Ku-ring-gai Historical Society Life Member, Hazel Perdriau turns 100 today!
Here is a mini biography from our newsletter in 2008:
Hazel Perdriau remembers Armistice Day and
joining in celebratory bell ringing. She also remembers Sir Ross and Keith
Smith’s plane flying overhead at the end of their epic flight from England, and
that the 1919 flu epidemic nearly made her and her young brother orphans.
In 1920 her parents moved to a house in Roseville where she attended the
Roseville Infants School and continued there when it became a full primary
school and she later attended PLC Pymble. She left school in 1928 because of
her mother’s illness and the transfer of the family to a new house in Nelson
Street, Gordon. She then enrolled at the East Sydney Technical College to study
commercial art, however after three years she abandoned art on being invited by
a friend at Sydney University to join the University Choir.
Realizing that she
had a good singing voice, she commenced the study of voice and piano at the
State Conservatorium of Music. Following the outbreak of WW2 Hazel assisted her
mother who was president of the Gordon Red Cross and then joined the Red Cross
herself to serve in military hospitals, visiting the sick and teaching crafts.
She worked as an Occupational Therapist and was sent to the 113 AGH at Concord
West. After about a year of part time work, she was posted full time to 104 AGH
Bathurst and then to114 AGH at Kenmore with a staff of local volunteers, which
enabled her to expand her activities with music therapy and pottery.
Remaining with the Red Cross after the war, Hazel gained experience with
treadle looms and weaving and was sent back to113 AGH in charge of the weaving
room and later the handcraft centre. When the 113 AGH was turned over to the
Repatriation Department, Hazel transferred to the Occupational Therapy
Department, taking charge of the pottery and art room. She also took part, with
the Hurlstone Choral Society, in performances with the Sydney Symphony
Orchestra. In addition she attended night classes at the East Sydney Technical
College to further her skills in clay modeling and pottery.
On her retirement in 1976, Hazel joined the Turramurra Garden Club and
the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society, serving as secretary and president at
various times in both organizations. She has been a Life Member of the Society
for a number of years. She also found time to photograph every house in Nelson
St, Gordon and donated to the Society a copy of the 1788-1820 Pioneer
Association Register and a paper knife reputed to be made of wood from HMS Sirius.
In addition she is an active member of the St. Ives Music Study Group. A very
busy lady!
We all wish Hazel a very happy birthday.
