This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.
Florence Rose White (1875-1933).
Unfortunately it is not until after the death of many women in Subiaco do we learn about their kind acts and good works in the local community while being married to prominent men and raising families. One of these women was Florence Rose White. Florence was married to Thomas Harold Shirley White known as Shirley White.
Florence was born in 1875. Florence married Shirley White in 1896 in Coolgardie. Together they had four children Harold, Shirley, Bill, and Rose. She was also step mother to Leslie, Eileen and Alice. The Whites lived at 118 Subiaco Road, Subiaco. Shirley White was an active plumbing and building contractor in Western Australia.
Shirley White was a member of the Subiaco Municipal Council from 1905 to 1908 and Mayor from 1908 to 1910. The house where the Whites lived is heritage listed on the inherit database. The inherit database wrote about Shirley White..."Shirley White worked in the Western Australian Goldfields (mid-1890s) and then South Africa (c.1902-1903), before settling in Subiaco by c.1904. He established a partnership with William Sherlaw and, from c.1904, the firm of Sherlaw and White became established as contractors in Western Australia. The firm specialised in sewerage and reticulation projects, but also undertook a range of construction projects..." Shirley White spent a lot of his life making contributions to the local communities in which he worked and lived including Coolgardie and Subiaco.
Shirley White died on 9 October 1928. After her husband's death Florence moved to Mount Hawthorn. Florence was fare welled at a party in Subiaco at the King's Hall. The Mayor of Perth, Mr J. T. Franklin talked about the contribution made by Florence and her husband Shirley to the Subiaco community. She was presented with a gold watch and rhinestone evening bag.
The Daily News newspaper described her farewell party... "MRS. SHIRLEY WHITE Farewell Subiaco Party. About three hundred people assembled in King's Hall, Subiaco, last night to bid farewell to Mrs. Shirley White, who has been a resident of Subiaco for many years, and during portion of that time, when the late Mr. Shirley White was Mayor of Subiaco, she filled the position of Mayoress.
The Mayor of Perth (Mr. J. T. Franklin) eulogised the public life of the late Mr. White, whom he had known on the Coolgardie goldfields in the early days. There is one consolation in the loss of Mrs. White, said Mr. Franklin, and that is that we can never undo the great work which she has performed in the past, work among the sick and suffering. Subiaco's loss is the city's gain, as I understand that, she is only moving: a short distance to Mt. Hawthorn. Mayor Roydhouse of Subiaco expressed the opinion that Mrs. White would be a great loss to Subiaco, and wished her a long life and happiness.
Monsignor Verling said that Mrs. White has the esteem and honor of every citizen of this suburb of Subiaco. Cr. W. Richardson, M.L.A., also added a few words of appreciation of the many services Mrs. White had rendered to Subiaco. Mrs. Roydhouse (Mayoress of Subiaco) presented Mrs. White with a gold wristlet watch suitably inscribed, and Mrs. Wardrop presented Miss White with a rhinestone evening handbag. In the course of a short response Mrs. White said she knew every hole and corner of Subiaco, and had many, many regrets at leaving a district she loved so well and which held so many of her friends..." (Daily News, 39 May 1929).
Florence died on the 16 June 1933. She was 58 years old. She was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.
The Daily New newspaper wrote the following obituary about her on 26 June 1933.
"OBITUARY Late Mrs. F. R. White The funeral of the late Mrs. Florence Rose White, widow of the late Shirley White, of 118 Subiaco-road, Subiaco, took place in the Church of England Cemetery, Karrakatta, on Saturday, June 17, in the presence of a large and representative gathering. For 30 years or so the deceased was prominently associated with the activities of charitable institutions in the city and at Subiaco in which municipality she lived for upwards of 30 years.
Mrs. White was a leader in all movements of a community helping character, and she organised many functions, having for its object the benefit of institutions and bodies formed for the alleviation of distress. She was a popular Mayoress of Subiaco, and enjoyed a very wide circle of friends. The chief mourners were: Shirley and William (sons) Rose (daughter), Mrs. C. L. Lenegan and Mrs. T. Leach (step-daughters), and Mr. Les White (step-son)... and many others, including representatives of the Silver Chain Nursing League and Children's Protection Society. Many wreaths and floral tributes were received. The Rev. F. Oliver, rector of Subiaco, conducted the service at the graveside. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Donald J. Chipper and Son." (Daily News, 26 June 1933).
Call News, 30 March 1928.
Western Mail, 6 June 1929.
Daily News, 22 December 1928.
