Tom Stanger

Thomas Stanger moved to Yallourn circa 1920 after 'migrating' from Whitechapel, England - Thomas was in the UK Merchant Navy and jumped ship in Brisbane circa 1915. Thomas joined the Australian Army, Machine Gun Company 10, Reinforcement 6. His WW1 Service Record states he served on the Somme, France.

Thomas was offered a soldier’s settlement acreage in Queensland on his return from Europe after WW1 which he declined.

Thomas relocated to Victoria after WW1 working as a cook in the SEC staff mess at Yallourn.

Thomas married Irene Alice Jane Mitchell, daughter of Charles Bruce Mitchell and Mary Elizabeth Milne on 13 September 1924 at the Mitchell family home, 31 Seven Mile Road, Trafalgar, Victoria.

Some of Thomas' other roles for SEC include:
Telpher driver, Yallourn – 5 years - (telpher: small train delivering coal from open cut to bunker)
Fitter's Assistant, Power Station SEC
1946 - 1963 Official Guide Yallourn briquette works, power house and open cut until his retirement. Thomas was in the official party when Queen Elizabeth 2 visited in 1952.

Thomas rode a bicycle to and from work. The family did not own a car.

Thomas passed away 21 June 1963, only 3 months after he retired and relocated to Chelsea, Victoria

Thomas STANGER – Yallourn Resident 1920 to 1963; SEC Employee 1922 to 1963

Thomas STANGER, son of Charles Stanger and Elizabeth Jarvis was born 24 March 1898 at St George in the East, Middlesex, England; died 21 June 1963 at home in Chelsea, Victoria. Thomas was cremated and his ashes interred at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Victoria.

Thomas (aka Tom) married Irene Alice Jane Mitchell 13 September 1924 at the Mitchell family home, Seven Mile Road, Trafalgar, Victoria.

Irene (aka Rene), daughter of Charles Bruce Mitchell and Mary Elizabeth Milne was born 16 May 1898 at Raymond Island, Paynesville, Victoria; died 4 December 1977 at Frankston Hospital, Victoria. Rene was cremated and her ashes also interred at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

Children (3): Raymond Thomas born 23.6.1926 Morwell, died 9.9.1983 Geelong; Lauris Irene born 17.9.1930 Yallourn, died 31.8.2017 Marleston, South Australia; Ian James born 17.11.1934 Yallourn died 21.6.2012 Euroa.

In 1919 on returning to Australia after his WW1 Military Service, Tom was offered the chance to lease a soldier settlement, however declined the offer and by 1920 had made his way to Yallourn being employed as a cook at the Eastern Camp staff mess, whilst also residing at the camp.

In March 1922 Tom was employed by the State Electricity Commission (SEC) and held the following positions during his employment:
1922: Labourer, Stores Yard
1927: Greaser, Power House
1930: Telfer Driver - a telpher was a small ‘train’ on an elevated track delivering coal from the open cut to a storage bunker
1933: Plant Attendant, Power Station
1937: Guide, Main Gate, Brickworks
1942: Plant Attendant, Power Station
1945: Fitter's Assistant, Power Station
1946: Acting Guide, Power Station
1949 - 1963: Guide, Briquette works, Power House and Open Cut
- In 1954 Thomas was working as a Guide when Queen Elizabeth 11 visited the Yallourn Power Station.
- In 1959, 44,000 visitors were shown through the Yallourn Power station and associated works. Official Guide Escorts were ‘Tom’ Stanger, Les Tormey, Joe Fullwood and Alex Johnson.
- ‘Thomas the Guide’: to locate the video through Google, select "Videos"; enter "Yallourn"; select search; select the video "An excursion to Yallourn" (2 mins 41 secs) OR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9Wkcaol4lU - NB. See Thomas Stanger at 2 min and 08 secs.

In 1963, Thomas retired from the SEC on 24 March 1963 after 41 years of service

Yallourn Residences:
1924 -1937: After marriage, Tom and Rene moved into a the 2BR weatherboard house at 11 Maryvale Road. (built in 1922)
1937: After birth of their third child, Tom and Rene relocated their family to 44 Banksia Street (Rent 25 shillings per week)
1937 – 1963: 44 Banksia Street (Rent 25 shillings/week - 1937); 48 shillings/week - 1963)
1963: Upon retirement, Tom and Rene relocated to 32 Embankment Grove, Chelsea, Victoria

Military Service
WW1 - Australian Imperial Force, 10th Machine Gun Company, 37th Battalion, 8th Australian Infantry Battalion, Reinforcement 6. Service Number 467, Rank: Private.
WW2 Australia, Australian Army, Rank: Private, 12 Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps. Service Number V367881. Enlisted: 18 March 1942 at Yallourn

Yallourn – family recollections of Thomas:
- Thomas loved Ballroom Dancing and with Irene attended local town dances travelling by bus, taking their children who slept snugly on/or under chairs/benches in the halls.
- Member Yallourn Freemasons /Masonic lodge
- Member Yallourn Bowling Club
- Social member and supporter of Yallourn VFL Football Club
- Regular Saturday Crib nights with mates
- Thomas maintained a big vegetable garden, including fruit trees at Banksia Street
- Thomas played the piano accordion
- Thomas & Irene played hosts at many social gatherings; their home was always open to friends and family

Compiled by Kaye (Thomas’ Granddaughter)