When I was young and long before that, it was a common practice for young girls and women to have autograph books where they would get their friends to write short sayings and verses and sign their names. I still have one that my mother had during WW2.
Some took it one step further and collected signed photos of their friends and put them together in an album. I have been fortunate to have been given ‘part’ of one such album from the 1930’s in Kalgoorlie.
∼ For the Past Remembrance ∼
∼ For the Present Happiness ∼
∼ For the future ‘Life’s Best’ ∼
The first photograph is of a house at 18 Brookman Street, Kalgoorlie. Its says ‘The Laver Family lived here from 1920 to 1937 – Photo taken by Mr MacKay – This leads me to think it could be the album of one of the two Laver Sister or perhaps one of Mr MacKay’s daughters. Unfortunately there is nothing to say in it for sure.
18 Brookman Street, Kalgoorlie. (No longer there)
The following photographs with the accompanying messages are part of the album. I think that the album would have been compiled some time in the 1930’s so the young people in the photograph will have passes away. Hopefully there may be a relative among them of someone.
Virginia Murray – Her father was the Assayer for the South Kalgoorlie/Ivanhoe Mine. She went to university and then married. Signed ‘Always Virginia’.
Mara Elliott – Married Picton-Warlow. Her mother was the social reporter on the Kalgoorlie Miner. Her father worked on the mines. Mara was a music teacher and her daughter also became a musician. Signed ‘Every good wishes, Mara Picton-Warlow’
Edith Hill signed ‘Best Wishes, Edith Hill’.
Ruth Hocking signed ‘Happy Future Ruth’
Leonie Elliott, her father was a Chemist next door to the Old Australia Hotel. She married and went overseas to America and Canada. Signed ‘Best Wishes Leonie’
‘Best Wishes for your future Marcia’
Cora Kennedy Signed ‘Best of Luck Cora
Joyce Brimage – Her father was the mayor of Kalgoorlie fir a while. He had a big chaff store. Signed ‘With every good wish for the future Joyce 1937’.
Curley Davidson – not signed
Floy Davidson later Matthew
May Friendship as in Days of yore
Find Kind Remembrance knocking at your door
Marnie Shaw – Secretary at the Kalgoorlie Town Hall. Signed ‘ Happy Memories Marnie’.
Signed ‘Best Wishes Gweneth’
Signed ‘Best Wishes Jo’
Signed ‘Very Best Wishes Kath’
Our Friendships are the flowers in life’s garden
Ruth Brewer – Her father was the Anglican Archdeacon in Kalgoorlie. Signed ‘Happy Memories Ruth’
Best of Luck for the future ‘Phil’
Always keep a grin like this Q B
“The Boyfriend’.
Moya Sharp
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