Format: Oral History

Linked To

Oral History Audio

Merle Kavanagh Interview

Supporting material

Place

Yowie Bay

Collection

Telling it as it was

PDF Document

Supporting material (2)

Recollections

Add

no stories yet

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Rights Not Available. Reproduction of this work without permission in any form is expressly forbidden. Please contact the Library if you would like permission to use this work.

Tools

Download Add to My Collection Contact us about this Citation for this item

Merle Kavanagh Oral History

Main

Collection SummaryIn the early days of World War II as the threat of a Japanese invasion seemed imminent 13-year-old Merle Kavanagh (nee Beecroft) and her family left their home at St Peters. As Merle recalls their move to the former hotel at Yowie Bay was a transfer from 'the tip to paradise'. The family settled into a pleasant lifestyle with a 'hit and giggle' on the tennis court, swimming in the tidal pool and most importantly fishing in a boat they shared with neighbours. Friendly gatherings and singalongs would be held on their wide verandah overlooking the deep waters of the Bay.BiographyMerle Beecroft was born on 31 October 1928 at Marrickville, NSW. She Married Alan Kavanagh in 1961. A published writer and poet, Merle has published a number of books including her semi-autobiographical Echoes from the Bay: the Yowie Bay Story in 2004.SynopsisMerle describes Yowie Bay and the village of Miranda when she first knew these places and comments on the dramatic changes that have occurred in Sutherland Shire in the post-war years. She also reflects on her family, especially her father Harry Beecroft who she describes as a 'good looking bloke' but also 'a very likeable vagabond'. She loved her mother Doll, 'the loveliest mum who held everything together. She made things as normal as possible for her children.' She is also particularly fond of her sister Dorothy, the 'calmest of the lot', in the Beecroft family. Continuing her involvement in the guiding movement at Yowie Bay, Merle blossomed under the protective friendship of guide leader and strict Anglican Ada Swattridge. She attended Sutherland Intermediate High School and did well in her Intermediate Certificate but was bitterly disappointed when her mother, because of economic pressures, would not allow her to continue her education so she could become a teacher. Instead Merle began work at the NSW Department of Lands in the city where, under the tutelage of the demanding Miss Seage, she became 'a damn good typist'. Merle held other positions, most notably at Parke Davis, a pharmaceutical manufacturer in Cawarra Road Caringbah, and travelled in New Zealand and Queensland before her marriage to Sutherland resident Alan Kavanagh in 1961. She and Alan ran a photography business together and had 'lots of fun' making home movies in the once extensive Kurnell sand hills.

PDF Document

Merle Kavanagh Interview Log Sheet

Merle Kavanagh Interview Profile

Audio

Merle Kavanagh Interview

Details

Oral History AudioMerle Kavanagh InterviewDate of interview11th February 2011IntervieweeMerle KavanaghDate of birth31st October 1928InterviewerPauline CurbySupporting materialMerle Kavanagh Interview ProfileMerle Kavanagh Interview Log Sheet

Connections

PlaceYowie BaySubjectsKavanagh, MerleCollectionTelling it as it was