Elizabeth Gibb 1910 - 2005
Former Wellington Road resident, Bessie Gibb, passed away last month in Berwick at the age of 95.
Bessie was born Mary Elizabeth Limbrick in Finley and it was in that area of N.S.W that she met and married a young farmer from Narrandera named Harold Gibb and with him sought greener fields in which to farm than the hot, dry plains of southern N.S.W. In 1936 they found that special place on the northern side of Wellington Road and moved into the homestead that stood about where Corporate Drive now runs.
Their only child Ian was born and raised on that property. A photo of Ian with his fox terrier and billy cart is on the back cover of Volume 2 of Rowville and Lysterfield Stories.
Mary Sturrock (nee Bickerton) who grew up on her father’s neighbouring farm, remembers the Gibbs as a very friendly and kind family who were always ready to help and share with their neighbours. Mary recalls that
Bessie loved her flower garden and was a good cook, particularly known for her sponge cakes. Bessie was also a keen tennis player and rider and she regularly rode into Dandenong to play tennis.
Hal Gibb died in 1994 and Ian passed away in 2001.
The Gibb family story is told in Volume 2 of Rowville and Lysterfield Stories.
Bryan Power
Mary Sedgley 1920-2005
Former Hallam North Road resident, Mary Sedgley, passed away in Bairnsdale on 10 November following a long illness.
Born in Melbourne and educated at Melbourne Girls Grammar School, Mary excelled but was not permitted by her father to go to university. In 1940 she married John Sedgley and they had three children, Michael, Anne and Sue.
In 1960 John and Mary bought the Warren Park property that extended westwards from Hallam North Road towards Churchill Park. Mary’s great love was gardening and she developed an oasis in the grounds of this historic homestead. She also delighted in all sorts of arts and crafts. After completing her long-desired arts degree, and several years of teaching at Lyndale High School in North Dandenong, Mary began applying herself to the craft of embroidery in which she would become one of Victoria’s leading exponents.
After being inspired by wonderful examples of tapestry and embroidery during a visit to Europe, Mary studied Creative Stitchery at Emily MacPherson College and then joined the Embroiderers’ Guild. Over the years since then she produced many exquisite works, almost all of which were gathered for an exhibition of her work at the Lyceum Club several years ago.
In 1985, after 25 happy years at Warren Park, Mary and John retired to Metung where Mary set about creating a magnificent garden on their new property, “Rosebank”.
In 2000, Mary and John, surrounded by family and friends, celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary at Rosebank.
Mary was a very gracious lady, a loving wife and mother and a dear friend to all who knew her.
Bryan Power