Elaine I understand you have lived in Eureka Street, Chewton your whole life?
Yes. I was the third of seven children born to Owen and Lorna Jury (Jacobsen). We lived in a house a bit further up the street. My husband Len bought some land off my father next door and built our first home, a weatherboard. His uncle Vic Star helped build part of the house. We later built our second home, a brick house, next door and then a third new home which I still reside in today. Across the road from my current home was the Juniper and Madigan’s Sluice Works. There was a big long pipe running through the paddock which we used to walk along as kids.
I have lots of fond memories growing up in Eureka Street with my siblings. One day we all walked along the top of the rail bridge, except Merley. She was the sensible one. We used to get our grocery order from Wickie Schreck, our meat from George Archer and bread from Mr Minihan. We could take our milk billy down to meet Mr Knoblock the milkman at the end of Eureka Street. He would sometimes take us for a ride down to Steele Street on his horse drawn cart. Mum also kept a cow for milk and sometimes she would make scalding cream which was delicious with jam on bread.
I particularly remember Christmas time when we would all hang our socks above the fireplace and my mother would make steamed pudding.
We also had bonfire nights with the Schultzs. We would collect wood for months in preparation.
Did you attend school locally?
Yes I attended Chewton Primary School. We used to walk to school rain, hail or shine. I remember in the colder months we would crack ice which had formed in the puddles. Ms Bennet lived at the end of the street and she had a bulldog which would go mad whenever we walked by. We were terrified that one day it would escape and my sister Merley told us if that ever happened we should stand still so it wouldn’t bite you. The inevitable happened and one day it got loose. We all ran, except Merley but I can’t recall if it bit her.
I attended from 1942-48. The Headmaster was Mr Gebbie. I recall that we started out with pencils in the early years and later graduated to pen and ink. We also learnt knitting. I have happy memories of playing games like hopscotch, tunnel ball, drop the hanky, marbles, jack bones, quoits and hookey. I was proud when I made it to Grade 6 as you got to ring the bell and I felt very important. I also attended the Sunday School at the Congregational Church Chewton and when older attended Church. Mr Docking and Mrs Williamson were organists. I also attended Ladies Guild at the Church.
Did your Dad serve in the war?
Yes but he had an accident so he was unable to fight overseas. He was a cook and served in a number of places. When he came home to visit we would all run along as the train pulled into the Chewton Railway Station. He would bring us lollies. I recall there was an air raid siren on top of Dave Symes Garage opposite the Chewton Oval and if this sounded while we were at school we had to practice seeking shelter. Many kids would run down into the gully but we sought refuge at my Aunty’s down the road. My Dad actually built an air raid shelter at our house. I was eight when the war ended.
What was your first job?
I got a job at the Woollen Mill in Castlemaine. I started on a Monday and was only there for three hours when they realised I didn’t turn 15 until the Thursday so they sent me home until then. After Len and I welcomed our girls Maryanne and Wendy I returned and did short shifts on the winding machine but I hated it. The line was always snapping. I later worked at the Castle Motel and waitressed in their restaurant and then I worked part time for Castlemaine Taxis for 32 years.
You have collated a huge amount of video, photographic and archival material on Chewton and townships across the shire and beyond. Did you always have a passion for history?
No. It wasn’t until I attended a ‘Back to Chewton’ event in 1984 that my interest in history was sparked. I went on to film more than 30 people on 40 subjects and created the ‘History of Chewton’ collection. I then collected more than 600 photographs from those various contributors to begin a People and Places Collection and then started compiling history on Chewton and then it just kept expanding from there.
What keeps you busy at the moment?
I am always researching and compiling material. I also enjoy working in my garden in which I am incorporating the local history including a Mia Mia shelter representing the Dja Dja Wurrung, a bark settlers hut and a poppet head (pictured). I also volunteer at the People and Places collection at Chewton Town Hall on the first two Sunday’s of each month from 1pm to 4pm.
What music do you like?
It depends what mood I am in. Sometimes its County, sometimes Classical, sometimes Folk.
What are you reading?
History books! I also love following Facebook history sites.
If you could have three dream dinner guests who would they be?
They all have a link to history and storytelling Australian artist ST Gill, photographer Adolphus Verey and Slim Dusty.
What do you love most about where you live?
I love living in Eureka Street Chewton because further up Eureka Street my forebears the Huckels lived. William John Huckel Senior migrated from Richmond, Surrey, London in 1854. He first resided in Steeles Gully and then moved to Eureka Street where six generations from the Huckels lived. William and his son, also William John, sluiced out Steeles Gully. I feel connected to them by living in Eureka Street.