Winifred Ida Louise (Ida) LATIMER ¹¹⁹

  Events

• The district Andover spans the boundaries of the counties of Hampshire and Wiltshire.

Andover today is a town of about 30,700 people. The town has been in continuous habitation since Saxon times and was granted its first charter in 1175 by King Henry II.

Throughout its history it has been situated on important lines
of communication; the ancient Harrow Way passed just north of the town, coaches on the Exeter route stopped there and during the railway age there were stations on North-South and East-West lines.

• Ida came to Australia on 1st August, 1907, with her mother and father, and little brother Fred.

Her family sailed on the S.S. Miltiades, their journey from England to Brisbane book one month and seventeen days. The Latimer Family were Remittance passengers.

Ida's family was noted in the ships records as:

Walter E. 30, Farm Labourer
Annie E. 32, housewife
Winnie I. L. 3
Fred P. 1

In the column "Read and Write" was entered yes for Walter and Annie.

In another part of the records, Walter was described as "Farm Servant".

Ida's younger brother Henry Ernest Edward, and her sister Edna Sylvia, would later be born in Australia.

• The S. S. Miltiades, a twin-screw liner was completed in 1903 in Glasgow for the Aberdeen Line service to Cape Town and Australia. Her sister ship, the 'Marathon', was built the same year.

As well as carrying passengers, the ships had refrigerated, insulated cargo holds for transporting meat or fruit.

• In 1920, the SS Miltiades and the SS Marathon were sold to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Ltd and renamed the 'Orcana' and the 'Oruba' respectively.

The 'Orcana' was broken up in 1922.

The Orcana is shown here, berthed.

• Ida was a typist at the time of her marriage to John Arthur in August 1925.

• Ida was a member of the Brisbane Women's Club, one of the oldest women's clubs in Queensland. It was formed on 13 February 1908, in No. 27, Kent's Building, Adelaide Street, Brisbane.

The Brisbane Womens Club was founded by Miss M. A. Ogg (1863-1953) and established in 1908 to "provide a social and cultural centre for women. To encourage free discussion on subjects of public importance, social, political, and municipal”.

Margaret Ogg came from a strict Presbyterian background - her father was the Ann Street Church minister. She was involved with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union which took up the suffrage campaign in the 1890s.

Margaret travelled western Queensland, visiting women on isolated properties and holding public gatherings in country towns, raising awareness of issues relating to women's voting.

Poet and writer, Margaret Ann Ogg worked as a journalist and edited the women's section of the United Grazier, a NSW publication, using the pseudonym "Ann Dante" (Andante).

She built up a network of white country women who would request her to shop for them. She was active in Brisbane literary circles and sub-edited the Presbyterian Austral Star.

In 1903, she co-founded Queensland Women's Electoral League with Brisbane Mayoress, Mrs Leslie Corrie.

Queensland Women's Electoral League was conservative, anti-socialist and pro- private enterprise. Its membership was drawn from women in professions and wives of businessmen. At its height, there were 60 branches across Queensland and 16000 members.

In her reminiscences, she recalls travelling around the outback, with a Mrs Anderson, on speaking tours promoting suffrage for women. When she was refused the use of the public halls (which happened more and more often as her reputation preceded her), she would speak from atop her sulky, using it as an open air platform. Here we have one of the few insights into the personal difficulties and abuse these women faced in their attempt to speak to other women about their new political rights. Ogg accused some of her hecklers as being paid. Who were these men, we could ask. Who was paying them?

The League continued after women gained the right to vote, seeking other reforms including women in parliament, women police officers, women on government boards, amendments to the Criminal Code to raise the age of consent to 17 and the introduction of the Testators Family Maintenance Act, providing some protection to widows left penniless on the death of their husbands. It also advocated 'equal pay for equal work'.

Margaret remained its organising secretary for 27 years, until 1930.

The League merged with the conservative Women's Political Club in 1949

In the early 1900’s the committee and members of this club were a driving force in making our young city a better place for women to live and work, and a great deal of time and thought went into the constitution of this club, by which we abide.

An educational, social, cultural and civic centre for women to encourage free discussion.

• Ida assisted in the wonderful contribution made to the lives ouf countless women and children living in rural communities through the efforts of The Queensland Country Women's Association.

Established in 1922 (young Ida was merely eighteen years old), The Queensland Country Women's Association is one of the largest women's organisations in Queensland. QCWA is non-party political and non-sectarian.

The Queensland Country Women's Association was declared by letters patent to be a Body Corporate on the 13th July, 1926.

All women over 16 years of age are welcome. (Younger Set and Associate Members from birth).

The role of the QCWA has been to improve education, health and welfare for, and to enrich the lives of women and children and hence the family, particularly in the isolated areas of Queensland.

The Association's standing in the community is impeccable; its management of members' and public funds beyond reproach. Where there are surplus funds from an Association project, these are allocated to maintenance of other projects, servicing a community need.

Involvement is voluntary.

QCWA activities: -

. Providing training programs at live-in Region Meetings, Younger Set Leadership Schools, Rural Computer Workshops, Health and Literacy Seminars
. Awarding Bursaries to primary / secondary / tertiary students
. Providing crisis, disaster and emergency help
. Giving assistance through the Rural Crisis Trust Fund to families in need due to prolonged drought
. Special interest groups including Handcraft, Music & Drama, Public Speaking, Dressmaking, Cookery, Knitting & Crochet, Floral Art and International involvement through Country of Study
. A Social Issues Fact Finding Team which continually monitors issues of concern affecting rural, regional and remote Queensland

• QCWA facilities for the public include: -
. Student Hostels in Brisbane and Country centres - tertiary, secondary and primary levels
. Aged Care Facilities - affordable long term accommodation
. Accommodation, Ruth Fairfax House, Brisbane - close to hospitals for Patient Transport Support
. Holiday, Respite and Emergency Accommodation from Gold Coast to Cairns
. Child Care Centres, Kindergartens, Playgrounds, waiting Mothers rooms
. Hospital Haven - Tea Rooms
. Halls - Restrooms
. Royal Flying Doctor Service Clinic Room

The Queensland Countrywoman - QCWA publishes its own magazine "The Queensland Countrywoman" - 10 copies per year posted to every member.
QCWA's National Involvement - affiliation with Country Women's Association of Australia (CWA of A), with consultative status to the Australian Government of the day, but remaining autonomous.

QCWA's International Involvement - affiliation with Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), the World's largest organisation of rural women and home-makers, with consultative status to several United Nations humanitarian committees such as UNESCO, WHO, UNICEF. ACWW strives to improve the standard of living for all women and their families.

The Queensland Country Women's Association has given more than 82 years of voluntary community service at local, state, national and world levels.

• Ida served as President of the South Coast Divison during the years of 1959 to 1962. Many fine works were supported by the Ladies of the CWA, with their activities during 1959 giving some idea of the vastness of their good works. Ida is seen here with her CWA colleagues, third from the left.

The State of Queensland's Centenary Year ~ 1959 ~ was a busy one. Visits by Princess Alexander of Kent and Princess Alice, the mother of Lady May Abel Smith, Dame Enid Lyons as Guest Speaker at Conference, and the newly honoured Dame Alice Berry, World President of A.C.W.W. coupled with the honour of OBE bestowed on Mrs K. Mylne, gave some indicate of the prestige enjoyed by the name of the QCWA.

The building of the new Ruth Fairfax House was nearly completed although there was much hard work still to be finalised. Both the architects, COngrad & Gargett, and the Contractors, K.D. Morris & Co. have had a long association with the QCWA. It is interesting to note that the Foundation Stone was laid by the Deputy Premier, Hon. K.J. Morris, no connection. This was a massive undertaking by the Association and a clearer picture of the financial costs was given in the following years. By 1959 donations had reached £17,221 and expenditure amounted to £11,921.

Rest Rooms at Jimna, Dimbulah, Augathella and Ironside were opened with a Hall at Esk and the Waiting Mothers' Hostel at Cloncurry. Caboolture and Ingham Members operated successful Kindergartens. The many tennis courts had been added to by Thangool with two courts and a pavilion, as had Cypress. The QCWA set up, administered and owned 38 Waiting Mothers' Hostels and 13 Students' Hostels. Three others were administered, but owned by the Shires. The Students' Hostels were established to enable country children to secure a Secondary education close to home at a very nominal fee. While members worked so hard for these Hostels, they continued to push for more available secondary education. They rejoiced in the establishment of State High School Tops and separate High Schools in country areas.

Results of the sale of the QCWA Lady Lavarack Cookery Book, launched as a Centenary Project, were an unqualified sucess. The QCWA members had a reputation as excellent cooks, possibly due to the fact that they recognised the profits to be made in prepared food. The policy of independence was established many years before and Government Grants were only accepted in areas such as Hostels where the Government itself had requested help. The result was a great deal of fund raising by members. At the 1959 State Conference an offer was received form the Queensland Country Life Newspaper Management that would change the whole concept of fund riasing. The Newspaper suggested that the QCWA should conduct a Cookery Contest to raise money for the Ruth Fairfax Building Fund and offered to donate £300 in prize money. All entry money and sale of cakes, etc. were to go to the QCWA and all entries to be accompanied by a form taken from the paper. The proposal was accepted unanimously and the Scheme was launched throughout Queensland with Brochures setting out the fules and information and distribution of same paid for by Queensland Country Life.

A targt of £2,000 was set for the first Contest and, if every member had made one cake or pot of jam, it would have been reached.

During the year Simpson Bros. granted prizes in the semi-finals of the Sponge cake sections and Q.A.L. and T.A.A. Airlines offered to transport items free of charge. Thus began the wonderful tradition of the Queensland Country Life sponsored QCWA Cookery Contest.

More than 100 CWA voices, under the leadership of Mrs. F. Cahill, ATCL. of South Coast Division, formed the Choir which performed during the Women's special Centenary Memorial Service in Brisbane.

• During the year 1959, support of the Journal was not shown by subscribers and Mrs Ida Weddell, as advertising representative, maintained old advertisers and collected new ones.

The Associate Editor, Mrs. Peter Bell, was replaced by Mrs. K. McIntyre with Mrs. R. Voller as Editor and the Nundah Printing Co was the printer.

• Post war Australia gradually abolished rationing of common fuels and foodstuff and the expansion of services such as electricity, communicationa nd transport to the whole State slowly began. QCWA members were concerned with cruelty to calves and pigs during marketing. They deplored the ill treatment of stock trucked to Cannon Hill and similar places while waiting for the abattoirs to process them. Agents were requested to be responsible and a minimum weight of 50lbs was called for. Support for a stronger RSPCA with a Government subsidy was given. Requests made at Conferences during the 1950s included:

. Three year trained teachers for one teacher schools.
. More equitable allowance of petrol and a uniform price.
. Wages paid to governesses be allowed as deductions for Income Tax.
. Removal of word 'illegitimate' from birth certificates.
. Better care for blind children.
. Provision of hospitals for the teatment of nerve cases rather than asylums.
. Assistance for returned soldiers to procure land in a quicker and easier fashion.
. Assistance for migrants to be absorbed into Australian way of life.
. A page for advertising QCWA Homes and Cottages in the Journal.
. Formation of Choirs, Choral and Dramatic groups by QCWA branches.
. Extension of Rural Schools and free or subsidised school transport.
. Extension of electricity at a more reasonable charge.
. Exemption of probate up to £2,000 for dependant widows or spinsters who interited money from an Estate.
. A Chair of Home Science and Economics

• Ida's good friend and neighbour, Mrs Eileen Wulf, also served on the Country Women's Association, in a variety of positions, one of which was the organiser of the Emergency Housekeeper Scheme.

During the year ending December 1948, applications for the services of the Housekeepers had been even more numerous.

Housekeepers were in short supply as reported by the Convenor of Emergency Housekeeper Scheme, Mrs. E. Barm (Agnes):

This year has been rather disappointing/or some Centres; for instance Rockhampton, Nambour, Charleville and Goondiwindi Centres have had to mark time because of resignations of their housekeepers. These Centres have done excellent work in the past, and I hope it will not be long before they are active again. Maryborough Centre is doing excellent work with its three Housekeepers, and the Cairns Centre has not looked back since its formation. They have one permanent Housekeeper, but Mrs. Coombs has four or five women on whom she can call for occasional work, and she keeps them all busy. Barcaldine, Mackay, Roma, Warwick, Gladstone and Brisbane Centres are doing good work, whilst Toowoomba has two housekeepers and Dalby has one. Miss Lendgrin, of the Toowoomba Centre, has been with us for 8 1/2 years, and Miss Dascombe for 8 years.

Isn't that wonderful? And they are both just as keen on their work as when they started with us. The Housekeepers are all wonderful women and I am grateful to them for all the kindly acts they are doing all day long... I do think that all our objectives should have good financial backing, but finance should be the last thing considered in this great work of ours.

The Club filled a need for country women who came to Brisbane for medical or recuperative reasons and had accommodated 495 women and 57 children. It was recognised that student accommodation in Brisbane was limited. A new hardwood dining room floor cost £80/ 19 /- and the 'old kitchen' had been equipped for use by mothers. An extension of the Committee named Mesdames R. Baldock (Chairman), H. Wulf (Sec. Treasurer), H. Stanley, V. Sanderson, M. Macfarlane, A. Hendy, McKenzie, Fruitier, McCray and Bechtell. The manageress, Mrs. Shearer, was replaced through illness by Mrs. Broadhead.

• Eileen was the State Chairman of the Committee formed to organise the Emergency Housekeeper Scheme for the years 1953, and 1955.

In the CWA report for the year ending 31 December 1955, we find the following report:

The State Organiser of the E.H.S, Mrs E. Wulf, reported that, although wages were now £6/10 a week, housekeepers were no easier to obtain. A total of 342 cases had been cared for and Miss Simon, from overseas, was employed in the South Western Division. Rules had been drawn up and distributed to centres.

In a later report (1965):

It would appear that Mrs. C. B. Peter Bell (Hilda) coined the now common name for the E.H.S. as the 'Silent Service', because, in her words:

It had to be. So much is confidential, so much can never be written in a Report, but this year I have seen the joy on a sick mother's face when I have delivered a 'Mary Poppins' to her door and she knows that she can have that 'immediate operation' that has been waiting for months. And I have also heard the despair in a husband's voice when after days of telephoning we have to admit there is no one we can send.

She also spoke of her difficulty in understanding why:

there is still a reluctance on the part of some parents to accept the Government Subsidy when they are not able to pay the whole £9 per week which we must give our Housekeepers if we are to attract the capable women that this scheme demands. It is strange that the same people who will accept as natural free milk, free blood donations and free hospitalisation baulk at the idea of free domestic help. This seems to be a phenomena in Queensland only, as the other States are using far more subsidy, and if we are to make our scheme prosper as the Federal Government hopes it will, then we must continue to stress that it is the Committees who pay the Housekeepers and not the applicant; and the Committees know their work is confidential.

• During its years of formation QCWA was often seen as a matrimonial bureau, and Miss Nevell, in the Silver Jubilee Journal, told of one man who wrote:

"Would it be possible for you to get me a wife?

You see so many travelling around as you do; you'll see so many girls who would like to marry a nice man - but she must be able to milk cows, ride round the paddock seeing to the stock, be a good housekeeper, especially a good cook, and not fond of gadding about to dances and the like - and I don't want her to do CWA work, as you never see them at home. "

Miss Nevell continued:

In the early days our idea was to bring the branches to the women- to have little branches in various parts of the Shire, I used to go away into the bush- any direction - say, to cross roads anywhere that was central and meet the bush women there. We would sit on logs and drink billy tea and eat wonderful home made scones and cakes and TALK. This accounted for our nearly reaching the century in membership those first few years until I got the Branches formed - Burra Burn, Nudley, Wambo, Sixteen Mile Creek, Brigalow and others.

One day a woman drove up in her sulky, and, calling me over, asked, 'May I sit here and listen?' So we sat on a log close to her. Later she told me that she had worked as a clerk in an office in Sydney before she had married and although she was happy enough, the dreadful drought, the prickly pear and the loneliness nearly drove her mad.

She had nothing to read and had come because Miss Nevell had written to tell her about the Bush Book Club. The reason why she could not leave the sulky - the dog had chewed the toes out of her only pair of shoes - but her husband had insisted that she came, (he may have regretted his encouragement as she became a dedicated member.)

Another story relates to the formation of a Branch where a woman asked not to be elected to office as she could not afford the 5/- to join because of the drought. She eventually became the branch president.

• Ida became heavily involved in the Ruth Fairfax Building Committee. From the report of the year 1954, we find the extensive background to this tremendous project, achieved by the CWA members.

The land and building known as 'Toxteth' adjoining the Club still remains a State responsibility with a debt owing to the Commonwealth Bank of £2,161 plus loan from Reserve Account £600, a total of £2,761. Serious consideration of the future reduction of this debt will need to be made by Conference.

In a letter addressed to a Mrs. K. A. Lemon, 38 Rialto St. Coorparoo and dated 15th April 1954 from Sharp & Musgrave, Auctioneers and Valuers, Queen St. Brisbane, it is stated that:

" In reply to your letter of the 14th. instant in regard to the removal of 'Toxteth' Gregory Terrace, we have sold a few old style cottages for removal lately at much reduced prices the position is now that we have quite a number of houses of this type on the market and the demand has eased considerably. One rather large wooden residence on Coronation Drive which was sold by auction, realised only £100: another place adjoining was sold for £50; another place which was advertised in the Valley, inviting offers, was eventually sold for £200.

You will probably have noted in the advertisements in recent weeks that there have been quite a number of houses advertised for removal which makes it very difficult to say just what would be obtained at the present time. In view of these recent sales, we consider it may be necessary to accept somewhere in the vicinity of £100 for this building. If you decide to have an auction sale, the expenses would be the advertising costs plus commission, 5% of the sale price. The advertising expenses would approximate £25 to £30. From experience however, we think it would be necessary to advertise the place for sale and invite offers and erect a sign on the property itself. In such case, advertising costs would not exceed about £10."

The building was eventually sold for £90, to whom is not clear but the following Report on Brisbane's Historic Homes as quoted from an article by F. Lord in The Queenslander, 10 March 1932, gave some little known information:

"It is hard to realise, when glancing at this quaint fronted and well preserved house that might have been erected within this century, that it is quite venerable in age and full of historic interest. It was used many years ago as an inn, I have been told, but in about what year I do not know. Its name, I think, was the Star and Garter. The bow windowed room was the bar in the Star and Garter days.

The position for an inn on what was then, no doubt, the main road to the North was an excellent one, and among its patrons would have been the teamsters who camped in what is now Victoria Park, then known as Yorks Hollow. Describing this part when he first came to Brisbane in 1854 Mr. Nehemiah Bartley, in his book, “Opals and Agate” says 'York's Hollow, below the present site of Gregory-terrace, was a pleasant glade, full of clear water lagoons, for which nearly every level hollow in the Moreton Bay country is famous.'

The article went on to name a Thomas B. H. Christie, 'a Scotchman', as the first occupant of the house sometime in the 1860s. It was believed he conducted a day school under the name of the Non-vested Primary School. The first schools in Queensland were denominational but were subsidised by the Government, but this school was believed to be privately funded the article continued. He may have boarded some children from homes at a distance.

A photograph, in possession of Mr. Francis Hall, architect, taken in about the year 1870 is reported as showing Mr. & Mrs. Christie with pupils, a clergyman and a pupil teacher named John Edmiston. The terrace was named after Sir A C Gregory who lived further along the terrace in 'Mornington'. Prize books known to have been presented to John Edmiston and marked 'Gregory-terrace Non-vested School' and dated 1870 were seen by F. E. Lord.

The article continued to describe the conduct of school in the large bow-windowed room and mentioned pupils who became important citizens of Brisbane. Mr. Christie was later appointed master of the Ashgrove State School to which post he followed the 'well known Queensland poet, Mr. James Brunton Stephens'.

After Mr. Christie's time a Mr. J. M'Clay, inspector of buildings in the Education Department, occupied the building and the Hall family lived there at one time. In 1907 it was purchased from a Mr. Robert Rendie, Registrar of Friendly Societies, who is believed to have named 'Toxteth' after Toxteth Park, in Lancashire, England. The Hon. J. G. Drake occupied it until 1924. He sold it to the widow of Mr. John Bergin and it was, in 1932, rented by a nurse, Mrs. de Mattos - and her husband, in connection with the house on its right hand - the late house of Mr. Chapman- which was conducted as a private Hospital. ... (Holyrood? purchased by QCWA in June 1943 from Miss Paten - building £3,600 and Mr. Charlesworth - furniture and goodwill £1,900.)

The front part of Toxteth was the same as it was 60 years ago. Copies of photos held in the QCWA archives show a very interesting building. Part of the stone portions are said to have been built by convicts and the outer boards were of exceptional width. The description given of the staircases, archways, balconies, fireplaces and cedar mantelpieces of this unusual home opened a treasure chest of enquiry yet to be finalised. It is not mentioned, in my reading, in what state of repair the building stood when purchased.

• As stated in the State President's Report in 1955, the Club became the responsibility of the South Coast Division. The above information on Toxteth gives a different concept on the decision, as quoted, 'instructed by Council, that I may not say it was our wish to sell the old building' I quote part of the Report given by the Chairman, Mrs. P. Baldock:

Our energies since May, 1954, were devoted to the reduction of debt on what we named our 'Extension Fund'. It has been stated that my appeal to Branches had little response. The reason for that was, I was instructed by Council, that I may not say it was our wish to sell the old building for removal and build State and/or South Coast Division offices on the ground floor and a Student Hostel above . This because we had not received Government approval (which ensures £ 1 for £1 subsidy) prior to the purchase.

A great number of members were disappointed that I did not move a Resolution at Conference to this effect. It has also been said that Council should not have purchased the building without the Branches were circularised - which was, of course, impossible as a quick decision was necessary. Council was in session and any blame rests with your own Council Member. In consequence of this, I decided to circularise every Delegate at Conference, 1954, and put the plain facts before them, and in no way influence them. The South Coast Division has not taken over the 'Extension Fund' - and this account has been transferred to the State Office.

Feeling, to a large extent, responsible for the purchase of this property, I am willing to offer my services to the State and do my best with all your assistance to wipe this debt and to enable you to make a decision on the future use of this property. I think it is a most valuable possession and will consolidate our position which will, some day, be the Dress Circle of Brisbane.

If we build modern State Offices and Recreation Board Room, etc. on very solid foundations, later when finance permits it will be possible to build up to 10 floors, if necessary, for whatever purposes the members of the Association desire ... and now, in saying good-bye to my grand Committee I do so with much sadness, and on your behalf and my own I wish the South Coast Division and the new Club Committee the same happiness and sense of fulfilment we have in our work.

In 1957, State Conference had agreed to preliminary plans being made for a new State building which it was proposed to erect on Gregory Terrace. The proposal submitted to the branches outlined plans for a State Office, Assembly Room and Club to be incorporated in the new building and the present Club to be used as a Students' Hostel. State Conference had agreed to use an amount of £1,208 from the Penny-a-week Fund to assist in the liquidation of the debt on the Gregory Terrace property.

Money, £433 , still held from the sale of the Bardon land which was given to the Association by Mr. Peter Petersen, was added to this and the old building, 'Toxteth', sold for removal realised £90. This account was renamed 'The State Building Account'. Subsidy received by the Hostels and the E.H.S. amounted to approximately £16,000.

• By 1958, the building of the new Ruth Fairfax House was nearly completed although there was much hard work still to be finalised. Both the architects, Conrad & Gargett, and the Contractors, K. D. Morris & Co. have had a long association with QCWA. It is interesting to note that the Foundation Stone was laid by the Deputy Premier, Hon. K. J. Morris, no connection. This was a massive undertaking by the Association and a clearer picture of the financial costs was given in the following years.

By 1959, donations had reached £17,221 and expenditure amounted to £11,921 .

• Ida was President of the South Coast Division for the year of 1960.

During 1960, it is reported that Mesdames J. Speed, T. Green, J. Weddell and J. Howe, members of the Ruth Fairfax State Building Committee, were added to the Management Committee which consisted of Mesdames G. Ball, J. Ford, J. French, E. McMahon, M. Motal, E. Pendrey, V. Sanderson, C. Easy, A. Smith, and G. Whitehouse (Elsie) as Chairman.

1960 was a momentous year for the Queensland Country Womens Association. The QCWA Club in the new Ruth Fairfax House was opened for guests on 7 November, 1960, and by 31 December 176 guests had stayed there. The State President, Dame Alice Berry, wrote:

In this building we see the fruits of our labour, and we rejoice in the accomplished fact, it is our monument to those who in the past by their wisdom and inspiration laid the path for ust to follow, and it stands as a reminder to all, of our faith in the future of our own organisation and the State of Queensland. We have built not just for today, but for posterity.

• Mesdames J. Speed (Marie), T. Green and M. Motal took up residence in the Club, while the others came in daily to help take delivery and unpack goods, wash china, glassware and turn the building into a welcoming haven for guests due to arrive within a week. Mrs. E. Broadhead was the Manageress and the tariff was £7.7s. for members and £10.10s. for non-members full board.

A Conference decision resulted in the purchase and sale between October and December 1960, of 1,000 dozen tea towels, featuring a design of Ruth Fairfax House. This netted £1,500 toward the debt repayment. Sale of 'Lady Lavarack Cookery Books' resulted in a profit of £1,600 with £1,000 of this transferred to the Building Account.

In 1962, as Chairman of the State Catering Committee, Mrs. Millicent Motal, was pleased to donate £500 to the State Building Fund from the proceeds of catering for such functions as Commonwealth Bank Valley Branch celebrated the bank's Golden Jubilee with afternoon tea served to 400 clients and guests over two days; an electrical firm asked for 300 to be catered for at a party for staff; Christmas dinner for the Water Commission at Rocklea; like all QCWA catering Committees State-wide these fund raisers knew that in catering lay hard work but good financial results.

• For many years Ida was a volunteer for the CWA, serving on the Music and Drama Committee in 1961.

The present Music and Drama Committee's high standards are reflected in their request for entrants in the Music and Drama Festival - "Please be eager to compete, and gracious in defeat".

Entries for 2004 were requested in the areas of Songwriting, Drama, Music, and Written Sketch.

• This superb painting of Ida was done by Una Walk. Ida's children referred to this lady as Aunty Una, she was such a close and dear friend of Ida.

• "Oil sketch from memory of Ida in her sunlit shrubbery by Una Walk"

Winifred married John Arthur WEDDELL (Snr), son of Newton (7) WEDDELL (Jnr) and Sarah BLAIR, on 22 Aug 1925 in Methodist Church, Thompson Estate, South Brisbane.⁹⁷ (John Arthur WEDDELL (Snr) was born on 21 Oct 1902 in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne,^97,99 died on 11 Jul 1980 ⁹⁷ and was buried (Cremated and ashes scattered) in Mount Thompson Crematorium, Nursery Road, Holland Park, Brisbane ¹⁰⁰.)

• The officiating minister at John and Ida's wedding was Albert E. Fox, of the Methodist Church, Thompson Estate, South Brisbane.

Albert was born in London, in 1865, and entered the ministry in 1887, at the age of twenty-two . He would have been sixty years old when he married John and Ida, who were only twenty-two and twenty-four respectively.

Albert married Alice Mary Matilda Rosser in 1888, somewhere in country Queensland. Their children were Elsie May (born 26 August 1889), Stanley Claude (born 16th January 1893), and Dorothy Lillian (born 17th September 1894). All children were born in Queensland, with little Stanley being born in Brisbane.

Albert died on 5th April, 1935, and was buried in the Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane.