A Kitchen Tape Extra
By Trenna’s sister Barbara, with an introduction from Greg
Introduction
In 2018 Trenna asked her sister Barb to jot down her memories of Craig House. Barb is six years older than Trenna. It was at exactly the same time as Trenna and I were recording Trenna’s stories and I have no doubt it was as part of Trenna’s research in preparation for writing her own story.
Barb subsequently sent the notes that appear below, and when I contacted her yesterday she told me she is happy for them to go on the website. She also added a few names, which I have incorporated.
Thanks for that Barb!
Mr Harkess took me to a couple of scary Sunday lunches before dragging me off to live there one Friday afternoon.
Notes from Barb
I arrived at Craig House I think mid-year of 1964, some months after Nancy because of the fuss she made!! about going, they took it slowly with me.
Our first legatee, Mr Harkess, took me to a couple of scary Sunday lunches before dragging me off to live there one Friday afternoon. We had a second legatee and recall his name as being Mr Denman or something like that.
Nancy thinks Colin left Mofflyn around 27 November 1963. He came to visit us at the Home to tell us how great it was!
I left Craig House at the end 1967 (aged 16) after my year with Eddy’s [Edwards Secretarial College] and secured a job with Guardian Insurance. I went to live with Mr & Mrs Mormon in Bedford and Colin joined me shortly thereafter.
Mike Tognilini, who was a school teacher, was the house master for the boys at the house next door to Craig House when we all arrived. The boy’s quarters at the back was built later, maybe in 1965 as it wasn’t long after we moved in.
Lyn, his wife, also a teacher, was house mistress and I think she joined him in the new quarters, not sure if she was there before. My memory is that they were newly married and she came to join him when the new quarters were built.
When they left, Ms Schroder, a music teacher (at Kent Street?), who we loved and adored! was our new house mistress and she had the back room in the girls’ annexe.
I think Matron eventually had to dismiss her as she was a rather naughty lady. I think a Kent Street male music teacher was involved. I can picture his face but can’t remember his name.
I think she was a Countess, maybe through marriage and seem to remember she had a rather sad past?
Then the delightful! Partington’s came and did we get up to a lot of mischief with them!
I remember Sir Douglas Kendrew [the State Governor] coming to visit as well. We all had to learn to courtesy – maybe 1965. He was a Major General and was involved in Legacy, so probably part of his duties to pay a visit.
The staff, I can recall were Mrs Grant and Mrs Mouski.
Listed below are names of the children I remember from my time:
Lois, Arlene & Ronnie Barker
Madge, Margaret & David Amiss
Janet Greaves
Jan Rae
Rosalind Smith
Marilyn & Richard Sugg
Pat & Joy Meharry
Beth, Kate, Andrew & David Crawford from Broome
Gloria Gomes (who was my personal manicurist, she loved doing my nails!)
Judith (?) who was also from Broome
Irene & Lynette Hollis and their 2 brothers Ross & Robert
Jeffrey Wright and his brother
Brian Williams
Nina & Nikki Savage
Lynn Roberts
Alan & BIll Casey
John Halls
Allan Juggins
Denis King