Eldercare Matters Newsletter - Summer 2014-15

Wally says that music has been animportant part of his life – “not thatI’m a great singer”, he adds.“I’ve been mainly in choral work,from the time I was a boy in thechurch choir.“There was a different form ofentertainment then, to what there isthere now. I think back in the 1930sthe Church was where boy metgirl,” he says.Wally recalls that in the 1930s peoplemade their own entertainment.“The larger [churches] had dramasocieties, music societies andchoirs,” he says.“There were dozens of similarchoirs. Every district in Adelaidewould have had its own substantialchurch choir of 20-30 people. Thechoirs were often concert parties aswell, so apart from Sunday singingthey might go to another smallercountry church and give a concert.“And that’s what we did, in the daysbefore TV. There was somethingon at the church every night of theweek,” he recalls.In World War II, Wally served in thearmy, while his wife Irene went toboard with his parents in Prospect.“We were married during the waryears and our children were bornafter the war,” he says.Wally’s family has grown from twodaughters to five grandchildrenand five great-grandchildren.Despite issues with his legs thatlimit how far he can walk, Wallyfrequently goes on outings withhis family, as well as with otherTrowbridge residents.A Head for NumbersWally commenced his working lifeas a junior clerk, and following thewar studied accountancy. He sayshis entire career involved financeand accounting.As was common in that era, Wallyworked for the same companythroughout his career:“I spent my whole life in theSimpson organisation,” he says.“Simpson’s big factory was atDudley Park and Pope’s had afactory on Port Road. In the 60sthey merged to form Simpson Pope.That is now gone too.“I was there before the war as a boyand after the war was over; all thecompanies were required to taketheir former employees back.“In those days it was easy. Therewasn’t the cut throat competition.People often worked for the samecompany their whole lives – itwas a different atmosphere,” Wallyrecalls.Times ChangeWally says that the tradition ofchoral singing is something youdon’t hear much these days.“The same classical work is stillbeing done; instead of beingdone with 100 amateur singerswith a book in their hand, they’reoften sung by professional youngmusicians, who can do it betterthan we could.When asked to name his favouritetune, Wally breaks out into song:“Old Father Thames” he says. “It’svery well known amongst olderpeople.”He says the song was popularisedby famous Australian baritonesinger, Peter Dawson in the1930s. Wally has sung it with theTrowbridge Singers, as well asmany other ballads.Wally and The Trowbridge Singersperform on the first Friday of everymonth.Above (L-R): Roz Hamilton, Lifestyle Coordinator, The Lodge; Ritesh Sehdev, Lifestyle Coordinator Trowbridge House; Volunteer Joan Zubrinich;and Trowbridge Singers Betty Duke and Walter Olding07