Rene Stanger

Irene Alice Jane STANGER, ms MITCHELL – Yallourn Resident 1924 to 1963

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. Irene was cremated and her ashes interred at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

Irene married Thomas STANGER 13 September 1924 at the Mitchell family home, Seven Mile Road, Trafalgar, Victoria.

In 1923 Irene met Thomas at one of the many dance nights held around Gippsland. Irene, at that time, was working as a pastry cook at the Britannia Tea Rooms in Trafalgar and Thomas was working for the State Electricity Commission (SEC) in Yallourn.

Thomas (aka Tom), 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 also interred at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Victoria.

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.

Whilst living in Yallourn some of the paid work Irene undertook included laundering tablecloths for a Yallourn cafe earning two (2) shillings per tablecloth and assisting the local Yallourn grave digger/funeral director ‘Devine & Coy’ prepare bodies for burial.

Irene enjoyed baking and participating in many of the local Horticultural Shows. As an example, Irene won the following baking awards at the 1933 Yallourn Horticultural Society Exhibition & Flower Show: 1st Prize - Sandwich Cake; 2nd Prize – Nut Loaf; 2nd Prize – Plain Cake

In 1950, Irene and Thomas took in a boarder (Mr David Alan Bell) an Irishman from Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland who had been employed by the SEC. David boarded with the Stanger family until his marriage in 1954 and remained in close contact with members of the Stanger family until his death in 2021.

Yallourn Residences:
1924 -1937: After marriage, Irene and Thomas moved into a the 2BR weatherboard house at 11 Maryvale Road. (built in 1922)
1937: After birth of their third child, Irene and Thomas 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). The house at 44 Banksia Street was sold and moved from Yallourn circa June 1980
1963: Irene and Thomas relocated to 32 Embankment Grove, Chelsea, Victoria

Yallourn – family recollections of Irene -------
- Baking – Irene loved baking and cooking, catering for family, friends and Yallourn social events (e.g. Marriages, etc)
- Christmas Days - large gatherings at Banksia Street with family and friends
- Ballroom Dancing – Irene and Thomas attended many local Gippsland town dance nights
- Sewing & embroidery - Irene made many of her own and her daughter Lauris’ ball gowns which they wore to the local Gippsland dances
- Knitting – Irene knitted baby bootees, bonnets, cardigans and jumpers for her ever-growing family
- Irene loved singing and would enjoy singing with family and friends around the family’s pianola and piano
- Irene attended St Andrews Presbyterian Church
- Extended family - (Irene was one of nine children)
Irene would catch the train from Yallourn to Moe to visit older brother Ken and his family. Ken would meet Irene the station to take her to his farm in his horse drawn jinker.
Irene would regularly catch the Yallourn to Traralgon bus to help her brother Alan and his wife Daphne care for their disabled son, Jimmy.
Irene's siblings would regularly visit from Melbourne.
Irene and Thomas played hosts at many Mitchell family gatherings - freshly baked cake, biscuits and/or warm scones, jam and cream being regular afternoon tea items. Irene and Thomas' home was always open to family and friends.

Compiled by Kaye (Irene’s Granddaughter)