Dr Margery Owens. Part Two Letters, Poems and Short Stories.
This post continues on from the previous post ‘Dr. Margery Owens. Children Helping Children. The Story Of A Subiaco Sunshiner.’
Margery Owen’s name first appears in the Daily News newspaper’s children’s page ‘A Page for Boys and Girls of Western Australia’ on 7 January, 1928 in the column ‘Welcome New Sunshiners’. From 1928 to 1932 Margery was actively involved in donating money to the Cot Fund for hospital beds in the Children’s Hospital, writing letters and sharing events in her daily life, completing competitions, writing poetry and short stories and recruiting new members for the Sunshine League.
In 1929 and 1930 Margery, her mother and grandmother travelled to London and Europe for several months. There they met their uncle and auntie and travelled around England visiting relatives and friends and sightseeing. She wrote about her travel experiences to Auntie Nell who edited the children’s page at the Daily News newspaper.
Auntie Nell responded to Margery’s letters and wrote this about travel....”What a wonderful tour you must have had! You must try and store those beautiful scenes in your memory, so that when you are alone with no on to talk to, you can revisit those scenes in your mind. That is what travel is for. It is not the least bit strange that your aunt's Oriental friends created a stir in Turin. They would arouse enough interest in Perth.” 90 years on I am reading with great interest not only about Margery’s travels around Europe with her family but also about life and growing up during this time from the perspective of a child and teenager.
By late 1931 Auntie Nell had retired and Boronia Giles had taken over the children’s page and was trying to recreate her own identity as Peg Peggotty. The children’s page had changed dramatically. The children’s letters were summarised and the content was written almost entirely by adults on subjects they thought children may be interested in from other newspapers. Boronia Giles’ own poetry and short stories under the name of Peg Peggotty was published. Occasionally children’s stores and poems were published and the letter of the week.
By 1932 Margery was a teenager and had changed schools moving from the St. Joseph’s Convent to Victoria Square and her time was taken up studying. However, she managed to write to both Peg Peggotty who was still referred affectionately by the children as Auntie Nell and Auntie Kitty at The Sunday Times newspaper about her interests that included taking photographs and reading and writing stories and travels throughout the state. Margery continued to make regular donations to the Cot Fund at the Children’s Hospital. After graduating university in Melbourne as a doctor she returned there to work and lived in Subiaco.
The articles below are copied from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Sunday Times 12 January 1930
When is a candle in a passion?
When lt ls put out or when it flares up.
What is the difference between an oak tree and a tight boot?
One makes acorns and the other makes corns ache.
Who had the greatest appetite ever heard of ?
The man who bolted a door then sat down and swallowed a story.
What pudding makes the best cricketer?
A good batter.
What pupils are always to be pitied and why?
The pupils of the eye, be-cause they are always under the lash.
(Sent in by Margery Owens, Subiaco.)
The Daily News, 18 January, 1930
Margery Owens, Brighton Hotel Cottesloe
I am afraid this is going to be an awfully long letter, but as I want to tell: you everything about my trip, will have to be a little bit longer than usual, won't it, Auntie? We (mother, grandma and I) left early in April last year and arrived in England early in May. The sea was calm nearly all the way. Just before we got Into Colombo it was slightly rough but not enough to make anyone sick. At Colombo we visited a native temple and had to take off our shoes before we were allowed to enter. At the hotel we went into the garden and picked some temple flowers. These have an exquisite scent and are regarded as sacred by the natives. Our next port of call was Port Said. There was nothing to do there except go arid see the de Lessep's monument, and visit a few of the shops. It is really amusing sometimes to see — and hear— each tradesmen begging you to come into his shop as his is the best in town (at least he thinks so.) Sometimes they run right along the street after one. We also called at Malta. There was not much to do there either, except stroll along the narrow winding streets in company with herds of goats, more of which you seemed to meet at every corner. The day we arrived in London it was raining as hard as it possibly could, almost. We stayed there a week and then crossed over to the Hook of Holland, where my auntie, uncle, and small cousin were waiting to meet us. My cousin can speak English, Italian, German and a little Japanese, although she is only two and a half. She was born in Japan, you see, and lived there for eigtheen months. After we had landed we motored to the Hague, which is only a few miles away from the Hook Uncle and Auntie were staying at a hotel In the town, so we were soon having a welcome meal. We stayed there a month to buy a car for our long journey across the Continent. We left the Hague early one morning and motored as far as Antwerp, where we stayed, for the night. We did not see the cathedral as we had to leave early In the morning for Brussels. We stopped for the night at Philipeville, a village just before the border. Next day we passed through all the battlefields. Waterloo as well, and stopped for the night at Verdun. The streets are awfully narrow and the houses are all squashed up against each other, but we got some delicious cherries there. We paid about a shilling for two pounds. Wasn't it cheap? We passed through Domremy, where Joan of Arc was born and stopped for a while to go over the house and little church. We crossed into Switzerland the day after and spent two days with some of uncle friends. To get into Italy we had to cross the Alps and the pass we chose was the Simplen, which is one of the steepest. It had really been decided to go by the St. Bernard, but it was blocked with snow and no one was allowed over it. Once we had crossed the border it did not take us long to reach Turin, but on the way we passed one of the Italian lakes, Magglore. The roses there were gorgeous. There were all sorts of colors from a creamy white to a deep red, and there was even a mauve colour. They were climbing over arbors that had been placed by the side of the lake and they grew profusely over high garden walls. I have never seen anything so lovely. I will tell you more about our trip next week, Auntie, as there is no really time now. I am enclosing 3d for the Cot Fund, the answers to the puzzle, and a little Christmas present, which I thought you might like even though It is a bit late. It is really Japanese, being brought from Japan by some Japanese friends of auntie's, who are touring the Continent. It is hand painted and beautifully done, don't you think, Auntie? With lots of love and good wishes to you and the Sunshiners. I am eleven yeats old now I was ten when I left.
Dear Margery: You must have had a wonderful time judging by your account of your travels, and I expect you will find it hard work to settle down for a while. One can't help wishing to do It all over again; at least, that was my experience. What a clever little linguist your cousin must be to speak so many languages. The Christmas gifts you sent were beautifully painted. Thank you once again, dear, for remembering your old Aunt.
Sunday Times 26 January 1930
Dear Auntie Kitty, I have not written to you for a year or more, but I will try to write fairly regularly now. I will send in some stories later on. You see, I am rather keen on writing and spend a good deal of my time making up stories. At present, however, we are busy tidying the house up, for we have been away in Europe for about nine months. I will tell you all about It in another letter. I have rot a camera and will send in a photo of myself later on. The camera is a No. 2 Brownie and I have taken several interesting snaps although I only got it from London two or three months ago. I am enclosing the answers to the puzzles. I hope they are correct and that I win a prize. Your affectionate niece, MARGERY
OWENS, 228 Hensman-road, Subiaco.
Daily News 8 February 1930
Margery Owens, 228 Hensman-road Subiaco, — I am very sorry I did not write to you last week and thank you for my prize but there is still plenty of time this week, isnt there Auntie.? But now I must tell you more about my trip. After we had been in Turin two days my auntie had a new baby, a boy. He was a lovely little thing, and we christened him Kelanl Herbert Siegfried. Kelani is the name of a river in Ceylon. We stayed in Turin six weeks and then motored down to Alassio on the shores of the Mediterranean. The village itself was very quaint with awfully narrow streets, not unlike Malta, and tall houses, which, seemed almost to touch each other. One day we decided we would motor to Monte Carlo for the day. There was a little fishing village a few mile from Alasslio. Through the main street, the only one, but one car could pass, at a time. We were going up and down hill nearly all the time but some of the scenery was gorgeous. We arrived, in Monte Carlo about half past eleven and as it was not yet time for lunch, uncle and auntie went into, the Casino, while mother, and I stayed and looked after Kelani. We motored on to Nice for lunch, had I had a little look around and then drove back to Monte Carlo. When It was nearly dark when everyone clambered into the car and we set out again. We had crossed the border and were in Italy again only a few miles from Alasslio in fact when we came to a railway crossing. Now in Italy they always shut the gates about twenty minutes before the train comes, and it looked as if we were going to be held up for some time. After a wait of about a quarter of an hour, the train came along, shunted right in front of the gate, and stayed there: It was after eleven, and everyone was very indignant, but that train didn't move until after twelve o'clock. There were at least twelve cars to cross the railway line, and you may be sure we flew along at high speed till we reached Alasslio. I have not enough time now to tell you any more, so I will, continue next week. I am enclosing a ld. stamp for the Cot Fund, and the answer to this week's puzzle.
Daily News 15 February 1930
Margery Owens, 228 Hensman-road, Subiaco: I was rather disappointed not seeing my letter in yesterday evening's 'Daily News,' but still I must not be greedy, and other Sunshiners like to have their letters printed too. A short time after we had arrived back in Alassio from Monte Carlo, I remembered that my birthday was in a few days time. We had the birthday tea in auntie's room, which was a large airy one and then I received my presents. There was a little blue crockery candlestick with a raised design of colored flowers round the border, a lovely jug with large daisies which seemed to be almost splashed on it, and a little wee vase with a design of different flowers round it. All three were of some special Italian make of crockery. They were awfully cheap and had been bought in a small shop in the village. As a matter of fact, uncle had got a reduction in the price; he is awfully good at doing things like that, but still, it was not dear before that. I will have to get my books ready for school tomorrow now. auntie; but before I stop I am sending in the answers to both puzzles and 3d for the Cot Fund. Next week I will enclose a story for the page, which I will write during the week.
Daily News 22 February 1930
Margery Owens, 228 Hensman-road, Subiaco: — A few weeks after my birthday we again drove back to Turin. We went for several little outings in the hills that surround Turin, more especially to Superga. This hill has a large church built upon it, where all the kings and queens of Savoy are buried. It overlooks all the valley of the Po on one side, and the mighty Alps on the other. While we were still in Turin, some Japanese friends of auntie's arrived from a tour of the Continent. They created a stimof interest in Turin at the time, as the old lady always wore a kimona. The girl showed us all her ceremonial robes. First of all there was the hand-painted, hand embroidered kimona, with sleeves sweeping the ground. Next of all came the obi, almost a yard wide, three or four yards long, and heavy! Why, I could hardly hold it. Then there was a narrow little scarf, also hand-painted, and lastly, a heavy silk houri coat. I think I have written enough by now, Auntie, so I will have to stop. But before I do, I must tell you that I am enclosing l£d for the Cot Fund, the solution to next week's puzzle (it was rather difficult) and a story for the page.
Dear Margery: The story of your trips around Turin are most interesting. What a wonderful tour you must have had! You must try and store those beautiful scenes in your memory, so that when you are alone with no on to talk to, you can re-visit those scenes in your mind. That is what travel is for. It is not the least bit strange that your aunt's Oriental friends created a stir in Turin. They would arouse enough interest in Perth.
Daily News. 1 March 1930.
THE STRING 'FAIRY'
(Original)
Norma stretched herself lazily. She was going back to school in a few days time, and she wanted to make the most of the rest of her holidays, but there was simply nothing to do.
“I wish I could see a fairy, and then perhaps she might take me to Fairyland with her,” she thought dreamily.
Suddenly she caught, her breath. What was that lithe, fairylike form swinging on the old vine near the door? She could only catch glimpses of it through the blind, but it seemed just like, a fairy. She sat and watched it for a while and hoped her brother would I not come and frighten the little thing away. Sometimes it seemed to be hitting the vine, at others it appeared to be dancing gaily in the breeze. Norina got up quietly and advanced towards the door. She wanted to be especially silent In case the fairy was scared away. Then she paused. Her “fairy” had been an old piece of string, which had some how got caught in the vine. Margery Owens (11 years).
Sunday Times 6 April 1930
Dear Auntie Kitty. I tried very hard to solve the clues competition, but was unsuccessful so I am sending you the Maze Puzzle in this letter. It is no
use my sending you the snaps for the competition as I have not camera of my own. but I will send you a few for the page. I am growing a few sweet peas in my garden now and I hope they will do well. I enjoy reading the stories printed in the "Children's Page" and will send one in myself one, day. I am in Class V at school and am getting on fairly well, although I am behind the rest in arithmetic, as I have missed the other six months. I am afraid must finish this short letter now as I have another letter to write. Your loving niece. MARGERY OWENS, 228 Hensman-road, Subiaco.
Daily News 12 April 1930
Margery Owens, 228 Hensman-road, Subiaco.— Please pardon me for omitting to write to you these last, few weeks:I cannot excuse myself by saying I had too much homework to do, as I have none at all but I suppose you know how it is, Auntie? One sits down and starts a letter, but can't think of anything to say, and the letter is put aside to be finished later on, but later on never comes. That has often happened to me, at any rate. Well to continue telling you about my holiday. From Turin we motored back over the Mont Cenis Pass into France again. This pass was less steep than the first one and the scenery more beautiful. I remember quite clearly when we were nearing the summit, looking down far below to a green valley, where a power house could be seen. The valley was completely hemmed in by craggy mountains, and the only colors which broke the greenness were the red roofs of some laborers' cottages, a long white road which stretched over the mountains into the blue distance, the white stone of the power house, and the blue waters of the stream that fed it. Nearing the summit we came into view of a small lake. The waters were clear blue, and grass, with patches of lichen, sloped down to the water's edge. We passed through severallarge towns such as Lyons, Bourg, Rheims, and Charierol. We stayed one night at Lyons and another at Rheims, where we saw the famous Cathedral. Some parts of the town were in ruins apparently where enemy shells had fallen. When we reached Der Haag again ('The Hague' in English) I felt as if we were arriving home again. A letter from my aunt awaited us there (she had accompanied us as far as Bourg, and had returned to Turin by railway) telling us of the trouble she had had with the two children. Sonja had felt sick on the train and cried all the time, while Kelani, the boy, went to sleep and had to be carried from the railway station to the house. I think that will have to be all for this week. Auntie, but before I close I must tell you of the lid stamp enclosed for the Cot Fund.
Dear Margery: Of course, you are excused for I am afraid I must plead guilty to laying a letter aside, and then failing to carry out my good intentions of finishing it. I was very much interested in your further account of your travels, and think you a lucky little girl to have seen so many beautiful sights. What a gorgeous view you had of the surrounding country as you went over the Mont Cenis Pass, and didn't you sometimes wish you were an artist that you might make a visible picture as well as a mental one of the lovely scenery?
Daily News 11 October 1930
Margery Owens, Subiaco: I do not know what you must think of me for not writing to thank you for my prize. It was a very enjoyable and pleasant surprise. A great lot of things have happened since I last, wrote. For instance we have moved next-door, as you will see by the changed address. I have been moved up into the 6th standard an but I will leave the rest until my next letter, which will be a long one to make up for this. I enclose money for the Cot Fund, and the answers to a puzzle.
Dear Margery, Better, late than never and I'm glad you enjoyed your prize. I shall look forward to more of your interesting news dear, but do not make, your letter too long, as we are short of space.
Daily News 24 January 1931
Margery Owens, Subiaco. — This can only be a short note, Auntie, as I am in rather a hurry. I hope you had a merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year. I am enclosing both competitions and 2d for the Cot Fund I have had a cold the last few days, not a very severe one I must admit, but enough to keep me indoors for a while. I will be thirteen in about six months time It seems strange 'growing up,' although I don't suppose I am very old yet. Still, thirteen seemed such an enormous age a few years ago. I really must attempt to write a longer letter next time, but today, as I said before, I am In a hurry.
Dear Margery: I liked your drawing very much, but unfortunately it was too late for the competition. Time does fly and girls and boys seem to grow up almost before you can say 'Jack Robinson.' I expect you are looking forward to being in your teens.
Daily News 31 January 1931
Margery Owens, Subiaco - I have a new Sunshiner for you. Her letter will probably arrive the same time as mine. Did you like my drawing for the competition Auntie ? Now to continue the uninterrupted story of my travels, I believe I left off in Holland before we crossed the Channel once again and proceeded by train to London where we went straight to a hotel at which we stayed before, that is on our previous visit in 1923. We spent a lot of time looking at the shops which are fascinating , but also visited Hampton Court and other places of interest. In a few days time we went to South-on-the Sea to visit some friends there and we continued up north to Marple. This is really a kind of little country village but it is very picturesque and interesting. From there we proceeded to Liverpool to see one our relations.After a few days we returned to London and settled down again. And what do you think happened Auntie. I saw the King and Queen and Princess Elizabeth. they were returning from Sandringham and were driving through London to Buckingham Palace. wasn’t that an experience for one of your Sunshiners ? We embarked on the SS Large Bay on November 27 for home and you know the next. I am enclosing two pieces of poetry and I want you to tell me what you think of them, also 2d for the Cot Fund.
Dear Margery, Your little friend Shirley is most welcome. Your verse are very good for your age dear and also your drawing. It was indeed a delightful experience to see the King and Queen and little Princess.
Sunday Times, 31 May 1931.
Dear Auntie Kltty, I am writing to you once again after many months delay. I am twelve years of age now and pass into Seventh Standard on Monday. I do not get much time, having to study for a scholarship this year, but now and again I will snatch some time to write to you. I enclose the painting, though I am afraid it will be a trifle late. I hope to gain my first prize from The Sunday Times, but no doubt every one wishes that, and every one cannot be successful. Next week I will send in a story to match the painting. My uncle is home at present and he takes us out quite a lot in his motor car. I am afraid this will do for the time being, but I think I can promise a longer letter soon.
Your returned niece, MARGERY 0WENS, 224 Hensman-road, Subiac
Daily News 29 August, 1931
Mail-Bag Dips Sunshiners Said So
“...Margery Owens mentions the serial pageant at Subiaco. Yes I was there. wasn’t it a wonderful day Margery ? Margery is going to lend Margaret her prize book when she has finished...”
Daily News 3 October, 1931
“...Speaking of handwriting Margery Owens writes beautifully! She wonders what relation we are to each other now. Why be related at all? It’s much more fun just to be friends. All the joys, and none of the responsibilities, as I heard someone say once. I will tell Miss Main of your good wishes and try to publish your verse. This week...”
Daily News 3 October 1931
THE FAIRIES
(By Margery Owens.)
When the Fairy of the Breeze goes fluting by:
When the Fairy of the Buda is nigh:
When the Voice of the Bees does ever hum,
Then the Fairy of Spring is surely come.
When the Fairy of the Flowers is bright and gay;
When the Fairy of the Sun gives warmth all day;
When the Voice of the River Is no longer dumb.
Then the Fairy of Summer is surely come:
When the Fairy of the Wind goes fluttering by:
When the Fairy of the Leaves is heard to sigh;
When the Voice of the Sea is ever glum,
Then the Fairy of Autumn is surely come.
When the Fairy of the Gale Is moaning round;
When the Fairy of Fires make's a crackling sound;
When the Voice of the Rain is cold and numb,
Then the Fairy of Winter is surely come.
Daily News 20 February, 1932
Margery Owens: Am I disowned? My humblest apologies for not writing before this. We started school on February 9. At least I started on the 3rd, went to school for the first three days and then it was decided that I was to go to Victoria Square. I like it very much. I am in intermediate, but have a chance of working up into sub-junior by next term. Betty Brophy is, at school with me, but she is in sub-junior. The subjects I take are Maths. A and B, English, History, Geography, Botany, Geology, French, Domestic Scierlce, and Music. It is very interesting and I love it all. — P.S. I am posting this oh my way to school, so if you see a lanky school-girl in a panama hat and carrying a tennis racquet you'll know who it is I enclose the latest competitions and 2d In stamps for the Cot Fund. Much more news next time. I am still looking for the lanky school girl, Margery. Your modesty evidently doesn't permit of your saying 'divinely tall.' Was writing regularly among your new year resolutions?
Daily News 30 July 1932
Margery Owens: Today we went to Nannup ? There were many black swans on the inlet and lots of cygnets trailing aftertheir parents. J would have loved to have found a nest. We parked the car and walked round to the swimming | pool. It then started to rain and we crouched under some rocks. I caught some hailstones in my skirt and rolled them together. They looked like turtles eggs. We retraced our footsteps and started off in the other direction. We four girls took our shoes and stockings off and left them out of reach of the tide, then pranced like mad things along the firm clean sands. The rainclouds cleared away and left blue sky peeping demurely out of white fleecy cumulus clouds, which reflected on the wet sand clearly. The water turned from jade green to blue and the four water sprites (in thick dresses and heavy coats) frolicked on the beach. We decided to return, but forgot all about our shoes until we had covered about a mile. We looked and looked and grew quite anxious. Where were our shoes? However, we found them some distance further on, and then made all haste for the car as a rainstorm was coming up.- Cranford is delightful isn't it? I envy you your holiday.
August 1932
The Daily News, 2 September 1932
Sunshiners Here and There
On Holidays, Hills, Farms and Paper
“..Margery Owens: — I’ll enclose a drawing which I hope will be in time. It ought to be if uncle does not forget to post it. He didn't. It was pretty but a little bit out of plumb. Look at feet in drawings and see...”
