POSTCARD: METHODIST GYMNASTIC GROUP

Front: The image shows the Methodist gymnastic group arranged in five rows, with the girls from the team dressed in sailor-style tunics with ribbons in their hair. The girls in the back row are holding their right arms aloft. The members in the front row display Indian clubs in front of them.
Reverse: Handwritten note: 'Hilda Gill front row extreme left'
Top row: ?------- Second row: (4th from right) - Annie Herring, Myrtle Deague, Ada Roberts, Hazel Deague. Third row: Mr Brown, Ruby Bray, -----, May Fox, -----, Linda Servanty, -----, Mr Lionel Burlinson Fourth row: Milly Brealy, Alby Servanty, -----, Rev. A.J. Barclay, Olive Thomas, Mary Lewis, Sue Sawtell. Bottom row: Hilda Gill, Pearl Stone, Beatrice Oliver (who later married Lionel Burlinson), Jack Wells, -----, Ruby Foster, believed at the time the photograph was donated to still be living in Dennis Street, Subiaco.
Copy of letter from Mrs J.A. Bryden, 123 The Esplanade, Mt Pleasant:
'The Subiaco Methodist Church was commenced in a small back room in the house of Mr Murdoch on the corner of Barker Road and Townshend Road, or thereabout.
I was young enough to be seated in a high chair, about four years of age, as I came to Subiaco at the age of three, it was all bush then and only one house and one well for water, near the Subiaco Station. 'Jones House' we called it, and our parents paid 1/- a kerosene tin for water, and it had to last us all day, our parents walked from Olive Street where we had a hessian house, to collect it, a neighbour, who lived in a tent, and my father, carried the tins on a long pole, through the handles of the tins.
The little church grew and later was replaced by a circular tent, which was a great source of joy to us children. Later the church in Hay Street near Axon Street, was built opposite the Church of England Church, I think the first minister was a Rev. Grieve, and Rev. McLaren came much later, about the third minister, I think. He was dearly loved by all, and his wife was my Sunday school teacher, and the class threw rose leaves over them on their wedding day. It is still a poignant memory for me. He died later in Melbourne.
The photos that have been handed to me have awakened many memories, the group of little girls, I can recognise some, but have forgotten their names, but it was a 'gymnastic group' formed by Mr Jack Wells, (centre) at 'The Bagot Road Methodist Church', our latest move from Hay Street Church (later a garage).'