Oral history kit : Patricia Morris 2004

In the first interview Cr. Morris acknowledges her own grandchildren as being 7th generation West Australians and speaks of her paternal and maternal ancestors and her husband’s family’s connection to Gosnells. Both she and her husband grew up in Victoria Park. Cr. Morris recalls her wedding 49 years ago between herself who had been brought up in the Church of England and her husband who was Catholic. She describes some of the attitudes and restrictions imposed at that time. She remembers moving into Thornlie in February 1958 and speaks of her life there in the early days – flooding, fog, community spirit and lifelong friends made, the gradual opening of shops and services, involvement with the P. & C. of the new Thornlie Primary School, fundraising for the Infant Health Centre, community efforts in establishing the Thornlie oval and of her 35 year involvement with the Guiding movement. She was Brown Owl at the 1st Thornlie brownie pack for 13 years, running it from her own home in the early years.

In the second interview Cr. Morris speaks more of her years as Brown Owl, her involvements with the P. & C. of Thornlie P.S. and the Thornlie Cricket Club and the Junior and Senior Football Clubs in the Thornlie area. She speaks of returning to the workforce and her first nomination for election to the Gosnells Council in 1984 or 85 and the support of the Catholic priest at that time. When she was elected at her second attempt Cr. Morris describes her ability to work in a male dominated environment and her election to the office of Mayor in 1989. She speaks of her involvement with the Local Government Association and her personal ethos of the importance of working well with her peers. She tells of her ability to communicate with many different groups of people and touches upon her contraction of polio as a 6 year old.

In the third interview Cr. Morris speaks more of her time as President of the Local Government Association and the range of duties in that capacity. She speaks of always having a sense of community and her satisfaction in being involved with a great number of projects such as the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre, the Tom Bateman reserve, Leisure World and Pioneer Park. She talks about the role of the Council and public art and the need to celebrate the achievements of people who have grown up in Gosnells. She talks of the social impact of the graffiti art programme. Cr Morris speaks of the corporate structure changes at Council level upon her return to the office of Mayor in 1999, the changing demographics of Canning Vale and Southern River and the revitalisation of the Gosnells town centre. She ends the interview praising the sense of community in Gosnells, acknowledging the efforts of volunteers and stating her intention to continue to progress Maddington/Kenwick.