WILLOUGHBY Alfred "Alf" Stawell  

Compiled by Gordon Freegard based on research by Merilyn Stewart

Alfred Stawell Willoughby, known as Alf, was born on June 19, 1908, in Bunbury, Western Australia. He was the fourth of five children in a family headed by Sydney Stawell Willoughby and Alice Mary Gilham. His father worked as a repairer for the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR). The family lived in various locations, including Lilliginnie, Karalee, and Coolgardie.
After the death of his father in 1922, Alf's mother and the children relocated to Swanbourne, Fremantle, Western Australia. Alf pursued a career with the Postmaster-General's Department, eventually working as a Postal Clerk and later as a Telegraphist.
In 1934, Alf married Edith (Olive) Bide, and the couple initially resided in Cottesloe, Fremantle. By 1936, they had moved to Kalgoorlie, where Alf continued his work as a Telegraphist. In the following years, they returned to Swanbourne and later relocated to Wiluna in 1943, where Alf served as a Civil Servant with the Post Office.

      
  ALF & OLLIE WILLOUGHBY     #1
 

Ollie Willoughby was born on 17 April 1914 and died 21 January 2004, aged 89 years.
Ollie was the wife of Alfred Stawell Willoughby, the town’s Postmaster. They arrived in Gnowangerup in July 1950 and left in February 1957.
During their seven years in Gnowangerup Ollie was very community minded and served as either President, Secretary or Treasurer for various periods of the Country Women’s Association, Tennis Club, Golf Club and Bowling Club.
She was awarded Life Membership of the CWA.
Always, Ollie was an active volunteer of the Gnowangerup School Parents and Citizen Association. Ollie was a very keen and good sportswoman.
What may been seen as hardships by the modern generations, were taken by women at that time in their stride.
One of the hardships at Gnowangerup was the shortage and regular lack of good clear water.
Insufficient rainfall caught in rain tanks had to be supplemented with brown dam water carted from farms. Water for bathing, garden and toilet was strictly rationed.
Ollie had two sons, Barry and Boyd and daughter Moya who was born at Gnowangerup.
After Gnowangerup, Alf was promoted to Pinjarra where he and Ollie lived for about seven years. Another promotion moved the couple to Mandurah and at retirement age they settled there permanently.
In all communities they continued their heavy involvement in Community service. This service experience was particularly beneficial with the 1961 Dwellingup bush fires.
In the evacuation of people from Dwellingup and surrounding towns to Pinjarra, Alf as Postmaster coordinated communications and Ollie lead the CWA in proving comfort, food and shelter.

Throughout his career, Alf held various positions, including Postmaster in Gnowangerup, Pinjarra, and Mandurah. He retired in Mandurah in the late 1970s. Alf Willoughby passed away on October 6, 2001, at the age of 93, and was laid to rest at Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium in Perth, Western Australia.

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.