Family Histories

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HEAD Veronika "Vera"

"A lady in every sense"

Veronika Kathleen Head was born in the fledgling town of Gnowangerup in 1910. Vera was the first daughter of Thomas and Mary Jane Head who had come to Gnowangerup from South Australia several years earlier. Along with her younger sisters Connie and Dorothy, Vera attended the Gnowangerup State School. Vera did not have to walk far to school as the family lived at the Gnowangerup Hostel still just across the road, with which her parents had built and run since before World War I. On leaving school Vera worked at the Gnowangerup Co-Op. During this time she had the honour of cutting the ribbon on the opening of the Gnowangerup Swimming Pool and making the first dive.

   CONNIE McDONALD (nee Head)  & VERA CARROLL (nee Head) 
The family moved to Subiaco for a short time before the start of World War II and Vera worked in the cash department of Boans. With the outbreak of the war Vera joined the army. It was after the war that Vera met and married Frank Carroll, a returned soldier and relative of the local Cockram family. Vera and Frank soon had a young family in daughter Robyn and son Thomas. At this time Frank found work on the farm in Gnowangerup and Kojonup.
In the early 1950’s the family moved onto their own farm at Ongerup. They were to make their home in this small community that they loved for the next 30 years. Following the tragic loss of Robyn in 1953, Vera put her energies into her family, the farm and many community organizations including the Parents and Citizens Association; the Catholic Church; football and golf clubs; RSL and the Gnowangerup Agricultural Society etc. Never one to be in the limelight, Vera was well known for her singing, cooking and piano playing - many children had their first piano lessons from Vera.
 
While Tom was at Aquinas Vera enjoyed working at J.B. Weir’s in Ongerup. When Vera and Frank left the farm in the early 1980’s they moved into Ongerup, but with Frank’s failing health decided to move back to Gnowangerup where they were closer to the hospital and family. Family have always been important to Vera and she loved family gatherings for Christmas, birthdays and family holidays at Bremer Bay.
Sadly Frank passed away in 1983, so Vera stayed in Gnowangerup, continuing her involvement with the RSL, church and choir. Never seeing themselves as getting older, Vera and Connie in the 80s could still be seen making afternoon tea for the ‘old’ people at local events. In 1944 the RSL awarded Vera with a Certificate of Appreciation for her Service to the organization.
This was also the time when Vera traveled with the Elphick’s to visit Jill in Queensland, she traveled with Connie and Vin McDonald. One of Vera’s greatest joys in later life was the time spent with her grandchildren. Vera always looked forward to the school holidays when the grand children would come to stay. They will have wonderful memories of Nana’s lolly jar and special treats she always had hidden away. Vera never forgot a birthday, she made the best sponges in the world.
Her caring and gentle manner will be sadly missed by her family and friends but we are all richer for having known her. Rest In Peace Vera.
Frank passed away in 1984 and Vera in April of 1999.

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:      The Gnowangerup Star May 27, 1990

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024