12 ? Life Events - fee showell

Chapter 12 – Life Events Another Time
See other chapters and the complete Fée Showell biography index at
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Correspondence email: hague@ausbrush.com
Chapter Chapter 12
Life Events
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Colour and Music to Charm the Soul
This really needs special mention, it being solace to my soul during the
traumatic parts of my life.
MUSIC
When I was about 8 years old, Mum started me off on Mr Blume’s piano and
we walked down to his house down Twenty Seventh Street where Russell
and Mary Mead now live (have done for many years -1997). I think I was
about 9 or 10 years old when Mr Hollingdrake taught me music.
Apart from my walking with Mum to Blume’s, of which I remember nothing
except walking down the road, Mr Hollingdrake (John’s father) was my first
real teacher.
Later on Mrs McCullick who lived on the corner of Bookmark Avenue and
Tarcoola Street very kindly said I could practice on her piano. They had a
nice brick house, but the room which housed the piano was stuffy and
unused. I let myself in after school and left again quietly. I have no
recollection of anything in the room or how long I practiced there. The
McCullick’s eventually left Renmark and I went to ‘Woodlands’.
My very first books, which I still have, torn and old, but loved, were “Flower
Petals and Clementis Sonatinas.
While at ‘Woodlands’ College in Glenelg, I learnt from Miss Ding. She lived a
Street away from Mrs Harfield. I don’t remember making a great success of
this alliance - she made me do an exam which I failed. She would suggest I
learnt this - “it is a priddle piece” (pretty) she would say. I probably learnt for
two years. Poor Miss Ding was uninspiring - I doubt that I learnt much. The
next learning session took place with Nun’s at the St Joseph convent in
Renmark, in preparation for the High School Intermediate exam Gr 3 theory
and Gr 4 music, which I passed.
Music was necessary for kindergarten teaching so I kept this up by walking to
the convent in Stanley Street, North Adelaide. The Nun’s here took me on
and Heather Gell was my final teacher, whilst at the college. She was
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teaching me to improvise, which was interesting. When I finished my 3 years
at Montessori I returned to Renmark to teach at St Augustines Church School.
In about 1952, after not touching the piano for about twenty years, except for
Xmas Carols, I decided to learn from Elizabeth Angove, who was an excellent
pianist. Getting enthusiastic and loving it, I was practicing hard for the Gr 5
exam. Ian, in the workshop, heard my scales and stormed up to the house,
lifted the lid of the piano and said “these things should have silencers on
them” slammed down the lid and walked out.
Next morning I rang Elizabeth to tell her that my piano days were over.
Hague was about 3 years. Oh! Foolish FÉE !
In 1984, a lapse of another 30 years, I decided to play again and Rex Allen
agreed to teach me. I was 70 in that year! As I write this (1997), next week I
resume lessons again after about nine weeks. It is now a social hour, hardly
a lesson. I play one piece for Rex to criticize. To play musically, he taught
me to really feel and love my music. He played beautifully. Seeing a man
playing the piano is really something - in my eyes.
Josephine also learnt from Rex and the latter two years, she and I decided to
hold a soiree, one here and one at her house. We were all set to play No 3,
when Clyde applied for a job in Murgon, Queensland and was accepted.
Goodbye to our soirees. About fourteen relations and friends were invited
and we played to the best of our ability, which pleased Rex and each other.
But gosh, how nervous!
In 1988 at seventy four, I bought a one hundred year old violin, satisfying my
life-long desire to play the violin. With Rex’s help and patience, I struggled for
four years. It was only on his advice to return to the piano, that I frustrated
and exasperated did agree, only to find my deep love for my piano music that
I didn’t know lurked in the old soul - Chopin, Schumann, Mozart, Bach,
Schubert and Beethoven – what more could one want?
On the 20 th August 1997, I decided to take my violin out of mothballs and
have been practicing each day for a week now. The mice are still in control.
We might write that symphony yet!
Regretfully, my enthusiasm waned and life was becoming a bit difficult, having
lost the boats etc in the recession and Ian’s health failing.
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PAINTING
My painting life began after returning home from England with Mrs Showell in
1962. Mrs Showell wanted a holiday in England and insisted that I go with
her. We left Renmark on the ‘Fairsky’, an Italian ship. We were away for
seven months and she had her 84 th birthday in England.
Lydia was six years old soon after and I don’t know why the urge to paint
came. Sister Betty was always good at drawing and painting, not F÷e.
Betty Paton the Librarian, was an excellent water colorist. We always had our
lessons by the river, never copied anything as we do in Margaret Brands
classes, but I have certainly learnt more than I did in those early days. I
changed from water colours to oils later, using brush and palette knife which I
loved, slapping on the paint.
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I returned to water colour later after I’d read what a difficult medium it was and
coloured pencil as well - a challenge.
Two correspondence classes, I joined – the WEA, Adelaide and Stotts, (both
“Fine Arts” courses) in Melbourne. These lasted over a period of time,
especially Stotts - taking me six years to complete my certificate. My tutor
assured me that time didn’t matter and that I wasn’t his oldest pupil - I was 67!
Never have I been as happy as when I dabbled with my paints. Latterly,
Roses and Irises have been my loves, and then last year I decided to pencil
portraits. Dear Bill and Betty being my main subjects, which was quite
successful with Margaret Brands tuition.
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Years ago Avril McFarlane and I spent a weekend with Jean Sims, she was
wonderful and for days I lived, ate and breathed colour. We had a most
colourful three days. There have been times when sleep wouldn’t come
because of the excitement; and this was one of them - wonderful colour.
For years on and off, I have driven to Glossop to Margaret Brands classes. I
have thoroughly enjoyed the drive down the road at the back of Berri, so
beautiful in its Spring and autumn dress. Margaret’s knowledge of art is
boundless. She knows how to impart it and can demonstrate how to get the
impact.
My only criticism of Margaret was that being a widow, she was inclined to
dwell on Margaret for valuable minutes, before we got down to the reason for
our presence in her verandah, come átèlier. But she is and was a great
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person and we all loved her and a great teacher.
We sat at tables in the ‘L’ shaped mosquito proofed verandah. We all put ‘so
much in’ each term to pay for our coffee. We brought biscuits. Sometimes
we journeyed in to the open spaces, but latterly we seemed to stay indoors –
copying something, I do not and did not condone, but obviously there was
some merit in it. At least if squares were used we would accomplish an
accurate picture, particularly in perspective, and portrait painting.
There is something magical in portrait painting – the likeness and the texture
coming into being. I love pencil drawing and would like to draw all my family
in that medium, before I fly off of to the fairies. I remember when busy with
Stotts course, I pencil drew a hibiscus and did a very good job – the teacher’s
remark was one word “Wow!”
I was instrumental in organizing our first art gallery in Renmark at the Institute
building.
I invited the art class students of Betty Paton to our house every Wednesday
for a painting get-together. eg Avril McFarlane, Joan Shepherd, Dolly
Fewster, Gwynn Pierce, Pat Crouch, Joyce Sykes, Mrs Beal, Gwenda Allen
and others.
Eventually we decided that we should display our work and so I approached
Lionel Sims, the Mayor to rent the two little rooms opposite the Institute foyer.
The council agreed that we should have it, providing we kept it in good repair.
No paid rent but electricity. Off we went with mops, brooms, paint brushes
and cleaned up admirably. We all paid subs and managed to purchase
matting for the floor, chairs and wall hanging of Hessian on which to hang our
paintings – all this took time.
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We had exhibitions, we had “painter of the month” competition. Only once did
I attain this honour. During this time I was having TAFE lessons at the High
School with Claire Turnbull, who was excellent. When she was transferred,
we had an unusual, but talented young man – Dean Ormond.
Fée 1970
We managed a few weekends away to further our knowledge, once by train
from Mildura to Melbourne to visit the art gallery there and the wonderfully
blooming Botanical Garden. Dolly Fewster and I shared a Motel room. She
and I have been firm painting friends always. Another time a day trip by bus
to the gallery in Adelaide was held. Nearer Mildura was attended numerous
times to visit the art galleries and exhibitions there. I think it may be said, my
painting life has been a great joy, a great benefit and a very necessary part of
my life to overcome its shortfall.
The Ozone theatre in later years was turned into the Ozone Art and Craft
Gallery. Here I exhibited many of my paintings. It is 1997 now and the
gallery is now in the Institute building where our own little art group had our
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first gallery, painting and meetings. I was president for a few years.
Whilst Ian was so sick, I painted little, but I do remember during the stressful
times when we were caring for Gertrude or the children, I used to arise at 5
o’clock and go over to my painting room to paint. This kept me sane, or I like
to think it has.
Since living here at 60/10 th Street Renmark, since 2001, I returned to
Margaret Brand. Her class is held in the CWA hall in Berri each Tuesday. I
drive down for the morning. Unfortunately for the class of ten, Margaret left
Berri last year to live near her family at Goolwa. We were all devastated.
However we have carried on as happy get-togethers, chatting, criticizing, if
needs be, with Fay Johnson at the helm. Dorrie Ellard giving very useful help
to those who need it. Some of us are widows. I attend the morning class and
now hire a car to drive me down.
My painting has been spasmodic; painting cards for presents etc, Rose, Point
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Settia – a book of kittens for my darling great, great grand daughter Isabella
and darling granddaughter Jessie.
I find pencil painting very gratifying and although not the standard I would like,
the effect is palatable.
When in England Sept 18 th 2002 to Oct 15 th to visit Betty, I kept myself busy
sitting with Betty pencil painting flowers – butterflies on cards, which proved
quite pretty. Betty even painted a Rose with great effort, that I drew for her.
Her interest waned quickly. She was very frail and died a few weeks later,
Jan 6 th 2003.
I go back to the ‘class’ next week Jan 2003 .. still attending 2007... can’t see
well enough now and after two strokes, I am too frail 2009 … so I had to give
classes away.
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Birthday Parties
In my childhood there were no birthday parties as they have today and
birthdays were remembered with just one present.
In adulthood I was given three fabulous parties for my 60 th, 70 th and 90 th
birthdays
For my ‘Sixtieth ‘ in 1974, daughter Josephine and John invited our family,
Lydia & David, Hague and Glenda and four dear friends – Joan and Kevin
Wilson and Sheila and Ross Story, to her Norton Summit home. The meal
was well thought out and delicious. I remember the desert especially - fruit
salad piled into the shell of a pineapple - most delectable.
The week before my ‘Seventieth’ in 1984, Ian and his helper John Nixon
were building a shade house with a roof of palm fronds for me just outside my
bedroom in the garden at ‘Tong’. I had been sick in bed all week and so
could watch its progress through my bedroom window. My daughters agreed
with me that I would invite twenty five friends to dinner.
Ian had told me that the staff was having a party too that night, when I
questioned about John Nixon digging a trench for cooking potatoes in coals
and having a large round gas barbeque constructed. I couldn’t understand
why all that should go on in our garden - why didn’t the staff do all that down
at ‘the Jane’ (the Jane Eliza Landing) ….
My sister Betty and Bill arrived that morning from England – a huge surprise -
my tears flowed, which was not normal for me.
That evening I decided to dress up as a baby in a long night gown with a
beautiful lace bonnet and carrying a bottle of whiskey with a long lamb’s teat
attached from which I took numerous swigs. Ian was not amused and
ordered me to take the clothes off. He said, “You can dress up later”. Betty
and I were convulsed with laughter.
No sooner had I changed, than I heard cars approaching – they continued to
arrive for ages or so it seemed. My quiet dinner party of 25 turned out into a
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one hundred and twenty five. All the preparations had quietly and
surreptitiously been carried on down in the Long House. Ian had invited the
Mayor, Lionel Sims, to bless my shade house, which he graciously agreed
and executed. It was full of orchids and quite beautiful, but I didn’t appreciate
it … I realize now (2003). What a party and what a night!
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For my ‘Eightieth’ in 1994, an afternoon tea for 25 of my old friends was
arranged by my dear daughters. Lydia videotaped them arriving. That was a
wonderful afternoon of female chatter. Looking at the photo, so few of those
dear faces remain today – Oct 2003.
Insert text and pictures
My 90 th Birthday and beyond see in the Final Years Chapter
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SIXTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - 1998
For our sixtieth wedding anniversary, we had a big party at ‘Tong’. Hague
could not attend, but honored the occasion by writing a wonderful poem
“Sixty Orbits”, which I read to the gathering.
.
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Happy Anniversary Mum & Dad - A little poem to mark the occasion of your
Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary. Didn’t have time to finish properly.
Love from Hague and family.
Sixty Orbits
A million orbits around the Sun,
Primordal grunting, everyone.
Another million give or take,
Pharoahs shout, while slaves do quake.
Three thousand more and many Kings,
Build tombs, pyramids, statues and things.
Cleopatra, the last, could not bend,
And she and Tony met their end.
The Greeks and Romans had a few,
With circuses and lions and tasty Jew.
And then came a star over Northern hue,
And Three Wise Men paid their due.
A line was drawn in the pilgrim dust,
When Christ was born - that was a must.
“Let’s count from now, the years”, they said,
“And backwards too - B.C. for the dead”.
Napoleon met his Waterloo,
And Nelson at Traflagar too.
Empires came and Empires went,
And then came Australia, heaven sent.
A few more years around the sun,
And Fee and Ian start their run.
Whilst others wilt, sixty summers long,
Fee and Ian are still going strong.
“Sixty!” you say, “is not a lot”,
But when it comes to marriage bygot.
Sixty orbits of the Sun,
That’s enough for anyone!
And even though we have come so far,
The earth still orbits around our star.
For eons to come it will journey thus,
And our seeds will grow, not gather dust.
To the far flung corners of space they will settle,
The direct results of our mettle.
And just as surely as the sunrise, alas,
The next million orbs will come and pass.
Those who follow, will carry our light,
But it will flicker with time and fade into night.
Treat every day as if its your last,
For that day will soon come, with a blast.
That is the reality my friend,
Of human existence, I would tend.
But when it comes to marriage, bygot,
Why Sixty is an aweful lot!
Hague Showell 30/1/98
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Other Parties
After the War, we held countless dinner parties and also parties at ‘Tong’ our
home of 60 years. Expand…………………
Alick Downer
Ian promised Alick Downer a party if the Libs won the election. They did. So
we had a party – pig on the spit outside – hoards of people came. A picture
of Alick eating a large piece of meat. A great party.
….another time they came to a party when visiting Remark on Show Day
which he was opening.
Margaret Swindells Party
Margaret Swindells a friend of Ian’s mother, who Dad visited during the war,
came to stay with us after her husband died. Of course we had a party, café
style, the tables with check cloths and candles out in the garden under the
ash trees. It poured with rain the day before, but not to be deterred, Ian
carted truck loads of red sand in to mop up the moisture under the trees.
The night was starry and beautiful and a good time had by all!
Party of all Parties
Our best party was held just after the War under a January full moon, with a
pig on the spit, magical, with goats wandering around the dam bank and with
much singing and dancing. Ian had arranged a concert party.
While setting up, young Rosewall and Newcombe up for a tennis tournament
at Tintra, arrived unannounced and said “Is this where the tennis players are
having a party”. Ian said “No, this is a private party, but you are welcome …
you can help move the piano outside” They did and then disappeared!
Alick Mast sang, Elizabeth Angove played the piano and Arlina Mast and Kate
and two other migrant girls working for us on the harvest were dressed in
National costume and danced - a beautiful night.
Hal’s 21 st Birthday Party
For Hal’s 21 st, we repainted the dining room and had the ‘Monkey House’ built
onto the kitchen. We held this party in the huge shed where the
manufacturing took place. We danced. Hal’s Scotch College friends and
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John Showell padlocked a chain with a small anodized aluminium sign around
Hal’s neck (it read “Once a King Always a King, Once a Knight is Enough”
Hague recalls) and they threw him in the dam. At 7:00am the young things
were still merrymaking. I awakened to music which was nice.
Ski Club Party
One dreadful party was for the Ski Club. Ian brought the barbeque into the
sitting room. The house was a mess with broken glass and wine blotched
carpets. I was not amused and it never happened again.
Council Reception & Party
Another party we were given by the Renmark Council in 1998 to celebrate
100years of Showell contribution to Renmark – a civic reception at the
Council chambers and then out at ‘Tong’ to finish off!
The Last ‘Tong’ Party, The End of Ian and the End of an Era
The last party held at ‘Tong’ was for Ian’s 87 th birthday (20 th July 2000), the
year before he died.
While cutting the cake with his back to the gathering, he paused and turned
to face everyone and said “It’s good to see so many of my old friends
here ... today… I hope to see you all here again when I’m a 100”.. he
then turned back and finished cutting the cake. Those present included Tom
Angove, Cliff Newland,
………… picture
After the party had finished and all had gone he reclined in a lounge chair in
front of the open fire place alone and went to sleep.
After a fall later that year he was admitted to hospital and then nursing home,
where he deteriorated rapidly.
He died the following year after a quiet final birthday on the lawns outside the
Renmark Nursing Home with immediate family including Jose & Clyde, Hague
Carolyn, Sam, Alex, Jessie, Lydia and Andrew. He said nothing at the
gathering and died less than a month after this final gathering.
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Xmas Dinners
For years after Ian and I were married on Jan 6 th 1938, we had Xmas dinners
here at ‘Tong’ – putting all the leaf extensions in the table, allowing 14 to be
seated. We invited Pa, Ma (Pop and Anne) Bundey, Mr and Mrs Brison and
the Cunningham family.
Dad killed a turkey! We festooned the house with balloons and decorations. I
played Xmas carols (on the piano). Betty and I entered into the excitement,
Allen criticizing us and saying we only had to sniff wine and we were drunk –
but it was only high spirits and excitement.
Later years when the old ones passed on to their heavenly Xmas, all our
oncoming grand children took their places and a more rowdy and fun loving
times ensued. Our photograph album’s bear witness to this fact. We sang
Xmas carols around the piano.
In 1996 we joined food with David and Pam Showell, Josephine, Clyde, Jono,
Barb, Hague, Carolyn, Samuel, Alexander, Jessie, Mary, Scott, Mia, Patrick
and Lauren.
In 1995 we accepted Jono and Barb’s invitation to their little home on
Chowilla St. Quite a large, happy gathering of family.
In 1994 we spent a few hours with Jose, Clyde and their family.
Many New Years Eves’ we have had many happy parties with different
friends. Many parties have we experienced here and elsewhere over the sixty
years of marriage. Ian’s last Xmas the December 2000, Jose and Clyde
wheeled him from the nursing home to their home nearby. He enjoyed
himself and ate well, but the dementia had taken Ian over. He spoke not.
After the meal he and Ben, his much beloved dog lay on the double bed and
slept the afternoon away. August 8 th he died 2001.
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Dec 2000, Fée and Ian at Ian’s last Xmas, at Jose and Clyde’s home in
Renmark
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My Public Activities (written Feb 2000)
Meals on Wheels:
The headquarters and kitchen was situated on 18 th Street next to the fire
brigade unit. On the first day, the Adelaide based organizer visited Renmark
to open the Branch. The Murray Pioneer was on hand to take our
photographs - about a dozen female, green uniformed clad individuals ready
to take a momentous step forward in human relationships.
We used ‘Alice the Jag’ to deliver (pic taken in latter years)
My two helpers and I collected our thermos filled flasks at 11am every
Monday, packed ourselves into my beloved Jaguar car “Alice” and off we
sallied. We were “The Deliverers”.
A small saucepan ready to receive the soup - sometimes kept for their tea, a
dinner plate for their hot meal, which they usually ate immediately and a bowl
for their dessert. Happy recipients and happy deliverers!
With no air conditioning we froze in the winter and nearly died of heat in the
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summer, but the pleasure our patrons received from our cheerful presence
made it all worthwhile. One of my helpers was Pat Gerswitch. Mrs Stevens
was the convenor for many years. The Renmark Branch still flourishes. I was
too busy with the Liba Libas’ and my obsession with painting to help longer
than three years.
The only excitement that I remember is going on a bush track after rain –
‘Alice’ became bogged, but being three strong women, we ‘unbogged’
ourselves and lived to tell the tale, although a little late.
Renmark Show: For six years I was convenor of the ‘Fine Arts Section’,
taking a great interest and pride. The night before the judging “my helpers
and I” hung the pictures. Jack Howie and Paul Taylor were the mainstays
and members of our art group helped too. I would take along coffee and
biscuits as a ‘thankyou’. Paul took over from me.
I remained a loyal helper in ‘baby sitting’ the exhibits for one hour each Show
Day until two years ago (1998) when I was having leg trouble.
Renmark West School: President of the Mother’s Club. I was
instrumental in organizing coffee and cocoa for the children at recess time,
resulting in fewer colds and the children loved it. I also helped on the
‘Mother’s Club’ and any functions.
St Augustines Church of England School: On the committee whilst
Hal and Jose were students in the kindergarten.
Ozone Art Gallery: Founder and first President. It is now called the
‘Institute Gallery’ and is housed in the Institute.
Hospital Auxilliary: Joint Secretary with Ruth Dibden (wife of Dr Fred
Dibden and who were also our friends)
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My good friend, Valerie Geneste
Forthright, compassionate, dependable, with a deep love of people, children
and of beauty, a wonderful friend, her loyalty and the warmth of her welcomes
but above all a devoted wife and mother… all the necessary ingredients
needed for a true Christian which she was.
Our parents and Valerie’s parents were all firm friends and it was natural that
Valerie and I should follow the tradition. She was five months younger, but
we began school on the same day, being shy and very new, we were nursed
and fussed over by the older girls. Our friendship began then lasting for 81
years. We were really close mates all our primary school days. We sat
together in ‘The Little Room’. We knelt side by side on the floor to write our
words on the large green blackboard with much white chalk. One day in
desperation it was used for a more drastic reason. It took Valerie a while to
forgive.
With Valerie’s organization, our class thought up a very exciting and secretive
game called “Kings and Queens”, our kingdom being in the centre of a group
of bamboos at the end of the playing field.
When Valerie grew responsible, she was given a pony to ride to school. To
help feed the animal, her job was cutting Lucerne with a sickle. Drastically
one day the sickle slipped, cutting Valerie’s inner arm below the elbow,
leaving a small but ugly scar. Her school friends were deeply concerned.
When we were 11 years old, we were selected as Girl Guides to join the
march past during the Adelaide visit of the Duke and Duchess of York. The
pink white skin and the charming face of the Duchess lingers on. Valerie and
I stayed with my grandparents, the Weste’s. One evening we gave them a
concert with Valerie singing and me accompanying her on the piano. My
grandmother was not impressed and muttered “so silly” to my grandfather.
At the end of each year, our loved headmistress, Hilda George, dreamed up
fabulous concerts, all the children taking part. After the concert I would go
home with Valerie and her parents to stay overnight. Sometimes we would
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have an altercation and I’d be home again by lunchtime, but it didn’t make any
difference to our friendship. Many happy days I spent in the Geneste
household. Mr Geneste called me “Fatima”, why I never knew until now and I
believe it means “a symbol of female curiosity” – perhaps I asked too many
questions ? ( Hague’s Google search also found Fatima used in the following contexts:
- "one who abstains from forbidden things, pious from infancy.”
- “according to the Koran, Fatima is one of the four perfect women”.
- “a daughter of the prophet Muhammed”.
- or perhaps Mr Geneste just thought that Fée had a Spanish or Muslim look)
At school we learnt many songs, Miss George being an excellent pianist. We
loved our singing lessons, especially Valerie and we discovered that she had
a very pretty voice.
In later years we both remained in Renmark after marrying. Valerie became a
loving grandmother and our eldest daughter Josephine says that she was the
best godmother any child could have.
For both our daughters weddings Valerie arranged the flowers in our home
and at the church. She came to the rescue of Josephine’s bridal bouquet,
pulling it to pieces and re-arranging it. Lydia’s wedding frock needed
alterations, Valerie once more to the rescue, taking the ‘Bride to be’ shopping
for the necessary items and expertly altered the frock to hers and the ‘Bride to
be’s’ satisfaction.
Valerie was also very adept at cutting her own hair as well as others.
During the War years, Valerie was teaching at St Augustine’s school on
James Avenue. Valerie and her helper walked to the bus at ‘Saies corner’
(Target now) to meet the children going to school. Our five year old, Harry
(Hal), was among them. Valerie told me a story of how when the 12:00
o’clock pumping station whistle blew each day, Hal left the room, picked up
his school bag and proceeded to eat his lunch. She was mystified and asked
me to explain. My two children and I sat down to lunch on the dot of 12:00
each day during the War period as I had heard a talk on the radio about how
essential it was for children to have regular meals. So we did!
One day Valerie asked me to keep her piano in trim as I was learning to play
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after thirty years. So I did! She asked me to play her favourite song, “I heard
you pass by” and as the chords evolved it was great to hear her sweet voice
floating through from the kitchen.
Valerie sang regularly at St Augustine’s Church choir. A family friend Mrs
Stevens had trained Valerie during ‘teen age.
In the nursing home during her final sad and ‘not knowing’ days of dementia,
Valerie’s sweet voice could be heard singing songs and hymns.
She was my true and loyal friend.
After the War, Refugees –under construction
At the end of World War 2, refugees/migrants of different Nationalities came
to Australia to re-build their lives. Harry Showell Ltd employed quite a lot of
them for the grape harvest. Among the first contingent for Renmark were two
Latvian boys, Alexander Lipgalis and Harry Liperneiks, in whose company we
spent many a happy evening. I remember how amused they were to see me
scrubbing potatoes with a small scrubbing brush - we were having potatoes in
their jackets for our dinner.
Insert Liperneiks sketch….
The next year, the “Balts” as they were called – came in couples. We
became very friendly with Arlena and Alick Mast a Polish couple and
remained so until their deaths sometime in the mid 1990’s. Such dear and
loyal friends. Arlena was a ballet dancer and Alick (an electrician) sang most
beautifully. His song I especially loved – “Don’t forget me”. He gave me the
music, so plaintive and haunting.
Rotary & Exchange Guests –under construction
I remember how difficult it was when we had five Columbo Plan Indian
students staying with us in the 1950’s through Ian’s Rotary Club involvement
at the time. Their ablutions began at 5am every day. We were lucky to get
into the one small bathroom. They were delightful boys and we enjoyed
having them. The first day they arrived was a Sunday and Ian had gone away
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on business. I picked them up from the bus depot in the 4 tonne Chev truck.
I asked Mrs Showell to come down to tea. They asked what time breakfast
would be in the morning. “Oh” said Mrs Showell, I won’t be here, ask Fée”.
Ian was a way for four days.
I remember cooking curry for them – we were shown how they ate it, rolling it
into little balls and popping it into their mouths. One Indian was very black
form Southern India and the inside of his fingers was quite white. He was an
engineer. We had a Sikh with a turban – an entomologist, and another,
named who was Jegadesan studying to be a doctor and he stayed on and
helped on the block for two weeks after the others left. Don’t recall the names
of the others.
A few years later we received a very elaborate wedding invitation from
Jegadesan’s family. Unfortunately it was not possible to accept.
Another Columbo Plan boy we looked after in the 1950’s, again through Ian’s
Rotary Club involvement, was Gembong, an Indonesian. He was in Australia
to study our Army methods. Hal and Josephine were teenagers and enjoyed
his company.
Annie Chan memories Fee ..?
David McCumber story insert
All our married life we have entertained with great generosity. It was fun. We
were always having people to stay and always somebody for a meal and this
increased a hundredfold after we became involved in the Liba Liba
houseboats. Often in late morning, Ian would ring and say “I’m bringing ‘so
and so’ home for lunch” or “so and so and so and so will be coming for dinner
tonight”. Luckily the little High School shop was nearby, but the frig always
appeared fairly adequately full. I don’t ever remember anybody refusing an
invitation to dinner or a party looking back – HOW we entertained.
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Tennis
I loved tennis! I don’t remember being taught, but it was fun. My serve was
usually a winner – a low ball thrown just above my head, slammed over the
net and didn’t bounce – skidded.
Insert pics … Jose and Wil Basey
‘Tintra’ Tennis Club hard clay courts located just down the road from our
childhood home on the corner of Bookmark Avenue and Tarcoola St (on the
Southern side of Bookmark Ave opposite Jack Sharley’s later residence) were
well known and were quite the best hard courts anywhere in Australia.
Famous tennis players entered the Easter tournaments there viz Adrian Quist,
John Newcombe, Ken Rosewall and others.
An old Englishman, Harold Williams was the caretaker of the claycourts - it
was his life’s work – rolling the big roller laboriously. He did a wonderful job.
His tiny one roomed tin domain was near the courts. We Cunningham kids
visited him quite often to view the stars and the moon from his telescope and
to examine his collection of unusual clocks. He was a strange, but interesting
little man.
Ian was Secretary of Tintra for a while and all our friends were Tintra
members. Ian didn’t like playing with me in tournaments – he said “I didn’t
have a tennis temperament”. I don’t know what he meant by that. Perhaps
he didn’t consider me good enough… he wanted to win. Old ones – my
father, Bobby Brison and Mr Basey all played, not competitively though.
Later these courts were abandoned with a house and gardens taking its
place, which was a pity. Tintra was moved into the Renmark Town, the courts
being grassed.
We played there for a while, but the marriage and babies occupied my life.
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Reminiscing Broadly
Feb 1989
This is one long rambling, hopefully coherent account of my life as I can
remember and I will recount as my memories flow back.
One afternoon, I was walking with Mum over to visit Mrs Bundey in Chowilla
Street. On the rough road, Mum fell over and hurt her ankle. I laughed! Poor
Mum was most indignant, but then she made such a fuss and I was known for
my hard heart - mid teens. I remember this happened not far from Uncle
Oscar and Auntie Graces front gate over the culvert near Pharb Waters. Here
was a wide dirt irrigation channel along which willows grew on Oscar’s side.
Their son, Ron was born at about the same time as Hal and they were great
friends. First cousins once removed, they got up to all sorts of tricks, like
removing all the metal shutters from the next door blocks irrigation pipes and
throwing them away. When questioned, by the owner, they vowed they knew
nothing. I upheld them saying, “Oh, I believe them, Hal doesn’t tell lies”. I
found out years later, that they had taken the little shutters and tossed them
away.
When I was eleven, Mum took me to Doctor Harris to have my eyes tested. I
was getting black spots in my vision. He was so handsome, my youthful heart
was lost immediately. I was very angry when I heard that he had become
engaged to Jessie ** (maiden name forgotten).
The surgery at that time and for many years later was an old house, where
the BP service station is now built.
The house on the corner of Tarcoola and Bookmark Avenue, where the
McCullicks lived when I practiced on their piano was later bought by Ron and
Elsie Hazelgrove. Elsie was Miss Kings niece – principal of the Kindergarten
College when I was there. Jack and Nan Sharley bought the property later
and Nan being an avid gardener has a large glorious garden. For years
almond trees blooming - a little bit of heaven - each July, grew along the
fence, but not anymore.
Along Bookmark Avenue, past our property over the sand hill, lived the
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Symen family. Allan and a son Ernie became firm drinking partners in their
late teens. Allan became an alcoholic, a crying destructive drunk, giving poor
Mum and the house hell with violent tempers and smashing things. She
never knew that Allan joined the AA in 1960 and has never touched a drop
since, which showed strength of character for all his weaknesses. During
WW2 he joined the ground staff Airforce and was posted to Darwin. The Japs
bombed Darwin and Allan was one of the boys who pulled bodies from the
sea. It really upset him.
Poor Allan, he died of throat cancer on November 29 th 1995, sadly alone in
the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The RSL arranged a very gratifying graveside
funeral service, Union Jack as well at the Renmark Cemetary.
Sitting Room
Talking about the ‘original’ sitting room, once when Betty and Bill came out to
visit us we moved the sitting room into the dining room, but later I moved it
back; why? I don’t recall – being a Virgo I suppose.
Last Thursday Oct 27 th 1988, I decided to move it around again. I waited
stealthily until Ian had gone down to the Jane Eliza to the office and the boats
and then Virgo got cracking. First to move was the “spoon drawer” as I’ve
always called it – the piece of furniture that houses the knives, forks and
spoons, then the green couch – to one side to make room for the table which
was in its small round form, plus six chairs. Then onto the dining room I
heaved the green couch with much cursing. The five easy chairs were lugged
in too. The specimen oak bookcase made out of an English church pew I
moved to the far wall near Ian’s bedroom (later that was moved back to the
far wall near the spare room) so that I could push the china cabinet through
the gap between the fireplace and the wall. It was difficult pushing this across
the carpet, so ‘bottom’ help was needed and we got it there with effort and
pain in the back muscle. (Then the phone rang – Merridy – would I squeeze
two flagons of oranges for Candy’s wedding Sat Oct 31 st). Then the dining
room door opened and Lydia’s voice said “What on earth are you doing? I
knew something was going on because the door was closed.”
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So she joined the mess. The ‘Welsh dresser’ was the only piece of furniture
left to move. With much effort we lifted off the top shelving, pushed the lower
half - the cupboard into the new dining room beside the grandfather clock
which remained put. With all our ‘might and main’ the heavy shelving was
lifted back onto the cupboard. I forgot to mention that all the china had to be
removed and all the drawers emptied to make the moving lighter. So all this
had to be put back.
Then we moved the pictures and photographs around, ‘electoluxed’ and
dusted. ‘Heigh prestό’ sitting room into dining room, dining room into sitting
room.
Next afternoon 28-10-87, I entertained 10 ladies to afternoon tea and how
successful that was - to seat 10 ladies in my sitting room in comfort, and then
we moved into the dining room for our tea. Nanah Mary always did this and I
find a sitting down afternoon tea most successful, especially now that we are
getting beyond our youthful lap holding plate cup and saucer days. They
enjoyed it.
The rooms remain the same in this the year of our Lord 1997. Only last
Wednesday I had ten ladies to tea – first time for months – out came the silver
milk jugs, silver sugar bowl, dishes and teaspoons. How nice to be a lady
sometimes. They enjoyed it!
‘Cocky’ (circa late 1970’s)
Another child’s story about Cocky – similar, but not the same!
Cocky didn’t have a name, she was just called “Cocky”. Only once did she
attempt to speak. I visited her cage, saying “Hello Cocky” and a tiny voice
way back in Cocky’s throat came a tiny little echo “Hello Cocky”. Never again
did I heart this minute voice. Cocky was a beautiful white bird with just a few
pink feathers on her head and only a few yellow feathers on her tail. She
lived alone in a big cage which was really meant for a dogs kennel, the
reason being that when Cocky came to live at her new home, the cage she
arrived in was far too small and so Lydia and Fée decided to make the dogs
kennel into a safe bird cage. They bought small meshed wire netting to cover
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the roof, the sides and door. On one side of the cage was a high wood pile,
which gave Cocky shelter from the North wind. Sleeping next to Cocky on the
South side and in another dog’s kennel was “Sugar Plum”, Fée’s loved black
dog.
Sugar Plum and Cocky were great mates and both were very good watch
dogs. Cocky shrieked when strangers approached, which gave the signal to
Sugar Plum to start barking to warn members of the family that strangers
were approaching, or if Sugar Plum heard a strange cat approaching before
Cocky, she would bark to tell Cocky of the event, who would then screech
loudly.
When Cocky was hungry, she would start her screeching at 7am and 4pm.
Fée called back, “Coming Cocky, Coming!”
Her food tin hung from the wire and Cocky would tap her beak many times on
the tin whilst she ate her food. The seed scattered everywhere, but it was
never wasted as a family of grey mice lived in the woodpile by the cage. They
were dear little grey, soft furred mice, always hungry and always ready for the
scattered seed. Sugar Plum, the black dog found these little friends
fascinating and stood quite still except for the slow wag of her tail, watching
for the little mice. As soon as Cocky was fed, out they darted, quick as a
flash.
Father mouse waited and watched for Fée to feed Cocky and as soon as the
seed began to scatter, his deep voice would tell his family “Cocky is being fed.
Off you go to collect your supper”. They needed no second bidding, being
very glad of their supper.
In Spring, when the days were getting warmer, Cocky decided that it was time
to lay eggs, so down from her perch she came and with her beak began to dig
a hole in the soft earth. In this hole with her beak she pushed twigs and
leaves. When satisfied with the result, she laid her egg and sat on them,
quite still for three weeks. When nothing happened, no little baby birds came
from the eggs, she scattered the eggs and the nest away, returning to her
perch to lead her normal life.
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On very hot days, Fée sprinkled Cocky with water from the hose, this she
loved, fluffing out her feathers until she looked like a feather cushion with a
beak. Then she would walk right into her water bowl, stretch out her wings
and sit right in the water. After all this bathing, she waddled up to her perch,
climbed up and began to preen her feathers – feet first. She was still alive in
2000 and David Showell took her when our house was sold in 2001. Dear
Cocky died in 2003 of old age.
Renmark West Families - A Nostalgic Drive
In Nov 1987 when Betty and Bill Brocksopp were out here staying with us, we
three drove a nostalgic drive around the streets that we knew when young,
looking for the homes and remembering who lived there.
Chowilla Street, beginning with Roy Millar, Uncle Oscar, Auntie Grace, Pharb-
Edith Waters, Jack & Jess Waters, across the road the Fordes, then the
Bundeys, across the road Arch Braund, then the Alwyn Trimpers and Walter
Coombe, further still Mrs Pat Evans.
In Tarcoola Street at the far end, John Tolley, the Stanfords, Mr and Mrs
Aunger with their convenient little shop, Geneste, Mowbray Chapman, Mr
Cole (Cole and Woodham), Mrs Moffatt, Mrs Smith, Mr & Mrs Cox, the Wood
family, (Tom Gerard and Twink), the Breeze family, Auntie Ilma and Uncle
Ernest Snow, Harold, Bert, Mabel and Bernard Williams, “old Mrs Williams” .
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Cucumunga Street, The Despords (Betty), The Bill Woodhams (Penelope and
Barbara) later the Archers bought this property (with Jack and sons Allan), Mr
and Mrs Howie (Jim, Jack and Dorothy). The Starks and Snells.
Kulkyne Street, Harry Showell, The Baseys, The Brisons, Hollingdrakes, The
Hamdorfs, Whillas, McDougalls, The Baths, The Beers, Church of England
School.
Ettiwanda Street, The Cunninghams, The Bromleys, The Rossells, The
Beachs (ran a dairy previously owned by the Rossells), The Morleys-Taylors,
The Olerenshaws, Duggins, continuation of Rialto Street, Golf Links - first golf
links.
Mr Olerenshaw had about six children. The eldest, Nancy was tragically
kicked in the head by a horse and was killed. Ian (Pip) was a highly
decorated airman in World War 2 ending his days back in Renmark, where he
died in 1997. On our arrival one day to play as a child, we were greeted by
Mr Olerenshaw’s crumpled face and his voice roughly audible “No wonder the
poor little bugger was ‘owlin, she was sweat’n like bloomin ‘orse”
Mum and Dad were very friendly with Mr Mrs Vivien Piercy, a charming
English couple with the sweetest son Tony. He was 6 years and I was 8
years. He always wanted to marry me and kept saying he would come back
one day. They moved to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and we never heard from them
again. Carmen Natali visited them on her boat trip back to England and saw
Betty and me in a photograph on their wall. The photo was one of our two
little heads together that Marta had taken. Sometimes Mr Piercy cut our hair.
He told Mum that I gave them all the family history, but Betty said not one
word.
Another Englishman who visited us was Mowbray Chapman’s son. We called
him Joseph because of a striped coat he wore. He had a peculiar “spring
heeled Jack” walk. We used to imitate him, one day he turned around
suddenly and caught us.
On our little trip Betty and I enthusiastically chatted excitedly, remembering
things. Poor Bill sat patiently quiet.
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An Era Ends– under construction
… insert
VIP’s– under construction
Various Governors and OAM’s etc
Charles & Diana… insert
Duke & Duchess of Kent… insert
See other chapters and the complete Fée Showell biography index at
www.feeshowell.com
Correspondence email: hague@ausbrush.com
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