Yesterday I met the beautiful Anne, who had travelled all the way from Beaudesert with two of her daughters for this shoot. She was only told the night before about the real reason for their road trip, so was a little anxious about what to expect. She certainly warmed up to the idea though & even posed for some more glamorous images in one of my dresses outside.
Anne Lorraine Andrews (née Robbie)
Born: 17th June 1949
St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW
Anne had two siblings 1 sister, & 1 brother
Her Father was a foundry worker for many years as a mould maker.
He later worked as Dispatch Manager/Driver at Pascol Paints Warehouse.
Anne's mother was a Tailoress at Evers & Cohen, Sydney.
She also worked in a department store, as a meat packer, and making ceramic fittings.
As a child Anne lived in a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom fibro house in Sans Souci that belonged to her paternal grandmother – she had a very happy and safe childhood.
They lived with 'Gram' until she was 87. She passed away May 1976.
After attending school locally, she went to Moorefield girls high school. She was involved in Physical Education (ages 8–12), Netball (11–12), Tennis (12–15).
They didn’t have a house phone until she was about 15. No TV until she was 10.
They had no car until she was 12 – Anne says what we didn’t have, we didn’t miss.
They spent a lot of their summers at the beach – and watching St George play footy during winter. And watching her brother play soccer. Anne learned to crochet from grandmother and to sew from mother.
Anne used to work in the school holidays at the corner grocery store at age 14.
She left school just before her 16th birthday to join the Public Service in 1965 as a comptometrist typist. It was a 5-year contract. It was a rule you had to leave when you got married as they didn't want pregnancy & having children to affect the investment they had made into your training.
After a Contiki tour of New Zealand, she met Michael on the cruise ship 'Achille Lauro' returning from Wellington to Sydney (3-night cruise – 11 March 1969).
They married 30 January 1971 at St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Sans Souci. Anne made her own wedding dress.
They moved to Melbourne when Michael got a transfer for National Mutual Insurance Co.
Anne continued working in 1974 as a Key Punch Operator in Melbourne for Sigma Pharmaceuticals.
The couple went on to have 3 children. Anne was 25 when she had her first.
In 1976 they moved to Cairns. Anne worked night packing, & sold Avon,
Other roles included a Librarian for TAFE, Canegrowers admin officer. She also worked for the Commonwealth Bank, & Bendigo Bank.
To work at the bank, you had to sit mathematical tests to show your competency.
She was also a medical receptionist – Auxillary Firefighter in Babinda.. She also worked in a plant nursery while her husband worked at timber mill.
Sadly, her Husbands sister passed away and was a single mother so for a time they took on her two sons 6 and 2.
Anne's career and contributions further included,
working in office roles for national cash registers as an Instructor. Dewar Distributors liquor supplies in accounts .
She worked at Babinda hospital as a domestic, and for an insurance agent as the receptionist.
She also helped out with Meals on Wheels, volunteered for Storytime at the library, helped run school tuck-shops. & was a girl guide leader.
She always wanted to become part of the community so volunteered to Interact.
They moved to Beaudesert in 2018
Anne loves bowls, line dancing, and crafts she is a member of the yarn bobbers and they decorate the town for Christmas. She also makes raggedy Ann dolls to raise money for the hospital .
10 years ago, Anne's younger brother sadly passed away.
Her parents were married 70 years, both since have passed away. They were on the news for their milestone anniversary
Anne had travelled extensively. At 58 she was involved in a hot air balloon incident in turkey when strong winds affected their flight & an emergency landing was necessary. They were dragged along in the basket until they could come to a stop. The places she has travelled to are Helsinki, Monaco, New Zealand, Turkey, Italy, Greece, France, Scotland, Wales, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Spain, Canary Islands, England, Ireland, America, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Croatia, Georgia, I had Armenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Finland, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Japan, China, Malaysia, Borneo, Vietnam, Mexico, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Maldives, India.
Anne still hopes for World Peace, and that she will not to be forgotten.
Her advice is, don’t waste a minute of your time.
Relax – enjoy your life.
Take all that you are given as a gift.
Respect others.
She has 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
