WHEN he was a schoolboy, Rusty Nicholls grew fascinated by the stamps on envelopes.
It was his window to the world and his parents Jim and Edna encouraged him fill his first album.
He vividly recalls, as a lad, receiving stamps from an aunt in America.
“Dad collected stamps too, so you could call it a family hobby,” said the popular treasurer of the Dandenong Philatelic Society.
“I can remember a scramble with my two brothers and a sister when the postman left letters at our home, just out of Auckland, as to who would get the stamps off the envelopes first.”
Over the years, Rusty has exchanged stamps with philatelists in Romania, South West Africa, Greece, Germany, Spain, Italy and Russia.
The Dandenong Philatelic Society has 14 men and women as its members.
More stamp enthusiasts are welcome to join Rusty and his friends. For more details, call Rusty on 9793 4663.
Threading it together
For decades, a group of women have been meeting twice a month to spin wool from raw fleeces. and a variety of related crafts have evolved from the long-term get-together.
Over the 60-plus years I reported on the Dandenong Pastoral and Agricultural Society’s annual show, I was always intrigued by the group of spinners and weavers who brought their art to the appreciative crowds.
Sadly, like the Dandenong Art Club, and a number of other popular local clubs, the spinners club has been forced to close, mainly because of the age or ill-health of members. Some spinners have moved to other areas.
I love Dandenong
These three simple but heartfelt words sum up the deep passion Irene Rice has for Dandenong, the place where she was born, attended school, was employed before her marriage, and where she hopes she will live until she dies (her expressed wish).
“I’ve never left my home town and I hope I never will,” Irene said. Irene attended Dandenong Primary School, which her mother also attended. After she left school she was employed at Cannes Dress Shop in Melbourne’s Swanston Street, where her skills as a dressmaker/seamstress were manifest.
She later came home to Dandenong to work for Mrs Brown, who opened Brown’s Clothing Factory.
Irene excitedly talks about a reunion with former dressmakers from the factory in Dandenong. She spent many happy years at the clothing factory. “We meet twice a year and our next get-together is on April 14,” she said.
One of Irene’s many talents is spinning and weaving. She uses natural fleeces and, after weaving, dyes the articles she makes for relatives and friends: travel rugs, jumpers, scarves, caps, gloves, and accessories. She still makes all her own clothes.
Do you have a milestone, memory or question for Marg? Email marg@your weekly.com.au or post submissions to A moment with Marg, c/o Greater Dandenong Weekly, PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175.
