DescriptionThis interview consist of one audio recording and transcript. Ruth Lunn was interviewed on 10 September 2007, at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta by Marilyn Gallo.Interview SummaryRuth Lunn, nee Gavin, was born on 25 August 1915 and is the mother of Beverley Argall. Ruth moved to Fairfield in 1924 when her father, a fireman on the railways, was transferred to the area. They lived at Glenfield initially but with the onset of the Depression her father lost his job and went to Katoomba to work. He later returned to the railways working at Clyde.
Ruth attended Fairfield Public school and then went on to what was to be Parramatta Domestic Science School. She finished her schooling at the age of 14 which was fairly common in those times and as her grandmother was losing her eyesight, Ruth went to Bellingen to look after her for three years.
Upon returning to Fairfield, Ruth took up work at the Australian Guarantee Corporation in Hunter Street Sydney, where she worked as a switchboard operator. She travelled to the city each day by train and stayed there in employment until her marriage in 1938.
Her husband had a job on a poultry farm and they lived in a shack on her brother-in-law’s property in Ware Street, Fairfield. In 1943 they bought their own property and poultry farm at St Johns Park. Eggs from the 3000 chickens had to be collected twice a day, washed, graded and packed for market. As well as working on the farm, Ruth looked after the family and all household chores.
In her interview Ruth describes the Fairfield area and how she danced at the School of Arts and regularly attended movies. She also tells us of walking to Prospect Hill and seeing the now demolished Veteran Hall. Another pastime for Ruth was Latty’s Boatshed where they hired rowboats and picnicked. They also went prawning. Most important to her was her church activity.
Ruth, as did many girls of the day, sewed all her own clothes and knitted all her jumpers. She still lives in Canley Vale.
