Backyard - 536 (620) Seaview Rd, Grange. South Australia

Me with some very young puppy German Shepherds. I think I was around 18 years old here. I have on my chenille dressing gown.
This is on the south fenceline, just east of Dad's 'sleep out'.
The shed was there all my life. I have an idea that at some stage it was a chook's cage (chickens). I don't remember having chooks. I always wanted them, ans so many people had them. Great to get rid of food scraps. I loved egg collecting! I heard a story about how I used to have a rooster when very young (1-2 years old) - evidently he would attack the pants legs of men when they came around - they said he was better than a watch dog. But seems it got too much. It was a bit hush-hush, but believe he got dispatched. I have an idea that we had for lunch roast chicken one Sunday lunch (dinner) - something we rarely had. I didn't know enough to ask where it came from.
How much truth to that story, I don't know. But since so many pieces of my life are emerging from the past, it could quite likely be true.
What this definitely was is a rabbit hutch! We got a rabbit from the 'Smith's' - about 7 houses south. They had rabbits for sale, and we got 'Peter' rabbit. Mum & Mrs Smith became friends, and I played with the Smith children, even though they were older, for quite some years. Mrs Smith also sewed some clothes for me. She cooked on a wood stove and cooked really well.
It wasn't long before 'Peter' rabbit was re-named "Petereen" - SHE had babies!!!!
I'm not sure how many rabbits I had in total - many over quite a lot of years, I think. Petereen was white & grey.
We tried to make an area for the German Shepherd pups, but it was only make-shift.
Gee! To be 18 again!!!! *lol*
PS: The Hill's hoist & rainwater tank belongs to the house next door (south).

Flower Day. North Terrace. Adelaide, South Australia 1965

This is either 1964 or 1965. I was 'grown up' and at my first job working in the city. To have a job virtually meant working in the city. Adelaide Flower Day was once a year. North Terrace was full of displays. I love roses, which is why I photo'd this.
I remember the metal 'hoops' that lined the lawns on North Terrace. Love the old cars, and the men in suits, ties and HATS!!!!! Yup - ALL men wore hats! They would often 'tip' them for ladies that went by to acknowledge them. This pond was a wishing well - lots of old 'pennies' (yup. They had pennies, shillings, pounds still!) thrown in for wishes.
You can see the war memorial with the angel statue across the road from here. I have a few more to come. I thought I was SO grown up to be working there, and seeing the world - all 10 miles from home. *lol*

Polaroid: 1983 - Grange Hotel, South Australia

I was thinking this was around late 1980s. But I think that is my Datsun Bluebird parked at the side of the pub. I had that car in 1981? possibly or 1983-4. Polaroid photo, and I didn't think I had one then, but could have. I used it for photo'ing houses I was drawing for Real Estate agents. I did over 9,000 houses. The Polaroids shortened my work a bit, but got very quick at my work, and could 'sketch' a house in minutes - enough to remember it for my line drawing later.

My Dad owned "Henley & Grange Cab Co." his call box was on a post about where my car is. Cost no money to use. We only lived a block away on Seaview Road, so took no time to pick up someone who was 'under the weather'. When I was little, we would go for 'Sunday Drives' in the FJ (or FX) Holden, and later FE Holden. We would park about where my car is. Dad would go in and get beers for him and Grandpa, and 'shandies' for Mum and Nan (beer + clear lemonade). My joy was to get a lemonade with strawberry in it ... with ice and a straw. So chic! Sometimes Dad would put 6 pence in a machine that would dispense a handful of salted peanuts - he would bring them out to me in the car. Kids weren't allowed in most areas of the pub. Nor were 'ladies'. There was a 'lounge' where men and women could sit together, but you would never see a woman in the 'bar'. I still feel guilty going into bars, to this day.
Pubs closed at 5pm, and closed on Sundays.

We sometimes came here for Christmas Dinner when it got 'too much' for the older women of our family. It was still a lot of fun. Though think we only went here a few times.

Tuning slightly to my right, straight across the road is the car park lot for the Hotel. As a child this was were caravan type van would stand - White's fish & chips. SO good. Tons of Seagulls milling around. Sometimes braving the winds was quite an effort, but they were delicious, and worth it! At that time there wasn't a fish & chip shop on every corner like in later times.

Grange Beach. Jetty St & Esplanade. Grange, South Australia.

Grangelea Kennels - German Shepherds

For quite some years, from the late 1950s, or maybe very early 60s we had 'Grangelea Kennels' at 536 (was 620) Seaview Road, Grange. We trained and showed and bred German Shepherds. I think I was around 10 or so when as a surprise Mum & Dad went out one night (very unusual) and came home with a pup. (Trixie) Rowlandscourt Narissa?
I loved them. Often pups were born in my bedroom. We attended shows, and won many awards. I got many 'child handler' awards.
This is a photo taken 26th November 1966. Carlton Empress (Emmie) is the sable dog at the rear, and in front is Grangelea Treena. This is looking back towards the house from the back yard, or guess I should say, more towards the northern fence. It shows 'number 10' built across into the next yard (Pearson/Tucker) home. It shows the old palm tree, which made a lot of noise when we got storms off the sea. Galahs built in it and ruined it, I believe.  So funny to see it in its full glory here.
On the north fence is the softshell almond tree. Fun to unearth these little puzzle pieces, so long gone.

~Jillian

Visit to Grange February 1975

I got married in Switzerland (Basel) in 1974 (February). A year later came 'home' to Grange for a holiday. Strangely it has been one of the very few 'holidays' in my life. We lived in Germany - Mainz at the time. I worked for the USAF at  Wiesbaden Air Base (601st Combat Support Group), and Randy (Thomas Randall Crider) was a Staff Sgt, from Atlanta, Georgia.
We saved all my wages that first year so we could come 'home'. We were there about 6 weeks. It cost a fortune. Also because of changing seasons northern/southern is at different times of the year, we left in winter, went into summer, left in spring, and arrived back in Germany in fall - four seasons in 6 weeks.
This is one of my favorite photos. Lovely, relaxing times. Taken in the back yard of 534 Seaview Rd., Grange, South Australia.
Most of my life Auntie Grace & Uncle Snow (Ristivozevic) lived next door. They moved once to Reedie St? but bought the house back - I don't blame them! My Mum is standing (Joyce Constance Capon - nee Lill). The white post is from the back verandah - I think it only went 1/2 way across before lean to to go inside. Love the pull out washing line on the rainwater tank of 532 back yard. I've been trying to think who lived there. Was an older man & lady. Brother and sister I was told. Peterson? One day my RAM memory might kick in, and I'll remember their names. Retired. The fences were this height practically all along.
Many hours were spent talking over the top to neighbours, and spreading any news. I remember looking over the fence from our side (536) and Auntie Grace telling us of President Kennedy being assassinated. I couldn't believe it. We thought he and Jackie were so magical.
The news also came over the fences to stay home and lock up when there was the news of a man gone amock with a gun, shooting people.
The fences meant a lot of things. I watched chickens being killed for dinner (most people had chickens, we didn't), and learnt how they flapped around even with no head. I learnt to pluck chickens from Auntie Grace. Fresh eggs would be passed over fences, lemons, nectarines (a favorite - I still adore over-ripe nectarines, and can't find any), tomatoes, peaches. We would share oranges, currants and raisins sent down from the Lill family members in Renmark - Every winter a big wooden box would appear for us. Usually by tourist bus.
Even thought it was 1981 that I came back for 10 months, then came back in 1983, nothing ever seemed the same again. Too much had changed.
I loved the simple mu-mu type dresses at the time. Just two straight pieces of fabric. Bright patterns. We thought this was the modern new world, such freedom! *lol*
Forgot to mention that Uncle Snow was a train driver. Worked for the railway.

Australia Day Parade 1986 Henley-Grange Nurses

I think these nurses were from Western Community Hospital. Henley-Grange Parade on Seaview Road, Grange. 1986. Love the tandem bike.
Australia Day parade.
The hospital used to be on the Esplanade side of Seaview Rd in Henley Beach. I vaguely remember it. Seems it was a 'box' shape - all square, possibly with stucco or painted walls in a bluish or greenish color.

Henley to Grange Parade 1986 Australia Day - Amscol Old IceCream Truck

Part of the Australia Day Parade on Seaview Road, Grange, 1986. Old Amscol IceCream Truck. In the background you can see the old bus stop. I used it a lot, getting home from High School and work. The structure behind is on the corner of Beach Street. I always knew it as 'old Mrs Englehart's'. And that part on the corner was known as 'the stables'. I never saw or knew of actual horses being there, but it was definitely known locally by the older people. The talked of the clatter of hooves as they came down the curved driveway with tall walls that echoed the sound. I loved that house. I remember only being inside once. On the north side. I loved the glassed in porch-type area. Great vistas of the ocean/beach.
Dad used to drive Mrs Englehart to chuch when he was a taxi driver, but he also did it once he stopped the taxi service.
I loved Amscol icecream. You virtually ate nothing but Amscol. It was unpatriotic not to! *lol* Household word. I never did warm to 'Peter's' icecream which infiltrated the ranks. HA!
I am not sure, but think at one stage 'dandies' were given out to people viewing the parade. (Small wax cups of icecream with lift off top and a small wooden paddle-spoon.)

Looks like sparce crowds here. It was VERY crowded when I was young.

~Jillian

Henley to Grange Parade 1986 Australia Day

As a child I saved pennies to give to the parade people on Australia Day. We would have a lot of family and friends come to our house at 536 (620 until early 60s), on Seaview Rd, as the front lawn was elevated and chairs for the older ladies to sit were put on the path in front of the verandah.
The pennies were collected by walkers and people on floats with long poles with a fabric 'pocket' on the end. Of course we got our rewards too - candies and fresh buns were thrown or given out by the tradespeople in the parade. Everyone always was in good spirits. The Henley to Grange swim between jetties was on the same day.
Here is an old car with members of the Henley Bowling Club. My aunt was a member there, also her daughter, too I think.
I scanned this photo. If someone wants a higher resolution photo for any reason - please contact me. Thank you.

~Jillian

F.D. Lill (Mrs F.W.R. Lill) @ home in Grange.

Nan (Nana - my grandmother). Florence Dulcie Lill (nee Nation of Murray Bridge). Married to Frederick William Russon Lill (Mrs F.W.R. Lill). January 1968. She used to sit on the front verandah. 620 Seaview Rd., Grange, South Australia. (later 536). The beach was only a 1-2 minute walk away. Many would stop and speak to her. I lived with her from birth. During that time, it was grandpa's house. He died when I was 14. They had gone for a retreat to Mt Barker, but he had a stroke. They came home, but grandpa wasn't well, was taken to hospital and died within days. Nan started getting dementia, she walked with a walking stick most of the time I remember. Her bedroom was the one room behind where she is sitting. I had to look after her a lot. I used to open up the striped steamer chair for her. She sometimes wore a white fashion straw hat with a matching rose on the small, upturned brim.
Her name is mentioned in a lot of old newspapers from the early 1900s (20s, and before). She would have stalls for the Grange Bowling Club. Grandpa was a life member.
They had 3 daughters - Gladys Eleanor Johns (Lill), Dulcie Elizabeth Williamson (Lill), and Joyce Constance Capon (Lill). Joyce was my mother.
Nan cooked very well. I mostly remember her cream lilies. Yum. She had some wonderful old clothes I used to play dressup in. I remember her as being gentle and quiet. Never raised her voice. Loved a 'small' glass of sherry on special occasions - about the size of shot glasses. Wore a full apron, but took it off to sit on the front verandah. I was bad as I liked to play tricks on her like undoing her apron string and tying her to the chair behind. She took it in good humor, but my parents told me off.
She would have strokes from about the time I was 10 or so. Not too many. But the ambulance would come. She would go to hospital a few days then come home. Seemingly none the worse for wear. She evidently became too much for Mum. My Dad had died 2 years before. So Nan was put in the nursing home in Henley Beach - diagonally opposite Del Monte, on Seaview Rd (cnr South St) - sth/east cnr. She later was put in Northfield. She readily remembered me and I still tormented her by running with her in the wheelchair. I am sure she loved me.
She died either late 1972 or 1973. I had gone to London in October 1972, and she died while I was there.
I also remember her in the back garden sitting on a chair shelling peas into her apron in her lap. The sun would catch in her white whisps of hair. Everyone treated her with great respect.
Many of our family traditions came from her. Our evening meal meant always a tray with teapot with cosy, cups, sugar and cream jug (with milk) and tea strainer would be at her end of the table. She would be the one to pour teas for the adults after a meal.
She wore 'pantaloons'. I would always laugh at these on the line, as these 'bloomers' with longer legs would blow in the breeze on top of the hill. She also wore a corset on a daily basis. Mainly as these were worn before bra - a 'chamisole' was worn instead. It was a 'whalebone' corset. And one of my chores was to lace her up into it. I still remember putting my foot up into it so I could hold a lace in each hand. I consider myself very 'lucky' to have lived with people who were born in late 1870s as so many things had already been lost in time. I was shown a lot of things that time has lost.
Our house had a lot of aboriginal things. I was told they were Nan's. From Murray Bridge. They knew the aboriginals as the 'blacks' or 'blackies'. I found it very difficult to call Afro-Americans 'black' a bit later in my life, as it wasn't a 'good' term to use. They would come to the back door and trade their weapons - boomerangs, woomeras, spears, for flour and such. I am not sure what my mother did with these. I was always told the house and all were mine. But life didn't work out that way. My Nan was special friends with one aboriginal woman. She told me of one time she had to row her out into the Murray River to keep her away from her drunk husband who was trying to get to her and beat her. Nan told me of the Grange area being mostly reed beds.

E.G. Lill - Grange, Maylands, South Australia

E.G. Lill - wife of W.R. Lill
Elizabeth Gillard (Nation) - William Russon Lill
Mother and father of F.W.R. Lill (Frederick William Russon Lill) (Fred).
I think she died in the early 1940s at her home on Seaview Rd., Grange, in her late 90s.
I was told by my mother that this lady had almost no wrinkles on her face despite her stately age.
She evidently went for a walk down Grange jetty in the morning, then complained of feeling a bit 'off' and faint. She went and lay down 'for a while'. She did, and passed away peacefully.

F.W.R. Lill - builder, South Australia & lawn bowler

My grandfather as a young man. Possibly his marriage photo.
F.W.R. Lill of Maylands, South Australia. He married Florence Dulcie Nation from Murray Bridge. I lived with him in his house in Grange until he died when I was 14. A very interesting man. He is a life member of Grange Bowling Club. He built public buildings - including Tailem Bend Railway Station, and Strathalbyn Post Office (1913). He also built houses in Grange. I was told he built 536 (was 620) Seaview Rd, and house one over for his brother Angus (Cuthbert) Lill.

W.R.Lill - builder, South Australia

I am fairly certain this is W.R. Lill, builder of Maylands, South Australia.
He was my grandfather's father. He died in 1913. He was the builder contracted to build the Tailem Bend Railway Station, and the Strathalbyn Post Office. The Railway station was not finished by him, as he died before completion. He was in partnership with his son, my Grandfather (F.W.R. Lill), who completed the work.