Evelyn Hayes ~ 1889 - 1949
Pretty Maiden
Evelyn was born 3 June 1889 in Tooborac to Edward and Sarah Hayes. She was their fourth child after Mary Jane "Tottie", Mark and Edward. Her mother went on to have a further five children. Evelyn was seven years old when her little sister, Winifred died of heatstroke.
When her basic education was finished, Evelyn remained at home with Mother to help look after her four younger siblings. She didn't go away for schooling. Evelyn's grandfather, Mark, had been instrumental in establishing the Tooborac Wesleyan Methodist Church. Evelyn's father, Edward, continued the family involvement for all his children. Many of his children grew up to participate by teaching Sunday School themselves. Evelyn actively taught for many years in Tooborac. Musical MaidenEvelyn was an accomplished pianist and was a joy to listen to. She must have used this gift in the church and Sunday School over many years. Later on, family members recall her playing at family gatherings in Camberwell. She often accompanied Jack Nairn as he played his violin on these occasions.
Cancelled EngagementEvelyn Hayes was engaged to Robert Green but he decided to break up. Evelyn never got over it but Bob met & married Ruby Dicker instead in 1916. (Robert Green's sister Ada Millicent had married Evelyn's brother, Edward. Edward's sister Violet had introduced Robert to her school friend Ruby.)
Dutiful DaughterEvelyn moved with her parents to 39 Cochrane Ave in Camberwell and never married.
In HidingThe Second World War began in 1939 and when the Japanese entered in 1941, many Australians evacuated away from the main cities to the country. Thus, with Edward deceased in 1938, Evelyn and her mother Sarah left Camberwell in the city. They went to live with her brother Edward and his wife Millie in Lemnos to escape the potential bombing of Melbourne. They went during winter and stayed with Eddie for about two months. Evelyn and Sarah were quite miserable away from their comfortable home and felt the cold of the winter. Evelyn's morning comment was always "Another grey day, Millie". Evelyn generally had a tendency to a glum view of life.
Then they rented a flat in Shepparton for a further two months. This situation in town gave them more independence as they were within walking distance of the shops. Her niece Ruth Hayes was boarding in Shepparton during the week for school and would go to visit them. Carrying on AloneHer father Edward had died in 1938 and then her mother, Sarah, in 1944. After her mother died, Evelyn lived on at Cochrane Ave in Camberwell for the next 5 and half years alone. Her sister Dora (married to Jack Nairn) had committed suicide in 1941 and had been the only other family member in Melbourne.
In 1946, her nieces Ruth and Muriel Hayes went to stay with Evelyn for a couple of nights and slept in an enclosed back verandah area of the house. Muriel was looking for a wedding dress with her limited post-war ration coupons. There was a dress in Melbourne advertised in the Argus so they went out to see the dress and bought it. Evelyn was not looking after herself very well and was rather grumpy. She was happy to have them them there but glad they didn't stay too long. Ruth went to stay briefly with her from time to time. Evelyn's nephews Laurie Hayes and Ted Bragge boarded with her after the war for a time. Ted was studying dentistry and Laurie was working as the head chemist at the Headquarters in St Kilda Road, Melbourne of the Repatriation Hospitals of Australia. Their presence helped to keep Evelyn focused and busy. A lady doctor came to board after Laurie & Ted moved on. There was an understanding that the 'doctor' practiced alternative medical ideas that lead Evelyn to eat strangely and poorly. |
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