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HERITAGE NOOSA
HERITAGE NOOSA
Marie Harper Oral History
DETAILS
Alternative NameMarie McKenna (maiden name)OverviewMarie was born in 1936 in Pomona. She talks about living in Tewantin, around Hilton Tce, close to the river near Chaplin Park during the 1930s. She had a twin sister (who died from leukaemia), and has 3 other siblings.
She recalls the floods, and dirt roads in the area to 1960s, oyster shells on the road surface. As a child she played on the river where they fished, boated, and caught crabs. There was a swimming pool and tennis court and has fond memories of roller skating. She talks about her school and early working life, referring to other families in the area, including Fred Gordon, a boatbuilder, and the buses to Cooroy.
She also mentions the indigenous people in Gympie area and their living conditions. She describes Pomona as local service and shopping centre and going to the Majestic theatre.
Her father was Jim McKenna who was born in Gympie and lost a leg. He was an engineer and boatbuilder with one workshop on Weyba, and one on Hilton Tce. He worked taking tourists up to John’s landing, but also did a lot for the community, and was an active member of RSL. McKenna Crescent took his name. Marie describes how her father built the ‘butter box’ buses. He is related by marriage to Edgar Bennett.
Her mother was born at Finch Hatton, and had a Danish father. Her maternal Grandmother was English and emigrated to near Gympie in 1886 and grandfather was undertaker and timber getter working with horses. Marie tells stories about her mother and father and how they met.
Marie was married at 20, and had a daughter at 21. She had 10 children. Her husband Alf, was a fisherman and carpenter, fish business in Production St where Marie worked. He died from heart condition, and their son Chris took over the fishing license. They built house in Shields St. She talks about life when her kids were small, and how they went to Noosa District High, Cooroy and Tewantin SS.
Marie has 21 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
She recalls the floods, and dirt roads in the area to 1960s, oyster shells on the road surface. As a child she played on the river where they fished, boated, and caught crabs. There was a swimming pool and tennis court and has fond memories of roller skating. She talks about her school and early working life, referring to other families in the area, including Fred Gordon, a boatbuilder, and the buses to Cooroy.
She also mentions the indigenous people in Gympie area and their living conditions. She describes Pomona as local service and shopping centre and going to the Majestic theatre.
Her father was Jim McKenna who was born in Gympie and lost a leg. He was an engineer and boatbuilder with one workshop on Weyba, and one on Hilton Tce. He worked taking tourists up to John’s landing, but also did a lot for the community, and was an active member of RSL. McKenna Crescent took his name. Marie describes how her father built the ‘butter box’ buses. He is related by marriage to Edgar Bennett.
Her mother was born at Finch Hatton, and had a Danish father. Her maternal Grandmother was English and emigrated to near Gympie in 1886 and grandfather was undertaker and timber getter working with horses. Marie tells stories about her mother and father and how they met.
Marie was married at 20, and had a daughter at 21. She had 10 children. Her husband Alf, was a fisherman and carpenter, fish business in Production St where Marie worked. He died from heart condition, and their son Chris took over the fishing license. They built house in Shields St. She talks about life when her kids were small, and how they went to Noosa District High, Cooroy and Tewantin SS.
Marie has 21 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Photograph
Article & Manuscript
IDENTIFIERS
Marie Harper Oral History. Heritage Noosa, accessed 11/11/2024, https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/4508