By MARG STORK
“I LOVE Dandenong. It is the city where my heart is.” These are the heart-felt words of Gwen Jarvis on the city she grew up in and had the privilege of being mayoress of on three occasions.
Although she is now a resident of Millhaven aged-care facility in Pakenham, Mrs Jarvis’ heart remains in Dandenong, where she was recently honoured with a special dinner for her 90th birthday, hosted by former mayor Youhorn Chea.
Mrs Jarvis — who is also one of Greater Dandenong’s Living Treasures — has four daughters: Elizabeth, Bronwyn, Sue and Marion — and eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Mrs Jarvis and her late husband Maurie married in 1944 and lived firstly in Stud Road, Dandenong, before building a home in Jones Road, Dandenong West.
Over the years, I had the pleasure of visiting them at their home, to see the banks of beautiful rhododendrons which struck a colourful springtime note and which we featured in the Dandenong Journal on a number of occasions.
“So many memories, so many happy times. I had two special 90th birthday cakes,” she said proudly, of her birthday celebrations.
Pupils to remember
Popular Dandenong North Primary School principal Kevin Mackay will turn back the clock to a significant day in the world’s history when he asks his 597 pupils to pause in their classrooms and interrupt their normal learning programs to observe a minute’s silence to commemorate Armistice Day (now known as Remembrance Day).
It marks the cessation of hostilities in World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the signatures of Germany’s chiefs and the Allies in Marshall Foch’s private train signalled the end of the conflict.
“I will ask our students to observe a minute’s silence to commemorate the loss of all men, women, and, children in all world wars and I will be proud to see so many teachers and students wearing symbolic artificial red Flanders poppies in their lapels,” Mr Mackay said.
Do you have a milestone, memory or question for Marg? Email marg@yourweekly.com.au or post submissions to A Moment with Marg, c/o Greater Dandenong Weekly, PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175.
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