Jim and Dot, Jean, Stella and Margaret Doney
| First name | Jim and Dot, Jean, Stella and Margaret |
|---|---|
| Last name | Doney |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | 11th June 1949 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1957 |
| Submitted by | Stella Doney |
Story
We left our home in Plymouth, England, in November 1957. Dad had been sent here on posting with the British Navy – he was an electrical engineer – and we were to stay for three years. Mum and Dad made the decision to come, as they loved travel ! We kids were told later – like it or not, we were on our way.
We came first class on the P+O Himalaya – very ritzy for a family from a small English village ! But the Navy gave us a great experience. Everything was beautful – I’d never been served food by anyone but my mother, so having a steward bring me a plate of sandwiches in my cabin was the height of luxury ! There was a pool, and I taught myself to swim there. I watched Mum and Dad dressing up in their finery for special dinners…this was all story-book stuff. Stopping at Port Said, Aden and Bombay, we saw exotic things far beyond imagining. Five weeks of shipboard life…and then the Doneys arrived in the land of Oz.
Impressions on Arrival – Heat ! We arrived in December in a heat wave. We stayed in Kings Cross, and Dad soon found Redleaf Pool for us to cool off in. Then we discovered jelly-blubbers ! Too awful…then we discovered Bondi Beach, and we all loved the surf, which we’d never previously seen. We were pretty well impressed with our new home !
After Kings Cross, we lived in rental houses in Brookvale and Manly, then Mum and Dad bought a house in Fairlight. I went to Manly Primary School, then Manly Girls High, and my sisters went to Narrabeen High. I subsequently became a registered nurse, as did my sister Margaret, and Jean became a teacher.
Dad worked for the Navy at Garden Island for the rest of his career, retiring in 1974. He and Mum subsequently spent many great times travelling extensively around the world, and were both involved in volunteering. Mum was a tireless volunteer, at our school canteens, the Manly Childrens Library, Balgowlah Library and the Dalwood Childrens’ Home.
Mum and Dad both lived into their late 80’s, and never regretted that “three year posting” which became a lfetime. They had eight grandchildren, who live all over Australia, and work in a variety of professions. My parents, though they loved their homeland, always recognised that this was a land of opportunity. Their daughters and grandchildren certainly proved that to be true.