Augustus Bramston, was known as Gus, Gus first studied at Mr Kendall's Veterinary College Melbourne, where in 1904 he attained his first qualification, M.R.C.V.S. and later he graduated B.V.S. at Melbourne University, when it becamea degree course, Gus also held a Meat Inspector's Licence, and in his early years held the-Meat Inspector's position at The Ross River Meat Works Townsville Qld, where he lived for some time. Gus practised as a Veterinary Surgeon at Kyabram Vic, and in 1913 went to the United States to pursue his post – graduate studies in Chicago and took his Father along with him. 

Although Joseph wrote home saying all was well with him, Joseph died in the U.S. and his body was' shipped back to Australia,

In about 1922 Gus took up the position of Veterinary Surgeon in charge of Vaughan's stables, Flinders St., which sheltered all the horses that carted goods to and from all the major stores and warehouses in and around Melbourne. The number of horses he was in charge of can probably be judged best by the amount of manure they left in Swanston and Flinders St's. There was so much that men were employed practically around the clock to clear it all away.

In 1913 Gus married Emma Arthur, who had a loving nature. and was always there to assist Gus. They were blessed with only one child, a daughter, Norma, affectionately known as Blowie, Her cousins were always visiting her at Gus and Emma's request. Norma married John Hallows in 1941, but the birth of their only child Winsome, brought about the demise of Norma.

As well as running Vaughan' s. stables, Gus was. in partnership. with his brother Norm running The Flagstaff Hotel (now the Great Southern Hotel) Spencer St., just up from Flinders St. This establishment had been jointly owned by the late Joseph White and Mr Morris, Joseph brought Mr Morris out before he died, so The Flagstaff was left to Gus and Norm.

Emma would go help her husband and brother-in-law at the Flagstaff. They served up to 250 meals a day and cost one shilling (ten cents) in 1922 for a two course meal.

Emma seemed to cope all right with Gus passing in 1933 by keeping herself busy at the Flagstaff, but when her much loved Norma died giving birth to Winsome, the double blow was too much for her, and Emma lived just a further 11 years after Norma's passing.

It is a tragedy that Gus only lived some 49 years when his 3 brothers and 4 sisters accumulated a staggering 547 years between them, which is an average of 78 years.

Winifred Maud White was born at 54 Pickett Street, Footscray, the fourth eldest daughter of Joseph and Louisa White. Apart from attending a private school in Footscray, she spent her time at home looking after and playing with the other members of this large family.

In 1916, she married George Alfred Sutherland, and in the following year their first child Kenneth (Joseph George after his two grandfathers) was born, followed in 1919 by their second child June (Winifred after her mother). She had a happily married life which ended tragically in 1931 with the untimely death of her husband at the age of forty.

Being in the depth of the great depression and with the responsibility of two young children to bring up and educate, she decided instead of re-marrying, to carry on her late husband's electrical business in order to make ends meet. Because of George's success in business, Win was left comparatively well off but she still had heavy commitments to meet including Ken's education at Scotch College. She was determined that this should not be interrupted, and that as planned he should ultimately become a dentist rather than carry on his father's business.

This great sacrifice by his mother has always been recognised by Ken whose career, which finally resulted in his becoming a University Professor of Dental Science, was thus allowed to proceed. It should also be recorded that Win's mother living next door with her three unmarried children, naturally assisted by providing the evening meal every night, which after Win's daily return from the shop, they all enjoyed together.

Win never re-married, but devoted her time and energy to bringing up her children in a loving home environment. Despite the fact that each day she had to walk to and from the shop a mile or so away, summer and winter, in order to carry on her late husband's electrical business. And this she did right up to the time of her illness which finally led to her death at the age of 67.

Win was a devoted loving mother, and by nature most kind and gentle. In contrast to her husband she never enjoyed social life, preferring instead to spend whatever spare time she had with her mother, brothers and sisters and their families. She was a fine pianist, a great lover of music and a wonderful cook, but leaving these asides she really had no time for other hobbies or activities. 

As far as can be recalled she travelled only twice outside Victoria - once to New Guinea with George, a few months before his death, and on a second occasion to Western Australia to stay with Ken. 

Her real love was the company of her family and her home at 52 Pickett Street, where after a long illness due, it is thought to a melanotic sarcoma, she passed peacefully away in March 1957. The funeral service was held at St. John's Church of England in Pickett Street, where she was also married, and the burial service took place at the Footscray Cemetery where she was put to rest with her husband. 

George Alfred Sutherland was born in 1892, the youngest of a family of three, at 36 Leedo Street, Footscray. Being of Scottish descent he was bought up a Presbyterian, and during his childhood was quite religious. Coming from a poor family he virtually educated himself to become ultimately an electrician. He was an excellent business man, making an enormous success of his electrical contract business which he established in the front of the house in which he was born.

Before marrying Winifred Maud White in 1916, he built his own home at 52 Pickett Street, Footscray on a quarter acre block which was given to the bridal couple as a wedding present by the bride's parents who lived next door.

He had two children, Kenneth born in 1917 and June in 1919. George had a very wide circle of friends being well known and popular throughout the Footscray district. He devoted much of his spare time to the Freemasons and at one stage was Grand Master of the Footscray Chapter. He played the piano and sang quite well and was an excellent host at the many house parties that he gave his friends.

He was a good father and husband, not too strict, but bringing up his children in what was considered then to be the correct way ego one never left the dining table without at first seeking permission.

He worked hard and played hard - factors which no doubt contributed to his frequent headaches. He was known to have high blood pressure, and in the absence of hypotensive drugs, suffered a mild stroke early in 1931. 

On recovering from this, he and Win took a holiday in New Guinea, staying with the Hitchocks (Mrs. Hitchcock, "Pete", being 'Win's niece) who lived in Rabaul. On returning home he was comparatively well for a time, but in December 1931, at the young age of forty, suffered a second stroke, which this time proved fatal.

As proof of his popularity and at a time when very few people owned motor cars, there were some 31 that followed his remains to the Footscray Cemetery where he was buried in his father's grave.

Helen Elizabeth Birch White but always called Nell or Nellie to Ken and June, was the third eldest daughter and Louisa White, and like the other offspring in the born at 54 Picketts Street, Footscray.

She seemed forever to be at the beck and call of her mother, and no doubt during her childhood days was materially responsible for bringing up the more junior members of the family as one by one they would arrive.

Nell never married, and always lived at Picketts Street with her family which after the death of her father and the marriage of others, boiled down to being for many years, her mother and unmarried brothers and sisters Norm and Daisy.

Her first and foremost love was her home and her family around her, but she was particularly fond of Ken and June who lived next door, helping no doubt to bring them up and certainly with Nellie (or of Joseph family was all the love and care of a parent. She devoted her life to her mother, and in particular Normie whose suits she used to "sponge and brush" with a weak solution of ammonia, to name but one of her tasks carried out in his favour.

Both Nellie and Daisy took their daily house cleaning chores very seriously and were pre-occupied with this task whether it was necessary or not. In addition, Nell also liked working outside and the first self-allocated daily task, come summer and winter was to sweep the "side path". And despite her high blood pressure in latter years, was frequently seen mowing the lawn with a hand pushed mower, while Normie lay in bed "snoring it off".

As a family, they were notoriously late for everything. Nine o'clock usually saw them sitting down to a breakfast of tea and toast which usually would not finish until 11am. Lunch would usually come on about 2pm and consist of eating up the "left over's”. Typically leaving everything to the last minute, Nellie would frequently be seen "running down the street" to "catch the butcher" before he closed at 5.30pm. 

Dinner would come on at a time to suit Normie, which usually meant between 8 and 9pm and would continue, mainly due to talking, until 11pm. After washing up, Nellie would sit on a hard sitting room chair doing her crochet until midnight or later.

Nell travelled outside Victoria only twice in her life - once by ship to England as a nursemaid to a close relative, and once by ship with her mother and Daisy to Queensland, visiting Sydney and Brisbane en route to Cairns. Except for visiting her relatives, and in particular the drive to Morang in the "Hupmobile", she never liked going out.

She was a lovely soul and kindness itself, frequently jumping up from her sitting room chair to do something for someone. This used to irritate Normie who would often complain that she "had springs in her arse" - even though ironically, the spring was often in his direction.

Nellie never had a harsh or unkind word for anybody, and despite her rather dreary existence, never was heard to utter a growl. She never wanted anything and received very little in return for all she gave, and without doubt was deserving of a much better fate than the one that was hers.

As a result of many years of high blood pressure she was eventually smitten with a stroke. This left her for a time incapacitated in the Footscray General Hospital where she finally passed away in 1955. She was buried in a lone grave in the Williamstown Cemetery.

Norman Edward White, like his sisters and brothers was born at 54 Pickett Street, Footscray, the fourth and youngest son of Joseph and Louisa White.
He was undoubtedly his mother's favourite son, and aided and abetted by Nellie, the whole world revolved about him. He was never meant to work, once said his doting mother, based on the belief that an adequate income would always be forthcoming from the private hotels owned by his father - The Flagstaff (named by Joseph who was a great Shakespearian Scholar), The Imperial and the Waverley in Melbourne and The Ozone in Warrnambool seen burning in photo. 

Normie did his best to ensure the accuracy of his mother's observation, although to be fair due to changed circumstances, of necessity at times he had to work very hard.

As a child he went to a private school in Footscray headed by one Mr. Makins, M.A. He was very attached to his elder brother Gus, who was a great influence on him, and in latter years, Norm-claimed that Gus had always been his best friend.

Little is known of his activities as a youth, but at one stage he was apprentice to the Flagstaff's chef, who being very religious was nicknamed John the Baptist. At one stage also during World War I, he joined the army reserve as a cook but he never saw active service. He was a good cook, and his skill as such obviously emanated from his training under John the Baptist.

With the death of his father in 1913 and his brother Gus's return from North America, the management of the Flagstaff was deputed to both Norm and Gus, while Bert ("Josh" - the second eldest son) was given the Imperial to manage. Although Gus had a Melbourne University degree in Veterinary Science, and for a while practised in various capacities as a Veterinary Surgeon, with this new assignment his interest seemed to lie much more in hotel management than his profession, which he seldom seriously practised thereafter.

With the onset of the great depression, interest payments on the Flagstaff mortgage could not be met, and together with Gus's home at Camberwell, which was also mortgaged, both were lost.

It was said that had these two brothers been better businessmen, this sad event might never have occurred. In addition it was common knowledge that both Norm and Gus spent time at the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel next door, and at the races than they did at their hotel. As a partial cover up for this, Gus's wife Emma often worked in the office at the Flagstaff in lieu of her husband.

Of necessity then, Norm had to find some means of supporting his mother and two unmarried sisters (Nell and Dais) together with himself who all lived together in the old home in Pickett St. 

With his knowledge of meat, fish, vegetables and other commodities he was accustomed to purchasing for the Flagstaff, he decided to become a fish hawker. Through Arthur Russell (his nephew) he purchased a little yellow van, on which he had his nephew Ken paint in blue letters, the words "Express Delivery Fisheries". 

This venture of hawking fish around the suburbs proved quite successful, but with the onset of World War 11, being too old to enlist, he decided as an alternative war effort would join the Commonwealth Aircraft Factory at Fisherman's Bend where he riveted bolts into Wirraways.

With the war over he left this job and obtained another at Monsanto Chemicals until he reached retiring age at 65 when he obtained the pension.

Norm never married, reasoning that with a mother and two maiden sisters to attend his every need, he could never find a better "hole" to live in. With the death of his mother in 1952 and Nell in 1955 this left only Dais and himself in the family home.

Being far too big for them to look after, in 1960 they sold it and shifted to 12 Nairn Avenue, Ascot Vale. With their combined age pensions and the interest on money invested from the sale of their home, they were able to live quite comfortably.

Normie had a number of hobbies mainly centering around shooting (particularly rabbits and quail), fishing, growing vegetables and racing - all of which he did very well; racing in the sense of no doubt losing fortunes! Although he retained his interest in racing well into his seventies, he lost interest in his other hobbies, occasionally even acknowledging his regret over killing and perhaps maiming so many animals during his shooting expeditions. 

Another activity which in his earlier days, he seemed to regard as more of a hobby than a chore, was painting, and many times he was seen to be painting rooms and passages in the Flagstaff and the outside of his home at Footscray. In addition, he was a great repairman; everything had to be repaired rather than discarded, but clearly on many projects, the time spent was disproportionate to their value.

By nature he appeared outwardly to be a bully 'often nicknamed by Gus a "Bolshevik"; but inwardly he was really soft and gentle - despite the fact that he 'frequently swore, his favourite adjective being "bloody".,
.
Except for Daisy he lived longer than any of his sisters and brothers, but in his mid seventies began to slowly decline, ultimately showing little or no interest in anything or anyone. As a result of high blood pressure and its subsequent complications he underwent a slow deterioration, during which time his faithful sister Daisy looked after his every needs. In the end he had to be hospitalised and in May 1976 at the age of 84, he passed away and was 'cremated at Footscray.

Bertha Olga White, was always called Daisy, Dais or Hook (this last because when young the ends of her hair curled up like pot hooks) was the youngest child born to Joseph and Louisa White at 54 Pickett Street, Footscray.

When one day as a young child, she was playing with matches in the company of her niece Tralee (stepdaughter of Agnes, older sister of Daisy) her dress caught fire, resulting in the loss of her right little finger. On reaching school age, she attended a private school in Footscray under the tutorship of one Miss Galotti of whom she often spoke.

Around 1917 when Ernest Hitchcock (husband of "Pete", alias Agnes and elder daughter of Arthur and Agnes Russell) returned from World War I, he brought back with him to Footscray one day, a soldier friend by the name of Albert Morath. On release from the army, Albert became an apprentice dental mechanic and as such was known to Bill White (son of John and Annie White) who was engaged in the same occupation. 

Dais met" Bertie " and fell deeply in love with him. However, information leaked back to the family that he was a "con" man, and interested only in the money that might be forthcoming from this relatively wealthy family if he married into it. 

Consequently Augustus White (Veterinary Surgeon brother of Dais) was deputed to intervene and as a result Bertie was never again seen. Dais was so upset that she locked herself in her room for a week and would see no one.

She took many years to overcome this affair, if indeed she ever really did because she never had another boyfriend and never married. Instead, she decided to devote all her love and attention to her mother with whom she lived together with Nell and Norm at 54 Pickett Street, Footscray - her father having died and all other family members having married.

As a consolation and a hobby she took up oil painting and her many lovely pictures are scattered widely amongst the family, the largest collection being held by June Cuming (daughter of George and Win) at her home in Victoria Street, North Melbourne. 

Most of her works of art were of landscapes, usually copied from prints or other works, but some were floral arrangements. All were signed either D.W. or D. White at the bottom right hand corner of the picture. 

At one time during the depression years of the nineteen thirties, she took up pen painting, adorning large silk hankies with her art, in the hope of being able to sell them; but this never came to anything.

Dais was a great reader, mostly of novels that she obtained from the library, and had an interest in horse racing, but this more in her later years of life. She travelled only once outside Victoria and that was to Queensland with her mother and sister Nell in 1924. She enjoyed cooking, but like Alfred, often burnt the cakes.

As was the case with Nell, she spent much of her time "woofering" (her name for vacuum cleaning) and otherwise cleaning the large house at Footscray, but had little interest in gardening or outside work. She was not a good "mixer", but like most of the Whites, really only enjoyed the company of her family. With the death of her mother in 1952 and Nell in 1955, both Norm and Dais lived together in the old home at Footscray - both being in receipt of the age pension. In 1956, her sister Win living next door, became very ill, and during her long terminal illness of some 12 months was nursed at home with the great and acknowledged assistance of Dais.

As the years rolled on, the Footscray home became far too big for Norm and Dais to maintain and in 1960 they sold it to the Baptist Church, which after demolishing the old home, built a block of home units on the half acre site which extended from Pickett Street, to Paisley Street.

On leaving Footscray, Dais and Norm lived at 12 Nairn Avenue, Ascot Vale, where the two of them lived comfortably until Norm's death in 1976. During this time, Dais devoted all her attention to Norm, looking after his every need as would a wife or a mother. Both were interested in horse racing and Dais in particular became very active in this sport and was very successful at picking winners.

After Norm's death she continued to live at Ascot Vale, but with advancing years and malnutrition due to self-neglect, slowly declined in health. Throughout her life she was exceptionally healthy, being hospitalised for surgery only twice during her years at Ascot Vale; one operation being for acute appendicitis and peritonitis, and the other for a fractured hip. With continued neglect of herself, she became increasingly thinner and weaker; often falling over and being unable to get up unassisted. 

This became so much of a worry to June and Lloyd (June's husband) who were the only relatives to take any deep and regular interest in her welfare, that they had her admitted to a nursing hospital, and ultimately to an excellent nursing home for the aged, by the name of "Kulki" at Coburg. Here at the age of 89 she now lives in comfort, suffering no pain or organic illness, and although mentally quite alert, she seems to take no interest in anything (including reading, TV and radio) except her immediate environment.

HOTELS OWNED BY JOSEPH WHITE

Joseph White ("Josh") owned four hotels at different times; three in Melbourne - The Flagstaff, The Imperial and The Waverley, and one at Warrnambool - The Ozone. All were non-licensed private hotels and the Flagstaff was jointly owned in the early stages by himself and a Mr. Morris.

The Flagstaff address was 16 Spencer Street, Melbourne and it still exists but now under the name of the Great Southern Hotel. After the death of Josh it was managed by his sons Gus and Norm - but in latter years, Gus's wife Em frequently assisted at the reception desk being "on duty" there when either Gus or Norm were "off duty". During the depression years, as interest payments on the mortgage could not be met, it was re-possessed by the banks.

The Imperial address was Franklin Street, and after its demolition, R.M.I.T. was built on the site. This hotel was managed by Albert White and assisted very ably by Jess, his wife, after the death of Josh. It too was lost in the depression years in the same manner as the Flagstaff.

The Waverley was in Exhibition Street, and subsequently renamed the 
Res-Astoria, before being demolished. Managed by Jack White and Annie (wife).

The Ozone at Warrnambool was given to Jack White, eldest son, to manage but was never a success. It was burnt down, re-built and re-named in the early years of this century.
 

JOSEPH WHITE – OCCUPATION

He was really an hotelier and made his money in this business. He was not a sailor like his brother John Joseph (Uncle Sam) who was described as a Pilot or Master Mariner.

Jessie May Lewcock was born in Ballarat, the youngest of five children, the family moved to Brunswick, Victoria, to enable Jess to enter the work force as a waitress.

Jessie was employed by Josh and Sam White when they opened The Imperial Hotel, as the head girl in charge of the restaurant which seated 80 people, Albert Wintle White (Bert) the second son of Josh, came to train as manager of The Imperial, there he met and married Jessie.

About the time Bert and Jess's fourth child was born, Jess's widowed Mother sold her home and with the young White's brought a large family home in East Brunswick, Where Grandma helped out with the now, five children, while Bert and Jess continued to work at The Imperial. 

On the death of Grandma a housekeeper entered the home, to assist Jess with the house work and caring for the children, this allowed Jess to continue with Bert at The Imperial, she would travel by tram, leaving home by 11am and returning about 8pm with household provisions, after spending the day working in the dining room, and at times assisting Bert in the office.

In spite of such busy travelling to business life, the children were taken on outings, had many fancy dress birthday parties, all the costumes and catering were made by their busy and thoughtful Mother.

The sad death of her fourth child (second son) remained in her heart forever.

The freehold city building (The Imperial) was sold in 1939, and the White's settled on the farm at South Morang that Bert's Uncle Otto had left him. 

Jessie in her 60's travelled to Preston, to fill a large suitcase with provisions, Jessie became a widow at 70, with the passing of her much loved Bert. She built a house on the Drouin property of her youngest daughter and son-in-law Gwen and Stan Tytler, where she enjoyed seeing her grandchildren grow, until diabetes of 25 years caused a leg amputation, Jessie died suddenly in the Warragul Hospital aged 78, it was the day all was planed and packed for her to return bravely to her home.
 

 

Excerpt's from the McLean Family Tree - History Book No 2, the Family into which Otto Augustus (Gus) and Edward Noble (Bill) White Married

 Reference hereafter is made to, J.B. and J.A. - they were, John Benjamin Buchanan McLean and Jane Anne McLean were the Mum and Dad of Margaret Jane and Eileen Isabel, or Margaret and Belle, the wives of Bill and Gus,

Margaret went from Payne’s to work for Love and Pollard in Sydney Road, Brunswick where she met Edward Noble White (Bill).

Bill would wait outside the shop every Friday night for her to finish work. Bill worked for Sam Price as a Dental Mechanic in the city and lived in Barkly Street, Brunswick, which was not far from Love and Pollard's. He was a generous man, often working on the relatives’ teeth for no charge. 

Margaret was very particular in her early married days. For example, she had a stick about four feet long, when making the bed she would use it to flatten the top and would not be satisfied until the top of the bed was as flat as a table top.

 Margaret and Bill were renamed "Mummy White" and "Daddy White" by the little daughter (Marguerite) of their very good friends and next door neighbours about 1957, and the name stuck. 

Margaret and Bill were in fact Mum and Dad to all whom had the fortune to enter their home.

Margaret would often take her children to bed with her after Bill was out and about, getting ready for a day of dentistry across the hallway from his bedroom at 15 Balmer Street. She would recite nursery rhymes, tell stories large and small and sing them songs. "The Curly Headed Piccaninny" comes to mind, but who could forget "The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God" and "Gunga Din" ! ! !

 Margaret and Bill would go to great lengths to get together with the family, visits to Shoobra Road, down to Tom and Kay's in Hampton, and off to Narrandera or Hopefield were regular to say the least. 

In 1942 Margaret left Bill to go with her sisters to Woodend because of the 
invasion of the Japanese. One day Maurice was late returning home from school. Margaret met him down the road and was so upset at his late arrival home that she took to him with a small gum tree she uprooted from the side of the road. He wasn’t late ever again".

Bill often took Maurice and/or John and/or Little Bill to the footy, especially when Brunswick played at home, or to the Brunswick Club, where on one occasion Bill defeated his little brother Gus at Snooker in an interclub tournament - Gus being a State Champion and all. .

Eating at the White home was a family tradition. Margaret excelled in cooking the Sunday roast. The roast beef and Yorkshire pudding was her speciality, and her back stops were roast lamb or corned beef with carrots, cabbage and mustard sauce, followed by an apple pie with cream. 

Of course everyone went to bed immediately after dinner, which brings to mind one Margaret's infamous stories: "Time for bed", said Sleepy Head. "Sit a while", said Slow. "Put the kettle on", said Greedy Guts, "We'll have supper before we go!" It's no wonder J.B. liked her so much. 

Bill never owned a motor car. One morning while he and Margaret were enjoying a bit of a lay in, their baby Little Bill (William Augustus) came into his Mum and Dad's bedroom and produced a car's petrol cap. He tickled Margaret and Bill's fancy by announcing, "I'm helping you to buy a car, look I already have the hole to put the petrol in".

Margaret and Bill have left us now, and although they are sadly missed, it is believed by their children, grandchildren and loved ones they are ever present.

Bill and Margaret would often go to his Mother's home in Barkley St, which was only about l½ miles from their home at 15 Balmer Street. On Christmas Eve, 1931, they brought along Margaret's older sister, Belle. It was there that Belle met Otto Agustus White, Bill's younger brother. This was the first of two occasions in the family that two sisters married two brothers, the other being that of two of Jack and Nellie's girls, Marjorie and Bobbie.

Eileen Isobel (Belle) was a kind, gentle and loving woman, who really needed consideration and love in return. She spent her "entire" life waiting on people and waiting for them. Belle was a true homemaker, forever fussing over keeping the home in order and having meals ready on time. The needs of her children were foremost to her. He younger son would often ask, "How much do you love me?" Belle's reply was always the same "More than the stars in the sky!" 

 Belle was indeed the light in her children and grandchildren, as she had the ability to "teach by example.” Belle loved parties' - singing and dancing, and the company of her loved ones, which was everyone that she was related to. She would sing her most favoured song over and over again, that of Nat King Cole's Mona Lisa. Belle was a beautiful person also. She loved to be attended to and her main way was by her family members brushing and brushing her hair. If you let her, she would sit for hours having her hair brushed. Belle spent many happy hours sewing for her grandchildren. She enjoyed a day at the races with her husband and children. The 
 simplicity of just going (being in it) was enough to make her happy.

 Belle's husband Otto Augustus White (Gus) worked for 51 years with R. J. Harvey & Co. in Swanston Street. He was a Snooker and Billiards player, winning many club and inter-club Championships. The most memorable was his Victorian Amateur Snooker Championship win in 1938. He was also runner up for that title in 1960. Gus took his family on many occasions to Narrandera to visit his in-laws. He was very popular with the older McLean's, and often shared a drink with all and sundry.

 He was very close to Frank (May's husband), the best of friends with Jack. Bill wanted to give him a car so he could take the family to Narrandera more often. Bob was the best of all to Gus, because if Bob liked you, you loved him, and that was the case with Belle, Gus and family purchased a house in Albion Street, Brunswick. There Jane Anne and along with Kitty, Belle, Margaret and Tom went about the task of setting up house. J. B. then purchased 15 Balmer Street, Brunswick and rented it out until 1931. That was the year Margaret married Edward Noble (Bill.)

 John Benjamin told the tenants of 15 Balmer Street that it was time and therefore made way for Margaret and Bill to set up house. The only proviso was that J.B. continued receiving the rent. 
 By this time J. B. had purchased a block of flats in Marine Parade, Elwood which he rented out for the rest of his life. This property was sold in the 1960's after an agreement between the beneficiaries of that part of J.B.'s estate, the four girls "May, Kitty, Belle ,and Margaret".

 In about 1928 J.B. & J.A. moved from Albion Street to 14 Shoobra Road, Elsternwick. The family lived there until 1935. During those 7 years J.B. purchased No. 5 Shoobra Road and rented it out to as many as 5 different people and/or families at any time. Each had their own sitting room, bedroom and kitchen, but had to share the one bathroom and toilet. J. B. never lived at No. 5. He built a two storey house (after a lot of haggling with the local council and a few quid in the right hands) on the vacant block. Jane Anne died at No.14.

 Margaret went that year to 15 Balmer Street, so in 1935 J.B., Kitty, Belle and Tom moved  across the road and lived upstairs at No.5a. J.B. rented out downstairs and No. 14.In 1938  Belle and Gus were married, so as with Margaret and Bill, J.B. told the people at No.14 to  leave and Belle and Gus moved in, again on payment of rent.

 In 1940 Tom married Kay and they set up house in Ludstone Street, Hampton. This left just Kitty and J.B. at No. 5a. However, there was always someone from the farms, from across the road, or from Brunswick or Hampton, to stay awhile. Tom would often drive J.B., Kit and Belle out to Brunswick to visit Margaret and family, whether or not the fact that Margaret was J. B.’s favourite had anything to do with the regular trips is debatable.

 Then in 1942 came the invasion of the Japanese. What with Gus and Tom in the services, J.B. an old man, and Bill in trouble with diabetes, the girls decided to head for the hills. They sought refuge at Woodend Kitty, Belle with Mary and Peter, Margaret with Maurice, Pat and John and Kay with Paddy and Peter.

 J.B. 's obsession to have his children name their first son John (after him) was only achieved once. That being the first son of his eldest son John Joseph (Jack) who never married. How ever if you have a close look at the family tree, there are a few of his grandsons named after him, if second name only. It is said that he even went to the extent of offering Gus £100 (pounds) to name Peter John - John Peter, all in vain.

 AUNTIE MARGARET the youngest Daughter of John Benjamin Buchanan McLean and the wife of Edward Noble WHITE (Bill) often said

 The time has come the Walrus said, to speak of many things, shoes and ships and ceiling wax, cabbages and kings, and if the sea is boiling hot, or wether pigs have wings, we will play, no  work today - for cabbages and kings.

 Auntie, Margaret also recited; Gunga Din   by   R.Kipling  1865-1936

      You may talk o' gin and beer
      When you're- quartered safe out 'ere,
      An' you're sent to penny-fights an' Aldershot it;
      But when it comes to slaughter
      You will do your work on water,
      An' you'll lick the bloomin' boots of ‘im that’s got it
      Now in Injia's Sunny clime, where I used to spend my time
      A-servin' of ‘Er Majesty the 'Queen,
      Of all the black faced crew, the finest man I knew
      Was. our regimental bheesti, Gunga Din.
       He was 'Din! Din! Din! '
      'You limpin' lump o' brick-dust,. Gunga Din!
      The uniform 'e wore, was nothing much before,
      And rather less than, 'arf o' tha be'ind,
      For a piece o' twisted, rag an' a goatskin water-bag
      Was all the field-equipment ‘e could find.
      When the sweatin' troop-train lay in the sidin’ through the day! 
      Where the 'eat would make. your: bloomin’ eyebrows crawl,
      We shouted 'Harry By! till our throats were bricky-dry,'
      Then we whooped 'im ‘cause he couldn't serve us all.
      It was' Din! Din! Din!
      'You ‘eathen, where the mischief 'ave you been?
      'You put some hurry in it
      'Or I’ll flatten you this minute
      ‘If you don't fill up my helmet, Gunga Din !
      ‘E would dot and carry one till the longest day was done;
      An' ‘e didn't seem to know the use of fear,
      If we charged or broke or cut, you could bet your bloomin’ nut,
      ‘E’d be waitin’ fifty paces right flank rear.
      With 'is water-skin on 'is back, 'e would skip with our attack,
      An’ watch us till the: bugles made ‘Retire.' , .
      An’ for all ‘is dirty ‘ide, 'e was white, clear white, inside 
      When ‘e went to tend the wounded under fire !
      It was. Din! Din! Din!
      With the bullets Kickin' Dust-spots. on the green.
      When the cartridges ran out,
      You could the front-ranks shout,
      ‘Hi ! ammunition-mules an' Gunga Din !
      I shan't forgit the night, when I dropped behind the fight
      With a bullet where my belt-plate should ‘a' been.
      I was chokin’ mad with thirst, an' the 'man that spied me first 
      Was. our good old grinnin', gruntin’ Gunga Din.
      'E lifted up my 'ead, an' he plugged me where I bled,
      An' ‘e gave me 'arf-a-pint o’ water green.
      It was. crawlin' and it stunk, but of all the drinks I've: drunk,
      I’m the gratefullest to the one from Gunga Din,
      It was, 'Din! Din! Din!
      ‘Ere’s a beggar: with a bullet through, ‘is spleen;
      'E's chawin’ up the ground,
       An' 'e's kickin' all around;
       'For Gawd's sake. git the water,. Gunga Din !

      'E carried me away, to where a doolie lay, 
      An' a bullet. come an’ drilled the beggar clean.
      'E put me safe inside, an' just before, 'e died,
      I 'ope' you liked your drink, sez Gunga Din.
      So I'll meet 'im later on, at the place where 'e is gone-
      Where it's always double drill and no canteen.
      'E'll be squattin' on the coals, givin' drink to poor dammed souls,
      An' I'll get a swig in hell from Gunga Din.
      Yes, Din! Din! Din!
      You Lazarushian-leather Gunga Din !
      Though I've belted you and flayed you,
      By the livin' Gawd that made you,
      You’re a better man than I am Gunga Din.

           Kipling Rudyard, was born in Bombay in 1865, he was educated at 
           the United Services College, Westward Ho! he was' engaged' in 
           journalistic work in India from 1882 to 1889 and later moved to England 
           where his short stories dealing with India, the sea, the jungle and its 
           beasts, the army and navy etc were featured in the London daily papers 
           he wrote several books, the most famous being Barrack-Room 
           Ballads, Jungle Book, The Seven Seas, Puck of Pook's Hill, he was, 
           awarded the Nobel Prize in 1907 and died in 1936.
 

  Auntie Margaret's favourite was;
 The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God   J.Milton Hayes
 

      There's a one-eyed yellow idol to the north of Kathmandu,
      There's. a little. marble cross below the town;
      There's a broken-hearted woman tends the grave of Mad Carew,)
      And the Yellow God forever gazes down.

      He was .known as "Mad Carew" by the subs of. Kathmandu,
      He was better than they felt inclined to tell;
      But for all his: foolish pranks he was worshipped. in the ranks,
      And the Colonel's daughter smiled on him as well.
      He had loved her all along, with the passion of. the strong,
      The fact that she loved him was plain to all;
      She was nearly twenty-one and arrangements had begun
      to celebrate her birthday with a ball.
      He wrote to ask what present she would like from Mad Carew;
      They met next day, as he dismissed a squad;
      And jestingly she told him then that nothing else would do
      but the Green Eye of the Little Yellow God.
      On the night before the dance Mad Carew seemed in a trance,
      And they chaffed him as they puffed on their cigars; ,
      But for once he failed to smile, and he sat alone awhile,
      Then went out into the night beneath the stars.
      He returned before the dawn, with his, shirt and tunic torn,
      And a gash across his temples dripping red;
      He was patched up right away, and he slept all through the day,
      And the Colonel's daughter watched beside his bed.
      He woke at last and asked if they could send his tunic through;
      She brought it, and he thanked her with a nod;
      He bade her search the pocket, saying "That’s from Mad Carew"
      And she found the little green eye of the god.

      She upbraided poor Caret, in a way that women do,
      Though both. her eyes were strangely ho1t and wet;
      But she wouldn't take the stone, and Carew was left alone,
      with the jewel that he had chanced his life to get.
      When the Ball was at its height, on that still and tropic night,
      She thought of him, and hastened to his room;
      As she crossed the barrack square she could hear the dreamy air
      of a waltz tune softly stealing thro’ the gloom.
      His door was open wide, with the silver moonlight shinning through,
      The place was wet and slipp’ry where she trod; .
      An ugly knife lay buried' in the heart of Mad Carew;
      'Twas. the vengeance of the little yellow god.
      There's a one-eyed yellow idol to the north of Kathmandu,
      There's a little marble cross below the town;
      There's a broken-hearted woman tends the grave of Mad Carew,
      And the Yellow God forever gazes down.
 

Keith Blanchard Oates (that’s Uncle Keith the Husband of Helen Joyce)
 at parties and other family gatherings would sing the following

      Patrick McGinty, an Irish man of note,
      fell in for a fortune, and brought himself a goat,
      say's he sure of goats milk I'm gona have me-fill,
      but when he brought the nanny home, he found it was a bill.
      All the young ladies who live in Killaro,
      their all wearing bustles like their mothers used to do,
      they each wear a bolster beneath their petticoat,
      and leave the rest to providence and Paddy McKinney’s goat.
      Mrs Brock to her daughter, said listen Mary Jane,
      who was the lad, you were cuddlin' in the lane,
      he-ad long wirey whiskers a-hang in from his chin,
      'twas only Pat McGinty's goat, she answered with a grin,
      Then she went away, from the village in disgrace,
      she came back with powder and paint upon her face,
      shed rings on her fingers, and she wore a sabre coat,
      and you bet your life she didn’t get those from Paddy McGinty's goat
      Now Nora McCartey the knot was gona tie,
      she washed out her truso, and she hung it out to dry,
      along came the goat, and he saw the bits of white,
      and chewed up all the garment upon her wedding night,
      Oh turn out the light quick, she shouted out to Pat,
      although I’m your bride, sure I'm not worth lookin' at,
      I had two of everything, I told you when I wrote,
      but now I’ve got nothing on through Paddy McGinty's goat.
      Mickey Riley, he went to the races t'other day,
      he won twenty dollars, and shouted hip-aray,
      he held up the note, shouting look at what I've got,
      the goat came an grabbed it. and swallowed up the lot,
      He's eaten me bank note said Micky with a lump,
      they sent for the doctor, and got a stomach pump,
      they pumped, and they pumped for the twenty dollar note,
      but all they got was nine pence out of Paddy McGinty's goat.
      Now old Paddy’s goat had a wondrous appetite,
      and one day for breakfast he had some dynamite,
      a-big box of matches he swallowed o'sorine,
      then out he went and drank a pint of kerosene,
      he sat by the fire, and he didn't give a hang,
      he swallowed a spark and he went off with a bang,
      so when you get to heaven you can bet your bottom note,
      that the angel with the whiskers on is Paddy McGinty's goat.