Other memories of Malvern include :
The influenza epidemic of 1919 - Masks, covering mouth and nose, worn by people when outdoors, church services held in the church grounds, compulsory inoculation for citizens. A photographer who travelled in a phaeton, periodically visiting schools, taking photos of pupils in class group formation, always a boy sitting with legs crossed in the centre of the front row and holding a slate on which was written the class number and year. A man with his workshop cart, he came around door to door to ask for scissors, knives etc., he would sharpen them without delay in his cart.
The organ grinder with his monkey walked the streets , stopping at intervals to grind out the music. He never called in for money but once money was given to him he made sure to play outside your house on his next visit. Louey Kouey Kee the very polite Chinese man who supplied his customers with flavoured tea in packets or in decorated tins. For transport he had a two-wheeled van. Chinese market-gardeners with their four-wheel vans, delivering vegetables to their customers. The first electric train via Malvern station in 1922.
Guy Fawkes Day in November each year, collecting and stacking material on vacant land in readiness for the bonfire and firework display at night.
Shops open for business until 9.00pm on Friday nights. Shop assistants had to work from 9.00am to 9.00pm with no change of staff for night work.
Police patrol car in the 1920s, a large black limousine, and a loud ringing electric bell in use when travelling at high speed.
Travelling on one day of each week from Tooronga Road State School to Armadale State School to receive instruction in woodwork (Sloyd class).
Enrolled at Gardiner Central School for one year, 1916.
Enrolled at Swinburne Technical School for one year, 1917.
Baptist Church social outings.
Receiving as a gift a No. 0 Box Brownie Camera, using the bathroom as a darkroom to develop the films and small black and white prints.
Radio Journals and Newspapers printed diagrams and instructions showing how to construct radio receivers. Making a Crystal Radio Set for use with headphones. Making a Valve Radio Set to use with a loudspeaker.
Working as messenger at C.J.Waters footwear shop in Glenferrie Road Malvern for a few weeks before joining the Victorian Railways. Customers could arrange for footwear to be delivered to their home, on approval.
Visiting the Dentist, my dread of the treadle powered drill and removal of the nerve prior to filling a tooth.
Wearing a straw boater hat with cord attached to hat and lapel of coat to prevent it blowing away with the wind.
Purchasing designs for fretwork and cutting them out with a fret saw, using three-ply timber or wood of empty cigar boxes.
School Concert in Malvern Town Hall , on stage, one of a group of six dressed in long yellow pants, red blouse, black cap with pig-tail attached. singing, "Ching chong chinaman velly velly sad, etc." ( Racist today?) Page 13 For Page 14 Click Image Below  |
