I was going through some very old photographs yesterday and I came across this one of you taken sitting at a desk in the Citizen's Advice Bureau in Murray Street, Perth.
I know that wasn't actually your desk (as you had your own office) but the photos were taken for a journalist who was writing an article for The West Australian or The Sunday Times (I forget which now) newspaper about the Citizen's Advice Bureau which you first started in 1962. I recognise Muriel Haning (on the left) who was your loyal secretary until your forced retirement as CAB Director after that fearful accident in 1973 when you were nearly killed by that wayward car driver.
I remember you actually began the CAB in a tiny office in what was one of our largest department stores, Boans (long ago taken over by Myer who decided not to continue with the household name we all knew so well), when Mr Harry Boan thought the idea of a Citizen's Advice Bureau based on those in England would be a good idea for our city. Nobody could imagine how well the idea would take off and yet you developed it into what it has become today.
I think people doubted whether the CAB would be able to continue in Perth without your leadership, but thrive it did and you would be so pleased to know there are now branches throughout Western Australia. There are five branches in the metropolitan area and also four in the country, as far away as Albany, Busselton, Bunbury and Mandurah.
I am so proud of you for all the wonderful social welfare work you did over many years and this is certainly one of which I am extremely proud because of the wonderful assistance it gives to people.
You may be interested to know that I was invited to a luncheon held in a Perth hotel several years ago (just because I was your daughter would you believe and had information about the formation of the CAB they were pleased to have) to celebrate some anniversary (perhaps 40 years?) of the CAB. I asked Karen to come along as my guest as she loved you so much and was also very proud of you. When we went in would you believe we were ushered to the table at the front of the room where the VIPS were seated. It was a wonderful lunch and they asked me to draw the raffle they were holding to raise money. Hats off to you Mum.
Love you always
x x x x x
You have wonderful memories of your Mom. She must have been a very special lady indeed.
ReplyDeleteShe was a wonderful mother and a wonderful woman as well. She did so much good in the community in her latter years and for her efforts was awarded the MBE which I have here with me now.
DeleteVery, very special. Thank you so much for introducing us to this amazing woman, and for all the pieces of her life you have shared. Inspirational.
ReplyDeleteYou can tell I don't carry her genes as I am so different to her. She brought me up well but I could never aspire to do the things she did. I just sit back and think about how people benefited from her tireless efforts.
DeleteWhat a fantastic memory, and what an amazing woman, a founder none the less. Brilliant work, I imagine many great round table discussions in your home. xxx Rae
ReplyDeleteNot sure about the round table discussions Rae. She and dad had split up by time she began all these social welfare activities and I'd left home as I was married by then.
DeleteI must admit though she was quite a big help to friends of mine when they needed advice long before Mum got involved in that type of work. A very wise woman in many ways even though I probably didn't always agree with her. Just didn't argue though. We didn't answer back when I was a youngster. xxx