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LANTZKE Annette (Dines)      

Researched and compiled by Gordon Freegard August 2022
Acknowledging information gathered from many sources including a 2011
Oral History Interview by Lesley Choules for the City of Armadale Birtwistle Local Studies Library.

FREDERICK LANTZKE (Grandfather)

Lantzke is a Polish name. George Frederick William Lantzke (known as Frederick) was born on 22nd September 1879 at 9 Denman Street in the Sub District of Berwick Street in the County of Middlesex, England. His parents were John Frederick William Lantzke and Emily Goldring. Frederick Lantzke (he dropped the name George), at the age of 20 tossed a coin to decide whether he would migrate to Canada or Australia. The die was cast with the toss of that coin. With his brother, Herbert John, they arrived in Australia 1899.

Herbert married Janet Louise Ferguson from Karragullen. They had three children, Freda on 23rd October 1912, then Reginald and Norman. In 1913 he moved with his family to Denmark to manage a property purchased by his brother Frederick from H. Pember. He developed the property to a stage where it had 11 acres of excellent orchard and some 20 acres cleared. In 1917 Herbert enlisted for the war in the 4th Machine Gun Section A.I.F. Whilst in active service he was gassed. Sadly he died 3 years later at the age of 38, on 8th January 1920 from the effects of the gassing. It appears that his wife, Janet may have moved back to live with her parents as in 1926 the three children were going to the local school at Karragullen. In 1927 the Ferguson family moved to Tonga.
 

FREDERICK WILLIAM LANTZKE            #1
 

BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR FREDERICK WILLIAM LANTZKE            #2
 

On arrival in Western Australia, Frederick obtained a job in the Fremantle Markets and after a few year’s experience in the selling of fruit and produce, he moved to Kalgoorlie, and worked for a wholesale produce market firm. In 1903 he took over management of Theo R. Lowe & Co, Kalgoorlie from W. D. Henderson. They held auctions sales of all kinds of farm and dairy produce three times a week in Kalgoorlie.

A year later in 1904 the Perth branch of Messrs F. & C. Piesse and the Kalgoorlie business of Messrs Theo R. Lowe & Co amalgamated in July and Frederick Lantzke was appointed manager and auctioneer of the Kalgoorlie branch.

Frederick married Christina Sophia Wanda Lelige, (known as Wanda) third daughter of Herman Lelige, of East Melbourne, on 27th August 1904 at St, John’s Church, in Kalgoorlie.
 

FREDERICK LANTZKE & WANDA LELIGE'S WEDDING            #3
 

FREDERICK LANTZKE & WANDA LELIGE'S WEDDING            #4
 

    WILLIAM, QUINTON & POSSIBLY MURRAY LANTZKE       #5
 

On 27th August 1905 their first son, Quinton William, was born at Butler Street, Kalgoorlie.

On 20th November 1906 F.W. Lantzke had a second baby son, John Charles, born at 44 Lewis Street, Kalgoorlie.

During his time in Kalgoorlie when motoring was increasing, he was elected on to the first committee to form a local automobile club in July 1907, with the first race meeting was to be held later that month on a section of the Coolgardie Road. Another meeting was arranged for Sunday 17th November 1907 to be held at Hannan’s Lake and all automobilists attached to the club are encouraged to attend. He was also heavily involved in many local sports clubs including the Rifle Club and also served 18 months on the Council.

Piesse, Lowe & Co., Ltd. were doing a thriving business in 1907 covering about two-thirds of the total trade of Kalgoorlie. Sales for an average week totalled about 1000 pounds ($2000) worth of fruit, which at 7.5% commission showed a very good return. Frederick Lantzke, the auctioneer was drawing something like 500 pounds ($1000) a year.

Annette’s father, William Ernest Lantzke was born on 23rd May 1908 at 1003 Lewis Street, Lamington Heights, Kalgoorlie, son of Frederick William Lantzke.

A sad but fatal accident happened on 6th July 1909 when Frederick and Wanda’s second son John, fell into a tub of hot water which severely scalded his body. He was only 2 years and 7 months old. Despite Dr. O’Meara efforts he could not be saved and died soon after.

On 22nd January 1910 another son, Rudolf E. was born.

 

LANTZKE BROTHERS            #6
Left - Right:    MURRAY, RUDOLF, WILLIAM & QUINTON
 

After 12 years with the firm, Frederick severed his ties with Piesse, Lowe & Co., Ltd. in December 1912 and was presented with a travelling bag by the retail dealers in appreciation of his service. He then commenced a new fruit and vegetable market right in central Hannan Street called the Associated Fruitgrowers Ltd on which he was manager. It was the Kalgoorlie branch of the Fruitgrowers Trading & Shipping Company. The new organisation is composed of fruit and vegetable growers in all the producing districts of the State. These growers have reasons for desiring to control their own markets in Perth and Kalgoorlie. Where they have started operations in Perth, they have taken over the largest producers market in the city whilst in Kalgoorlie they have opened in a roomy and suitable premises. This venture proved so successful that he was encouraged to try his fortune in Perth, so on 2nd April 1913 the family sold up and left Kalgoorlie for Perth.

And yet another son, Murray Fred was born in 1913.

He established the firm of F. W. Lantzke in Perth operating on a commission rate of 5%. A few years later, in 1917, all produce salesmen including F. W. Lantzke, who were recently operating at the Government Markets, West Perth moved to a new centrally situated Open Markets, in Stirling Street, Perth, which will bring all  growers and buyers together at a central spot.

 

    1913 ASSOCIATED FRUITGROWERS LTD. ADVERT       #7
 

THE OLD METROPOLITAN MARKETS IN WELLINGTON STREET, WEST PERTH           #8
 

1916 F. W. LANTZKE ADVERT            #9
 

Fred would visit apple growers in the South West by catching the train to various town then driving a horse and sulky out to the grower’s orchards. All fruit was railed to Perth. The business was dealing in fruit, vegetables as well as poultry and eggs. The commission rate was then raised to 7.5%.

For many years the fruit was transported to the Market from the West Perth rail yards by George Freeman with his horse and cart.

Then on the 1st  August 1919 their daughter Wanda was born.

On the 17th July 1924 there was a demonstration at Lantzke’s Stirling Street Markets by George Simpson of Karragullen showing the Rokewood Case Press. This patented design facilitates the work of fruit-growers in nailing the lids of cases down. This invention will be considerable help to the thousands of fruit-growers in this State.

Whilst living in the area Frederick became very involved in the local sailing and yacht club and was secretary of Ye Mariners of Claremont in 1927- 1928. Girls took to the helm in the final race of the 1928 Claremont Yacht Club.

 

DEMONSTRATION OF SIMPSON'S "ROCKWOOD" CASE PRESS           #10
 

COMMITTEE CLAREMONT YACHT CLUB 1927
Commodore G. MENGLER, Vice Commodore R.R. LONG, Hon. Sec. F.W. LANTZKE, J. H. MOTTERAM, Hon. Treas. STAN GOMME            #11
 

In January 1928 Frederick purchased a brand new Essex Super Six Tourer.  

IMAGE OF ESSEX SUPER SIX TOURER           #12
 

COMMITTEE CLAREMONT YACHT CLUB 1928
Lady yachters competing in 1928.  F. W. LANTZKE
 (Hon. Sec.) Standing behind            #13
 

Finally the dispute between the Government Markets and the growers Open Markets was resolved with them all coming under one roof and trading as the Metropolitan Markets in Wellington Street, Perth in 1929. This solved the problem of split markets and less competition with all produce sold through agents on commission. His eldest son Quinton joined the business in 1932.

Prior to the Second World War in 1939 most bananas came from Java. The Lantzke’s were the first to get their bananas out of the Carnarvon district. They were packed in singles in one and a half bushel jarrah cases and came to Perth by sea. In these very early days the ethylene needed to ripen bananas was supplied by either storing them in old apple rooms or placing some apples in the room with them. Later coal gas, with all its explosive risks, was used.
 

LANTZKE'S AT THE ORIGINAL WELLINGTON STREET MARKETS            #14
 

LANTZKE'S AT THE ORIGINAL WELLINGTON STREET MARKETS            #15

 

 

The launch of a campaign to promote apples and pears was conducted in April 1941, with the presentation of a case of apples to the Lieutenant-Governor Sir James Mitchell by the Mr. Tom Price (Snr) Chairman of the Publicity Committee of the Australian Apple and Pear Marketing Board, Perth. 
 

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE OF THE AUSTRALIAN APPLE & PEAR MARKETING BOARD

Front L –R: Deputy Chairman of the W.A. State Committee Mr. G. PARKE, Chairman of the W.A. Publicity Committee Mr. T. PRICE (Snr), Deputy Chairman of the W.A. Publicity Committee Mr. D. J. SUTCLIFFE, Member of the State Committee Mr. F. W. LANTZKE.
Back L – R: Members of the W.A. State Committee Mr. G. BLOMFIELD, Mr. B. MERCER & Mr. H. Q. ROBINSON, State Superintendent of the W.A. State Committee Mr. R. M. CARTER, Secretary of the W.A. State Committee Mr. W. D. CONSDALE, and the Organising Secretary of the W.A. Publicity Committee Mr. R. NEAL  
           #16

Mr. TOM PRICE (Senior) and Mr. FREDERICK LANTZKE enjoyed a close working relationship that spanded many years
 
 

 

1950    F. W. LANTZKE & SONS ABVERT             #17

 

In 1947 the marriage between Frederick and Wanda came to an end with a divorce being granted that year. Frederick remarried in 1948 with Nellie M. Robinson becoming his new wife.

In June 1950 William Ernest Lantzke retired from the partnership of F. W.  Lantzke & Sons, Fruit and Produce Auctioneers and Salesmen of the Metropolitan Markets, Wellington Street, Perth. The partnership will continue to be carried on under the same firm name by the remaining partners George Frederick William Lantzke, Quintin William Lantzke and Murray Frederick Lantzke.

George Frederick William Lantzke died in 1959. He was always a strong advocate of the auction system. He strenuously opposed any move to “private treaty” which was starting to take an even larger portion of the market trade.

 FREDERICK WILLIAM LANTZKE           #18
 

LANTZKE & SONS, CANNINGVALE MARKETS             #19

 

 

In 1989 the Metropolitan Markets were moved to a new larger site at Canningvale. Frederick Lantzke commenced business in his own right in 1912 and the firm of F. W. Lantzke & Sons is still operating a successful business today, some 110 years later (2022).

 

 

 

ANNETTE & GEORGE DINES’ FAMILY
                                   (nee LANTZKE)

Annette’s mother, Mary Elizabeth Smith, was born in Perth on 16th May 1914 to parents Arthur Frederick Smith and Annie Elizabeth Cooper. She grew up in a rather strict environment, intended to shape her into a prim and proper young lady. She loved dressmaking and was fortunate in as much as her parents sent her to England when she was about seventeen to stay with her mum’s sister, and she had the opportunity to attend the Royal School of Needlework. On returning to Western Australia she started a school of dressmaking with a Mrs. Leola Kemp Jenkins called The Jenith School of Dress Cutting & Designing at 28 Padbury Buildings, Forrest Place, Perth. The partnership was dissolved on 31st August 1940 with Mrs. Jenkins continuing the business on her own.

   1937  NEWSPAPER ADVERT         #21
 

  ANNETTE LANTZKE          #20

WILLIAN (Bill) LANTZKE            #22
 


 Annette’s father was William (Bill) Ernest Lantzke born in Kalgoorlie on 23rd May 1908 to parents Frederick William Lantzke and Christina Sophia Wanda Selige. His father had started the fruit and vegetable market business in Kalgoorlie and then shifted to West Perth. Bill went to school at Guildford Grammar School where he won an award for mathematics. He seemed to be a good sportsman and was keenly involved in surf lifesaving and he enjoyed tennis and golf. At the age of fourteen he was taken out of school to work at the markets with his Dad.

Mary enjoyed tennis and it was during a tennis outing the she was introduced to Bill Lantzke. This eventuated into a friendship that blossomed into love and a long engagement period. Her father, who was initially not in favour of Bill, insisted that she wait three years, until she was 25 years old, before he would agree to the marriage. It wasn’t an easy time for Mary and Bill, but she was always proud of how Bill accepted this condition. Even during this long wait the family used to watch for her return from any outing with Bill. They even noted the direction from which she came. If it wasn’t from where they expected an explanation was demanded!

Mary and Bill married at the Christ Church, Claremont on 20th May 1939, just 4 days after her 25th birthday. Very soon after it was wartime. Consequently, during these early days of married life, Mary and Bill were separated for long periods of time, approximately three years in all. Bill was sent east, initially in the Army and later with the Air Force. Bill enlisted on 19th February 1941 and was discharged from the 4th Aircraft Depot on 28th July 1945. Beryl Hughes helped Mary during this time and remained a sincere friend.
 

BILL LANTZKE & MARY SMITH ON THEIR WEDDING DAY            #23
 

BILL LANTZKE & MARY SMITH ON THEIR WEDDING DAY            #24
 

   AUSTRALIAN 4TH AIRCRAFT DEPOT         #25
All names personally signed on back of photo but hard to read
Back Row L - R:   C.C. HAMLYN (W.A.), R.J. McKENZIE (Qld), C. RAY (29574 W.A.), E. FOTHERGILL (29672 W.A.),
W. McPHEE (N.Qld), L. HALE (N.S.W.), P. Kugener (20599).
Middle Row L - R:   B. HALL (Vic.), P. COOK, S.J. MARSTON (Tas.), W.A. KENNEDY (N.S.W.), K. ARTHUR (N.S.W.), A.B. McDONALD (Vic.), O.D. GILLESPIE (N.Qld).
Front Row L - R: W. TOWIE (Vic, A. KEEN (12828 Vic), P.M. KIRWAN (N.Qld), A.L. MILLER (Vic), JACK GONDLUR (20543 N.S.W.),
W.J. GREGORY (24344 Qld), BILL LANTZKE (29956 W.A.).

 

Their first two children were born during these years. Annette Elizabeth was born on 18th January 1941 in Devonleigh Hosptal, Cottesloe weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces and Hugh William was born on 8th May 1943. After he returned from service at the end of the war, Annette was five and Hugh was two years old. In about 1945 they bought a property from the Furlongs (yet to confirm) in Canning Mills Road, Roleystone of about 32 acres with a small orchard of four acres. The property was not far from Frank Brockways near the junction of Brockway Road and Canning Mills Road. The close neighbours were Peter Eatts, the Gwynne and Davies families. Soon the third child, Ross Talbot was added to the family on 30th July 1946 and four years later, Richard Arthur was born on 10th October 1950.

They had a horse called “Bonnie” who pulled a dray with a forty-four gallon drum of water on it for their water supply prior to getting tanks. It was also used to pull the single furrow plough in the orchard before they got more mechanical equipment. They also had a pet dog named “Gyp” as was every dog they had.

The kids rode their bikes everywhere, including to school and down to Gwynne’s for Sunday School run by Miss Croasdale. Their parents at this stage owned a little car with a “dicky” seat at the back which the children loved to ride in.

 

ANNETTE LANTZKE            #26
 

ANNETTE LANTZKE WITH HER FATHER            #28
 

 ANNETTE LANTZKE WITH GRANDPA SMITH           #27

ANNETTE & HUGH WITH MOTHER MARY LANTZKE            #29
 

The small house on the orchard was lined with pine which became riddled with white ants and was eventually replaced by William was asbestos. They kept chooks for eggs, not for eating except at Christmas. Milk was got from Brockways in a billy can. Her mother used to preserve fruit and make jam. The kids would pick bread up from the bread box outside the Canning Mills School, and nibbled the centre out on the way home. Ordinary shopping was mainly does at Peter and Bonnie Buck’s Store on the corner of Soldiers Road, Roleystone. On the low side over-looking the valley near the big rocks where later Colin Hatfield had his drive-in theatre. Meat was obtained from Mann’s butcher shop.

Cases of fruit from the orchard was usually picked up by Lori’s Transport or occasionally the family would take it down the Lori’s depot at Kelmscott. Bill combined with David Gwynne and Arch Brockway to build one of the first cool stores in the district.
 

Sometimes they even took very early morning trips right into the markets in West Perth owned by their grandfather. The children were very proud that their grandfather owned the markets and sat on the stands with the buyers at the auction. Afterwards they were allowed up to the office on the mezzanine floor where they rifled through the rubbish bins to get prized pieces of carbon paper and other scraps of paper to take home.

THE LANTZKE'S HOME IN CANNING MILLS ROAD, ROLEYSTONE             #30
 

THE LANTZKE'S HOME IN CANNING MILLS ROAD, ROLEYSTONE             #31
 

THE LANTZKE'S HOME IN CANNING MILLS ROAD, ROLEYSTONE            #32
 

Because her mother was so skilled at sewing she made many of the children’s clothes. All made with 3 inch hems which when let down the faded lines were covered with rick-rack. A lot of knitting was done by her mother and Aunty Beryl Hughes. Being a needlewoman of much merit and artistry Annette’s mother also judged needlework at The Kelmscott Show, a task she was well equipped to carry out.

Annette spent some holidays with the daughter of one of her mother’s friends, Marjorie Loh. During the summer time holidays Annette would stay with the Lohs at Nedlands and take swimming lessons at Crawley Baths. And then is August holidays Marjory would come up and stay at the orchard and try to learn the ways of the bush children. She never really pulled it off, no more than Annette of her lessons at being a lady and being taught to wear gloves.
 

 1945 ANNETTE, HUGH & COUSIN ROBERT           #33
 

ANNETTE & HUGH LANTZKE            #34
 

SMITH & LANTZKE FAMILIES            #35
L - R: Grandpa SMITH, Grandma SMITH in chair holding HUGH LANTZKE,
LILLIAN SMITH holding TREVOR SMITH, ANNETTE LANTZKE,
MARY LANTZKE, BILL LANTZKE

 

Birthdays and Christmas’ were always exciting. Waking up early to see if Father Christmas had been. She became to know that her father had made most of the Christmas presents because slowly the paint would wear off and you could see “Lantzke & Sons” written on the back of the “billy” carts and so forth.

  WILLIAM & MARY LANTZKE WITH DAUGHTER ANNETTE          #37
 

Local dances were held at the Roleystone Hall which is now the Roleystone Theatre. Everyone would get all dressed up for the occasion. There would be a three piece band and the little kids would lie on the floor behind the band and go to sleep. Mr. Parkin would usually single out Annette and teach her to dance. At an Easter Dance at Roleystone in April 1954 Annette and others were described in a newspaper article about the occasion.

  EARLY IMAGE OF ROLEYSTONE HALL          #38

Door to door salesmen often called. The Watkins man who sold natural remedies and herbs and spices came quite regularly. Also there was a drapery van that used to come sometimes and Annette would get all excited as her mother bought her a jumper or something special.

Initially Annette’s first schooling was by correspondence at home but in the second year her mother took her to the Roleystone Primary School which was situated just below the old hall in Brookton Highway. Margaret Gowans (now Bettenay) was her teacher and she particularly liked leaning music. However when her brother was school age her parents decided they should go the Canning Mills School at the corner of Canning Mills and Canning Road. After school they would ride their bikes to the old Karragullen Shop each fortnight to pick up their comic book order. It was “Donald Duck”, “Heckle & Jeckle” or something similar. They rode their bikes but because of the very thick gravel in some part they had to walk.

 

            #39
 

 CANNING MILLS SCHOOL          #40
 

OLD KARRAGULLEN STORE            #41
 

CANNING MILLS SCHOOL  1949    

Back Row (L-R):  ARTHUR LITTLEY, DAVID LITTLEY, VILMA TONUSSO,  VIANNA BOVANI, ELSA TONUSSO, CEASER PERPOLI, BRUNO POLETTI.
 Front Row (L-R):   
ANNETTE LANTZKE, ESDRA TONUSSO, VICTOR NICOLI,  HUGH LANTZKE             #42

                                                                                                                    (Photo used with permission of the City of Armadale Birtwistle Local Studies Library)
 

CANNING MILLS SCHOOL      1953       

Back Row L - R:   JOE NICHOLLS, MICHAEL NICHOLLS, BRUNO POLLETTI, MALCOLM LITTLELY, ARTHUR LITTLELY.
 Middle Row  L - R:  
HUGH LANTZKE, ROSS LANTZKE, FAYE HUGHES, KEN HUGHES, TERRY HUGHES.
 Front Row  L - R:  MARIO POLLETTI,
ANNETTE LANTZKE, ESDRA TONUSSO, ANGELINA FRIGO, ANTONIO FRIGO.    #43
 

After finishing primary school she rode her bike 2 miles the other way to catch the school bus to go the Armadale High School. Tom Elliot was the bus driver and he would pick up kids from around Karragullen like the Fretwells, Littlelys and the Polettis, and take them to Armadale. The bike would be just left by the bus stop shed.

Annette was always artistic and in November 1954 at the age of 13 she entered a Commonwealth Oil Refineries Road Safety competition and received a Merit Award for her entry. Prize was a box of paints which she still had 60 years later.

   ANNETTE IN SCHOOL UNIFORM WITH BROTHERS         #44

On Saturdays Annette would go to Perth for music lessons. Her dog “Gyp” would come a sit by the bike all day and would still be there when she got home. At Armadale High School they had cooking facilities but the students had to travel on the train to the Perth Girls School to learn laundry. They were taught how to starch tablecloths and grate soap into soap jelly and lots of other skills that are no longer used. Later they had to travel by bus, train, and another train to learn sewing at Subiaco. Then Annette went to Kent Street High school to complete her schooling by passing her Leaving Certificate with a distinction in art.
 

 

   NEWSPAPER CUTTING         #45
 

1954  ARMADALE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL            #46
 

1956  ARMADALE HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR YEAR            #47
Back Row L - R: LOESJE OBBES, ALWYN SMITH, JUNE MURRAY, JEAN TAYLOR, DEB ROGERS, BEVERLEY WILKINSON.
Middle Row L - R: BARBARA RAE, ROMA GORMAN , ELIZABETH FRETWELL, MARGARET PAGET, ANNETTE LANTZKE.
Front Row L -R:  JEAN ROBERTSON, MAUREEN NAIL, PAT SHORT, VALMA ELLIS, BARBARA METCALF.
 

Annette initially wanted to be a florist to use her creative skill but that wasn’t to be. On 5th January 1959 she started her first job with the Public Service as a draftsperson which she didn’t like as she was so bored. She left 2 months later. She then got a job with the Hospital Benefit Fund on 9th March 1959, which she loved. All the entries were manual in those days and as she had always been quite meticulous with figures and loved math, she was very happy in the job.

Her Parents gave her a 21st Birthday Party in the Armadale Town Hall entertaining about 130 guests. It was a most successful.

   ROSS, HUGH, RICHARD & ANNETTE AT HER 21st BIRTHDAY        #48
 

ANNETTE'S 21st WITH DAD & MUM            #49
 

Then things changed. It was Easter and they were having a Ball at Pithara. One of her friend, Pat Short, couldn’t go so Annette went in her place. It was there that she met her future husband, Walter George Dines (known as George) late that evening. They married on 5th September 1963 in St. Peter’s Church, Mount Hawthorn.

   GEORGE & ANNETTE DINES ON THEIR WEDDING DAY          #50
 

 ANNETTE ON HER WEDDING DAY            #51
 

   THE WEDDING GROUP         #52
L - R: Bridesmaid RAEMA PHILLIPS, ANNETTE & GEORGE, Bridesmaid PAT SHORT
 

 GEORGE & ANNETTE ON THEIR WEDDING DAY           #53

 

George was share farming in and around Pithara, so the first place they lived in, after they got married, was in the old family home where Shirley Strickland grew up. They were allowed to use the cottage rent free. It wasn’t in a good state of repair but they were just married and in love and it was kind of new and exciting even though the leaves came in through the ceiling and the mice jumped out of the Weetbix boxes and the bathroom was about four feet wide. It was fun but later George was successful in getting a Conditional Purchase block of land at Goodlands. They moved there and applied for a loan to build a big shed with accommodation at one end. It was lined with asbestos and the exterior was all corrugated iron. It was very hot.

They had three children. The first, Rodney William was born on 31st May 1964, before they moved to Goodlands. He was born at Armadale because there were no Doctors up around Dalwallinu at the time. The next two children were born while they were at Goodlands. Celia Elizabeth on 18th April 1966, at Armadale and Margot Joy was born on 6th August 1969 in Dalwallinu.

Life was hard with the isolation, no telephones, no reliable cars and not much money. They traded with the local store on “pay after harvest” terms. All the water for washing had to be carried in buckets, and the shower was operated by pulling a rope. Wheat quotas came in because Western Australia was producing too much wheat. The second year the quota was reduced even more. They complained but to no avail. It made surviving even harder.

 

On the farm they had an old Ute which had a big hole in the front on the passenger’s side and the dust would billow in because of the dirt roads. Annette would regularly take the children into the Child Health Clinic at Kalannie. She would put the baby on the shelf behind her. No seatbelts then. Knowing about the dust she would wash her hair, curl it up and then she’d have to decide whether to wear a shower cap to keep the dust out or risk it sweating and loosing its curl or go in curly and dusty. After driving the thirty miles into Kalannie she would lift the baby out and half would be chocolate covered white the other half was pink. She then went to work with a flannel and towel. The children got to know the procedure and they nick-named Celia “Chookie” because she’d get her bag with a flannel, some water, a biscuit, a book and everything she needed for the trip. The name stuck and even years later when they came to the city she was called “Chookie”.

After seven years on the farm the decision was made to leave. After a drought in 1969 followed by another the following year, they knew if they didn’t get out they would go bankrupt. The neighbours, the Bywater’s bought the property. The clearing sale was very hard and George became quite distraught because it was very difficult for him.

Annette’s parents in the preceding years had sold the orchard to the Del Dot family and rented a place in Roleystone opposite the drive-in. William worked for a while at the Co-op in Roleystone and later in 1958 accepted a job in the hardware section at the Co-op in Armadale. They then moved to 16 Locksley Avenue, Armadale.

 

    THE BUILDING THAT WAS THE ROLEYSTONE CO-OP        #54
 

THE DRAPERY SHOP ON ALBANY HIGHWAY, KELMSCOTT              #55
 

In about 1962 Annette’s parents bought a drapery shop at 2784 Albany Highway in Kelmscott next the Post Office from the Waddington’s and at that stage it was a drapery and deli combined. However in those days when it came twelve o’clock on Saturday they had to drew a mesh screen across because they couldn’t trade in the drapery after that. The deli section could operate all weekend. The Lartzke’s were good at retail and were popular so they bought the property freehold next door and moved the deli in there.

 

Annette’s father told them the delicatessen business in Kelmscott was for sale which they decided to investigate. It was next door to the Drapery store once owned by Annette’s parents. They decided to buy it and moved in Easter 1971 and took on the deli. There was accommodation behind the old shop which was right on Albany Highway with Lori’s Transport Company next door at the time. They had a lot of adjusting to do with running a deli as opposed to the farm. Luckily at that time parking was allowed on the Highway and this was very convenient for customers to stop on their way home to Roleystone or Armadale for smallgoods, bread, milk, cigarettes and bit and pieces. But a year later that changed and parking wasn't allowed out the front on the highway. This was a disaster and even though they tried re-rout1ing them around the shop next door, it didn’t work very well.

   THE DELI ON ALBANY HIGHWAY, KELMSCOTT         #56
 

Later they sold the business but kept the freehold of both properties until in 1971 he sold the freehold to Moore & Hills who developed a complex behind the old shops originally containing Tippy’s Pizza and a drycleaners. The original development wasn’t huge but it’s since been developed as the Stargate Shopping Centre including Coles.

Annette and George became involved in the Roleystone Theatre after an invitation from May Hart. Although they admitted they had no particular qualification they jumped right in and really enjoyed the break from the seven-days-a-week at the shop. Annette was in “Pirates of Penzance” as Kate and was one of the three little maids in “Mikado” and she also had a part in “Sentimental Bloke”. George became notable for his role in “Cinderella” as the bell-ringer when he rang it thirteen times instead of twelve at midnight. It has become a family joke even years on.
 

After having someone offer to buy the deli, they sold it and moved into a house in Parker Avenue, quite close to Annette’s parents. It was convenient for the children to attend Kelmscott Primary School which had a nice music programme. George was out of work for about three months and had trouble finding a job. Annette took on a number of small jobs. She worked for the new owners at the deli a few hours a week. She also did a few hours at the drapery, ironing for a friend and a bit of cleaning as well as some bookwork for a builder in Roleystone.

Eventually George was offered a temporary job at Metro Meats which he hated but it got them through a difficult time. He was then lucky enough to get a job with Elders which he really liked because it was doing work that he was familiar with. He would go out on the road with another chap travelling down to farms and repair equipment. Then Elders changed business direction and discontinued that work so George was relegated to the storeroom with drop in pay.

Encouraged by friends to join them in studying accountancy, Annette thrived at the new challenge. Passing all her exams and eventually getting a diploma in Accountancy. This was an exciting and an adventurist time for Annette. She also saw an advert for floristry course. So throwing caution to the wind she also signed up for that, where she excelled and topped the class. Then she decided to do something else that she had always wanted to do so she joined a watercolour painting group in South Perth. She was ripe for learning and they were very happy times.

 

ANNETTE LANTZKE AT ILLAWARRA ORCHARD OFFICE            #57
 

 1998  TOM AND JEREMY PRICE PRESENTATION TO ANNETTE DINES         #58
 

Her father, Bill, was Company Secretary at Illawarra orchard for many years but as he got older Annette took over this job on 3rd November 1982 as Company Secretary, for Tom Price Junior.  

At Illawarra's Orchard 100th year anniversary in 1998 a presentation was made for her long service with the company.

 

 

 CHOIR MEMBERS ANNETTE & GEORGE            #59
with pianist TIM HOW
 

Meanwhile George joined a choir called “Harmony” and enjoyed it so much that when the musical director, Janis Laing, left the group he followed her and took music and singing lessons from her. She then started her own choir called ‘Enchant Unlimited”. It was something completely different for him and he really enjoyed it. Although Annette would have liked to join the choir she really wanted him to have something new and different for himself. However she joined in by helping in lots of ways using her talents of sewing and floral art. Finally she relented and joined the choir which led to many happy times together at various performances.

Annette and George have been involved and attended the local church, St. Mary’s in the Valley in Kelmscott. They have been very active on the rosters doing morning tea, cleaning, reading and doing prayers. Annette also was their treasurer for three years.

 

After having lived in Kelmscott for so many years, Annette was asked what special things she liked about the district. Her reply was that she loved the fact that she can walk down to post a letter and speak to Chris Mounsey and Yvonne Busquets and walk back up the hill and see Sally Christmas and all these people she has known for so long. These people still remember her mum and dad and the shop she had. It makes her feel like she has put roots down. She loves the hills.

GEORGE & ANNETTE DINES            #60
 

 THE DINES CHILDREN           #61
CELIA, MARGOT & RODNEY
 

THE DINES FAMILY       #62
Rear Left - Right: RODNEY &  MARGOT
Front Left - Right:  ANNETTE, CELIA  & GEORGE


 

     THE DINES FAMILY       #63
 GEORGE & ANNETTE DINES with their three children  RODNEY, MARGOT & CELIA  

  

George and Annette are now enjoying their retirement in Armadale. (2022)

 

 

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

 

References:                 Article:      Gordon Freegard
                                                 Annette Dines
                                                 Armadale Birtwistle Library

                                                

                                 Images:    Annette DInes   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,
                                                                        35, 36, 37, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63
                                                 Newpapers        7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 39, 45
                                                 Tom Price         8, 16
                                                 Internet            12, 38, 54
                                                 W.A. Grower       14, 15
                                                 Silio Di Marco     40
                                                 Birtwistle Library 41, 42, 43

Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2008-2022