Beryl was born to Albert and Ada North on the 14th of October, 1927. She was the youngest sibling of Harry, Iris, Bert, Vince and Dick. Their family home was at Carrington in Newcastle, NSW.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Beryl left us with some happy written memories of her childhood. Leisure time activities included picnics on the beach, cycling (she even mastered a penny farthing!), riding pillion on brother Dick’s Harley, rowing, catching crabs and prawns with her Dad and her brothers – Beryl was a real tomboy!
She also enjoyed going to the theatre and attending “frolics” (fancy dress balls) with her sister Iris and their mother, who designed and made all of their costumes.
The BHP steel factory at Newcastle was ever-present in their lives. Beryl’s father was given the honour of cutting the very first length of steel to be used in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which stands as a monument to the family.
After completing high school at Wickam, Beryl commenced work at Hustler’s, a large department store in Newcastle, where she gained experience in clerical and sales work before spending a number of years in the silks section of the fabrics department until 1949.
It was in February of that year that Iris’s husband Frank Spooner asked Beryl to accompany them to visit Roy Collier, his workmate during the war years, at “Sunnyside”, Bogan Gate.
Frank said jokingly to Roy at the time that he had “brought him a cook”, as Roy’s parents had retired to Strathfield the previous year. Little realising that in five months’ time on the 9th of July 1949, that was to become permanent.
It was quite a lifestyle change moving to Bogan Gate, where power was supplied by a generator and their home relied on rainwater. Beryl taught herself to drive in a 1942 Ford truck, practicing in a 100 acre paddock.
Roy and Beryl moved to Bedgerabong in 1954, with Carolyn, 3, and Ian, 1, to a more comfortable lifestyle at Roseleigh.
Beryl was an active member of the local CWA, Tennis Club and Show Society, a steward in the flower section for 50 years. She was a keen baker and successful exhibitor. She was also actively involved with the Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club, supporting Roy in his role as Secretary.
You could often find Beryl attending auctions and clearing sales in search of antiques, a passion she shared with her sister Iris. She enjoyed folk art and spent many hours perfecting her work. She was dedicated to compiling the family history, which she recently completed dating back to the Viking era – a significant achievement.
Beryl’s main interests were family, gardening, craftwork, knitting and sewing, poultry raising, and the farm. Affectionately known as Mrs C, she welcomed all to her home with a friendly smile and a cuppa.
She was regularly seen down the paddock with a burr hoe or spray bottle in hand! Visitors to Roseleigh departed with the warning to “Watch out for kangaroos”!
Beryl and Roy were married for 63 years and were blessed with five children between 1951 and 1968 – Carolyn, Ian, Leanne (deceased), Janelle and Darren.
She drove countless kilometres to ensure her children had an interest in music and sport – attending piano and dancing lessons, swim club, cricket, football and soccer. Beryl still proudly held her driver’s licence.
She embraced her children’s partners and made them her own in the loving way that mothers do. Beryl was a very proud and loving grandmother, providing positive support and encouragement in all of her grandchildren’s academic, sporting and career achievements. Beryl’s grandchildren range in age from 2 to 40 years.
For Beryl, the simplest things in life were the best and she has left her family with many happy memories to cherish. She was regularly quoted to say “If you have health, you have wealth, all the money in the world can’t buy it”, and “Positive thinking and a smile cost nothing”.
The family wish to extend our thanks to Dr Hemant and the caring staff from Australian Unity, whose assistance enabled Beryl to remain on Roseleigh where she passed away peacefully near her family, as was her wish.
Beryl took great delight in her family and is survived by Carolyn, Ian, Janelle and Darren, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is greatly missed by us all.
- By the family