents do for their children. They had Marj go along with them and pick this lovely Ronisch piano. It was known round the district. Everyone commented about the loss that lovely piano. After leaving school it was war time, 1939, then it was work, When I was 7 year old I was put out into the cow yard. In 1940 when the soldiers were going away our milk was confiscated it had to go to Bacchus Marsh. It used to go the Sunbury to be brine cooled and then go to Melbourne. Then they took it then to the Lifeguard Milk Factory at Bacchus Marsh. It had to go as condensed milk to the soldiers. This year is 50 years of the Land Army. I was an unofficial Land Army but they still kept check on me. I went onto married life and I followed the cows right through [howls of laughter] and we went on until the 1965 fire. That’s when we got out of the cows. Marjorie asks, was Granny Watts your grandmother or great grandmother? Mary: She was my great grandmother, the midwife of Melton. The 1965 fire started ¾ of a mile above our place, Frank Ryan’s sheds were burnt and his house was saved, then it wiped the School out, the Hall, the Church the Post Office and Store and little house that was Charlie Charlton’s in the early days. Mrs Wilson’s place was saved by the Fire Brigade by pulling boards off the side, and from there it went over the hill and it was stopped at the Rockbank Railway Station. If it had of got over the railway they said it would have gone into Werribee. A lot was burnt out in that strip. Mary nee Nixon Collins: 18 houses burnt that day. Audience question, did Melton get burnt that day? Ray: No. It came down through the Toolern Vale road and cut across about a mile and a half from the cross roads at Toolern Vale from north westerly to the south east and cut through over the Keilor road. Mary: It came in across the creek at Funstons in Toolern, then through Jim Minns. Dorothy was it your place then [nee Knox Beaty] to Ken Beatty’s and from there it went through to Doug McIntosh’s and to Cockbills and the wind changed and it came across to the railway line, and that is where they stopped it. [the cause of the fire was controversial, they had been burning off the night before and there was some talk of someone starting it. It was very hot and very strong wind, it was a terrible day] Ray: When the fire went through McIntosh’s they had a haystack on the north side of their house and the haystack got caught and the fire burnt a hole through the side of the house and the boys pyjamas on the bed. The house was saved. It came through like and express train roaring at you, I was at McIntosh’s when it went roaring past. You couldn’t see, dust and ash and tremendous heat. The fire started about 12 o’clock Jack [husband] said to me, fire, I said where, where? Just up the road, what have I got to do? and he went out and he had gone to the fire and left me. I tried to get the animals and I put out buckets of water, putting the buckets of water out saved my life. Chas Jones and another friend of his came in and they picked up the buckets of water, I thought I had better get out because the fire was on the haystack up the paddock and when I went to go out through the north side of the house and couldn’t get out, I’ll go through the front gate so I went around the other side of the house. I got caught there and Chassy Jones and his friend came round carrying the bucket of water and I panicked. He threw the bucket of water over me. Well that is what saved my life because I was damp, whenever we tried to leave the ball of fire came over me and over my shoulder and my hair was scorched. Chassy Jones lost his truck and Keith Watt his big truck because he had the water tank on it and they couldn’t get out of the yard. Granny Watt’s house, the first private hospital had condemned and Jack and I pulled it down and had it moved up to Toolern and had it in the yard a fortnight and it was all burnt and we didn’t get the shed we wanted. Every 13 years right up until Ash Wednesday fires, there has always been fire close at hand. The 1952 fire went down the back of the house, the 1965 fire took the house, and the house that I live in now, it is the third house that has been on that spot. When the Hunters owned it, Mrs Hunter was nearly burnt in her bed. They had a 13 roomed house. In 1924 the house burnt down, and there was another house was built there and that was the one that burnt down. Edna: So Mary built a brick veneer house. Marjorie: like the three little pigs [laughter] Collins - Mary M &DHS - March 29th 1992 Ladies oral history day at Dunvegan, Willows Park Melton. Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transferred to CD 2011 Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 Mary Collins nee Nixon born in Terang 1907 down in the Western District and we shifted to Melton when I was 5 and a half then I started school here in Melton, and spent all my school life at Melton State School, next to the Church of England, it’s called the Primary School now. I got my Qualifying and Merit Certificate then I left School because there wasn’t a High School. When I was 16 I got and job in the Melton Post Office and I worked there, I was the first girl in Melton to deliver the mail, and worked on the telephone and the Bank business. Mrs Ross and myself behind the counter, there were about 500 – 600 people in the Shire at that time and now when I go into the new Post Office there is 36,000 here there’s still 2 people behind the counter [laughter from the audience] and wait in a queue right out to the door. Times haven’t changed much have they! There was a manual telephone and you had to ring the handle, and there were eight subscribers when I went there and when I left there were 46 I had coaxed that number to join the telephone, even the police station didn’t have the phone on. The two Hotels and the two Chaff mills and Mr Ernie Barrie, Parkers the butcher, the Shire Office was No 8, and the Police house was next to the Courthouse on the corner. They were number 9. I can remember a lot of the numbers still. The Post Office was the Agency for the Commonwealth Bank [comment from audience member] I used to do the Bank business too, I left after four years there, mother wasn’t very well. The Inspector who used to come up to the Post Office asked me if I would take up casual Post Mistress and to go around the different districts but I refused and when Mrs Ross’s holidays were due I was the replacement. I wasn’t 21. I loved my work meeting everybody and most people had horse and jinkers and when the elderly would come in there would be Mr Tom Morrow, he only had one arm and Mrs Dunn came from Bulman’s road in their horse and jinker. They were elderly I would see them pull up out the front and quickly get their mail and run out to them because they didn’t have to get out of the jinker to tie up their horse. If someone had a baby in arms I would tear out and hold the baby while they got down. Mrs Ross was very very strict. I had to sweep the Post Office, she had a couple of mats and there would be a threepence or a sixpence under the mats show she knew whether I lifted the mat, I was whether I was honest or not. Graham: How much were your wages? I got 27/7 pence a week for a 52 hour week. I had to work every holiday except Good Friday and Christmas Day and even when it was Monday holiday I always had to go to work from 9am - !0 am, the Post Office was always open. In the winter I had to wait until twenty past six in case there were any telegrams to deliver. I delivered them on a push bike. One time Tom Barrie told me this years afterwards. I used to go home for lunch. We lived on the Keilor road and I used to ride my bike home. On the hot days the boys used to go and swim in the swimming pool down near a turn in the creek there was a hole where the boys would swim in the nude, they didn’t have any bathers and they didn’t have any watches in those days. Tom Barrie said they always used to watched for me as I was always about 3 minutes past 1, my lunch hour was from 1-2. One particular day they missed seeing me and swam on, and of course they were all late for school when they got back and were all kept in a night. I did get a fortnight holiday. I loved my work and I knew everyone in the district right from Toolern Vale to the Marsh and everybody at Melton South. Did you listen into conversations on the Switchboard? Oh no. [laughter] Melton did not have electricity then. I had to fill the lamps everyday with kerosene. The Staughton Memorial was outside the Post Office. It had four posts with the chain looped around it, and that’s where the people used to tie up their horses. Marjorie nee Myers Butler comments about sitting and swinging on the chains. Mr Fred Coburn lit the acetylene gas light in the Memorial. It was the only streetlight in Melton. There was no electricity until 1939. Ray Radford comments about another gas street light which was on the corner of Station road. [later] Mary passes around her school photos. Mary mentions the names of those who have passed away, Maisie McDonald, ,Marian Wraith, Hilda McCreey, and Valda McDonald. I have written the names on the back. Marjorie comments about Marie Jongebloed and Greta are the only two girls left out of big family of ten I think there were [hesitates] 4 or 5 girls and the rest were boys. Mary. Flora Woodley, Dorrie Flynn and Margaret McDonald are still alive. They are my age we were all born about 1907. Marjorie points out herself in a later photo [1921 and 1922 School ] Mary mentions the name Walsh and identyfies following names, the Parker boys, Ken Beaty, Malc and Linda Cameron, Maisie Mc Donald, Ted Radford, George Nixon, Norman Minns, he was later the Shire Secretary of Werribee. One of the Woodley girls. [Maisie Arthur] Marjorie: Rosie Shearwood, June Whiting Mary. Lily Mc Donald, she has passed away. Isabel Harrison nee Tinkler, she lives at Werribee, Doreen Rogers, Marjorie Walker, Jess McIntosh, Mary Gillespie. Mr Malone was the Junior teacher Mr Roe and Miss Cooke. Fred Myers, my sister [Elizabeth] and the year was 1921. Myers (Barrie) School Photo Collection. Many of the names were identified at the 1970 Centenary of Melton State School No. 430. Edna Barrie organised, compiled and typed the lists to accompany these photos for the year 1921. The 1922 photo shows the higher grades. Ladies Oral History Day event held by Melton and District Historical Society, article featured in the Telegraphlocal identities, local special interest groups