Neville Govett Oral History

Ray Kent speaks of 47 years as a movie projectionist. Neville Govett speaks of his experiences in the theatre world.

Don Carmody speaks of his experiences as a projectionist including the early days of silent films at Mudgee, NSW, then at the Wintergarden, Tivoli and Majestic Theatres in Brisbane, the change over from silent to talkies, vitaphone discs and sound on film and general memories of days in the picture theatre.

Mr and Mrs Ted McCarthy speak of 50 years with Queensland Railways.

John and Janet Robinson speak of their early days in Maryborough, Bundaberg, and later, Corinda.

George and Dorothy Cole speak of their memories of Corinda and the story of their early years.

Ada Daddo speaks of her early life in Melbourne, London, Paris and 31 years at Wesley College. Her sister, Joyce, adds comments.

John Pennington Davis speaks about his army service and experiences as a P.O.W. on the Burma Railway.

Frau Saupe was Neville Govett's next door neighbour in Westbury Street, St. Kilda. Frau died 17 Aug 1982 (100 years and 25 days). Also speaking is Florence Herbert (75) who owned the residence where Frau Saupe lived. Mrs Herbert tells of her late husband who was a soldier in the First World War and the Second World War.

Victoria Barker speaks of her memories of Melbourne.

Patricia O'Toole (nee Ironmonger) speaks of memories of early days in St Kilda and memories of Bert Ironmonger (Patricia's father), who was Australia's greatest left-arm spinner.

Various recordings including: Joe Brown (ABC race commentator's last call), Australian cricketer Bill Ponsford talking to Neville Govett, opening day at the Brisbane Tram Museum, a visit to the old homestead at Coominya, 125th anniversary of NSW Railways at Central Station in Sydney and ABC TV recording of the last Ghan train to Alice Springs.

Lt. Colonel Horace Cecil Lee-Archer speaks of his memories of his Army service from 1934-1969 including early days of militia service and then World War 2 and subsequent A.R.A. service. Comments are also made on today's service.

Interviews at Broken Hill featuring: comments by Amy and Ron Baker (lifetime residents), J.W. Leo of Silverton Tramway Company, along the road to the South Australian border, Tess Alfonzi (the only female miner in Australia) speaks of her experiences, John Gough (brother of June Bronhill), roaming around the city, a few statistics of Silverton Tramway Company.

Neville Govett and Alf Twentyman speak about the Melbourne cable trams system including these topics: general comments, Richmond line, journey on the South Melbourne and Port Melbourne lines, the North Melbourne and West Melbourne lines, Prahran/Toorak line, Northcote line, Bourke Street line to Clifton Hill, interesting history from tramway records, route colours, cables, horse trams, total fleet number, cars ex Richmond shed.

Rev. Ian Gillman speaks of memories of his life and his efforts to form the Uniting Church in Australia.

Doug Home (75) speaks of his memories of Sherwood and the Methodist Church. Rev. Joe Gunders, minister of the day (1975-1982), tells his story and comments about the new Uniting Church.

Vincent Grayson Plummer, Veronica Joyce Plummer, Martha May Smith and Irene Margaret Bowen speak about the early days of Corinda including: St Joseph's Church, shops, fire station, residents, the ever changing scene since the 1920s, trains and tram fares of the day, local police, postmasters and station masters.

Neville Govett records his journey from Adelaide to Alice Springs by rail on the last of the old Ghan services via Port Pirie, Port Augusta and Maree, then to Darwin and return via Three Ways to Mt Isa along the Barkly Highway.

Mrs Berry (85) of Corinda wishes to be anonymous. She tells her story that includes migrating as a young girl from Wales. Mrs Beryl Bright of Oxley/Corinda tells a brief story. George A.N. Reeman of Scarborough was born in London, UK, and arrived in Australia on a sailing ship. He speaks about his days as a baker in the Australian Army until 1961.

Neville Govett speaks about the electrification of the railway lines in Queensland and takes a ride on a steam train over the Merivale Bridge then Southside line around the Corinda loop and back to Countess Street in 1981. He describes the rolling stock at the railyards. Includes a recording of the opening ceremony of the Kingston to Shorncliffe line under electric traction, Saturday 18 September 1982.

Rene and Pauline Huckenswager speak of their memories of their childhood in The Hague and pre-war days, the five day war with Nazi Germany and the occupation, after the war, their marriage and trip to Australia, their settlement as citizens, their children and today.

Mr and Mrs John Spreadborough speak of their memories of John Spreadborough's long service with the Queensland Government, his experiences as a young clerk with the Education Department, his war service, then back to the Building and Sites section of the Works Department. Mrs Spreadborough mentions her association with the RSL Ladies Auxilliary.

Documentary taped from the ABC called 50 Years Of The ABC: From Carbon Mikes to Satellites, celebrating the 50th birthday of the ABC radio and TV. The program was presented on ABC TV (channel 2), Brisbane, Thursday 1 July 1982.

Old members of the Methodist Church in Sherwood tell of its early days. Interviewees are: Alice Daisy Percy, Beryl Cook, Mrs Fielding and Miss Cecil.

May Dorothy James, born in Allora, speaks of her memories of World War 1, early years at Gympie, her marriage, the depression years, World War 2, her children and grandchildren.

Bert Van Hameren speaks of Holland during 1940-1945, post-war days, arrival in Australia, Bathurst, then working in New Guinea. Jekova Van Hameren speaks of her childhood in Holland.

Rev. William Arthur Walker of Sherwood is a Queensland Presbyterian minister. He speaks of this ministry in parts of Queensland and New South Wales, joining the Uniting Church, and his retirement.

Lt. Colonel Alan James Muir speaks of his memories of his military service in the Australian Army from 1938-1971.

John Pennington Davis speaks of his memories of his Army service and experiences on the Burma Railway.

Basil Cedric Malaher speaks about Windsor, NS.W., his childhood and his military service in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Leon Le Grand speaks about his school days, Shell Co., and horse racing.

Horace Lennox Harris speaks about serving with the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (NGVR) during World War 2.

Neville Govett has been a member of the Melbourne Cricket Club since December 1933. Memories include information given by Neville Govett's father, C.H. Govett, as well as Neville Govett's own memories since 1922. The Melbourne Cricket Club Museum also holds a copy of this interview.

Two interviews with cricketing greats Harold Larwood and Bill Ponsford.

Beatrice Larkin speaks about World War 2 in London and her experiences being a dressmaker for the Queen Mother.

Collection of interviews regarding the history of St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Corinda including Sister Shirley Davidson (17 December 1982) discussing the history of St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Corinda from 1912-1982 and interviews with various parishioners recorded at the 60th anniversary jubilee church service on 31 July 1983.

Neville Govett speaks about his experiences serving on the Northern Territory track (Stuart Highway) during World War 2.

Neville Govett speaks about the history of the Melbourne cable tramway system.

Neville Govett speaks with residents of Broken Hill about their memories and experiences.

Patricia Tanzer talks about her life in Proserpine, Ingham and Corinda.

Members of the Bond family speak about their lives. Present are: Henry Norman Bond, Stanley Morris Bond and Dorothy Joan Underdam (nee Bond).

Neville Govett accompanies E.D. (Ted) Marshall on a historical tour of The Rocks (Circular Quay West) in Sydney and a visit to the Blue Mountains.

Neville Govett talks to American traveller Brad Hartstein on the Island Princess travelling between Lautoka in Fiji and Auckland, New Zealand. Brad speaks about working in Hollywood and the movie industry.

George Treeweek, rugby league player for South Sydney, N.S.W. and Australia, speaks about the early days of rugby league, the Australian tour to Great Britain in 1928 and working as a butcher during the Depression.

John Pennington Davis and Neville Govett speak about school days at Melbourne Grammar School, unemployment in the late 1930s, Melbourne Cricket Club membership, POW days in Burma and places which impressed.

Neville Govett narrates his journey aboard the 'Sea Princess' to Bali, Singapore, Manilla and Hong Kong and his rail journey from Hong Kong to Canton.

Neville Govett narrates his journey along the Murray River aboard the 'Murray Explorer' and to China on the 'Minghica'. Contains interviews with his fellow passengers and his  Chinese driver.

Neville Govett narrates his journey aboard the 'Oriana' from Rabaul to Japan and his journey on the 'Shinkansen' to Nagoya and Hiroshima and train voyage to Hakata. Contains interviews with his fellow passengers and Japanese friends. Neville describes a festival in Kagoshima and his visit to Hong Kong with a day trip to China via Macau. He also describes his return visit to Perth, visiting the Mundaring Weir and his trip to Adelaide aboard the transcontinental train 'The Overland'.

Neville Govett speaks of his memories of living in St. Kilda.

Neville Govett visits various places in St Kilda (22-23 October 1983) and narrates the changes that have occurred and his memories. He visits a school athletics day at Grimwade House, Melbourne Grammar School, where he interviews students and teachers and recalls his memories of attending the school from 1937-1939. Neville also narrrates his visit to St Kilda Beach, Christ Church St Kilda, St Kilda Railway Station and the St Kilda Cricket Ground. Also included is a visit to R.J. Balls and Company in Richmond (18 March 1982) where he interviews a worker about the cashier system.

Neville Govett speaks of events that occurred to him or events that he saw throughout his life in St Kilda. He speaks about various places and events in St Kilda including the Palais Theatre, Luna Park, the Palais de Danse dance hall, the St Kilda Carnival, the cable tramway, New Year's Eve celebrations, the Victory Theatre, a seaplane that made joy flights from the men's baths near the St Kilda Pier, the St Kilda-Williamstown ferry steamer 'Rosny', the bus system, the street lights, photography in the 1920s-1930s, screening of news reels, radio broadcasting and transmissions. Also includes some interviews of parishioners and schoolchildren of St. Joseph's Parish in Corinda.

Neville Govett speaks with Lt. Colonel Horace Cecil Lee-Archer about the cable tramway system in Melbourne.

Neville Govett discusses the history of the Govett family and memories of Betty and Basil Malaher, nee Govett, with their daughters Carole, Roslyn and Sandra and Betty's lifelong friend, Dorothy Richardson. They also share memories of their grandmother Flossie Govett and uncle George Govett.

Peter Joseph Scott of New Farm speaks of his famous family and his days at T.C. Bierne and Co. in Fortitude Valley. He also speaks about his days as a secretary of Fortitude Valley Rugby League Club.

Memories of the Brisbane floods of 1974 related by Don and Carmel Cole and Ian and Jan Monks of Corinda. Don and Ian were involved in flood rescue work.

Marie Lillian Burke of Corinda, Queensland, formerly of Sydney, NSW, speaks of her days as a kindergarten teacher in Surry Hills, NSW, during the 1930 depression days, and her marriage and move to Brisbane.

Jack McPhee of Prahran, Victoria, antique dealer, tells the story of his business in Chapel Street, Prahran. His son and grandson also speak. Jack was born in 1904 and together with his father opened a business that has continued for over 60 years.

Ken Allen of Fremantle, W.A., tells his story and his association with the Western Australian Rugby League, its formation and early days. He recalls memories as a player of Union and then League with Western Australia.

Recording of a church service at Sherwood held in the hall of the old Presbyterian Church in celebration of Grace Wynn turning 100 years old. Includes a brief interview with Grace Wynn and her daughter Shirley Hill recorded at her birthday party held at Sinnamon Village Home for Senior Citizens. Shirley reads messages to Grace from Queen Elizabeth II, the Governor-General, the Premier and other citizens.

Mary Joan Gill, cousin of Neville Govett, tells her story including living in Brisbane during the Second World War.

Barrie Tiernan of Belgowrie, recalls serving as a RAAF Provost Officer and later as a member of the Northern Territory Police.

William Alexander Rogers of Corinda, tells his story of service with the AIF during World War 2, days in the Middle East, then capture by the Japanese in Java where he was a POW for three and a half years. Bill mentions his association with the Presbyterian Church and the Uniting Church. His wife, Grace, also provides comments.

Memories of Sherwood Methodist Church from Alice Daisy Percy, Beryl Cook and Frances Fielding. Includes a recording of the funeral service of Margaret Dunlop. Also included are interviews between Sister Shirley Bates of St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Corinda, who speaks with Oxley residents about the Corinda parish. Residents include Ms Bailey and Maureen Burgess. 

Neville Govett records a commentary for the Royal Australian Army Educational Corps records. Neville tells his personal story commencing with schooling, early working days, unemployment, the war years and his days with the Australian Army Service Corps and the British Commonwealth Occupational Forces, serving in the Korean War and his return to Australia. He speaks of joining the Army Educational Corps and recalls incidents as an instructor and various events.

Neville Govett records his story for the MacArthur Trust. Topics covered include his school days, enlistment in the Second World War, service memories in Melbourne and the  Northern Territory, the end of war, serving in the British Commonwealth Occupational Forces and the Korean War, US troops in Australia, the Dutch and other topics. Norm Coleman of Inala is in charge.

Carmel Anne Cole of Corinda tells her story covering her experiences with her parents at various railway stations (her father was with Queensland Rail), war time memories, the Brisbane flood in 1974 and her marriage to Don (a school teacher). Carmel plays several numbers on her own piano and also plays organ at St Joseph's Church, Corinda.

Bob Freeman is a retired police officer with Queensland Police. He speaks of his days in the force, his events during the Second World War, far north Queensland, and elsewhere.

Harry Wilcoxon tells of his days with NSW Railways (and RAF service) from 1941.

Garnet Clee of Malvern, Victoria, tells his story of days in the Salvation Army, enlistment, postings and events of his career. Garnett recalls days serving in the Darwin area during the Second World War including shortages of supplies, stories of troops and the general spirit of the day.

Ludmilla (Lucy) Tulika is a former citizen of Ukraine and migrated to Australia after the Second World War with her husband and daughter. She tells of her early life in Ukraine, transportation to Nazi Germany during the war, her eventual release and move to Australia, working in Brisbane, return to Ukraine to visit her mother, and conditions at her old home.

Stan Moore was a young cameraman with Cinesound News during the Second World War. He later worked with various film companies assisting with post war productions. Stan tells interesting stories of Australian producers.

John Charles Hickey was a railwayman with Queensland Railways. He was a trainee driver and then later became a motor rail man. John tells of his early training with the department and some stories of events during the Second World War.

Cyril Martin of Adelaide served in the Royal Australian Navy mainly aboard 'Hobart' during the Second World War. He tells of his experiences at sea and elsewhere.

Anne Gallaher (97 years old) is a lifelong resident of Nathalia, Victoria. She talks about the early days, members of the Govett family including her brother Paul Govett, the building of the rail line to Nathalia, World War 1, and the opening of the Memorial Gardens. Includes a short interview just before her 100th birthday (24 August 1988).

Interviews with Albert McKenzie and Ron Allen. Albert McKenzie of Granville, NSW, speaks of his experiences with the Army in the Northern Territory during the Second World War escorting trains and railway incidents in the Northern Territory. Ron Allen of Frankston, Victoria, served in the Royal Australian Navy and speaks of his experiences in the South West Pacific and then as an employee of the Herald and Weekly Times in Melbourne.

Stanley Winter talks about his childhood, his father's struggles during the depression days, schooling, apprenticeship at Toowoomba Foundry, move to Brisbane, marriage and his own family.

Patrick James Cunningham (age 17) tells of his days at St Joseph's Primary School, a visit to USA with his parents, attending high school at St Columbian's in Albion, sports and academic work.

Leonard Dobby speaks of his early days in Brisbane, schooling, his first job with Gordon and Gotch, his army service during the Second World War where he served in the far north around Thursday Island, marriage to Audrey and post war employment with Master Plumbers of Woolloongabba.

Daphne Geraldine Allom of Inala recalls being a young girl in Sydney, schooling, first job, war years, short stint with Women's Land Army, war job, hitchhiking to Darwin, marriage and life in the Northern Territory.

Norman Caldwell Jamieson, born in Scotland, speaks of his childhood days at home, early working life, schooling, being drafted into the British Army in the Second World War, landing on Normandy Beach on D-Day 6 Jun 1944 and experiences that followed. He migrated to Australia and lives in Sydney.