To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Flowserve TKL (formerly Thompsons Foundry) tomorrow, we enjoyed a chat with former foundry team member and longtime Castlemaine resident Joyce Perry.
Joyce was born in Parker Street, Castlemaine, in a little cottage near the bush in 1926 and celebrated her 99th birthday earlier this year.
“My family later moved to Hunter Street, and I attended the North School, before my father got a job in Melbourne, and we moved to Seddon for two years. Unfortunately, he got sick and was hospitalised, and we moved home to Castlemaine and settled in Forest Street, and I attended the South School,” she said.
“I then did two years of study at Castlemaine High School and two years at Castlemaine Technical College, where I learnt tracing.
“I got a job at the foundry at around 16 years of age. I worked in the drafting department. There were six of us girls. The men would do the designs for the works, and we would trace them, ready for the blueprints to be printed off. It was very technical work. It’s all computerised nowadays!” Joyce said.
“We had a lot of good times working at the foundry; there was a great camaraderie. They were a great bunch. I recall we entered a foundry float in a parade one day. That was a lot of fun,” she said.
Joyce met her husband Percy at the Anglican Church dance, and the couple were married at the Anglican Church in 1947.
“Of course, in those days when you got married, you were expected to leave work and focus on being a wife and mother. That changed after the war. But I didn’t mind. I enjoyed raising our two children, a boy and a girl, Ian and Marilyn, and the chance to pursue my sports. I enjoyed playing tennis at the Anglican Church tennis courts, golf at Mount Alexander, and later bowls at Castlemaine Bowling Club,” she said.
“I was also involved in committees at the tennis club, school and golf club. We were a sporting family. We all loved our sport. In fact, the foundry has a proud history of community sport involvement too. There were local cricket and football sides and various other sports. Michael Bottomley compiled a fantastic book featuring many of these.
“Perc worked at the Woollen Mills for many years and later moved across and worked at the foundry, taking over the role of storeman when his dad retired,” Joyce said.
“When he notched up 10 years of long service, we enjoyed a trip to Carnamah in Western Australia between Perth and Geraldton.
“We enjoyed a lot of travel in our retirement years in our van, including regular trips to Kirra near Coolangatta. I’ve been to every state in Australia. We also spent a month in Peace River in Alberta, Canada, when our son was there on a 12-month teacher’s exchange, and we visited Hawaii and Disneyland.”
Joyce and Perc enjoyed 67 years of marriage before he passed 11 years ago.
Joyce has remained fit and active and enjoys regularly attending functions with Probus, the Chewton Senior Citizens and catching up with friends and family. In fact, Joyce and her daughter Marilyn are looking forward to attending tomorrow’s Flowserve TKL 150th anniversary celebrations, which run from 10am to 2pm. See pages 1, 4 and the advertisement on page 9 for more details.
And the all important questions:
What is your favourite book? I am an avid reader, but I don’t really have a favourite. I am currently reading The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves. I also enjoy doing crosswords.
What music do you enjoy? Country & Western music. I enjoy modern music too. Anything bright and cheery.
Do you have any other passions and interests? I enjoy attending Probus Club and I am also a member of the Chewton Senior Citizens. I also enjoy regularly attending the Dhelkaya Health’s Active Tuesdays program.
What are your philosophies in life? To be kind and to help others where you can.
Who are your three dream dinner guests? My husband Perc, my son Ian who passed away very young at just 50, and my dear friend Glenis Marshall, who passed away a couple of years ago. We were friends for 60 years, and I don’t remember us ever having a real argument. We had lots of adventures together.
Finally, what do you love most about the place you call home? Well, I was born and bred here and apart from that two-year stint in Melbourne I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I’m a Castlemanian at heart. I love our friendly community and we have everything here that we need. It’s a lovely country town.
