Kath Milledge (née Morcombe)

I have lived in the western area of Adelaide along Henley Beach Road all my life, schooling and marriage. My parents had lived at 4 Oakington Street, New Thebarton until 1927. My mother purchased the Alfred Steward Cash Draper store from her father and we then as a family with five children lived at the rear of the shop, 172 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville. I was the middle child.

Up to seventh grade (1928) I attended the Cowandilla Primary School. First year of high school I walked up the road to Thebarton Central Girls.¹⁴ The only other options open to me were Unley or Adelaide High Schools, but my parents were poor and Thebby Girls was where I had to go. My sister Laurel was able to attend Unley High in about 1937 as my parents through hard work were more financial. My brothers all attended Thebarton Boys Technical School, only my younger brother is still living and would have started his years there in either 1933 or 1934.

I have fond memories of Thebarton Girls which I will attempt to recall. I walked to and from school each day. The class sizes seemed rather large, probably well into the 30s, and there were at least two classes of first years, I’m sure. It was a two storey building and I did enjoy it. It is a pity they cut this schooling out. The subjects that I remember most were cooking and sewing. We learned to cook with Miss Buttery. The cooking place was very old and had gas, electric and wood stoves. I felt more comfortable with the wood one as that was what we had at home. We learned to mend and sew as well. With the cooking we had to bring our own ingredients and plates from home to be able to cook, then we could take them home after. Miss McKeckney taught us laundry and/or she may have been the headmistress.

My results for cooking were 100% but I couldn’t put it into theory. I knew what to do but couldn’t put it into words too good.

My academic subjects were not the best. I do remember that day I answered a teacher back and she growled at me. I will never forget that. I don’t know why I did it because that was something I wouldn’t ever do.

Every day we seemed to do a test in the morning and a different sport after. I enjoyed playing basketball. Sport I did enjoy. There was no canteen at the school but Daisy Dell was across the corner of South Road for those able to buy food.

I can’t remember when the age of leaving school was, either 14 or 15, but I left the day after my birthday, 12 September, either 1931 or 1932. After leaving I helped my mother in her drapery store, serving and doing some of the daily chores, even though she did have a live-in housekeeper at that stage. I felt that I had made the right decision in leaving at that age. My services were more needed at home. We worked 12 hours a day seven days a week to establish the business to become a well known shop in the area and business improved.

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The courses of study and work, as set out in the information from the Central School Girls Super-Primary Technical Department,¹⁵ were:

(1) General: Literature and English, Modern History, Civics and Current Events, Geography, Arithmetic and Business Practice.

(2) Technical: Dressmaking, Needlework, Millinery, Drawing, Applied and Commercial Art, Hygiene, Home Nursing and First Aid, Cookery, Household Science and Practice.

(3) Social: Music, Physical Culture, Social Conventions.

(4) Commercial: Shorthand, Typewriting and Business

Practice (if required for second and third year girls).

Girls, who discover ability in any special direction, are encouraged to specialise and develop such ability.

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