Gwen Griffen - Digital Elder Project

Curlewis Public School
Gwen Griffen
I was born in Coraki in 1937 and was one of three girls. Dad was a timber truck
driver and mum was a house wife.
Mum left us at Coraki Mission and we were to be taken away to our Aunt Nellie
and Uncle Sam. So one night at midnight dad and Uncle Ernie came and took us
to Bonalbo. Here we lived with Aunty Nell and Uncle Sam who taught us
everything including cleaning jobs, setting the table and washing up. My job was
to look after two milking cows. This meant milking in the morning, finding them in
the afternoon and then re milking. One day in the yard, Aunty Nell said to throw
the leftover food to the cows but the cows chased me and I would not drop the
dish and chased me all around the yard.
Digital Elder Project 2010
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Curlewis Public School
At meal times the table had to be set with a table cloth, plates and cutlery. We
were allowed two slices of bread and had to eat everything on our plate. We then
had to ask “May I leave the table please”. If the meal was not finished we were
not allowed to leave the table until all eaten.
On Saturday morning was clean out day, we would set the table before
breakfast. We would set one cup of tea and one cup of Epson salts. We would
drink the Epson salts followed by the cup of tea.
I went to school at Bonalbo until I was 13 and then went to stay with dad and
step-mum in Redfern and attended Bourke Street High School. I completed 4 th
form and at the end the Principal asked “What would you like to do Gwen? Would
you like to become a telephonist?” The Principal wrote a reference and gave me
the envelope and said to stick the envelope up so they could see it. I asked why
and was told they would want to know what was inside. I got the job!
I worked at the Newton telephone exchange in the complaints department at
Newton and then I went to the GPO trunk line. Each telephonist had to have a go
at telling the time. On the red light you would stop and on the green light you
would say “At the next stoke it will be...” and then stop on red light. I played up
with the girls on the exchange and use cut out key to make calls. Maree one day
forgot to turn off the cut off key and so Police recognised it was at the exchange.
I had a great time working there.
I married in 1956 to Ron who was a shearer but had no honeymoon. We got
married on Saturday and went back go Breeza on Sunday as Ron had to shear
at Walcha. After our sons arrived we brought a caravan and travelled until the
boys were school age. They were funny times.
We have five boys; Daryl, Allan (Bubby), Ronald (Scotty), Brett and Boyd. All the
boys played sports at Gunnedah High School and all successful. A few were
prefects. Boys left Gunnedah to get jobs as no jobs in town; it allowed them to
better themselves.
Darryl – runs two TAFE Colleges – Eora and Ultimo
Allan – job with Energy Australia and has been there 28 years. Well respected.
He Runs traineeships for Aboriginal kids who want to be electricians.
Ronald – has had a few jobs and trained at the Maritime Times Service Board to
gain carpentry ticket. Then went to UTS to become a TAFE teacher. Currently
teaching carpentry at Bankstown TAFE
Brett – ‘wild child’, excavation work using big machinery
Boyd – gold miner at Orange, another ‘wild child’
Before they left school I joined the Family Support and Women’s Crisis as I was
interested in helping out and community work.
 Member of Red Chief Lands Council
 Founder of Min Min Aboriginal Organisation
Digital Elder Project 2010
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Curlewis Public School
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Founder Gunida Gunyah
Joined/elected to Gunnedah Council in 1995
Member of NSW AECG ; local President, Representative to the Region,
AMC executive member
JP
I am involved in most organisations in the community and travel around a lot and
have met a lot of interesting people.
I have achieved
 Heros Award for the work I have done in the community
 Nangi Mai Award for Contribution to Education
 GMDA for Contribution to Education
 Completed Leadership Program
 First Aboriginal to be elected to Gunnedah Council (member for 15 years)
 Ran for Woman of the Year
I am a people’s person and love speaking to people and learning about different
nationalities. Love a good laugh and enjoy all kinds of people and tend to work
harder for the lower class working families. I have never forgotten who I am or
where I came from, high class people do not interest me as I believe we are all
equal.
Gwen and Ronnie Griffen Wedding Day
Digital Elder Project 2010
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Curlewis Public School
Gwen Griffen
Front: Gwen, Allan (Bubby), Ronnie, Brett
Back: Ronald (Scotty), Darryl, Boyd
Digital Elder Project 2010
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