Transcript of a talk to the Nunawading Historical Society by John Sharwood about his memories of Mitcham from childhood and experiences as a Mitcham pharmacist. For audio version, see NP1727Transcript of a talk to the Nunawading Historical Society by John Sharwood about his memories of Mitcham from childhood and experiences as a Mitcham pharmacist.mitcham, sharwood, john, pharmacies

Allan Parkinson was born in Beechworth in 1924. The eldest of eight children, his mother provided laundry services to the people of Beechworth whilst his father worked for the local tannery, trapping rabbits. Allan fondly remembers times spent during his childhood catching rabbits with his father. As his younger years were set amidst the experiences of World War Two and the Great Depression, Allan recalls a feeling of solidarity amongst the residents of Beechworth that was present during this time(for instance, sharing food with neighbours in wartime), as well as the disassociation he felt as a returning soldier after the war. Allan talks of the great number of 'New Australians' who arrived in Beechworth in the post-war years, many of them coming from war-torn countries in Europe. Before being integrated into Australian society, these 'New Australians' would often first spend time at the Migrant Reception and Training Centre in Bonegilla, Northern Victoria. They were taught English and learnt about Australian life before being billeted out across the country to fill labor shortages. Following time spent up in Queensland, Allan worked in the forestry industry, clearing thousands of acres across Victoria which were needed to plant pines. The interview ends with discussions of the famous Wheelbarrow Push from Beechworth to Mt Buffalo in 1935, of which Allan's Uncle Tom was a central participant; this is an event which has since become an annual fundraising tradition in Beechworth. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: Voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke. Mr Allan Parkinson's account of his life in Beechworth and the local area during the twentieth century is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of the region. He details important historical events and hardships that had lasting local, regional and national impacts, including Australia during wartime, post-war migration and economic struggles. This oral history account is historically and socially significant as it is part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth'. While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the twentieth century, many of which would have been lost if they had not been preserved. This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white stripe and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up to forty minutes of recordings on each side. Mr Allan Parkinson / allan parkinson, oral history, beechworth forestry, forestry industry, beechworth tannery, jennifer williams, rabbit trapping, new australians, australian depression, rabbiting, bonegilla, bonegilla migrant camp, 20th century beechworth, wheelbarrow push beechworth to mt buffalo, barrowthon, wheelbarrow push 1935, listen to what they say, listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century beechworth, world war two, wartime, wartime solidarity, burke museum

Jacana Primary School, located in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, served the local community for several decades before its closure. By 1986, the school had become a reflection of the area’s growing cultural diversity and suburban development. The mid-1980s were a time of significant change in Australian education, with increasing emphasis on inclusive learning, student leadership, and community engagement. Grade 6 marked a pivotal year for students, often representing the culmination of their primary education and preparation for the transition to secondary school. Class photographs from this period not only document the students and staff but also capture broader social and cultural trends—such as the fashion, hairstyles, and classroom dynamics of the era. This photograph is part of a broader visual history that helps preserve the memory of Jacana Primary School’s role in shaping young lives and fostering a strong sense of local identity. It stands as a reminder of the friendships, learning experiences, and community spirit that defined the school during the 1980s.This 1986 Grade 6 class photograph from Jacana Primary School is a valuable historical record that captures a moment in time within a now-closed educational institution. It reflects the school’s strong sense of community, cultural diversity, and commitment to nurturing young learners during a formative stage of their development. The image also offers a glimpse into the fashion, hairstyles, and social atmosphere of the mid-1980s, making it a meaningful artefact for past students, staff, and the wider Jacana community. Preserving this photograph helps honour the legacy of the school and its role in shaping local identity and childhood experiences.A colour photograph on Matte photograph paperBack: Top left Corner: PH-2127 (blue label) Manufacturer's Mark: Fujicolor Paperjacana primary school, photograph, school photograph, education, 1986, r darren d'angelo, bobbie glen, paul harris, gavin so., clinton paine, ada chong, kelly smith, tabitha headrick, helen papaevangelou, leonie green., annette robinson, deborah lamont, stephen kalenjuk, paul knostenbergs, sharon montebello, stale kasmski, neomi baxter, martin cera, elian jeffrie, david jeffrie, mr. james carlin