Interveiw with Centenarian (Bronwyn Hehir)

1. When and where were you born?

I was born in Barham in 1907.

2. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Barham but went to boarding school

at the age of 13.

3. Did you go to school?yes

Where did you go to school?

i went to Barham primary school

until i was 13 then went to boarding school in

Melbourne.

4. How did you handle all the changes in life?

Very hard. It was hard going from the farm to the city.

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5. Can you explain what a school day was like?

When i was at primary school i woke at 5am got

water from the well ,done jobs for an hour

then walked 5 miles to school , have combined lessons

until 12pm then go back to class until 3pm.

6. What was the housing like when you were a child?

We had a 2 bedroom house 1 room downstairs and an

attic at the top.It was made from wood.

7. What was your first job?

I was a clerk in a bank in Melbourne.

8. Do you find children these days happier?

No i don't think they are happier but they have

more choices.

9. What did you do for fun as a teen?

Went to the movies on Sunday night but there

was a curfew of 10pm

10. What age did you leave school?

16

11. Do you think teens now days have more fun?

Yes

12. What jobs did you have in your life time?

worked as a clerk at a bank until i was 20

then had an arranged marriage.

13. What were the working conditions like?

on the farm it was dusty and dry and at the bank

and the farm they were both long hours.

14. How did you get from place to place?

By tram and walked to and from school.

15. Do you think life is easier fro families now?

Yes there are more jobs available and easier to

get to and from jobs.

16. Last of all do you prefer life today or life when you were younger?

Life today its not as hard now being in a nursing home is much easier because i don't have children.