Elsie Friend Oral History (24/10/1918- 22/12/2011)

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DescriptionThis interview consists of two audio recordings and transcripts. Elsie Friend was interviewed on 5 December 2006 at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta by Shirley Kingsford McLeod.
Interview SummaryElsie Friend was born in 1918 at Nurse Crossland’s hospital, which was a private hospital, on Railway Parade in Fairfield and she lived in the Fairfield area all her life. Her parents had moved from Victoria so that her father could work on the property at Lansdowne owned by the Crown Solicitor, Mr. Tilletts. At the property he worked in the gardens and looked after the animals and crops. On Mr Tillett’s death they moved to Carramar opposite the Public School on what was the Beckhaus Estate where they had their own home. Elsie remained in that home until she married at the age of 21. She was educated at Villawood Public School and later at Liverpool Domestic Science School.

Elsie worked for quite a few years at Miss Adams haberdashery on the corner of Ware and Harris Streets at Fairfield and her story of that well known shop, as well as other clothing shops in Fairfield, is most interesting. There were few shops where one could buy ready-made clothes; just the fabrics to make them. They also sold hats, gloves and underwear. Shoes were purchased at Down’s which was just opposite.

Elsie also tells of other shops in the area such as the cake shops and of the arrival of the American soldiers during World War Two. At that time shops where open on Saturdays until lunch time and never on Sundays.

Her husband, together with his father and brothers, ran a hardware business in Fairfield. Elsie married Lambeth Friend at the Methodist Church in Fairfield when she was 21 and their honeymoon was spent at Katoomba. They had three children in the next few years. She tells in detail about her wedding dress which she still had at the time of this interview.

Her husband served in the Australian Forces during the war and later became very involved with Fairfield RSL. He passed away in 1993 where he had been the Vice President of Fairfield RSL for 20 years. In later years Elsie’s main interest was lawn bowls. She was a patron of Fairfield RSL Bowling Club for 28 years until its closure. Elsie was also very involved in the Church of Christ at Carramar.

In this interview Elsie displays a sharp memory of life in the Fairfield area from the 1920s. She remembers the war, the families and the businesses. She remembers the horse and cart days and she also tells of the migration to the area.

Transcript

Interview Transcript - Elsie Friend - Part 2

Interview Transcript - Elsie Friend - Part 1

Audio

Interview with Elsie Friend - Part 2

Interview with Elsie Friend - Part 1

Elsie Friend Oral History (24/10/1918- 22/12/2011)

Details

IntervieweeElsie FriendInterviewerShirley Kingsford McLeodDate of interview05/12/2006DurationTotal interview: 01:31:33Transcripts availableYesRightsFairfield City CouncilAccess ConditionsAccess open for research, written permission required for personal copies and public use

Connections

Oral History ProjectThe Way We Were - People of FairfieldAll Oral Histories