Historical information

Various short pieces of writing, some dated, earliest 1971, latest in 1997. Gwen Baker (1928-2005) was a foundation member of EDHS. See Also Newsleter 162, May 2005

GWENDOLINE MARGARET BAKER NEE BOWES 1928- 2005

Gwen Baker as we knew her, often used her full name in her writings and even acknowledged her maiden family name as a means of reinforcing her own personal identity.

Gwen died on 28 Februrary 2005 and has been buried at Arthurs Creek Cemetery in accordance with her wishes. It is typical of her humour that after visiting the site she wrote:
"I have seen the Cemetery, so if I wake in sleep
it has a nice view"

Gwen was a foundation member of our Society. We remember her mainly for her contribution to our meetings, her witty comments or questions to our speakers and, of course, her collection of plants that she contributed to help the finances of our Society. Her friends in the Society also remember her cards and brief letters on a wide range of subjects.

Gwen's wide range of interests included pottery, poetry and of course her gardening. She was an active member of many organizations including the Red Cross, Catholic Church, Nillumbik Garden Club and the former Eltham Arts Council. Her small self- published booklet of poems and writings starts with tins item written at 2am on Easter Sunday 1975.

THOUGHT
The seeming steady stillness
of this quiet night
has varied sound to one
who sits and thinks of life.

Of times of your
of pleasant things
and if the future has in store
a place to be - a reason to exist.

One hears a bird upon the roof
scratching at his mate
while in the distance a car goes by
returning home quite late.

A neighbours dog goes forth and bark!
then stillness once again,
like sunshine after rain.
and so the thinker having
heard and thought,
carefully turns out the light
and goes to bed.

Physical description

41 pages (20 A4 pages cut in half). Folder 76 from Harry Gilham Collection