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ELDRIDGE Maudie

The first building in the town of Ongerup was owned by Miss A. M. Eldridge, later known affectionately as Maudie Eldridge, together with her mother arriving in Ongerup early 1913. They lived and kept a store in a bough shed with an iron roof.
Their only noticeable possessions were two pug dogs, Lady Betty and Nero, a cockatoo and a .32 calibre revolver.
Naturally, Maudie being a very attractive and enterprising young lady, didn't have to look far for a helping hand, or rather hands, as all the young bachelors were more than willing and in evidence, clearing the land and erecting the bough shed.
The firewood heap of chopped wood was a credit to all helpers, who also built a stone fireplace for the cooking stove.
Not only did these women keep a very efficient store-you could get morning and afternoon tea, hot scones with all the frillings, at a small charge of nine-pence a nob.

The Eldridges came from Perth where Maudie was employed as ledger keeper for E. and S. Wigg, stationers, in Hay Street.
Then she purchased a small store at Tammin and eventually came to Ongerup.
They battled away in the bough shed for a considerable time whilst the permanent building was being erected by two very amateur carpenters who were unable to carry on to completion and finally left this enterprising young lady wishing she could get a carpenter to finish the building.
Myself, just left, after having had afternoon tea-one of the competitive bachelors said, “There goes a carpenter who
has built his own house, he's just had afternoon tea here after arriving by train."
Another kind bachelor chased after me and said the young lady wished to see me. She eventually persuaded me to finish the building for her, to her entire satisfaction as a general store, post and telegraph office. She then gave a house-warming.
Maudie eventually married Cecil Connell, son of Inspector Connell who owned "Rock Farm" at Ongerup.


CONNELL'S "ROCK FARM" 1913        #1
 In the background on the left is I.H.C 25HP Titan engine,used for scrub rolling. He purchased it new in Dec 1911, driving it from Broomehill.

 

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References:                 Article:       Research by Merilyn Stewart

                                  Image:      1    SLWA
                                                   

 

Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024