1920 Model T Ford - Grange South Australia

This just simply says "The Three of us" Home.
So, I believe this to be taken in Jetty St., Grange, South Australia. The house on the south-east corner of the intersection with Swan St. It was #31, and now #29. As this was their home at this time, I believe.

I know Grandpa (F.W.R. Lill) had Model Ts, so I presume this is one.

The girls are his 3 daughters. Auntie Glad (Gladys Eleanor Johns), Auntie Dulcie (Dulcie Elizabeth Williamson) and my Mum (Joyce Constance Capon). Auntie Dulcie is on the hood/bonnet of the car. Mum is on the mud guard with the big brimmed hat. Auntie Dulcie was born 1905, Auntie Glad 1908, and Mum in 1912. Looking at the age of the girls, I'd say this was very early 1920s.

Tennis at the Grange, South Australia 1920s

This photo just says "Tennis". I believe this was the Lill tennis court which was next to the house they lived on on Jetty St in Grange, South Australia. The house was the south-east corner of the intersection with Swan Street. #31, now number 29 I believe. My Auntie Dulcie's house was built "where we had our tennis court, next door" I remember being told. Auntie Dulcie Williamson lived at #33, now  31.

The house opposite I believe to be the Talbot's home. I don't know if they still live there. But the build of the home seems to make it that that is indeed this location.

Also the timing seems to be right. I am fairly certain the girl in the middle is Auntie Dulcie. She was born in 1905, from memory, and certainly seems to be a late teen here. I am sure that the girl on the right is Auntie Glad (her sister), who was born in 1908, and seems to be in her teen years here. I have no idea who the others are, family members, friends, neighbours, boyfriends. I just do not know.

Dinnertime - Picnic at Belair 1920s.

"Dinnertime" Belair National Park - a picnic. Though I don't know how comfortable it was as men are wearing white shirts and ties. Most of the people I don't know they could be relatives from the families of Lill or Nation or Daley. They might also possibly be workers associated with my grandfather's building business.

My grandfather is on the right with a pipe. I've marked him with a red heart. I remember him having pocket watches on chains. One was given to my son, but I don't know if he still has it. Grandpa always smoked a pipe, and I learnt all about them, how to clean it and everything. I was very close to him. He taught me a lot of interesting things, but most I remember him as being very quiet. He spoke the least of anyone in the family. Though he was the one that would cut the string on the presents tied to the Christmas tree and read out the names. He also was the carver at meals if we had a meat that had to be carved. He would make a great display of sharpening the knife before cutting. Quite a ceremony.

My grandmother is to the right, a little behind him. All these people I knew and know their features. I could be wrong, but doubt it. She was Florence Dulcie Lill (nee Daley). The girl on the far right is Auntie Glad - Gladys Eleanor Johns (nee Lill). She looks like she is at least 15 or so, so that would date this in the early 20s, I believe. I'm taking a guess that the Model T Ford behind is grandpa's. I know he had one, or many. They loved their 'Sunday drives'. So did I - but mine were in later model cars.

Oh, and grandpa - F.W.R. Lill - Fredrick William Russon Lill (Fred), son of W.R. Lill. If you're following along, you'll find other posts on the heritage. He was a builder and built some public buildings in South Australia - and possibly Western Australia, too.

Picnic at Belair. Adelaide Hills. 1920s.

"A Happy Group" Belair. This would be at Belair National Park in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. A very popular place for a picnic. I have looked closely at the faces, and don't recognize any of the Faces. They are most likely friends, family of the Lills, or possibly even builders that worked for my Grandfather? It would be in the early 1920s judging from other photos around the same time that I have.

These photos are from the personal album of 'Auntie Dulcie' - Dulcie Elizabeth Williamson (nee Lill). She was my Aunt, and quite a lot of fun. She was married to Wally (Walter) Williamson, and they lived in Jetty St., Grange from about 1948, onwards. Uncle Wally was a well-known footballer, and some of his story can be found in Wikipedia.

Grange Primary School - Moving the Old School

More photos of the removal of the 'old' school - northern side of Jetty St. Grange Primary School - Grange (Beach), South Australia. 1981 I think. Early 80s I'm almost certain.

I attended here from about 1953 until 1960 approx. My mother attended here, so did my son.
Teachers I can remember - Mrs Watson, Mrs Morris (or was it Morrison?), Mr Clode, Mrs Clode, Mrs Churchill, Mr Thoday, Reg Goodwin, Mr Wade (headmaster), Mrs Green.
Hummm. I think I'll have to put on my thinking cap.

Original school building is square red brick building. It was my Grade 1 classroom with Mrs Watson.

The Lill Family: South Australia

I am the adopted daughter of Joyce Constance Lill (Capon). Growing up I lived with my Grandfather (F.W.R. Lill) and grandmother (Dulcie Florence Dayley - Daley). Mum and Dad (Harold William Capon).

What I find totally amazing from just today - the 22nd of April 2012 - someone remarked on me saying 'chimley' instead of 'chimney'. It was the first time I have ever been picked up on it. Not that talking about chimneys is a popular topic. I have always said it. This history has solved it for me, as I have always said that I have a 'different' accent to many Australians - I always put it down to living with grandparents who were born in the 1870s. I didn't know exactly how accurate this was!

I looked up online and chimLEY pronounciation of chimney in Dorset slang IS chimley. Since that is where the Lills came from, that is the most likely source of my accent!!!!! Amazing!

For those who are interested in Charlotte Lill (nee Scammell) the following information was obtained by Syd Welsh of Ballarat at the LDL library there.
Charlotte was the daughter of William Scammell and Hannah Brewer who were married on 23rd Jan 1816 in Ringwood Hampshire. Charlotte was born on 9th Mar. 1820 in Hampshire. She married Charles Inverlyn Lill on 17th Jun. 1848 in Dorset. Charles was a builder, carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade.

They migrated to Victoria, Australia on the "Maria Hay" departing England on the 27th Apr. 1854 and arriving in Geelong on the 23rd July 1854. They moved to South Australia by an overland route in 1866 and settled in Adelaide. Their religion is listed as Baptist, C/E. Charlotte died on 3rd Jul 1905 in Norwood, South Aus., and was buried at Payneham. Charles died on 3rd Feb. 1883 in Adelaide and is buried at WIC (sic) (THIS COULD BE West Terrace Cemetery) South Aus.

Their children were as follows:
-William Russon Lill, born 21st Apr. 1853, Dorchester; married Elizabeth Gillard Nation. (GREAT grandfather, GREAT grandmother)
-Charles Frederick Lill, born 7th Feb. 1857, Victoria; married Georgina Rose.
-Charlotte Frances Lill, born 9th Dec. 1859, Victoria; married name Fox; died 2nd Mar. 1928.
-Lavinia Lill, born 12th Aug. 1861, Victoria; married name Nation; died 22nd July 1944.

William Russon Lill married Elizabeth on 25th Oct. 1877 in Magill, South Aus. Elizabeth was the daughter of Samuel Nation and Harriet G. Warren and was born on 9th Mar 1853 in Taunton, Somerset, England. She arrived in South Aus., aboard the "Telegraph" on 23rd Jan. 1855. William is listed as a builder, contracter. They are listed as Baptists and as living at Magill, Maylands. William died on 10th Apr. 1913 at Maylands, South Aus., and is buried at Payneham, South Aus. Elizabeth died on 31st Mar 1945 at Grange (620 Seaview Rd), South Aus., and is buried at Payneham.

Their children were:
-Frederick William Russon Lill, born 29th Dec. 1878; died 22nd Jan 1962. (grandpa)
-Percy Warren Lill, born 10th Dec. 1883; died 4th Dec. 1970. (Uncle Percy - Lived in Renmark - 13th St?) I knew both, he and wife, Mary - and much of the Lill family in that area.
-Angus Cuthbert Lill, born 15th Jul. 1889; died 29th Feb. 1956. (Uncle Angus - Lived in 624 Seaview Rd. I only have dim memories of him. His son, Bill (William) died only this month. He has 2 sons (Richard, David). His wife, Auntie Bet died a few years back.

Charles Frederick Lill was a carpenter, land agent and auctioneer by trade. He and Georgina are listed as living at Stepney, Norwood, Hawthorn. Charles died on 2nd Jun. 1922 Adelaide, South Aus., and is buried at Payneham. They are listed as having one son, Alick Gladstone Lill, born 10th May 1904. (Uncle Alick is of the Norwood football fame - he's listed on Wikipedia - he won Magarey medal. You'll also find John Lill on Wikipedia - he is Uncle Alick's son - associated with football, cricket, and Melbourne Cricket Grounds.)


Charlotte's sister Ann was also living in South Australia at Port Elliot. She married a Samuel Travers and had a son Stephen.

Grandpa's (F.W.R. Lill) children were Dulcie Elizabeth Lill, Gladys Eleanor Lill, Joyce Constance Lill. All are now deceased.
Auntie Dulcie had no children, she was married to Walter (Wally) Williamson (You'll also find him on Wikipedia - famous footballer and one of the reasons we saw a lot of Uncle Alick - they would get together for footy parties).
Auntie Glad married Ronald Johns of Henley Beach. They had 2 children (Margo and Ceddie - Margurite (sp?) and Cederic) Ced Johns worked in New Guinea while it was developing. Both died in the very late 1990s.) Margo died before her mother, which was sad, and Ceddie not long after her death.
My mother married Harold William Capon - previously of Stirling/Crafers area - Born in Camberwell, London. She also was married previously.

1970 - Miss Australia Quest Entrant

This newspaper clipping was from the local newspaper.
In 1970 I was an entrant in the Miss Australia Quest. I did so much at the time. I was asked to do it and I turned it down. I knew I'd never win. But did know I was good at selling raffle tickets, so said I'd help by doing that. The recruiter had the perfect answer - "Don't you think you can sell more by being an entrant?" The only answer was yes. "We need your help." Help I was good at too.
At the time I worked for Rigby's Booksellers in accounting, I'd been there a couple of years, going from comptometrist, to accounts receivable, and part of the move from James Place, to Rundle Road, Kent Town, to the old Rosella factory.
I also think I was doing theatre advertising ads for Val Morgan's by then, too. Other artists working there at the time were Marjorie Hann, Vanessa Smith, and Jenny Gore. All notable artists who became friends. It was Marjorie who recommended me for the job. It was just freelance work I did from home. I used Dad's sleepout as a studio.
My dogs were German Shepherds. Our kennel name was "Grangelea Kennels". I did sew a lot - I know I sewed the dress I have on in the picture, it was red and white, tropical flowers. I'm not so sure about the cooking though, as I never to rarely cooked at home. I did like collecting recipes though. I was also playing 'men's basketball' and on the West Torren's basketball committee, for a while I was treasurer. I also played Squash. Another thing I did was usherette and help with shows at the Apollo Stadium & in the parklands - more on that later, as I met some amazing performers and had some amazing adventures. With no idea of the world-wide adventures that were to come in future.

An after-thought: It says Miss Woodville Hotel. Yes, that is what I ended up as. But they got me to fill in at a few hotels first - I think Grange was one, also Elephant & Castle on West Terrace. All weekends for a year were taken up.

I did it again in 1972. I didn't tell my family, and very few of my friends knew. I don't think I made it public at work - I worked at Rothman's and Coca-cola during that time, and was still doing art for Val Morgans. I did it to fund-raise, both times, and didn't like some of the reaction to me doing this. As sponsors I was with Ramsgate Hotel, Glenelg Pier Hotel and Largs too, and think I've forgotten who else. I won fund-raising awards both times. The 2nd time I gave it all away to another girl in the quest, I believe she won a trip to the Victorian snow fields because I did that.

Henley High School, Prefect Induction 1964 South Australia

This was on the front page of the Advertiser for the Henley Beach High School prefect induction in 1964.

We had an assembly, and in the courtyard there were a heap of boys called in to clear out the chairs. Someone from the Advertiser wanted to take a photo of the prefects, but wanted other students, so they called all the boys in to the photos. Then they realised that they only showed guys, not girls.

My friend, Robin King, and myself were in the main building, despite not supposed to be there. We, or I, wasn't too good at doing what we were supposed to! ;) Anyway ... they called us out, and shoved us right up front in the middle. So that's me (Jill Capon, then). Other than the prefects I know the 3 guys - Leighton Harmon, Robert Lawrie, and Peter Cherry.

I was astounded when I went to a community celebration in the 90s in the town hall, and there was a display on the history of Henley High - and there was this photo! This photo was also used for the HHS 50th anniversary book - though they cut off at my head, but Robin shows up. So, all these years later we are presented as the face of Henley High. :)

Henley High opened in 1958. I knew many of the new students. I think we started there in 1960? The school was still being worked on. One afternoon a week we had 'home ec' - be had to be bused to Glenelg while the home science/woodwork buildings were being built. I am not sure if we had to do that for one, or two years. I loved the new building when we finally had it. I guess at some stage I need to tell some high school stories. :)

Grandpa's Business Card - Maylands, Kirkcaldy - South Australia

Well, I came across my grandpa's business card. Here it is. It's bigger than a regular business card. - Approx 2.5x3.5" I think.

I can remember asking Grandpa (Fred) - F.W.R.Lill (Frederick William Russon Lill) about the Kirkcaldy address as Swan St never went over Grange Road (formerly Kirkcaldy Rd) to the south, as far as I know. And that was the area that was known as Kirkcaldy. But I can't remember what the answer was, and I don't ever remember him pointing out where his business was situated.

This would have been from around 1920s perhaps. I was told that he retired when 35. He was born in 1870s. He owned much land in Grange. Prior to living at 620 (now 536 Seaview Rd) he lived in 31 (now 29) Jetty St. And several other houses around Grange.

I am nearly 100% sure he built the houses 620, 624 Seaview Rd, and the one in Jetty St., so think it quite likely that he built more. I can vaguely remember being told that he built railway stations. Maybe that is where my love of them come from? And love of all buildings. I believe he also built from Murray Bridge, Port Lincoln, Norwood/Maylands.

I have no idea who the 'and son' was. And I thought grandpa had brothers. I'll check the Lill history for when I find them.

One of Grandpa's daughters married into the 'Johns' family of Henley Beach - butcher, newsagent, and more - there names are listed in the history of that time. Her name was Gladys Eleanor Johns, they lived on Military Road, Henley Beach. More later, for history buffs of the area.

Update 22nd April 2012: I have the history of the Lill family. Grandpa did have brothers, but they didn't build. Uncle Percy - who lived in Renmark, and Uncle Angus (Cuthbert) who lived 2 houses away from us in Grange. Grandpa also lived in W.A. and left Grange in the late 20s to go to Pt. Lincoln. I think he may have built some public buildings there, too. I have some of the Lill history from the web. I'll post that in a new post. In searching I found that Grandpa did indeed built at least one railway station - Tailem Bend. They are actually celebrating 100th birthday next year 2013 - and they told me that Grandpa also built the Strathalbyn Post Office - which will also be 100 years old next year.

Earthquake, newsclipping. Adelaide beach suburbs early 1960s.

Here is the clipping from the front page of the Advertiser newspaper re the earthquake mentioned in earlier blog post. It numbers my house as 620 (later changed to 536). It also mentions our next door neighbour and other residents of the area.

I am sure it lasted more than the 1 or 2 seconds than they have me as saying. It was brief, but not that brief, as I DID think it was a truck.

Earthquake hits Adelaide, South Australia.

One of the more memorable times of my young life was 'the earthquake'.

At the time my mother and I shared the 'back bedroom' (aka the maid's room and later my bedroom - the one with the Beatles stuck on the mirror of the built-in robes!) :)

I woke up, the light was on, it was VERY dark outside and Mum was sitting up in bed. The old wooden 'slash' window was shaking and rattling. I asked Mum what it was. I remember distinctly her telling me "It's only a train, go back to sleep." Indeed, trains, at that time, ran on a line in the street (east side) of the back street (Military Road), so I trusted what she said. I was around 5 years old.

However, found out the next day it was an earthquake. The newspaper from that time says that few houses damaged. But we had cracks I think, that weren't there before. But not sure.

Many years later I was out of school early to go to the dentist and was sitting on the concrete porch of my Aunt's house on Military Road in Henley Beach. I felt a rumbling, I looked around for a truck, but there was none. Odd.

Later that evening someone from the newspaper (Advertiser) knocked on our door to ask if anyone felt the earthquake. So I recounted my story. He also went next door to 538 Seaview Road. The lady there also gave her account of feeling shaking and dust flying around in her hallway. The article appeared on the front page the next day.

I regretted it a bit, as noone at Henley High School felt the earthquake, and I was called 'seisemigraph' (however you spell it!!! :) ) for ages afterwards.

The first was year 1954. I think the second was somewhere in 1961-3.

Queen Elizabeth visits Adelaide 1954.

I was 5. I had just started school at Grange Primary around that time. The Queen was coming to Adelaide, there was a lot of excitement. All our classrooms had photos or paintings somewhere of the queen. My favorite always was the one of her in yellow with wattle (Australian flower/bush).

In preparation we had to have white dresses. I think boys had to wear grey, long shorts. We had to pack a sandwich in a brown paper bag rolled at the top for easy carrying. And we all had cordial bottles. It was a very hot day. We were all very excited. We were taught to curtsey, and I practiced and practiced. I certainly hoped to be lucky enough to be chosen to present some flowers to the queen, but knew that the girls had already been picked.

I seem to remember it as being at Rose Park Racecourse in the parklands, but the only photo I could find was on the web and says Adelaide Cricket Grounds - about 1/2 a mile away. It could have been both places, I don't know. I just remember THOUSANDS of kids. I had never seen as many.

We were marched orderly down Jetty Street to Grange Railway Station (part of Henley Beach line - north west corner of Jetty Street and Military Road) and got onto the old steam train and went into Adelaide. I seem to remember buses taking us the rest of the way. How none of us got lost I'll never know. Many fainted, from the heat and/or exhaustion/excitement. I can't remember if we were given white handkerchiefs to wave or a small flag (English? Australian?). When the queen drove by it was all so quick. I can't remember in my mind's eye, other than seeing a vehicle. I was too busy doing my curtsey - I think I was the only one to do it - all the others were too excited and jumping up and down and shrilly cheering, like children excitedly do.

My memories are pretty dim, of course. But I always told the story of how someone sought me out later - not from the school, and told me I had a message from the queen - "for the little girl that curtseyed so beautifully".

We were tired and cranky going home. It was hot, and the train windows were opened by the kids so the sooty black smoke came in. The train had a lot of people also going home from work so space was limited. As a child I was told to give my seat up for anyone older than myself. So I did. I still have memories of sitting down on the floor of that dirty train because I was tired. Getting home was not fun. I got into trouble for getting my dress so dirty. So dirty, in fact, that I never wore it again!

Still, it was all a very memorable experience.

I have the greatest of respect for the queen. She has NO choice. She HAS to attend a great many events like this even if she doesn't feel like it, and keeps her cool. I was also lucky enough to see her in London in 1973. An amazing lady, for sure.

If there is any objection to me using the photo from the web of 'Adelaide Cricket Ground', please let me know. Thank you.

Friday 13th - Pioneer Bus Accident - 1956

Yesterday was Friday 13th.
I was reminded of my one 'Friday 13th' incident. I was 7. It was January Friday 13th, 1956. We set off on a bus tour (Pioneer Bus Company) to Melbourne, then on to Sydney I think. With 4 adults in the house the 'ladies' of the house went on a holiday in the summer months of January while the men (Dad & Grandpa) stayed home. It left them free to listen to the cricket on radio, I suspect, and for Grandpa to play lawn bowls at the Grange Bowling club where he was a life member. It was intended as a 'reward' for all the hard work cooking cleaning for the year before.

No mod cons on the bus. No air conditioning, toilet. The seats were just bench type seats with not much padding. steel rails over the top so people could hang on on rough roads. It was hot.

Mum had positioned myself and herself in the front seat behind the driver. I was at the sliding window with it open. Nan was in the seat behind. By herself I think.

All seemed well. We were just coming down final hill into Murray Bridge, some 50 miles? from Adelaide when there was a bit of a bump. Next thing I knew I was on the floor looking up. Mallee tree branches were coming in through my open window, and dust, and the bus was bumping around everywhere. I was worried, but then it soon stopped abruptly.

The axle had broken. The driver was hailed as a hero - he opted for driving into the bush/mallee to slow down and stop the bus, rather than stay on the road, possibly with very dire consequences as we were coming down into town. There was a story told to me, that the wheel came off and rolled all the way through town, finally falling into the river by the bridge.

Nan had a bloody nose. I felt so sorry for her. She would have been in her 70s. She had to have plastic surgery on it - at Murray Bridge hospital. I was reminded that as a child she lived in Murray Bridge. She would tell me stories of the 'gin' that would come to her door to beg for flower - and trade woomeras, spears and boomerangs for food. We did have a lot of aboriginal weapons in our house at one stage. She also told me of the time she had to row out into the river with the woman, when her husband was drunk, and trying to get to her to beat her. Or at least these are my very dim memories of what she told me.

Anyway... one very strong memory I have is of one man, middle-aged or older. He had his hand cupped under his mouth. All bloody. One by one he was spitting his teeth out into his hand ... saying ... I never knew I had so many bloody teeth in my head!

We still all travelled on. They sent a replacement bus from Adelaide. We stayed in hostel and at breakfast the next day we all commented that we knew who were the people from the bus. All had bruises and/or cuts. Mum had reacted swiftly and pushed me onto the floor. I think I was least hurt of anyone. I think the story was on the front page of the Advertiser the next day.

Seaview Road, Grange 1975 South Australia

This is a photo of my home, and street - 536 Seaview Road, Grange - between Beach St and Grange Road (formerly Kirkaldy Road), in 1975. The bus stop is now gone. I remember running along barefoot in summer, stopping one foot on the shadow cast by the Norfolk pines. I can also remember the 3-corner jacks - just like stepping on thumb tacks (push pins)!

The bus stop had a time clock as it was the first stop on the route. See other posts on this blog re the noise the buses made.

I probably shouldn't admit it here. But there were occasions when we wanted to get rid of things. Too good to throw away. We didn't know what to do with them. Put them on the bus seat - they were soon gone! Didn't do it much but I definitely remember one or two. One was an ancient painting of a water bird (stork?) on a wood panel - came off a fireplace. Nearly every room in our house (built 1928) had a fireplace. At one time my room was talked of as 'the maid's room'. Whether there ever was a maid, I have no details, but if they called it that, I would say there was one. I also remember from an early age, the house being decorated in very very dark and heavy 'Victorian' furnishings. This was probably changed out somewhat in the early-mid 1950s.

Beach Shacks, Grange Beach 1940s

This is from a family photo - the background shows the shacks on the beach. These were on the south side of Beach street.

The shacks were usually wood. About the side of a small 'garage' - inside was the basics. I spoke earlier in a post about people sleeping on the beach during a heat wave. - These shacks were also used. They usually had a small fridge, sink, cook top, some cupboards, bunk beds, and that's about all. No windows or else had wood to go over them once summer was over. Many became quite broken down. A super place for us kids to play in.

I always wanted one. But we only lived in the next street over, so it wasn't really worth it. I somehow found it exotic (as a child) HA!

I remember this umbrella - or think I do. Think the main color was a green - a light mint type green. The stripes included red, yellow, and I think blue. I vaguely remember a very faded umbrella like this in our back yard, so that is why I think this was in late 30s or early or mid 40s. It was disused.

Once the summer crowd left we loved doing 'treasure hunts' - we found pennies, and jewellery and many interesting objects. I think some of the people from Broken Hill came to these, too.

Grange Primary School, South Australia - old school

Above: Grange Primary School - Jetty St., looking West.

Above: Grange Primary School - Fisher St. (lane), looking East.

Above: Grange Primary School - The original 'old' school buildings, looking Easterly.

A sad day. Tearing down the 'old' school. Grange Primary School, Jetty St. Grange.

Houses were built here afterwards.

What was the oval, opposite side of Jetty Street, became the 'new' school.

This is possibly within the years 1969-1972 but could have been in the early1980s, I think the car in the last photo (3) was mine. Unfortunately I didn't date my photos - all 3 were all taken the same day. 

The old wooden buildings were not air conditioned in summer. Winter there was an iron stove by the classroom door. So many schools at that time had identical buildings, even same paint colour.

PHOTO 1: Jetty St., Grange : In this first photo the side shown was the class room side (with big windows). The opposite side was a lean-to porch where we hung our coats, and bags (Photo 2) - louver windows. Stainless steel trough with taps outside to drink water from (burning hot on hot days - the trough, as it was metal, and that made no sense to me, you need to drink water, only to get burnt).
There were about 8 or 9 of these double buildings. Half along the lane side (Fisher St.), parallel to the road, the others along the road (Jetty Street), parallel to there.
The Jetty Street side, it also had the staff room, school offices, and, in particular that of the headmaster - in the same style, and placed on the western end of these. The main HALL, is shown in the background. The classes in this photo (on Jetty St side) were for grades 6 and 7. 7 being the last primary school grade before going on to higher education. 
The building on the truck was possibly grade 6, and those still on the ground, grade 7, or reverse of this. I can't remember exactly.

GRANGE SCHOOL FIRE: In approximately 1958? I think I was in grade 5. I think we must have been alerted by sirens - standing in our elevated back yard home at 536 Seaview Rd., Grange (620 at the time), we could see what was the school, burning. We went to the school when it wasn't easily doused. I can always remember a school chum - Eve Witcher - crying, along with others. It was a big occasion for us all.

Later we heard some of the story as we all wondered why it burnt down.
Our janitor was a nice person, and I heard the story as it being an accident - he had to remove the coals from the stoves that burned to keep us warm, and with a very full bucket full, some coals which must have been still burning inside, fell out onto the wood floors unnoticed. It sounds possible, but I don't know. I still remember his name.

We had to have classes in the school hall. It was cold and draughty. I hated it. The hall was 'new' compared to the class rooms. I think, also that, I spent at least a little time in either the Grange Institute or St Agnes Hall, I have some vague memories that relate to doing that I think one concert was held at least, in St Agnes, as it had a raised stage with curtains - I was a member of this church - a 'Church of England' at the time. Other school grades/classes were there much longer than our class, as they stayed in these locations, rather than moving into the school hall.

This block of classrooms housed years 3-5 if I remember rightly, again. 

THE MAIN SCHOOL YARD: To the west of the transportable classrooms for grades 3-7, there was a large asphalt area - some marked off as basketball courts. We would also have 'fitness' classes there with beanbags, hula hoops, and more. Some assemblies on fine days (and some on not-so-fine-days, too!). There were 2 outdoor toilet blocks side by side along Fisher St. side of the yard area. I remember them as being corrugated tin. Pitched roofs, built of red bricks, with about 5 cubicles with wooden doors. There was a corrugated 'yard' to the south, leading out from one end of on of the cubicles which faced south about the same distance out from the doors as the cubicles took up, behind them. But at one end the fence came out about an extra yard, and attached at right angles was another sheet of the iron, ran parallel to the cubicles side wall - making it an enclosed walkway in to access the cubicles. There was no roof covering this fenced area, so it was not good on cold, wet days. I think the boys' block had a trough urinal butted up against the southern fence. I don't know exactly the height of them, but do know or heard rumours at least of a certain contest that boys would have re that wall - many avoided walking in the yard in front of that fence.

This asphalted yard was where school fetes were held, and I think even processions along the streets of Grange commenced from here. I remember being dressed in an elf costume when very young (borrowed from a neighbour), and I didn't like it as it had 'boy germs', as the neighbourhood child was a boy. (I'm sure a lot of school goers still remember either avoiding 'boy germs' or 'girl germs'?)

PHOTO 2: Fisher St., Grange :  The buildings along the lane (Fisher St) are the ones that burnt down - (they looked the same as these replacements), they were 'standard classrooms' at that time, many, if not all schoolrooms were the same. We just knew the street as 'the laneway', and not its name. 

On a personal note, we all had to fill out insurance claim forms after the fire. I had lost all my treasured drawings. It actually affected me a lot. I didn't draw as much again after that. I was very prolific before. On my insurance form I listed about 12 rulers, and over 120 coloured pencils as I had only counted them the day before. It was questioned by the agents. However my school mates agreed that I had quite a collection of art materials. Again ... I never again accumulated so many again during my childhood and young adult years (adult years, yes!!).

PHOTO 3: This was commonly known as the 'infant school' of GPS. 
The big stone part of the building (left, set back from the street) was my room for Grade 1. My teacher was Mrs Watson.  And I believe the headmaster, staff rooms, and other school offices were in the same building - the red brick part. We were separated from the higher grades (4-7).

There was a small yard for playing in, to the north of this, where there was a transportable of about 3 classrooms. Maybe another grade 1, and 2x grade 2. Together this whole complex was often referred to as the 'infant' school. 

By the red brick building, to the east, just inside the school gate, was a big weeping willow. Somehow I remember a time capsule being placed there??????
I'd be interested in knowing if anyone has any details.
I also learnt to HATE drinking milk, as small bottles of milk were left there in metal crates for us when we came out for morning recess and we were pretty much MADE to drink the small bottles of milk. On hot days, there would be thick hot cream on top, which was impossible to 'drink', and sometimes it was 'lumpy'. It is also in this same area that we would have our fancy dress parades, and more. 

To the north of the old stone building were several (2-3) of the wooden classrooms. They were for Grade 2.

In writing this, I hope I got my directions right I was never good at left and right, etc.. 

THE FIRE:
PS: I found an old anniversary book for Grange Primary School. The fire was 58 or 57. There is a discrepancy:

Page 41 says: "6/6/58 Five classrooms were totally destroyed and one severely damaged by fire. Mr R. Johansen gave the alarm. The assembly hall was saved, although the northern wall was badly damaged and will have to be rebuilt."
Page 73 says:
"School Fire - 1957. took off at 5.45 (pm). the Bell family rang the Clodes (a teacher) who arrived to see the blazing inferno. It only took a matter of minutes for 2 classrooms to be utterly gutted. Mal (Clode) watched his room burn. The radiant heat destroyed one wall of the School Hall. There were no spare classrooms so Malcolm occupied the supper room at St. Agnes (Church of England - Military Rd) and Doris Renfrey moved into the Institute Supper Room. The buildings were eventually replaced with more portables."

Grange is a western suburb of Adelaide, capital city of the state of South Australia. 

Storm at Grange II - December 1986

The building above is almost a landmark. I have seen it lately on Google earth, so I know it's still there. South East corner of Jetty St, Seaview Road intersection.

There used to be an old house on this property - it was quite a large 'block' of land. I can remember it as being set in the middle of the land and having verandahs all the way around or almost. I think Peter Cooper lived there.

I sat next to him at Grange Primary School. He would annoy me by singing the very popular "Purple-people eater" song constantly. Funny now, as I have fond memories of this, and love it when I unexpectedly hear this song.

These units were probably built in the late 50s, or very early 60s. They were 'holiday' units at the time, as we still used to get an influx of Christmas/Summer families from the country, the riverland, and from Broken Hill. No one would consider living in these as it was too noisy - after all it was THEIR holiday. The train station was only 50 across the road, and shops and pubs so close. This is interesting as I think this was when they first offered the 'flats' as units for individuals to own their own "Grangeview". Wasn't too good to have the roof off.

December 1968.

Storm at Grange, South Australia - December 1986

There was a really bad storm December of 1986. I took quite a few photos of buildings with roofs gone.

This building was on the Esplanade. I couldn't ID it from Google earth, I've lost peg man so can't see street view. Think it was between Beach St and Jetty St.

Even with the treat of storms, I still adore beach living.

536 Seaview Road, Grange, South Australia

My grandfather (F.W.R. Lill) built this house in 1928. He was a builder. (He also is on the Grange Bowling Club member board as a life-time member.) I was their from birth until October 1972 - I then went overseas and lived in London, Germany and USA. I came back in 1981 for about a year, then came back again in 1983. I moved out almost right away. Mum (Joyce Constance Capon, nee Lill) stayed until the late 80s. A robbery while she was away for the weekend scared her and she didn't want to stay in the house any longer, she didn't feel safe. I wish I had the opportunity to own this house. I never would have left it.

This photo is 1968. The railings were put up for my grandmother who had a walking cane to walk.

The lawn was difficult to mow, but was great for a 'ring-side' seat for the Australia Day parade each year. Friends and relatives would come for such a choice 'seat'. Traffic was bumper-to-bumper here on hot summer days. Air conditioning wasn't in homes, nor swimming pools, so everyone came to the beach to cool off. Many sleeping there overnight - you couldn't walk there in the dark - so many lying there, sleeping.

In the early 1960s the house numbers were changed. It was number 620. It went from Seaview Road all the way down to Military Road. Our garage was there. We always painted the house in traditional green and cream. The rock came from the Adelaide hills. Quite a task when built in 1928. The land here was white sand. As a child, to dig down 3' meant coming to pure white sand.

The bus stop was built in the early 60s. Being concrete it would emphasize noises. Sometimes the STA buses would sit here and idle. It would vibrate through the whole house.

Cross Seaview Road, go down 4 houses, turn the corner, walk a little way more, and you're on the beach!

Noisy galahs in the palm tree next door would wake me up some mornings.

Magic Robot - children's 'game' 1950s

I had a magnetic magic robot game. I didn't play with it much, as being an only child I had noone to play with with it. I never understood why I got games that took more than one child to play - I had to invent imaginary friends, but it didn't work as I always knew what this other me would do!

I knew all the answers to this game and it lost it's charm, but the way it worked with magnets fascinated me.

I don't know what happened to it. Possibly I gave it to my son. I always had to pack up my toys and put them away, so while they were in my care, they 'wore' pretty well. A lot of Australian children's games were either English or based on English games at that time, as we were still learning to be Aussies!

It always fascinated me to get Christmas cards with snow scenes on them. We didn't get snow at all, even though in the south (colder), and definitely not at Christmas. Christmas Day could sometimes be over 100 degrees Farenheit (38C).