Category: 1960s

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1960s 1970s 1973 Diary 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020 Snippets and Vignettes Visually Impaired

All Photos Published on the TrennaMahney.com Website

5 photo albums on a shelf
A very small number of Trenna's photo albums

Photos played a very big part in Trenna’s life, especially in later years as her mobility decreased. She spent hundreds of hours sorting, scanning, dating and captioning photos stretching back to her very earliest days.

I therefore take quite a bit of time and care in choosing the photos I use on the site.

Below is a gallery of all the photos I have used so far. I have also created a page that displays all those photos. You should … Read the rest ... “All Photos Published on the TrennaMahney.com Website”

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1960s Craig House Kitchen Tapes Mofflyn Homes Snippets and Vignettes

The Keaver Stich-Up – a Kitchen Tapes Extra

a green grassy picnic area in front of a wide river
Point Walter in December 2022. It has changed quite a bit in the ensuing 57 or so years, but it remains a popular picnic spot on the banks of the Swan River.

By Greg

This is just a short anecdote to cover an incident at Craig House that I don’t think made it into The Kitchen Tapes recordings. As those oral histories were never completed that isn’t all that surprising.

We both just ran out of puff.

A Picnic For the Kids

“Now everybody – pay attention!” Matron was her usual stern self, or maybe even a bit more on edge this morning. She continued.

“This picnic is organised by the legatees, … Read the rest ... “The Keaver Stich-Up – a Kitchen Tapes Extra”

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1960s 1970s Craig House Kitchen Tapes Writing

Meals at Craig House

Trenna on a seat in a bush picnic area. A small dog on her lap, and picnic items on a table.
"Felix with mum @ Bush picnic". A picnic in the bush near Perth. Trenna is about 40 years old, around the time she penned the observations in this post. July 1998

Trenna’s Writing on the Subject – And Plans to Write About Herself

Mainly by Trenna, Brief Intro by Greg

Introduction

This piece of writing by Trenna was on her laptop computer (not her iPad) and appears to have been commenced on 21 July 1997, and further work done on it in 1998.

It looks like she did most of the work, but never came back to it. The first part is very orderly and polished, the later part looks more … Read the rest ... “Meals at Craig House”

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1960s Craig House Kitchen Tapes Mofflyn Homes

Barb’s Craig House Memories

4 1960s girls posing
"HIP, Marg. Barb, Madge & CH girl at Rotto". Trenna's sister Barb is second from the left. They were on a Craig House outing. December 1966.

A Kitchen Tape Extra

By Trenna’s sister Barbara, with an introduction from Greg

Introduction

In 2018 Trenna asked her sister Barb to jot down her memories of Craig House. Barb is six years older than Trenna. It was at exactly the same time as Trenna and I were recording Trenna’s stories and I have no doubt it was as part of Trenna’s research in preparation for writing her own story.

Barb subsequently sent the notes that appear below, and when … Read the rest ... “Barb’s Craig House Memories”

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1960s 1970s Craig House iPad Knowledge Mofflyn Homes Snippets and Vignettes

Trenna’s Rough Notes on Craig House

7 women and a man posing indoors
70th Anniversary of Legacy. Trenna on the left, Matron sitting at the front. The last photo Trenna had of Matron. April 1998.

By Tren, with a little help from her friends.

Brief Intro by Greg

Another document from Trenna’s iPad. I think she has collected thoughts and snippets of information together to help her and I put her story together.

The original document was entitled “1965-1972 Craig House” and it was in a folder called “Tren Family Chronology & Memoirs”. It was created in March 2014, and last modified on 1 October 2018 – a few months after the last of … Read the rest ... “Trenna’s Rough Notes on Craig House”

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1960s 1970s Craig House Kitchen Tapes

The Kitchen Tapes No. 19

Trenna with her sister Nancy
"The Bride & me". Trenna at her sister Nancy's wedding, 9 October 1971.

Recorded on 9 June 2018

Other Craig House Stories

[ GM: This was one of the longest recordings at 1 hour and 6 minutes.  In it Trenna sounded less tired than she had in other recordings, especially in the ones that were to follow. To see why this one was a bit different I looked at Trenna’s diary for this date and was surprised to see that she was not at all well, and had not slept much the night … Read the rest ... “The Kitchen Tapes No. 19”

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1960s Craig House Kitchen Tapes Marfan

The Kitchen Tapes No. 14

St Joseph's Convent
St Joseph's Convent in 2022. When taking the photo I didn't notice any brooms parked on the verandah.

Recorded 12 May 2018

Violet Crumble Bars from the Catholic Church

GM: OK. Today is Saturday, the 12th of May. We are with Trenna Mahney, talking about her memories of her childhood, at this stage. 

Tren, there were a number of things we were  just talking about before we started recording.  They were things that happened mainly at your primary school.

Would you like to tell us some of those things? 

THM: Before Helen came I was a pretty meke, … Read the rest ... “The Kitchen Tapes No. 14”

Categories
1960s Kitchen Tapes Mofflyn Homes

The Kitchen Tapes No. 13

Trenna with a large snake
Python not Boa (Trenna's caption). Alice Springs, 5 November 2015. After surviving the potential attack by the lethal bob-tail goanna, Trenna had no problem with a small snake.

Recorded 7 May 2018

[ GM: Note before we start.  In these recordings of Trenna’s early years I can hear that she almost puts herself into a trance like state, as if she was channeling a very young, and a very different Trenna.  She gave this whole account speaking quite fast and with almost no breaks.]

[GM: In this recording, perhaps more than others Trenna has retold stories she has already covered (although there is also new material). Trenna and … Read the rest ... “The Kitchen Tapes No. 13”

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1960s Craig House Grief Kitchen Tapes Mofflyn Homes

The Twelfth Kitchen Tape

Happy Young couple
Trenna's Dad and Mum, Eddie and Jean, after they were engaged. 1947.

Recorded 5 May 2018

Sadness Warning

[GM: I found this perhaps the hardest transcript (as well as the hardest recording), both because of the sad content, and it shows how Trenna blocked out a few years from when her dad died until she went to Craig House. I don’t think when we started the conversation that either I or Trenna had any idea where it would lead.]

GM:  Today is Saturday, 5th of May 2018.  We’re talking with Trenna Mahney.… Read the rest ... “The Twelfth Kitchen Tape”

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1960s Kitchen Tapes

11 – Trenna’s Favourite Number

family photo
"1957 Mummy holding me on the swing at home with Barbie, Nancy and Colin."

The Eleventh Kitchen Tape

Recorded 4 May 2018

Greg’s Notes:  During this recording Trenna started to remember more details about her very early life as she cast her mind further and further back.  You can “hear” this is some of the sentences in this transcript. At the end she told me that it had felt like she had been talking for an hour, but in fact it was just 30 minutes (which was our usual target time). 

GM:  Today is … Read the rest ... “11 – Trenna’s Favourite Number”

Categories
1960s 1970s Kitchen Tapes

The Kitchen Tapes No. 10

7 year old Trenna Facing the camera
7 year old Trenna, and Barb on school holidays with the Anderson family, camping at Meelup. January 1965.

Recorded 22 April 2018

Early Years at Craig House and with the Andersons

GM: OK, today is Sunday 22nd of April, 2018.  We are with Trenna Mahney.  I think Tren you wanted to talk a bit more about the early years at Craig House.

Craig House

THM:  Right.  I don’t really remember getting to Craig House. I knew I was getting excited to go to where my sisters and brother were, and when I got there I didn’t … Read the rest ... “The Kitchen Tapes No. 10”

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1960s 1970s Craig House Kitchen Tapes Visually Impaired

Number Nine, Number Nine…

Tren and Barb in a park
Tren and Barb having a can of Fanta each in a park. I think Trenna told me it was in Queen's Park.

This Kitchen Tape Recorded on 21 April 2018

GM:  OK, today is Saturday, 21st of April, 2018 and I’m with Trenna Mahney.  Tren, you were going to tell us a bit more about Craig House, I think? 

THM:  Alright.  The main house – I was talking about the kitchen and the back enclosed…  well, I guess, in a way it was a bit of a pantry, where it had the fruit cupboard, and all that. 

Sleeping Arrangements

That leads into … Read the rest ... “Number Nine, Number Nine…”

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1960s 1970s Craig House Kitchen Tapes

Tape 8 from the Kitchen

Perth by night
Perth City Lights from The South Perth Esplanade. November 1972.

Recorded on the 20th April 2018

Mainly About Meals

[GM: Before we start. Also see the post “Floor 7 1/2” as it contains a player to hear “Tape 8 from the Kitchen” spoken in Trenna’s own words.]

GM:  OK, today it is Friday the 20th of April, 2018.  Tren, yesterday we were talking about Craig House and meals.  Tell us a bit more about Craig House. 

THM: Having talked about meals, there was something I haven’t mentioned, and that … Read the rest ... “Tape 8 from the Kitchen”

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1960s 1970s 1990s 2000s Craig House Kitchen Tapes Travel

Floor 7 1/2

Trenna and Greg on the Tube
On the Tube in London. 15 September 2009. I think Colin Perry took the photo. I've only just replaced that satchel bag in 2022.

… and Trenna’s Voice, Recording Kitchen Tape No. 8

By Greg, and then Trenna’s own voice

The popular-culturally literate among you will immediately be thinking “Being John Malkovich“.

What’s this got to do with Trenna?

Well….

I have decided that in most cases I’m NOT going to put the original sound recordings on this website – at least for now.

However, I thought I should put up at least one, to provide an idea of what the original … Read the rest ... “Floor 7 1/2”

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1960s 1970s Craig House Kitchen Tapes

The Kitchen Tapes #7

Matron Templer standing outside smiling
"Matron Elaine Templer. 1966."

Recorded 19 April 2018

Meals at Craig House

GM:  OK, today is the 19th of April 2018, with Trenna Mahney.  Tren, can you tell me whatever you can think of about Craig House.

THM:  Well, Craig House was quite posh in some ways. It was formal in that we had to dress for dinner each night. 

In the large dining area there were three tables, one very big jarrah, which would have seated one at each end and … Read the rest ... “The Kitchen Tapes #7”

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1960s Craig House Kitchen Tapes Marfan Mofflyn Homes Visually Impaired

The Kitchen Tapes # 6

Trenna and her three siblings, at their cousin Shirley's wedding reception held at the Tawarri Reception Centre. January 1967.

Recorded on 15 April 2018

Primary School Days

GM:  OK, today is Sunday, the 15th of April 2018, I’m with Trenna Mahney, and she’s going to continue telling us about her memories of her past.  Tren, last time we were talking with you you were on your way to school …

THM:  I was talking about that slightly in the future, when Helen had arrived, I think. But I should go back to when I first came to Craig … Read the rest ... “The Kitchen Tapes # 6”

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1960s 1970s Craig House End of Life Eulogy Grief Mourning

Eulogy Part 3

Trenna and Helen smiling
Trenna and Helen, 5 March 2015. Taken in our kitchen with Trenna's Canon G15 camera using the self timer.

A Celebration of Trenna’s Life  –  15 January 2021

Below is the the eulogy delivered by Trenna’s friend, Helen Rice at the celebration of Trenna’s life.

Eulogy


I met Trenna in October 1967 when I moved to Craig House a hostel for Legacy children.We bonded instantly as we were the youngest at Craig House at that time. She became my closest friend very quickly, so much so that I remember not wanting to go on a visit with my mother … Read the rest ... “Eulogy Part 3”

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1960s Craig House Kitchen Tapes Mofflyn Homes

The Kitchen Tapes #5

Trenna and Barb
Daggy Tren & Cool Barb [Trenna's words] 9 September 1968

Recorded 14 April 2018

GM:  OK, so we’re here with Trenna Mahney.  It’s the 14th of April,  2018. Tren, you were going to tell me about when you left Mofflyn Homes and went off to Craig House. 

THM: Alright.  It is a blurr.  That time in my life was lost to me a little.  I was well… I thought I only went to grade 1 when I was aged six at East Victoria Park Primary School, but apparently not.  I … Read the rest ... “The Kitchen Tapes #5”

Categories
1960s Kitchen Tapes Mofflyn Homes

The Second Recording

Cute Trenna at age 3
1960 at Aunty Hilda's, Trenna was reluctant to stand still


Recording #2 of The Kitchen Tapes 10 April 2018

GM: OK we’re recording.  It’s the 10th of April 2018. 

Mofflyn

THM:  Right.  We’re back at Mofflyn Homes, some more things have come to my memory. 

In our cottage the older children looked after the younger children. They had responsibilities. 

Younger children had to be bathed by someone.  I know that we shared bath water, which was a common thing to do in those days, so it’s no big deal. … Read the rest ... “The Second Recording”

Categories
1960s Kitchen Tapes Marfan Mofflyn Homes

The First Recording

1960 Mofflyn Kindy of Young Trenna
1960 Mofflyn Kindy

Recording #1 of The Kitchen Tapes 9 April 2018

[GM: This recording of 9 April 2018 was the very first in a series of 24 recordings]

THM:  The nineteen sixties were a decade of huge change for me and …  for the world. 

“…so my childhood was in some ways idyllic, in some ways terrible.  I didn’t know the difference between the two”  

My family had started to disintegrate.   I began to have my own memories of my … Read the rest ... “The First Recording”