ORAL HISTORY (AUDIO): BANFIELD, JEAN

Subcollections

Overview

Jean Banfield was born in East Fremantle in 1911. She moved to Subiaco when she was two years old. Her parents were Bert (born in South Australia) and Eliza (from Victoria). Her father was a businessman and took over the City Case Factory and Perth Modelling Works. The family built a house in Chester Street. Jean recalls much of the house including the lavish red drawing room that was used for ladies’ social afternoons. She goes on to discuss the work and trips her father took with the Perth Modelling Works factory, including making moulding and cornices for houses and going on trips in search of gypsum. She recalls times as a child playing in Kings Park, the shops in Subiaco and swimming at Nedlands Jetty. Jean and her father took many trips including a trip overland in 1925 when she was 14 years old. Jean recounts contact with Aboriginals en-route, the telegraph stations and other adventures. Jean moved to West Perth to a new property her father built. She took the name of the family’s Chester Street house ‘Blair Athol’ to the new property. Jean left school at St Marys aged 17 and went to Stotts Business College and on to work for her father. Jean Banfield is deceased.

Interviewee: Jean Banfield

Date of Interview: 20 November 1984

Interviewer: Anne Eddy

Transcriber: Jo Draffin

Indexer: Marvin Wallin

Historical information

Interview with Miss Jean Bannfield by Anne Eddy on multiple sessions in 1984. A transcription has been made.

Jean Banfield was born in East Fremantle in 1911. She moved to Subiaco when she was two years old. Her parents were Bert (born in South Australia) and Eliza (from Victoria). Her father was a businessman and took over the City Case Factory and Perth Modelling Works. The family built a house in Chester Street. Jean recalls much of the house including the lavish red drawing room that was used for ladies’ social afternoons. She goes on to discuss the work and trips her father took with the Perth Modelling Works factory, including making moulding and cornices for houses and going on trips in search of gypsum. She recalls times as a child playing in Kings Park, the shops in Subiaco and swimming at Nedlands Jetty. Jean and her father took many trips including a trip overland in 1925 when she was 14 years old. Jean recounts contact with Aboriginals en-route, the telegraph stations and other adventures. Jean moved to West Perth to a new property her father built. She took the name of the family’s Chester Street house ‘Blair Athol’ to the new property. Jean left school at St Marys aged 17 and went to Stotts Business College and on to work for her father.

ORAL HISTORY (AUDIO): BANFIELD, JEAN

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