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The Story of Andrew Edward and Adaline (Hendry) WHITE (Incorporating the resultant ROBERTS and WHITE Families)
By Kerry Le Roy Roberts
Edited and assisted by Kim S White
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Preface
This page is dedicated to Kerry LeRoy Roberts' lineage. Kerry is the only dear cousin on the White side. Ted White, pictured in the dead centre of the photograph below, was of mighty stature and leader of a man. He married our Nan, Adaline Hendry. Shown in the above photo, they had Clarence, Ron, Gordon and Joyce. Clarence (Clicka) and Ron never married. Ron passed away at 24 years from cancer. Gordon married Hazel Dean and had three boys, Ian, Errol and Kim. Joyce married Charles (Charlie) Roberts and had one son, Kerry. This is predominantly, his story.
This classic photo captures what the White and Roberts families were all about. Although there were three men from one family in the photo above, Ted, Clarence and Ron, missing from the photo, was Charlie Roberts and Gordon White. Charlie was finishing off his work in Queensland and Gordon, the youngest, was still in his last years of trade school. All the men were mighty fine trade carpenters. Later on, all the sons of Charlie and Gordon (no daughters) finished up not entering the building trade. However, each one watched their dads and became naturally seft-taught as carpenters, building or renovating their own homes and trying their hand at all trades and crafts. The old saying was very relevant in the Roberts and White families, "Catch your son a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and he feeds his family for life."
(Photo above by courtesy of Mrs Thelma Frantz and the Wodonga Historical Society)
Kerry has been working on his memoirs for many years and has been sending me his progress. I have taken licence and put his writings together on this web page. There are some wonderful stories, pictures and collections. I only hope this dedication page is doing his story justice. We grew up as close cousins, visiting all families as often as the distances allowed and had many funny and memorable times from Lower Bogong to Petticoat Lane (Simmonds Creek Road), to Arthur Street Mt Beauty, to Norlane and Lara.
Photo Gallery Instructions:
Hover over any photo for the caption.
Click any photo to enlarge.
Toggle the arrow to scroll through enlarged photos.
Hover over any photo for the caption.
Click any photo to enlarge.
Toggle the arrow to scroll through enlarged photos.
Crafts and Collections by the Roberts and Whites
Ted, Clicka and Gordon Whites' Collections
Kerry Le Roy Roberts Collections
Nan White and Joyce Roberts' and Others' Collections
Photos As We Grow Up
Tracing Ada and Ted White, and my WONDERFUL family Memories
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ADALINE WHITE (Ada)(HENDRY) 1891 - 1964
Birth: January 7th, 1891 Tenterfield, New South Wales Death: October 5th, 1964 Norlane, Victoria. Victoria. |
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ANDREW EDWARD (Ted) WHITE (1883 - 1921)
Birth: 1883 Death:1954 Mt Beauty, Victoria. |
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Parents of
MOTHER Eliza Hendry (nee Jenner) 1857 - 1929 FATHER James Rennie Hendry 1841 - 1921 |
Marriage to Andrew on April 4th 1912 in the Presbyterian Manse, Grafton Street, Warwich, Queensland.
Grooms Father : Laborer Brides Father : Blacksmith Brides Occupation : Domestic Grooms Occupation : Carpenter Marriage witness 1 S. Russell, and witness 2 Anne Jane Russell |
Parents of ANDREW EDWARD WHITE were ISSAC WHITE and ELIZABETH BARBARA WHITE (HALL)
SIBLINGS Andrew Edward WHITE 1883 - 1921 (73) Catherine Susanah WHITE 1897 -1995 (78) Thomas Henry WHITE (Bill) 1881 - 1953 (72) Lucy Ellen WHITE 1891 - 1969 (78) Francis Elizabeth WHITE 1893 - 1894 (<1) Louisa Mararget WHITE 1900 - 1983 (83) |
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ADALINE WHITE - HER STORY AND MORE
A wonderful person to the very end. She was the daughter of James Rennie HENDRY and Eliza HENDRY, being born on the 7th January 1891 in Tenterfield, New South Wales. The family eventually grew to twelve children, whilst father worked as a Blacksmith, living at Wilsons Downfall on a main connecting interstate road (NSW/QLD). The Tenterfield to Mount Lindsay Road saw blacksmithing work in great demand.
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She married a carpenter, Andrew Edward WHITE at the Presbyterian Manse in Warwick, Queensland on April 4th 1912. It was not long after they were married that their first child of four, Clarence Isaac White came along. He was born in St. Leonards, New South Wales in 1913 and died in Melbourne in 1966. The young family sought work throughout New South Wales, going from job to job, mainly working on domestic water storage dams and diversion weirs for irrigation projects. Subsequently three other children arrived, Ronald LeRoy White, born Canowindra, New South Wales in 1914, died at Heidleberg, Victoria in 1939 and Joyce Mavis White, born in Campbelltown, New South Wales, in 1918 and died in Norlane, Victoria 1974.
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In the late 1920s, Andrew secured a job working on the Hume Reservoir on the Murray River near Albury/Wodonga. He was employed by the Murray River Irrigation Scheme. All the children grew up at the Weir living in a cottage on the NSW side of the dam wall. The housing was provided for by the Scheme.
The three boys Clarence, Ron and Gordon all secured carpentry apprenticeships and all qualified as Master Carpenters. After their indentures they all stayed on at the Weir. The four White carpenters worked on the Weir for many years. Sister Joyce and mother Adaline had a full time job at home looking after the four carpenters as well as the 7th member of the family. A fox terrier called, you name it “NIPPER” |
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The Hume Weir construction ceased in the mid 1930’s as the project was drawing to a close. During the 1930’s Andrew and Adaline worked on various locks and diversion weirs on irrigation projects throughout southern New South Wales. To mention a couple, Maude, Deniboota, Lock 10. It was during this time that the Whites met the Roberts from Wentworth, New South Wales and the Deans from Robinvale, Victoria. With Joyce Mavis White marrying Charles George Roberts in Mildura at the Grand Hotel in 1938 and Gordon Bernard White marrying Hazel Rebecca Dean in Deniliquin, New South Wales in 1940.
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In the mid 1930s all of the Whites and Roberts travelled up to the Kiewa Hydro Project at the head of the Kiewa Valley. All found work on the recently commenced project with the State Electricity Commission (S.E.C). In 1939 Ronald LeRoy White died. He never recovered from a ruptured stomach and after complications set in, he died at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Melbourne Victoria. He was cremated at the Springvale Crematorium, Victoria.
Clarence Issac White never married and spent a lot of his time travelling around Australia and New Zealand. He was in attendance in Sydney on the opening of the Harbour Bridge in the 1930s. On arrival at their new adventure, the families had to live somewhere. It was decided that Gordon and Charles would squat on Crown land side of the East Kiewa river on the west bank side. Subsequently two neat cottages/humpies were built adjacent to each other. Andrew and Adaline lived in a tent on the West Kiewa River beside Simmonds Creek Road where they later built a lovely cottage on Lot 19. This house today (2020) is still in the White family. They lived in the tent until Charles and Joyce's Humpy was finished and they moved in with them. |
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AS they settled down to work/life on the S.E.C job, the arrival of Errol Bernard WHITE, Kerry LeRoy ROBERTS and Kim Sherring WHITE was welcomed. The three births occurred at Yackandandah, Victoria. Ian Edward WHITE was born at Deniliquin in New South Wales. This quartet was Adaline and Andrews' pride and joy and was to be their only grandchildren.
Life consolidated here in the Upper Kiewa Valley with Adaline and Andrew as well as Gordon and Hazel being allotted SEC houses at Lower Bogong (Clover Flat, then called Lower Bogong) Charles Joyce and Kerry lived with Adaline and Andrew who lived at the opposite end of the street to Hazel and Gordon. |
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Within about 10 years Adaline and Andrew had built part time, their retirement cottage on their plot of land at Lot 6 Simmonds Creek Road, Tawonga South. They moved in after Andrew retired from the SEC account of age. I can vividly recall in around 1950, working up on a scaffold helping Pa finish painting the exterior south wall of the cottage.
As work was completed at Clover Dam and the Power Station on the East Kiewa River at Lower Bogong, Joyce and Charles, Gordon and Hazel together with the children moved down to Mount Beauty to live in SEC housing at No 5 and 4 Arthur Street, respectively.
In the early 1950s an economic downturn resulted in a revamp of the total Kiewa Project with a reduced capacity to generate electricity and consequently a much reduced workforce. Hazel and Gordon decided to stay, whilst Charles and Joyce headed to far North Queensland. |
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As Andrew had just retired, he and Adaline went with Charles and Joyce in around 1952 as on a working holiday. Both Charles and Andrew worked on the Tully Falls Hydro Project at Koombooloomba Dam on the Atherton Tablelands west of Cairns and south of Ravenshoe. A Company house was included in the employment package.
Late or early 1953 or 1954 Adaline and Edward returned to that retirement cottage in Tawonga South, Victoria. However, the excitement of retirement was cut short as towards the end of 1954, Andrew Edward White accidently died at home. He had walked over to the Mount Beauty Community Centre to watch a regular screening of movies. The return walk was about 2 km and Andrew would not miss his movies. An electrical storm blew up just as the movies were finishing. Andrew was adverse to these storms and hurried home. On arrival he went to the toilet. Adaline noticing how quiet it was, went to investigate and found him collapsed on the laundry floor near the copper. An investigation established he had most likely feinted, falling back and had died from a severe blow to his temple on the concrete corner of the copper hearth base.
On hearing the sad news Charles, Joyce and Kerry returned permanently in 1954 from North Queensland to live two doors North from Adaline's place to look after her. Charles had also built a small cottage on Lot 15 Simmonds Creek Road, Tawonga South on his return from a tour of duty in the Second World War ending in 1946. Charles was fortunate to get a job back on the SEC working as a General Foreman on the underground power station at McKay Creek on the Pretty Valley Branch of the East Kiewa River. I would run up the road at night to Adaline’s house to keep her company. This arrangement went on for some six years. At this time the Kiewa Hydro Project was complete and the work for Charles and many others was no longer available.
There is only three individuals existing (2020) that have first hand knowledge of these historical events, wonderful memories and stories above and below. They are yours truly, Kerry LeRoy Roberts and the two White brothers, in Ian Edward and Kim Sherring White. We are the surviving grandchildren of Adaline and Edward White. The other White brother, Errol Bernard, decided to leave us early, some time ago in February, 2008.
I have recorded these memories, events, comments concerning Adaline White (Hendry) for prosperity. I am approaching 75 years young and on average have not got too many more years left. I hope I do!
Late or early 1953 or 1954 Adaline and Edward returned to that retirement cottage in Tawonga South, Victoria. However, the excitement of retirement was cut short as towards the end of 1954, Andrew Edward White accidently died at home. He had walked over to the Mount Beauty Community Centre to watch a regular screening of movies. The return walk was about 2 km and Andrew would not miss his movies. An electrical storm blew up just as the movies were finishing. Andrew was adverse to these storms and hurried home. On arrival he went to the toilet. Adaline noticing how quiet it was, went to investigate and found him collapsed on the laundry floor near the copper. An investigation established he had most likely feinted, falling back and had died from a severe blow to his temple on the concrete corner of the copper hearth base.
On hearing the sad news Charles, Joyce and Kerry returned permanently in 1954 from North Queensland to live two doors North from Adaline's place to look after her. Charles had also built a small cottage on Lot 15 Simmonds Creek Road, Tawonga South on his return from a tour of duty in the Second World War ending in 1946. Charles was fortunate to get a job back on the SEC working as a General Foreman on the underground power station at McKay Creek on the Pretty Valley Branch of the East Kiewa River. I would run up the road at night to Adaline’s house to keep her company. This arrangement went on for some six years. At this time the Kiewa Hydro Project was complete and the work for Charles and many others was no longer available.
There is only three individuals existing (2020) that have first hand knowledge of these historical events, wonderful memories and stories above and below. They are yours truly, Kerry LeRoy Roberts and the two White brothers, in Ian Edward and Kim Sherring White. We are the surviving grandchildren of Adaline and Edward White. The other White brother, Errol Bernard, decided to leave us early, some time ago in February, 2008.
I have recorded these memories, events, comments concerning Adaline White (Hendry) for prosperity. I am approaching 75 years young and on average have not got too many more years left. I hope I do!
Like any good Grandmother, she would tell me stories of her childhood in the Wilson’s Downfall area. Mostly of farm life and working. For me, it’s been some 50 to 60 years ago but I still recall a couple -
- Adaline loved her heritage being Scotland and particular tartans (McGregor and Stewart) and of course anything to do with Scotland. A small book she cherished was titled "Tartans and Clans of Scotland”, which is still in our possession, as well as a few English copper and silver coins from the late 19th Century, which also survived the years.
- All the Adeline White siblings of school age would use a horse and Jinker transport to school which was the Stanthorpe Public School some 10 kms from home.
- Family outings were always every Sunday.
- She passed on stories about the local bushranger, the infamous Captain Moonlight, from her father James Rennie Hendry.
- I record this comment for its historical and factual value only. She told me our indigenous people in the New England area of New South Wales were referred to as ‘Niggers”.
More contemporary memories of Tawonga South -
- A wonderful gardener in both vegetables, flowers and fruit (reat memories of raiding fruit when it was ripe).
- The memory that in summer, to protect petals of hydrangea flowers from heat, Adaline would drape white bed sheets over the bushes. (ghosts dotted all about the yard).
- If you felt like a feed of brown or rainbow trout for breakfast you would take a fishing rod, walk 50m across Simmonds Creek Road to the banks of the West Kiewa River and catch some.
- Adaline and Andrew White's cottage on Simmonds Creek Road was always regarded as the “local gangs base”. Probably because Andrew had a good shed full of all sorts of tools. If we needed an axe or shovel to build our forts on the river flats or up the hills the shed was the place.
- Edward's shed walls were constructed with empty dynamite boxes, discarded from the tunnelling of the Kiewa Scheme. It was clad with corrugated galvanised iron sheeting for the walls. The floor was all the box lids neatly butted together and screwed to the floor joists.
As work opportunities on the Kiewa Hydro Project settled down to maintenance only type of work, many people had to move on to find other employment. As Gordon secured a job as Maintenance Supervisor for the total Kiewa Area, he and Hazel stayed on and subsequently retired at Mount Beauty in 1981.
Charles secured a position with the Housing Commission of Victoria, supervising the construction of a public housing development in Norlane, Victoria. The position also came with the allotment of a house. We moved into 6 Finch Street Norlane in 1960, including Adaline at a later date. It was decided best that Adaline sell her cottage in Tawonga South and spend her twilight years with her daughter, Joyce Mavis ROBERTS and family. It was the start of the end for her. She lasted about four years and died at home from a heart attack on 5 October, 1964.
WHAT A LIFE! WHAT A PERSON!
Kerry LeRoy Roberts, Esq.
September, Twenty Twenty.
Medical Episodes and Passings
Daisy’s Diaries
(Extracts from Hazel White’s Diaries uncovered in 2015)
1959 - 2003
Normal text is actual diary writings. Italicized text denotes comments or clarifications.
Daisy’s Diaries
(Extracts from Hazel White’s Diaries uncovered in 2015)
1959 - 2003
Normal text is actual diary writings. Italicized text denotes comments or clarifications.
‘Clicker’ White’s Stroke
Wednesday, 22 April, 1959 Click was admitted to Royal Melbourne hospital with a stroke.
Thursday, 23 April, 1959 Nan and Gordon went down to Melbourne, left at 7.30pm.
Friday, 24 April, 1959 Ian and Gordon arrived home from Melbourne about 11.45pm.
Thursday, 30 April, 1959. Joyce went to Melbourne for a couple of days with Andy Horney.
Saturday, 2 May, 1959. Joyce arrived back from Melbourne.
Tuesday, 5 May, 1959 Joyce and Kerry left for Melb for 3 weeks to stay with Nan. Click slightly improving. (Staying at Clicker’s rental with Mr and Mrs Peach in Gibdon St, Burnley, I presume).
Tuesday, 12 May, 1959 Letter from Ian telling us that Click is making good progress. Able to use his left leg and sit up a little.
Sunday, 3 May, 1959 Click had an operation on his neck. 4pm.
Wednesday, 27 May, 1959 Click was transferred to the Hampton hospital.
Thursday, 6 August, 1959 Left for Melbourne at 12.30pm, arrived at Ian’s place. Delivered a case of apples to S.S. Station and arrived at Peach’s at 7.45pm.
Friday, 7 August, 1959. Nan and I went shopping and bought Nan a Winter’s frock. Went out to Hampton and picked Click up at 5pm.
Wednesday, 28 October, 1959. Click rang from Melbourne. Left Hampton Hospital today.
Snowy Miller’s Passing
Wednesday, 3 June, 1959. Snow Miller was admitted to hospital at Tawonga.
Saturday, 20 June, 1959. Lorna came up for the evening and Dot and Noel for supper after the pictures.
Wednesday, 8 July, 1959. I went to Wangaratta with the Millers’. Snow has to go to Melbourne in two weeks time to see different specialists. We arrived home at 7.30.
Monday, 27 July, 1959. Lorna and Snow went to Melbourne to see the specialists. Snow put in hospital for a few days.
Tuesday, 28 July, 1959. Lorna staying with Nan (Ada White) at 50 Gibdon Street. (Burnley - Clicker’s rental).
Monday, 14 September, 1959. Lorna and Snow left for Melbourne. Snow to have heart operation on Thursday.
Thursday, 17 September, 1959. Snow had his operation and it was a success.
Saturday, 19 September, 1959. Snow Miller collapsed and died in the Royal Melbourne hospital late afternoon.
Tuesday, 13 October, 1959. Visited Lorna Miller at Tawonga.
Friday, 16 October, 1959. Snow Miller’s birthday.
Ada White’s Cerebral Haemorrhage
Friday, 30 October, 1959. Charlie went to Melbourne to bring Nan and Click home.
Saturday, 31 October, 1959. Nan and Click home. Nan has spent 6 months 1 week in Melbourne at Peaches.
Wednesday, 18 November, 1959. Gordon and Errol went to Albury to meet Click on the Spirit.
Wednesday, 23 December, 1959. Nan, Click, Gordon and I went down to Lorna's for a while in the evening.
Friday, 25 December, 1959. Nan feeling very depressed all day - very tired.
Saturday, 26 December, 1959. We all went over to Myrtleford Rodeo. When we arrived home Nan had gone to bed with severe pains to the temples and back of head. Ian went over and slept for the night.
Sunday, 27 December, 1959. We got the doctor for Nan. Ordered to bed for 3 days. Slightly high blood pressure and Neuralgia pains in the head.
Monday, 28 December, 1959. Nan in bed still. Some pain still in the head but only slight.
Tuesday, 29 December, 1959. Nan still in bed. Can still feel the slight pain in her head.
Wednesday, 30 December, 1959. Nan not much better.
Thursday, 31 December, 1959. I rang the Dr again and he came and seen Nan. Virus headaches going about. Could be Nan's trouble. Gave her tiny seeds for constipation. She got up after lunch.
Saturday, 2 January, 1960. Nan gradually feeling herself again through this week.
Saturday, 9 January, 1960. Nan took bad at about 5pm and Dr came. She was put in Hospital at 1/4 to 8 suffering with Cerebal Haemorage and vomiting.
Sunday, 10 January, 1960. Nan's condition very serious. Were not allowed to see her.
Monday, 11 January, 1960. I rang Dr. and Nan has a 50/50 chance. Cerebal Haemorage and high blood pressure, vomiting. Giving morphine at first, then another type as morphine makes Nan worse. Joyce and Kerry, Chas and Ian arrived home 12.20pm.
Tuesday, 12 January, 1960. Nan's condition still serious but a little improvement. Only one at a time allowed to see her.
Wednesday, 13 January, 1960. Still a little improvement. Nan has to lie very still and on her back. Has to be fed.
Thursday, 14 January, 1960. Nan’s condition the same. Sisters feed Nan
Friday, 15 January, 1960. Nan about the same. No lights on, no reading, no smoking etc.
Saturday, 16 January, 1960. Aunty Jess and Uncle Bill, Marie and Jack arrived down from Leeton 11.30am. Called hospital and were able to see Nan for only a few minutes. Jack and Marie stayed with Joyce.
Sunday, 17 January, 1960. Jack and Marie went home but Jess and Bill staying for a week.
Monday, 18 January, 1960. Kim and Ian went down to see Nan for the first time. Pains still in head.
Tuesday, 19 January, 1960. Nan still the same.
Wednesday, 20 January, 1960. Nan about the same. Gets out of bed every night (wanders). Pains still in head.
Thursday, 21 January, 1960. Nan’s head is much better today.
Friday, 22 January, 1960. Nan still well in herself. Has top stay in hospital at least 2 months. Still only close relatives allowed to see her.
Saturday, 23 January, 1960. Nan still continues to wander.
Wednesday, 10 February, 1960. Nan was allowed outside for a while. Still very weak.
Saturday, 20 February, 1960. Gordon and I brought Nan home from hospital at 11.30am.
Ada White’s Passing
On 5 October (1964), on arriving home from work at about 4.50 pm, I met Jean (next door) at the front gate and she told me that Nan was ill. I went into see her and found her in a serious way. Talked to her to try to calm her but it was no use. The doctor arrived at 5.10 pm and gave her a needle which quietened her down. The ambulance arrived shortly after and she was put into the ambulance and given oxygen. Dad followed the ambulance into hospital but on arrival he found out that she had died on the way. Nan died at approximately 5.25 pm.
Dad rang Gordon and Click. Click arrived at 9.10 pm from Melbourne. Gordon will be down tomorrow from Mt Beauty.
I wrote to Meggs to tell her the sad news. The funeral is set for 7 October at 3.30 pm. (AM Hepner Sth Yarra St Geelong) then to Eastern Cemetery.
On 11 October, mum went to Daisys alone for a two week break.
On 30 October, 1964 we moved from 6 Finch Street Norlane to 73 St Georges Rd Norlane.
Wednesday, 22 April, 1959 Click was admitted to Royal Melbourne hospital with a stroke.
Thursday, 23 April, 1959 Nan and Gordon went down to Melbourne, left at 7.30pm.
Friday, 24 April, 1959 Ian and Gordon arrived home from Melbourne about 11.45pm.
Thursday, 30 April, 1959. Joyce went to Melbourne for a couple of days with Andy Horney.
Saturday, 2 May, 1959. Joyce arrived back from Melbourne.
Tuesday, 5 May, 1959 Joyce and Kerry left for Melb for 3 weeks to stay with Nan. Click slightly improving. (Staying at Clicker’s rental with Mr and Mrs Peach in Gibdon St, Burnley, I presume).
Tuesday, 12 May, 1959 Letter from Ian telling us that Click is making good progress. Able to use his left leg and sit up a little.
Sunday, 3 May, 1959 Click had an operation on his neck. 4pm.
Wednesday, 27 May, 1959 Click was transferred to the Hampton hospital.
Thursday, 6 August, 1959 Left for Melbourne at 12.30pm, arrived at Ian’s place. Delivered a case of apples to S.S. Station and arrived at Peach’s at 7.45pm.
Friday, 7 August, 1959. Nan and I went shopping and bought Nan a Winter’s frock. Went out to Hampton and picked Click up at 5pm.
Wednesday, 28 October, 1959. Click rang from Melbourne. Left Hampton Hospital today.
Snowy Miller’s Passing
Wednesday, 3 June, 1959. Snow Miller was admitted to hospital at Tawonga.
Saturday, 20 June, 1959. Lorna came up for the evening and Dot and Noel for supper after the pictures.
Wednesday, 8 July, 1959. I went to Wangaratta with the Millers’. Snow has to go to Melbourne in two weeks time to see different specialists. We arrived home at 7.30.
Monday, 27 July, 1959. Lorna and Snow went to Melbourne to see the specialists. Snow put in hospital for a few days.
Tuesday, 28 July, 1959. Lorna staying with Nan (Ada White) at 50 Gibdon Street. (Burnley - Clicker’s rental).
Monday, 14 September, 1959. Lorna and Snow left for Melbourne. Snow to have heart operation on Thursday.
Thursday, 17 September, 1959. Snow had his operation and it was a success.
Saturday, 19 September, 1959. Snow Miller collapsed and died in the Royal Melbourne hospital late afternoon.
Tuesday, 13 October, 1959. Visited Lorna Miller at Tawonga.
Friday, 16 October, 1959. Snow Miller’s birthday.
Ada White’s Cerebral Haemorrhage
Friday, 30 October, 1959. Charlie went to Melbourne to bring Nan and Click home.
Saturday, 31 October, 1959. Nan and Click home. Nan has spent 6 months 1 week in Melbourne at Peaches.
Wednesday, 18 November, 1959. Gordon and Errol went to Albury to meet Click on the Spirit.
Wednesday, 23 December, 1959. Nan, Click, Gordon and I went down to Lorna's for a while in the evening.
Friday, 25 December, 1959. Nan feeling very depressed all day - very tired.
Saturday, 26 December, 1959. We all went over to Myrtleford Rodeo. When we arrived home Nan had gone to bed with severe pains to the temples and back of head. Ian went over and slept for the night.
Sunday, 27 December, 1959. We got the doctor for Nan. Ordered to bed for 3 days. Slightly high blood pressure and Neuralgia pains in the head.
Monday, 28 December, 1959. Nan in bed still. Some pain still in the head but only slight.
Tuesday, 29 December, 1959. Nan still in bed. Can still feel the slight pain in her head.
Wednesday, 30 December, 1959. Nan not much better.
Thursday, 31 December, 1959. I rang the Dr again and he came and seen Nan. Virus headaches going about. Could be Nan's trouble. Gave her tiny seeds for constipation. She got up after lunch.
Saturday, 2 January, 1960. Nan gradually feeling herself again through this week.
Saturday, 9 January, 1960. Nan took bad at about 5pm and Dr came. She was put in Hospital at 1/4 to 8 suffering with Cerebal Haemorage and vomiting.
Sunday, 10 January, 1960. Nan's condition very serious. Were not allowed to see her.
Monday, 11 January, 1960. I rang Dr. and Nan has a 50/50 chance. Cerebal Haemorage and high blood pressure, vomiting. Giving morphine at first, then another type as morphine makes Nan worse. Joyce and Kerry, Chas and Ian arrived home 12.20pm.
Tuesday, 12 January, 1960. Nan's condition still serious but a little improvement. Only one at a time allowed to see her.
Wednesday, 13 January, 1960. Still a little improvement. Nan has to lie very still and on her back. Has to be fed.
Thursday, 14 January, 1960. Nan’s condition the same. Sisters feed Nan
Friday, 15 January, 1960. Nan about the same. No lights on, no reading, no smoking etc.
Saturday, 16 January, 1960. Aunty Jess and Uncle Bill, Marie and Jack arrived down from Leeton 11.30am. Called hospital and were able to see Nan for only a few minutes. Jack and Marie stayed with Joyce.
Sunday, 17 January, 1960. Jack and Marie went home but Jess and Bill staying for a week.
Monday, 18 January, 1960. Kim and Ian went down to see Nan for the first time. Pains still in head.
Tuesday, 19 January, 1960. Nan still the same.
Wednesday, 20 January, 1960. Nan about the same. Gets out of bed every night (wanders). Pains still in head.
Thursday, 21 January, 1960. Nan’s head is much better today.
Friday, 22 January, 1960. Nan still well in herself. Has top stay in hospital at least 2 months. Still only close relatives allowed to see her.
Saturday, 23 January, 1960. Nan still continues to wander.
Wednesday, 10 February, 1960. Nan was allowed outside for a while. Still very weak.
Saturday, 20 February, 1960. Gordon and I brought Nan home from hospital at 11.30am.
Ada White’s Passing
On 5 October (1964), on arriving home from work at about 4.50 pm, I met Jean (next door) at the front gate and she told me that Nan was ill. I went into see her and found her in a serious way. Talked to her to try to calm her but it was no use. The doctor arrived at 5.10 pm and gave her a needle which quietened her down. The ambulance arrived shortly after and she was put into the ambulance and given oxygen. Dad followed the ambulance into hospital but on arrival he found out that she had died on the way. Nan died at approximately 5.25 pm.
Dad rang Gordon and Click. Click arrived at 9.10 pm from Melbourne. Gordon will be down tomorrow from Mt Beauty.
I wrote to Meggs to tell her the sad news. The funeral is set for 7 October at 3.30 pm. (AM Hepner Sth Yarra St Geelong) then to Eastern Cemetery.
On 11 October, mum went to Daisys alone for a two week break.
On 30 October, 1964 we moved from 6 Finch Street Norlane to 73 St Georges Rd Norlane.