By Matthew Sims
Berwick resident Betty Funston has looked back on her 100 years fondly surrounded by her extended family, with memories including walking three miles to school and trekking into the bush to chop up wood to keep her home warm.
Betty celebrated becoming a centenarian on Sunday 14 April at the Pine Grove Hotel in Upper Beaconsfield.
She grew up in Devon Meadows with her two brothers Len and Ted and her two sisters Joan and Yvonne.
“We lived in a house on a block of about 9 acres, mostly natural bush with a creek running across the back paddock,” Betty said.
“We all had jobs to do at home.
“When the boys were away at work, mine was keeping the kindling and wood supply at the ready, so off I would go with an axe into the bush.”
She said the appliances and luxuries at home were archaic compared to modern standards, with no electricity, with the house being lit by kerosene lamps and candles, and horse and cart deliveries from the butcher, baker and grocer once a week.
“We walked about three miles to school, which was not much fun when I had chilblains on my toes,” Betty said.
“One room, one teacher with about 50 kids from Prep to Year 8.
“A sewing mistress came Friday afternoons, girls were taught to sew, knit, darn socks and crochet.
“Boys tidied the school grounds and played sport.”
She said everyone had their own job to do and she learnt how to maintain the house from a young age, even learning how to hunt rabbits from her brother at the age of six
“We had water tanks, but when the water was low we carted buckets of water up from the creek for any outside use,” she said.
“Clothes were boiled in a copper out in the yard and tubs used for washing and rinsing, the water was used for the garden.
“We had a mangle – an oversized wringer – I would stand with arms outstretched to gather the sheets while mum turned the handle.”
She then became a cook at the age of 13 at another family’s home, beginning her day at 7am and receiving 12 pounds and six shillings a week, riding five miles to and from work.
Betty then joined the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) at the age of 18, joining the Anti-Aircraft Unit.
“Early days in the Army, we were moved around for training, then on to Yallourn to guard the coal mine,” she said.
“From there over to South Perth where the girls worked on the instruments at the gun pit site, sending messages to the soldiers to fire the three-inch ammo.”
Betty was honourably discharged at the age of 20 before joining the Berwick Bush Nursing Hospital looking after newborn babies.
She then met her husband Allan, who was delivering milk next door.
“We were married in 1948, Adrian was born in 1951 and Jennie was born in 1953,” Betty said.
“I never learnt to milk a cow but was able to harness the horse and deliver milk.
“Allan was a very community minded and active person and was involved in so many organisations, including Shire President and Charter member of Rotary, I just tagged along with him, he was honoured with a Paul Harris Fellowship as was I.”
She then joined the Inner Wheel Club of Berwick and the Ladies Probus Club, before enjoying travel around Australia and Norfolk Island.
“I travelled to China where our trip was cut short with the Tiananmen Square protests and taken a cruise on the Queen Mary,” Betty said.
“My interests have been varied; I took up painting for several years, cake decorating, flower arranging, I was part of a walking group, fishing, gardening and today I enjoy having coffee with the girls.
“I have enjoyed it all.”
