Page 7 - Bayswater Gardens Newsletter Autumn 2020_Final

7 BAYSWATER NEWS, AUTUMN 2020

Happy Birthday

March
2 March Philip P
2 March Bruce M.

6 March Allan C.

15 March Patrick Mc

17 March Sandra R.

17 March Kathleen B.

20 March Eileen G.

April
Meet Valerie Coates
2 April Lynette D.

8 April Sylvia S. Valerie Coates was born on 5 November 1923 to her mother Ilma and
her father John, who was a school head master. She grew up in a loving
28 April Neville A. family in the Hilltops region of New South Wales in Murrumburrah
which was closely linked to another town called Harden. It is said that
May there is no way of knowing where one town ended and the other began.

3 May Gina C. Murrumburrah is known for its old world charm, gold rush history,
cherry orchards and classic pubs. Ten years earlier her sister Marie was
3 May Elaine P. born in Maxville.

7 May Sergio C. As a child Valerie learned to play the piano and enjoyed sports. Valerie
attended Penrith High School to Intermediate Level and then went to
9 May Olive J.
Secretarial College called Miss Hales to prepare her for future
10 May Norma F. employment as a secretary. Valerie recalls having to wear a hat and
gloves to Miss Hales which was a very upmarket college.
15 May Margaret A.
Valerie met her husband to be Sidney Coates when they were young,
16 May Beverley W. they grew up in the same neighbourhood. When Sidney finished his
schooling at Sydney Tech he joined the Air force as a fighter pilot in the
30 May Jacqueline T.
three Squadron. After returning from the war Sidney was able to use the
high marks he got from school to enter university to study law. Valerie
and Sidney were married on 12 January 1946. Valerie was very proud of
her husband’s successful career as a solicitor. Together they raised two
sons in Strathfield. Valerie is very proud of her two sons. Sadly in 1971
her beloved husband Sidney passed away.

Valerie was an avid golfer and is well known to many of our residents
who have passed her on the golf course at one time or another. Valerie
enjoys listening to musicals and old time songs. Valerie was heavily
involved in the Country Women's Association of New South Wales
(CWA), Red Cross and Legacy. She is a regular at our Church services and
loves watching all sports and keeps us up to date with what’s going on in
the sporting arena. Valerie also has a soft spot for detective shows and

“Songs of Praise”. Valerie’s long had a passion for playing Bridge. Every
morning Valerie reads her newspaper to keep up with local and world
events.