Page 6 - BG Newsletter_ Autumn 2022_Final

6 BAYSWATER NEWS, AUTUMN 2022
Meet Kathleen Butler
Kathleen was born to loving parents Christine and
Herbert in Brisbane on 17 March 1924. She was
followed five years later by her younger sister
Lorna whom she is very close to. Kathleen
attended a Catholic school on the banks of the
Brisbane River until World War II broke out.
Kathleen worked at the Treasury as a Secretary.
Kathleen met her husband Michael when he came
back to Brisbane whilst serving as a Captain over in
Papua New Guinea to General McArthur’s
Headquarters. Michael didn’t speak of being at
war but rather of sitting on a beach in Morotai
waiting for the Japanese to land fresh troops and
provisions at the battle of the Coral Sea.
After the war Kathleen moved to Canberra away
from the heat and humidity and lived in Public
Servants Housing and started working for the
Public Service Board. The working conditions were
great, no Saturdays, 4 weeks annual leave, long
service leave and living away from home
allowance. After a period of time Kathleen applied
for a transfer to Perth and was excited to get
notice that she had got it. She lived there for 8
months before being asked to transfer back to
Canberra after some time Kathleen moved to
Melbourne and stayed there for four years before
meeting up with Michael again. Michael had
started a building business in Sydney and long
story short there was a short engagement and
they returned to Brisbane to get married then
moved to live in Lane Cove then onto Chatswood
where they grew their family, four daughters and a
son.
Her daughters grew up in a time where they were
expected to be married by 23 of years of age and
were told to not appear too clever. It was the
beginning of Women’s Rights and the abandoning
of the philosophy of “Feed, breed and follow the
lead!” and the start of the it’s ok to have a wife
who works era, although married women were
now no longer able to work in the Public Service
Office, so Kathleen stayed home and was the
dutiful housewife until Jane went to school and
one day she was asked if she played tennis?
Tennis led to cards, bridge and school committees
fund raising lunches.
Neither Michael or Kathleen had family nearby and
with Michael working six days a week they were
able to get a nanny to help which allowed them to
take a yearly subscription to enjoy the Sydney
Symphony Orchestra, go to balls which was in the
in thing to do at the time and enjoy picnics at the
races with her sister Lorna and her family. Once
their daughters finished studying they continued
living at home and saved their money until they
were able to put a deposit on a home. Imagine the
progress that was happening and yet single
women were not able to take out a loan. All her
children are successful in their own right and
Kathleen couldn’t be prouder of them and their
achievements.
Kathleen says “I have lived a fulfilled life with many
fond family moments and I am proud of my
children and grandchildren. I try to keep my mind
as active as possible and once read, “You are only
old when your mind cannot absorb a new
concept.” I moved into Bayswater Gardens on 20
March 2017 and it was the best decision my family
and I ever made. The staff are attentive and caring.
There are activities available for everyone
depending on what you like. I love attending the
exercise classes and the brain teaser activities that
help stimulate my mind. Outside of Covid I enjoyed
hosting discussion groups in the club lounge with
up to nine friends from my discussion group. We
miss these days and look forward to being able to
do this again in the not too distant future. Thank
you to the Bayswater Gardens staff for the great
work you all do.”