For all those who couldn't make tuesday's glebe oral history group at the old fire station, here's a wrap up (and all welcome again next tuesday, wearing a colourful hat if possible, for a little Melbourne Cup festivity):
Let's start with Rowanne Couch, who said goodbye (for now) to all of us with sad-funny story about her great grandfather who died in an avalanche of flour. some wondered whether it was plain or self-raising flour, and if he came out white, or had a gluten intolerance. it's a sad story, but Rowanne says even her family laugh about it now.
This all came about from a discussion of hauling flour and wool sacks on the Sydney wharves, and Harry Black, who Dugald met last Sunday at a public talk about Glebe's wharves, given by Max Solling. Dugald suggested Harry would be a great local resident to interview. Max Solling says he will come and talk to our group, maybe later this year. Rowanne says a lot of flour can be dangerous, and that if she married someone called Mr Potato her surname could be Rowanne Couch Potato.
Marla said she knew someone called Russell Sprout, or was it Barbara Dwyer (known otherwise as Barb Dwyer)? Uh-huh, we got sidetracked, talking about the old boxers of Glebe, and the "Marrickville Mauler", and unusual names.
Other names to crop up from Sunday's talk - and discussed by the group - included John Dengate, a local folk signer we Googled and who looks interesting and was a primary school techer for 35 years (at Glebe PS?) who now busks regularly, Meredith Bergman (much discussion about her), Les McMahon (who we all know Patrick has interviewed and we should all listen to shortly), and the Foley family, including "Doc Foley". Although we're not entirely sure who this Foley family are, but some said they have a local park named in their honour. We don't think the famous Aboriginal activist Gary Foley is related. Or is he? And if this Foley was a prominent doctor, was he practicing at the same time as the Dr Potts that Dianne and Eric are interested in researching? The plot thickens.
There was talk also ablout St Scholastica's College on the site of the old Toxteth Estate. One in the group (who may or may not have been a former student..) said a popular local nickname for the student of the prominent girls Catholic school was "Scholes moles". We laughed. And thought it couldn't be true. Irene, sitting at the end of the table, chirped in with a story of the girls at Holy Cross at Bondi Junction, who were nicknamed "Holy Crotch". Batman!
Again, we digressed. (Although Dianne Russell is going to talk to a neighbour who is going to talk to a nun at St Scholastica's who's in her 90s and could be a good interview. So no disparaging comments about their students, please!)
There was talk also about the local Aboriginal community and how we may gather some of its stories. Suggestions were through Tranby College, or the Aboriginal liaison officer at the local school, or through a contact at the police, or through the Ingrahm family. These are all avenues to be explored. George Bracken was a name that came up. Who is he again? Is anybody interesting in contacting him?
then we started talking about the Harold Park trotting track, in Glebe since 1902, and voted by members last week to be sold to the highest bidder. This led to discussion about Callan Park in Lilyfield, and again stories from Marla and Irene and others about their memories of this site. We should do something about Harold Park. I am keen for Dianne Russell, using her skills on historic architecture, to research where all the old horse stables still stand in backyards in Glebe. I reckon this would be a great way to map where the industry was once located in the suburb.
that's probably a big enough wrap up. Hopefully we can listen to Marla's interview of Frank next Tuesday, and as a group to Patrick's talk with Les, and maybe also tackle a little exercise on "senses", and how we could record Glebe through the "five senses". Irene was talking about Maslow's hierarchy of needs (and lipstick) in the tea break. what about the five senses of Glebe? What does it look, sound, smell, touch and taste like???
who knows..
hope to see you all again on tuesday,
dugald
30 October 2008
23 October 2008
Highlights of Galluzzo interview
Salvatore Galluzzo and his wife came to Australia from Calabria in 1927, bringing with them one year old Frank.
Circa 1934 Salvatore bought the fruit shop at 187 Glebe Pt. Rd. from Francisco d'Albora.
Frank attended Glebe Public School where he was an average student and got up to quite a bit of mischief ... or so he says!
Years later young Frank took over the shop and with his wife Melina turned it into the thriving business it is today.
They have one daughter and five sons, all of whom grew up understanding the workings of the shop.
Today Joe and Damien keep the shop running and the staff are made up of Glebe locals.
Frank has diabetes 1 and at 82 years old is now blind and wheelchair bound and spends his days upstairs in the private quarters of the shop being spoilt by his many children and grandchildren.
Circa 1934 Salvatore bought the fruit shop at 187 Glebe Pt. Rd. from Francisco d'Albora.
Frank attended Glebe Public School where he was an average student and got up to quite a bit of mischief ... or so he says!
Years later young Frank took over the shop and with his wife Melina turned it into the thriving business it is today.
They have one daughter and five sons, all of whom grew up understanding the workings of the shop.
Today Joe and Damien keep the shop running and the staff are made up of Glebe locals.
Frank has diabetes 1 and at 82 years old is now blind and wheelchair bound and spends his days upstairs in the private quarters of the shop being spoilt by his many children and grandchildren.
25 September 2008
Life in Glebe - Marla's Story
Glebe has been my home for over 19 years. It has always been clearly divided into two sections – the rich (at the pointy end) and the poor (at the non pointy end). In those days we were classed as ‘inner city’ but the passage of time has seen us relegated to ‘inner west’. Since the advent of ‘our Clover’ we are NOW classed as part of the City of Sydney!
The face of Glebe is changing far too rapidly for my liking. Shops and pavements have been updated; peeling paint and dangerous tree-roots are becoming a thing of the past. Sadly rental increase is the by-product of the modernisation and as a result, many of our much-loved shops have been forced to close down, move on or go on-line.
Glebe has the feel of a small village. The locals are extremely loyal and fiercely supportive of the remaining shops with their familiar staff, sometimes to the detriment of their pocket. In return, the shopkeepers take time out to learn about their 'regulars', often consoling and supporting emotional issues or exclaiming in joy over a new grandchild or a personal triumph.
I relish the community spirit and despite the changing times, I feel that Glebe and I are destined to be together to the end of our days.
The face of Glebe is changing far too rapidly for my liking. Shops and pavements have been updated; peeling paint and dangerous tree-roots are becoming a thing of the past. Sadly rental increase is the by-product of the modernisation and as a result, many of our much-loved shops have been forced to close down, move on or go on-line.
Glebe has the feel of a small village. The locals are extremely loyal and fiercely supportive of the remaining shops with their familiar staff, sometimes to the detriment of their pocket. In return, the shopkeepers take time out to learn about their 'regulars', often consoling and supporting emotional issues or exclaiming in joy over a new grandchild or a personal triumph.
I relish the community spirit and despite the changing times, I feel that Glebe and I are destined to be together to the end of our days.
09 April 2008
Syd's Story
I live in Glebe with my sister-in-law who is very nice. I used to have a cat but it died. I come from Queensland. I moved down here in 2001. I wanted to change my life. Now I am learning computers. Maybe I will go to TAFE next semester and improve my reading and writing.
Living in Glebe is good because it is close to the city. In my street it is very quiet. I know the young people in Glebe sometimes muck up. I want to tell them there is more to life than mucking up . They are only young. They should go back to school.
Living in Glebe is good because it is close to the city. In my street it is very quiet. I know the young people in Glebe sometimes muck up. I want to tell them there is more to life than mucking up . They are only young. They should go back to school.
08 April 2008
How we came to live in Glebe
When Jesse was born and because I am partly paralysed on the right side, there arrived a diverse support group. I was advised to apply for public housing and took up this idea with enthusiasm - the Sydney commercial rental prices were starting to go up in leaps and bounds. So, off we toddled to the family doctor and hence discovered his evocative and emotive letterwriting skills.
Advice then sent us off to our local MP, the glorious Dawn Fraser, who also keenly supported our application for housing. Within 7 months we were called for interview - right down the bottom of George Street, in Chinatown Department of Housing (DoH) was then - how did we get there? baby, capsule and me. That's right, I was back at work by then and Jess' carer drove us and carried the capsule - good advocate Dianne too, told me what to say.
First we were offered a place in an allegedly drug-infested complex - I remember saying OK but the Client Service Officer said 'No'. She wouldn't even count that as the first offer ( 2 offer limit with DoH).
Then I looked at our current address. Wow! it's gorgeous. After we moved in, I remember saying 'I feel like I've won the lottery!' I was just so happy, feeling the roof over my head. I was protected. Thank You, bless-ed DoH.
Now, 19 odd years on I would like to say how much I appreciate Glebe, the location - priceless, the people - colourful and fabulous - gee, the belief 'it's nice to have nice neighbours' has served so well - gotta love the neighour family.
Advice then sent us off to our local MP, the glorious Dawn Fraser, who also keenly supported our application for housing. Within 7 months we were called for interview - right down the bottom of George Street, in Chinatown Department of Housing (DoH) was then - how did we get there? baby, capsule and me. That's right, I was back at work by then and Jess' carer drove us and carried the capsule - good advocate Dianne too, told me what to say.
First we were offered a place in an allegedly drug-infested complex - I remember saying OK but the Client Service Officer said 'No'. She wouldn't even count that as the first offer ( 2 offer limit with DoH).
Then I looked at our current address. Wow! it's gorgeous. After we moved in, I remember saying 'I feel like I've won the lottery!' I was just so happy, feeling the roof over my head. I was protected. Thank You, bless-ed DoH.
Now, 19 odd years on I would like to say how much I appreciate Glebe, the location - priceless, the people - colourful and fabulous - gee, the belief 'it's nice to have nice neighbours' has served so well - gotta love the neighour family.
Luo's Story
Hello my friends. This is a story about living in public housing. Welcome and share my story.
I’m living Department of Housing in Woolloomooloo. That is very beautiful place and some of the notable residents are actor Russell Crowe, radio presenter John Laws and singer Delta Goodrem. They all live in Woolloomooloo too.
Unfortunately, I am just a simple person, a single mother and a cancer patient. I have had non-Hodgkins lymphoma since 1997. And my English is still very pool because my first language is Chinese. But I don’t worry. I’m very happy and enjoying my life in Woolloomooloo. I have received much needed help from the local community centre, called “Walla Mulla Family & Community Support Centre” since I moved to Woolloomooloo in 2003.
The staff at the centre help people with housing issues and other things by liaising with their landlord and the Department of Housing, counselling, and home visits and escorting them to medical and hospital appointments and more.
When I moved into my unit, water was coming into my bedroom and my son’s bedroom from a leak in the roof. Mushrooms were growing on my floor. I rang the Department of Housing many times. I waited for them to fix the roof. After nearly one year no one came.
I was very sick at that time. I had just finished having a stem cell transplant, trying to get the cancer I had out of my system. I had a lot of side effects from the transplant. The mould and fungus were actually life threatening for me because my immune system was very weak. I had to sleep in my lounge room.
My neighbour told me that I could go to Walla Mulla for help. They helped me write the letter to the Department of Housing that explained my situation. One week later someone high up in the Depart of Housing came to visit me. The support people from Walla Mulla also came to this meeting. The people from DOH apologised and offered to fix the problem immediately. At 8am the next morning the workers were on the roof.
The Department did refund some of my rent. The problem seems to have been one of communication. Even though my GP did write a letter for me as well, it was not until Walla Mulla stepped in that the Depart of Housing responded. Maybe the Department of Housing is just understaffed. For people like me, with life threatening health problems, community support is essential when government services can’t help.
The support centre has free activities such as a walking group, sewing and art classes as well. I have been going to some of these activities. In 2008, they got a new bus. Now we can go to and from medical appointments, hospital visits, shopping trips and other activities using the bus service.
It is very important that I can have time to rest and go to my doctor’s appointments. My son and I join the monthly BBQ and I send my son to the after school care. Sometimes he goes to a camp supported by the police and the navy. This means I have four days to rest.
If you are someone living in department of housing and you need help solving a problem, check out your local community support centre and talk to them, tell them your situation and let them help you.
If you want more information about Walla Mulla, click the link here. Walla Mulla
If you want more information about Woolloomooloo, click the link here. Woolloomooloo
I’m living Department of Housing in Woolloomooloo. That is very beautiful place and some of the notable residents are actor Russell Crowe, radio presenter John Laws and singer Delta Goodrem. They all live in Woolloomooloo too.
Unfortunately, I am just a simple person, a single mother and a cancer patient. I have had non-Hodgkins lymphoma since 1997. And my English is still very pool because my first language is Chinese. But I don’t worry. I’m very happy and enjoying my life in Woolloomooloo. I have received much needed help from the local community centre, called “Walla Mulla Family & Community Support Centre” since I moved to Woolloomooloo in 2003.
The staff at the centre help people with housing issues and other things by liaising with their landlord and the Department of Housing, counselling, and home visits and escorting them to medical and hospital appointments and more.
When I moved into my unit, water was coming into my bedroom and my son’s bedroom from a leak in the roof. Mushrooms were growing on my floor. I rang the Department of Housing many times. I waited for them to fix the roof. After nearly one year no one came.
I was very sick at that time. I had just finished having a stem cell transplant, trying to get the cancer I had out of my system. I had a lot of side effects from the transplant. The mould and fungus were actually life threatening for me because my immune system was very weak. I had to sleep in my lounge room.
My neighbour told me that I could go to Walla Mulla for help. They helped me write the letter to the Department of Housing that explained my situation. One week later someone high up in the Depart of Housing came to visit me. The support people from Walla Mulla also came to this meeting. The people from DOH apologised and offered to fix the problem immediately. At 8am the next morning the workers were on the roof.
The Department did refund some of my rent. The problem seems to have been one of communication. Even though my GP did write a letter for me as well, it was not until Walla Mulla stepped in that the Depart of Housing responded. Maybe the Department of Housing is just understaffed. For people like me, with life threatening health problems, community support is essential when government services can’t help.
The support centre has free activities such as a walking group, sewing and art classes as well. I have been going to some of these activities. In 2008, they got a new bus. Now we can go to and from medical appointments, hospital visits, shopping trips and other activities using the bus service.
It is very important that I can have time to rest and go to my doctor’s appointments. My son and I join the monthly BBQ and I send my son to the after school care. Sometimes he goes to a camp supported by the police and the navy. This means I have four days to rest.
If you are someone living in department of housing and you need help solving a problem, check out your local community support centre and talk to them, tell them your situation and let them help you.
If you want more information about Walla Mulla, click the link here. Walla Mulla
If you want more information about Woolloomooloo, click the link here. Woolloomooloo
Living in Glebe and joining the Vietnamese Women's Group
Hi everyone
My name Hoa. I have lived in Glebe over ten years. When I first came here I did not know any Vietnamese people lived in this area . One day I met a Vietnamese lady when I took my children to school. We became friends and she invited me to a Vietnamese Womens Group at the Glebe Town Hall. I enjoyed the meeting and and became a member of the group. The group was run by two workers, Anh Do from Centrecare and Thao Do from Leichhardt Women's Health Center.
The main aim of the group is to support Vietmese women, from old to young. If they have a problem or hard time, or if they don't know how take care of their children in Australia because of cultural difference, the group will help them. Speakers come to the meetings and talk about women's health. We have a lot of activities, like exercises, dancing, swimming, or going to the markets. Every month we celebrate the birthdays of the women in the group. We have lunches at the Town Hall where we cook Vietnamese meals.
We have sometimes gone on long trips away. We went to Wollongong to visit the Temples and the beaches. This year in June we will to Moree for three days.
The women in my group take care of each other. It is like a big family. We share our experiences. It has helped me a lot and I have been glad to help others.
If you want to know more, please email me. thihoanguyen6494@gmail.com
My name Hoa. I have lived in Glebe over ten years. When I first came here I did not know any Vietnamese people lived in this area . One day I met a Vietnamese lady when I took my children to school. We became friends and she invited me to a Vietnamese Womens Group at the Glebe Town Hall. I enjoyed the meeting and and became a member of the group. The group was run by two workers, Anh Do from Centrecare and Thao Do from Leichhardt Women's Health Center.
The main aim of the group is to support Vietmese women, from old to young. If they have a problem or hard time, or if they don't know how take care of their children in Australia because of cultural difference, the group will help them. Speakers come to the meetings and talk about women's health. We have a lot of activities, like exercises, dancing, swimming, or going to the markets. Every month we celebrate the birthdays of the women in the group. We have lunches at the Town Hall where we cook Vietnamese meals.
We have sometimes gone on long trips away. We went to Wollongong to visit the Temples and the beaches. This year in June we will to Moree for three days.
The women in my group take care of each other. It is like a big family. We share our experiences. It has helped me a lot and I have been glad to help others.
If you want to know more, please email me. thihoanguyen6494@gmail.com
Living In Glebe - Linh's story
My name is Linh. I have lived in Glebe about 2 years. I live very close to the shops and Glebe public shool. This area is very noisy but I really like living here. It's easy for me to take my son to school and easy for me to go shopping. Wentworth park is nearby too. The park is very nice. Every night I see people playing socer and every Saturday night I hear the dog races.
Most of the people in Glebe are very nice. But there are some young children who don't go to school. They are very naughty and sometimes have very bad behaviour. If frightens me . Sometimes when I pick up my son from school, the children try to make me give them money. When I say I don't have any, they call me names and sometimes throw rocks at me. This is a big challeng for me. One time I had to call the police. They did come and talk to the kids. But the kids still come back. I hope the Council will do more about this situation soon!
That is all I know about the Glebe. I am sure I will know more next year.
Most of the people in Glebe are very nice. But there are some young children who don't go to school. They are very naughty and sometimes have very bad behaviour. If frightens me . Sometimes when I pick up my son from school, the children try to make me give them money. When I say I don't have any, they call me names and sometimes throw rocks at me. This is a big challeng for me. One time I had to call the police. They did come and talk to the kids. But the kids still come back. I hope the Council will do more about this situation soon!
That is all I know about the Glebe. I am sure I will know more next year.
Anne's story
Hello everyone-- I am going to attempt to tell all how I originally got to Australia. So I should preface that with telling you I am originally from the US. I was taking a course in SanFransico where I met someone from here and we began talking and got along really well. They told me all about Australia and I was intrigued and thought it would be fun to come here and see for myself.
The next step was to get a 6 month visa which was more difficult then I thought it would be [but then again at the time I was an American!!]. Oh, I should have mentioned that the date was 1983.
The next step was to get a 6 month visa which was more difficult then I thought it would be [but then again at the time I was an American!!]. Oh, I should have mentioned that the date was 1983.
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