Such happy memories.
Immediate Neighbours: Hayes, Bowler
Nearby Neighbours: Martin; Cooke; Mussared; White; Tibbles; Smalley; Armstrong; Stevens; English
Margaret Jones wrote: I lived at 6 Broadway West in a cream stucco house, trimmed with dark green, along with my parents Claude & Leila and sisters Beverley and Patricia Jones. We went to Yallourn in 1938 where dad took up a position at Yallourn Technical School teaching Mechanical Drawing, Maths & Science.
Our lives were worry-free, sunny happy days, being able to do and go where we wanted, without a care in the world. My friends were Norma Hutchinson, Peggy Kelly, Glenda Claridge & Ruth Sharman. We would go bike riding for the day to Morwell Bridge - such happy days!
I recall running down to the general store during war time, the precious coupon book in hand, to purchase tea, butter & sugar. The coupons were cut out by the storekeeper behind the counter with scissors hanging on the end of a piece of string. We would buy a big brown paper bag of broken biscuits for one penny. The money was placed in a cup-type container and clipped onto a cord line, which was pulled and it travelled over to a cashier, whose office was on a higher level and she managed the receipt and change.
Oh what happy times we spent at the swimming pool. Norma and I would go rain, hail or shine, under strict instructions to go into the small pool, which we did, then slipped through the fence into the big pool. Norma was so good at all sport - used to dive off the tower (Esther Williams - eat your heart out!). Luckily we didn't think about water quality but when the pool was occasionally drained, the contents left were horrific.
Saturday afternoons at the pictures at the beautiful theatre were a real treat - 3 pence (which we earned helping at home) for entry and 3 pence to spend on a sweet, such as Columbines, Jersey Toffee, Violet Crumble or a Polly Waffle. At one stage, we were given postcards of movie stars, which we collected and swapped - my idol was Nelson Eddy.
Church at St John's Church of England offered everything - spiritual education, social activities, musical education - under the teaching of Mr Bailey, the Choir Master. We even made a record (don't think it made the Top 10!!).
Yearly fetes at the church were wonderful with an array of stalls, lollies, cakes, crafts - all the stalls were decorated with colourful crepe paper. The hall housed many concerts, Sunday School concerts, the famous Mrs Huddy's Dancing concerts and Mrs Beck's elocution concert, of which I was, reluctantly, a participant.
The Sunday School Picnics were a highlight, out to Lake Tyers / Narracan Falls in the removal van and participation in the games and competitions were full of fun. Norma & I were undefeated at the 3-legged races I'm sure.
Dad worked tirelessly in our garden which was the best garden in Yallourn one year. He built us a play house, swimming pool, roman rings and a horizontal bar so we always had plenty to entertain us at No 6.
Mum joined the Rowena Club and Golf Club, but really devoted herself to the family and their needs. She could turn her hand to making a meal out of little. I clearly remember running home from Sunday School to the yummy lamb roast. She rendered down fat in the copper to make soap and she made all our lovely clothes, pleated skirts and smocked dresses.
At one of the 'Back to Yallourn' evenings, a number of men approached me to say that they wouldn't be who or where they are today without the teachings and guidance of my dad, who was strict but fair and one of the dedicated old school - a wonderful and well-deserved accolade.
I feel most privileged to have grown up in Yallourn and think there is a very special bond amongst us - aren't we lucky!!