June Alice Caine Oral History

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DescriptionThis interview consists of two audio recordings and transcripts. June Alice Caine was interviewed on 2 February 2002 at the Whitlam Library,Cabramatta by Shirley McLeod.Interview SummaryJune Alice Caine was born in Sydney. Her parents, Anne Ginman and John Flanagan had two children; June and Joyce (born on 2nd February 1918). The Flanagan family were Catholics and John Flanagan worked as a union secretary.

June's first childhood recollections were from the suburb of Kingsford (near the racecourse). The family moved to Bondi Junction when June turned 12. After her parents’ separation, she moved to Bondi.

June attended school at the Holy Cross College in Woollahra until she was 14.

June began her working life with a jewelry manufacturer in Randwick. During the war years, June worked as a clerk in the Public Service at the PMG (Postmaster General). The Transmissions Standards Office was located near Circular Quay. June also worked in an office that issued ration cards and coupons to newborn babies and their mothers. Her last job was at Small’s Chocolate, in Stanmore.

June met her husband, Walter Frederick Caine while they were corresponding to each other during the time he served in the Navy. The couple married in 1945 at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney. They had 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. Her children attend schooling at the Fairfield Convent, Patrician Brothers College, Fairvale Public, and Fairvale High School.

After the marriage, Walter returned to the Navy and was demobilised in 1946. Walter found employment with the Maritime Services Board where he worked as seaman on their tugs and dredges. Walter also worked as a crewmember on the old Captain Cook ship. Eventually, the couple bought a bread run business where Walter delivered bread in a truck, in the Villawood area and June did the books and helped with the deliveries each Friday.

The Caine family came to the Fairfield area in 1947 when Fairfield was still “mostly scrub”. The couple purchased a block of land (about a mile from the station) for £50 where they built their house.

June is a lifetime member of the Fairfield Art Society (the club was establish in 1961). She served as the club’s secretary for 14 years and president for many years. June was a member of the Annual Arts Show and exhibited landscape paintings in watercolour, oils, and acrylics.

Transcript

Interview Transcript - June Alice Caine - Part 2

Interview Transcript - June Alice Caine - Part 1

Audio

Interview with June Alice Caine - Part 2

Interview with June Alice Caine - Part 1

Photograph

Caines family

Details

IntervieweeJune Alice CaineFull/other names, TitlesJune Alice FlanaganInterviewerShirley Kingsford McLeodDate of interview02/02/2002DurationTotal interview 01:03:00Transcripts 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