Venus Adrienne (Vene) was born, 1912, Inglewood.

Prior August 1913 the family moved to Bridgewater where Vene’s brothers Alfred and Hugh (Hughie) and sister, Leaflet attended school and from August 1913 until early 1914 the family lived in Moliagul where Vene’s brothers, Alfred and Hugh, and sister Leaflet attended school.

In early 1914 the family moved to Newbridge (as noted on Alfred, Hugh and Leaflet’s school records) and where Vene’s father, Alfred, worked as a “miner” and later in 1914, to Fryerstown where Vene’s father continued work as an “engine-driver”.

By late 1915 the family were again back in Newbridge (as noted on brother Thomas’s school records) and were still there in 1916 (as noted on Zephyr’s school records).

In 1919 the family moved to Diamond Hill, Bendigo and by 1924 closer to central Bendigo at 627 Hargreaves St.

Venus (Vene) married Norman Alexander Free in 1933.

After, their marriage Venus and Norman set about farming at Lalbert, near Quambatook (about 100 klms north-west of Bendigo). The 1936 and 1937 Commonwealth Electoral Rolls noted Norman Alexander’s occupation: “farmer” and Venus Adrian’s [sic]: “home duties” and their residence: East Lalbert, . By 1943 Venus had moved to Woorinen North; the 1943 Commonwealth Electoral Roll noted Venus Adrian’s [sic] occupation: “home duties” and residence: Woorinen North. Norman was not recorded on the Electoral Roll for that year. They remained at Woorinen North as late as 1954; the 1949 and 1954 Commonwealth Electoral Rolls noted Norman Alexander’s occupation: “labourer” and Venus Adrian’s [sic]: “home duties” and their residence: Woorinen North, .

Vene’s grand-daughter, Sonia, recalled in 2012:
Vene was a self-taught musician; playing the piano and mouthorgan ‘by ear’ while Norm skilfully played the button accordion, mouthorgan, the drums, the bones and spoons. They played at the dances most weekends around the surrounding districts: apart from Quambatook & Lalbert, they also played as far away as Ultima, Meatian & Chinkapook to name a few. They also played for kitchen teas & many, many balls. They would always play in harmony together.

Vene milked her own cow, separating the milk to make cream and butter. She made the best cream puffs in the district. Her old wooden rolling pin (which belonged to her mother, Alice) was handed to her daughter Joyce who uses it all the time (she too, is one of the best cooks in the district - ask anyone from Quamby!! And I hope she hands it down to me).

Norm was enlisted in the army during World War II and was based in Darwin. He was due to fly out to New Guinea but got word that Vene was very ill and had to return home. He remained and worked on a fruit block before moving back to a farm at Lalbert and then later moved into Quambatook.


Acknowledgements:
• Rick Smith, Launceston Tasmania, Australia
• Joyce Tuohey, Quambatook, Victoria, Australia
• Billy Warburton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

References:
Births, baptisms, marriages, deaths & burials (Aust):
• Digger, 2005, Marriage Index Victoria 1921-1942, extract for Deason (ref – D_Doc_#105)
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Vic), 2001, Historical Index (1855-1920), extract for Deason (ref – D_Doc_#106)
• Greg Campbell, 2008, Photograph of Norman William and Jennifer Maree Free graves (ref – D_Pho_#304)
Family trees & history:
• Billy Warburton, 1969, Deason Family Tree (ref – D_Doc_#015)
• probably Venus Free (nee Deason), c1967, Deason Family Tree (ref – D_Doc_#016)
• Rick Smith, 2005, Deason Family Tree, (ref – D_Doc_#136)
Other information:
• State Elementary School, Moliagul, No 746, 1914-1970, Pupils’ Register (ref – D_Doc_#279)
• Commonwealth Electoral Office, 1914, Dunolly, & Campbell’s Creek, Vic, 1919, 1924, Golden Square, Vic, 1936 & 1937, Quambatook, Vic, 1943, 1949, 1954, Swan Hill, Vic (ref – D_Doc_#290)
• Joyce Tuohey, 2005, Correspondence
• Sonia Oliver, 2012, Correspondence

Death registration: 10144.