Person:Myrtle Bassett (1)

Introducing Myrtle

Myrtle was the second eldest child of 4 children; she was born on 2nd June 1907 in Simpson Rd, Eaglehawk to William Basset, miner and Lillian May Crump, in the home of her grandmother, Ellor Bassett nee Symons. Myrtle with her elder sister Doris, and younger siblings William and Gladys spent most of their early childhood in Eaglehawk bar a few years. Tasmania When Myrtle was two years of age her family left Eaglehawk and relocated to Tasmania. It was here that her father found employment in the mines and her younger brother William was born. They only stayed for two years before moving back to Eaglehawk. Life in Eaglehawk When they returned to Eaglehawk they lived in various houses. One of these they rented from Lillian’s sister Minnie in Barell Street. Myrtle had memories of sharing one small bedroom with Doris and Bill while Gladys slept with her Mum and Dad when she was small. They didn’t stay here too long after Lillian had a row with her sister (her grandparents then bought and moved into the house for £50).

Myrtle and her family moved to Victoria Road in Eaglehawk where they lived for many years. Myrtle had memories of the large fig tree that grew in the backyard. One particular memory involved her father tearing his shirt on the branches when he was trying to find Myrtle to give her a hiding for being naughty but she was going to have none of it and stayed hidden. Dinner was always at 4pm because her father arrived home from work from the mines at 3pm. This meant that by the time they went to bed they were always hungry but if they were lucky they were given bread and jam to help settle the hunger pains.

Lillian had a great desire for all her children to rise in their social standing. When Myrtle was young she was taught to play the piano and to Scottish dance. However no matter how hard she practiced she just wasn’t able to get all the rhythms right.

In 1913 at the age of 5, just a year after her sister Doris, Myrtle was enrolled in Eaglehawk Primary School; their younger sister joined them in 1912. No record has yet been found of their brother William at the school.

Around 1915 when Myrtle was 6 she remembered her blind “Grandma Rule” coming to live with them. She could remember a clothes line being strung up from the back door to the “dunny” so that “Grandma Rule” could get there by herself and not be escorted by one of the kids.

She remembered her family having their baths in the kitchen on a Saturday night because the next morning they put on their best clothes for Sunday school.

In 1920, when Myrtle was 13, her blind Grandma died. Soon afterwards Myrtle was diagnosed with the flu and hospitalized. Much to her horror she had to have her head shaved twice as part of her treatment but when it eventually grew back she was delighted that her hair was now curly.

While her parents were waiting to save enough money to purchase their own house they lived in the back of a shop. As Myrtle grew older she caught the tram between Eaglehawk and Bendigo to get around and to go to work until her parents bought a house in Bendigo. Myrtle worked in the knitting mills.

Moving to Melbourne Myrtle’s parents sold their house in Bendigo in order to fund their relocation to Melbourne where they rented an upstairs terrace near the train station in Richmond. They moved to Richmond because Aunty Ada (Ada Bone nee Crump) and her husband Stanley lived nearby. Soon after they moved down, Doris was employed by May and Bryant who were based in Church Street making matches. . Doris secured a job for Myrtle in the factory but after being employed for only a week or two she was forced to quit because the machines that she worked rotated in a circle which made her motion sick. Myrtle then went to work in an Ice Cream Factory.

Prahran From Richmond the family rented the back of a shop in Greville Street, Prahan, right near the train station. Doris was responsible for running a business in the shop front. Soon after Perce moved in with Doris and subsequently the rest of the family moved out to run a mixed business (milk bar). This business was located up the road from a hall and during the interval the crowd would run down to their shop and buy something to eat which helped them make their ends meet.

Myrtle then started to go with Lincoln Todman who she met at the Leggatts Ballroom one evening. Myrtle and her family then moved to 38 William Street, Balaclava where they bought a house near the train station. Life with Lincoln Myrtle married Lincoln James Todman on the 21 Sep 1929 in Balaclava at the age of 22. They bought their first home at 9 Teak Street in South Caulfield. It was a single fronted house near Brighton Cemetery. It was here that both Warwick and Judy were born, 1932 and 1934 respectively. Judy still recalls the story she had been told growing up regarding Myrtles desire to keep up appearances. Myrtle had just gone into labour and the doctor had been called but instead of quietly waiting for his arrival she went out and swept the front path in readiness for the doctor’s arrival! It is well known that keeping up appearances was a top priority with Myrtle regardless of the situation.

Newport/ Footscray Myrtle, her husband and two children lived for a while in Newport while they rented out their home so they could be near Lincoln’s work. From here the couple and their children moved to Footscray where a friend was able to let out on of the twin house. (Not exactly sure what needs to be said here ?”one of the twin houses”) Soon afterwards Lincoln transferred to Shell in Melbourne to work as a chauffeur.

Baby ……..What Baby?Italic text Soon after Judy was born Myrtle visited the local Footscray shops. With the new baby in the pram and a one year old in tow she made her few purchases but half the way home she realised she had forgotten something. It wasn’t her shopping that she left behind but her newborn baby daughter! Back to South Caulfield The young family moved back to their home in South Caulfield, soon afterwards Lincoln died while they were holidaying in Brucknell. Fortunately Uncle Norm was able to lend a hand.

Life after Lincoln

Balaclava Soon after Lincoln’s death Myrtle and her children moved back to William St., Balaclava for 10 months. Myrtle supported her family by working in a factory. Warwick would run to greet her after work, checking out her pockets for sweets. Moving to Brucknell Myrtle and her children relocated to Brucknell after her Uncle Norm offered her a job of housekeeper /cook on his farm. He was a bachelor and appreciated the help. Myrtle paid to have the house lined to make it more comfortable and she quickly learnt to milk cows and look after the house while her children attended Brucknell Primary School. They lived with Uncle Norm for five years. Judy remembers how happy she was living with Uncle Norm. She would go about her daily chores moving from room to room singing quietly as she did her work.

Life With Stuart

Terang Myrtle married Stuart Rochford Taylor on 26 Jun 1943 in Terang. As Simon tells the story – one day during the WWII, a local farmer, Stuart Taylor, rode up to the Uncle Norm’s farm on a white horse, dismounted and dropped to one knee and proposed to Myrtle. She accepted and after the wedding the family moved to Stuart's farm on the Framlingham- Road, Terang. They lived in Terang for twelve months before Diana was born in 1943.

Camperdown

When Myrtle was released from hospital after giving birth to Diana she didn’t return to the farm she left in Terang instead she went to her new home on a farm called “Leura View” which was just outside of Camperdown on Colac Road. Her children and Stuart had moved while she was in hospital and were waiting patiently for her return in their new home. One of the first visitors to come by their new home was an old friend of Stuart’s and he was rather ‘well-to-do’. Myrtle baked her usual batch of scones and served them for afternoon tea along with the jam and cream. The visitor had been there for quite some time when he remarked that he would love to see the new baby. Before the visitor had arrived Myrtle had pushed the pram with Diana, onto the front verandah for both the air and peace and quiet. In the process of preparing for this V.I.P she had completely forgotten about her new baby! (It had been ten years between children!!) Life was hard work on the farm. Myrtle used to tell the story of how she would help with the milking when her daughter Diana was only a baby. She would put Diana in the pusher and take her down to the dairy where she would give her a bottle tied to the pusher with twine to prevent it from falling to the ground. The hope was that the drink would keep her quiet while she tended to the cows. Her daughter Judy recalls her step father Stuart asking her to go down and milk the cows for him as he wasn’t feeling too well. Normally Judy said she would have kicked up a fuss and refused but for some reason she acquiesced and agreed to go down. While she was milking the cows Stuart died of a massive heart attack. Myrtle and Stuart had lived for 8 years on the farm before Stuart died in 1952.

The Move back to the City

Balaclava Myrtle moved back to Melbourne five years after Stuart’s death, when her son Warwick got married in 1959 and brought his new wife home to the farm in Camperdown. The new married couple then began to pay “rent” for the farm. This gave Myrtle an independent income, an annuity. The lease arrangement was quite formal and secret from the rest of the family includingWarwick’s two sisters. Back in Melbourne Diana was able to attend MacRobertson Girls High School. They lived with Myrtle’s mother Lillian at 28 William St., for 12 months. Diana remembered how difficult it was to please her grandmother, and how cross she got when when the vase fell off the hallway table and broke – Lillian was most displeased. Myrtle met Ivan in Camperdown and he followed her down to Melbourne and lived at the back of her house in a bungalow. [Ivan's story - Ivan's mother had died in 1931 when he was just 19. His dad couldn't cope with all the kids so the family was split up, and only a few of the kids to staying with at home with his father being left Walter, Ivan, Les & Mai. The youngest Nan having gone to live with other relatives apparently cried nonstop for 3 weeks, and was eventually allowed to go back and live with her father as well. Ivan was a terrific cook and an excellent housekeeper. The house was kept spotless, table scrubbed and the stove polished. He knitted all his own jumpers (including Fair Isle vests). He even sewed dresses for Nan when she was small. In 1937, Walter, Ivan, Les, Mai, Nan, Stan and his wife Nancy all lived in a small 2 bedroom farmhouse at Dixie south of Terang. The older boys, Ivan and Les, slept on the verandah. Stan and Nancy had one bedroom. Stan and Nancy moved into Terang when Norma was born in 1938. In 1939, Walter and Ivan were on a farm at Choclyn north of Camperdown. Walter & Ivan milked a small herd of cows and also did fencing for other farmers. The next place they moved to was Donald's Hill on the Cobden Road just out of Camperdown, which is where Ivan met Myrtle.]

Life with Ivan

Oakleigh Myrtle married Ivan Rupert Lance Sharp at the age of 52, on 2 Apr 1960 in Balaclava. Although they had no children, he was the only “Papa” that Myrtle’s grandchildren ever knew. They lived in Connell Rd., Oakleigh, with Myrtle's daughter Diana until she got married and moved out in 1965 Together Myrtle & Ivan saw all Myrtles grandchildren come into the world, as a married couple except one, Andrea, who was born on 12 Oct 1959 before they got married. It was a very busy time, with arrival of many grandchildren.

Many of Myrtle’s grandchildren spent time with her and Ivan during the school holidays and also for extended periods of time. Mulgrave In the early 70’s Myrtle and Ivan moved to Mulgrave.

Various grandchildren went to live with her, in turn, over the years

This is the house where all the Grandchildren were taught to play cards - euchar and 500. For bored grandchildren there was always the button jar where the buttons were tipped out on the table, although I can’t quite remember why - sorting, counting, colour coding?

Her great grand-daughter Jessica remembers learning to knit with great-grandma and being told not to say “ya” but to say “yes”. Little had changed as she began to pass on the same lessons that she taught her grandchildren to her great-grandchildren.

It was in Mulgrave that she lost her third husband Ivan to a heart attack. “I heard a loud yell, and I ran into the lounge room, and saw that he was dead. I was so angry I yelled at him ‘Don’t leave me alone’” she told me one day.

She was alone again, after Ivan’s funeral service. Life began to settle down into its regular pattern again. Every morning she would do her stretching exercises in the lounge room and after a while she would embark on the “longish walk” to the local shops to buy provisions. Andrea and Mark would visit regularly and take her to the supermarket and so life went on.

Pakenham About 6 years after Ivan died Myrtle moved into the Meadowvale Retirement Village 12-26 Eagle Drive, Pakenham, in 1994, near to where her daughter Judy lived. She had an apartment for independent living. She could choose to prepare and eat meals in her apartment or join other members of the community in a shared dining room in another part of the building as long as she made a booking in advance. There was a community bus that went down to the local shopping center once a week for all of life's necessities. She went on lots of day outings and on mystery bus tours, and entertained when guests visited. She liked her new apartment, and made a few friends and once again became quite content but after a while she got tired of her friends dying and leaving her behind. Her interest in preparing food for one and doing house work was also dwindling. Judy would take her a week’s worth of meals to tide her over. Berwick Myrtle began to miss being with family, as slowly she became more reliant on people around her. Much to her delight it was arranged that she would go and live with her eldest daughter Judy in 2000. Judy built an extension so that Myrtle could have her own room with large windows to look out onto the garden. Despite her protests she adopted a little black dog, Ebony, which she used to feed on the sly when no-one was looking.

Judy was due to go on holidays so it was arranged that Myrtle go into respite care for a few days- much to her horror! She went against her better judgment, but much to her surprise she loved the place and didn’t want to come home. She loved the nice furnishings and formal dinners. Mixed with company her own age, no housekeeping and a roast meal almost every day. So now the hunt was on for somewhere nice for Myrtle to live as Judy planned to sell up, and moved closer to her own children, it was decided that Myrtle would move at the same time somewhere close to Judy.

90th Birthday Party – June 1997 In 1997 Myrtle celebrated her 90th birthday, all her descendants gathered to celebrate this auspicious occasion. This was the only occasion other than at weddings where everyone has managed to get together.

Following Judy

Southern Health or as we know it the Kingston Centre A place was found for Myrtle in April 2002 at the Kingston Centre. A converted old hospital, she had her own bedroom and shared her toilet and shower with her neighbour. The window in her room was high and the room was dark, the halls were narrow and had the traditional shiny linoleum. The common rooms were off to the side. Not really the place Myrtle had envisaged, she never complained but she began to lose interest when people visited and generally lost interest in what was going on in the world around her. Everyone knew that something had to be done so the search was on again for somewhere more suitable for Myrtle, to live in the style she would like to become more accustomed to. Chelsea After about a year Myrtle made the move to live in Argyle Court Hostel at 81 Argyle Avenue, Chelsea just around the corner from Judy in January 2003. She was delighted, and would always say when explaining her day that if you wanted it they would even make your bed for you. Not that they made her bed of course as she got up too early for them, it would always be made by the time they got to her room She would always laugh and say “It’s a good life if you don’t weaken!!” “How would like a lollie?”

She had her own private bathroom, a well appointed room, and walked to the dining room for meals. Every afternoon she would snooze in her chair for a while and read one of her novels. She was quite content but didn’t involve herself in the activities of the hostel.

When she turned 96 years old she would always wonder out aloud if she would make it to 100. She would marvel that she had been married three times and in general was amazed that she still inhabited the world.

A couple of years later Myrtle moved rooms as the resident next door was forever coughing, she was now much closer to the nurses’ station. It took her ages to get her bearings and the staff put up signs saying “This way Myrtle” with arrows showing the way every few feet, as she kept returning to her old room.

She became adept at playing quoits and wooed everyone around. Delighting staff with her giggling, and bright demeanor.

She was a favourite amongst the staff.

In 2007 Myrtle celebrated her 100th Once again descendants came together to celebrate. Arrangements and plans were in the making months before hand, the invitations read the event would go ahead regardless of whether Grandma is able to attend or not. However even though Myrtle no longer liked to leave the safety of her residence she acquiesced to be the guest of honour for such a long awaited event. Descendants flew in from all over the country, even some of the older great grandchildren were able to be there. Photographs were taken and stories exchanged. The long await for the big event had finally ended and everyone who attended was more than pleased with the days festivities.

Myrtle's passing

More than a year later Myrtle passed away peacefully after becoming bedridden for the first time in her life, 3 weeks before she died, a few weeks after her 101st birthday on 13th June 2008. Once again people flew in from interstate to say their farewells, and staff from the hostel attended to pay their respects. As I read out her Eulogy to a very attentive audience I had a sense of the great legacy she had left as people came together perhaps for the last time to celebrate her life and legacy, no-one else again would have such power to bind everyone together had she had done. We will continue to celebrate what she began all those years before, as the matriarchal head of our family, each in our way contributing to life.

Myrtle May Sharp

2 Jun 1907 - 12 Jun 2008

Wife to Lincoln Todman (dec), Stuart Taylor (dec) and Ivan Sharp (dec)

Mother to Warwick Todman (dec), Judith Williamson and Diana Culley

Grandmother to Andrea, Craig, Nigel, Simon, Sandra, Mark, Paul, Kerith & Audra.

Great-grandmother to Todd, Ryan, Georgia (dec), Nicholas, Hugh, Lachlan, Rowan, Leah, Patrick, Jessica, Kieran, Lang, Leonie (dec), Toby, Jeremy, Casey, Torinne, Tiarelle, and Harrison

A much loved matriarch, small in stature big in spirit. She saw the world change more than any of us could ever imagine. But despite all that changed she remained a constant in our lives.

1. ↑ Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia. Birth certificate Myrtle May Crump. (Year 1907, #10223. Original a certified copy. Photocopy in possession of Sandra Williamson).
2. ↑ Interview Myrtle Sharp
   from her personal newspaper clipping collection.
3. ↑ Eaglehawk No. 210 150 Years of education 1854-2004. (Eaglehawk Primary School 2004. Compiled by :Ruth Claridge.).
4. ↑ Marriage Certificate Lincoln Todman Myrtle May Crump Bassett, 21 September 1929, Reference 9531, Registry of B. (Original possession of Sandra Williamson).
5. ↑ Australian Electoral Rolls, 1901-1936. ([database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Original data: Australian Electoral Commission. [Electoral roll]. Microform mc N 451-mc N 457. National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia.)
   State: Victoria, District: Balaclava, Subdistrict: Caulfield.
6. ↑ Marriage Certificate Stuart Rochford Taylor Myrtle May Todman 26 June 1943, Reference ( ), Registry of Birth,. (Original in possession of Sandra Williamson).
7. ↑ Marriage Certificate Ivan Rupert Sharp Myrtle May Taylor (1960).
8. ↑ Death Certificate Ivan Sharp. (Death Certificate, Ivan Rupert Sharp, 3 September 1989, REgistration Number 22547 year 1989, Registrary of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Victoria, Australia).
9. ↑ Unknown newspaper.
10. ↑ Myrtle Sharp might have just turned 100, but the Chelsea resident is still running rings around everyone.
    The cheeky centenarian is quoits champion at Argyle Court Hostel and is an avid reader of Mills and Boon romance books.
    "I like a bit of innocent fun." Mrs Sharp said.
    Mrs Sharp was born at Eaglehawk near Bendigo on June, 1907, where her father was a gold miner.
    Her childhood home had no running water, electricity or telephone.
    The walls were covered with Hessian and newspaper, which Mrs Sharp would pick of as she lay in bed.
    In 1918, Mrs Sharp almost died of flu and had her hair shaved as part of the treatment.
    To everyone's surprised it grew back curly.
    The same year her family moved to Richmond where they pooled with extended family to raise 20 pounds to buy a car for camping.
    Mrs Sharp has been married three time, but her husband all died from heart attacks.
    Her first marriage was in 1929 to Licoln Todman.
    After Todman's death in 1938 Mrs Sharp worked in a factory to support her children before managing a farm at Brucknell in south west Victoria.
    She married Stuart Taylor in 1943 and her third husband Ivan Sharp in 1960.
    She has three children, nine grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
    Mr Sharp taught all her grandchildren to play the card game euchre.
    The past 50 years of Mrs Sharp's life had gone quickly, she said.
    But she hasn't lost her quick wit. When asked by the Leader if her avid reading meant she liked happy endings, Mrs Sharp quipped she didn't want anything to end just yet.
    Wes Hosking
11. ↑ Mrs. M. Taylor farewelled
    Friends and neighbors of Mrs M. Taylor, of Colac road Camperdown, met at her home before her departure for Melbourne, where she will reside for a time, to say farewell and present her with a small gift, as a token of affection held for her by all present.
    
    It was also an opportunity to welcome home her son, Warwick, and his bride, bride who now take over the work on the farm.
    
    Mr Graham Bell, on behalf of all present, spoke in glowing terms of the Taylor family, and expressed regret at losing such a good neighbor and friend, and wished the newly-weds much happiness and the best of luck.
    
    Mrs. Arch Wright, on behalf of all present, then presented Mrs.Taylor with a very nice tray and to her daughter, Diana, a neat little brooch, with best wishes. She hoped to see them back in Camperdown in the near future.
12. ↑ Also enrolled at the school were her two sisters, there is no record of where her brother William was enrolled.
13. ↑ according to her Marriage Certificate to Lincoln.
14. ↑ living with her husband
15. ↑ according to her Marraige Certificate to Stuart Taylor
16. ↑ Ivan and Myrtles first home after being married.
17. ↑ Marriage Certificate to Ivan Sharp.
18. ↑ Extract of Death Registration for Ivan Sharp.
19. ↑ The Matriarch
    I'm writing this ditty
    I hope that its witty
    For our Myrtle May,
    On her special day.
    
    Of photos you have a lot,
    Of the Grandchildren you've got,
    So, instead of a snap I'll give you a wrap,
    
    The Grandmother of nine,
    Four which are mine
    I don't want to bore you,
    With how we adore you, You were there for your children,
    Without fuss or ado,
    To help with chores,
    Giving new mothers a pause,
    You taght each small tot,
    To pee in the pot.
    To give up the Dummy
    Away from their Mummy,
    You took some to school;
    And taught them Road rules.
    
    On a trip overseas,
    while shopping at ease
    You bought watches and toys
    For the girls and the boys
    You boarded grandsons,
    To help out their mums
    You danced at their weddings,
    And gave them good bedding,
    You shared in the Joy,
    Of a new baby boy,
    The little girls too
    Are precious to you
    Y'r a great Grandmother,
    We don't want no other;
    This family who love, and meet at this do.
    At nintely years old,
    We say 'God bless'
20. ↑ Family tribute
    Familes accross Australia paid tribute to their elders yesterday. The international Day of Older Persons celebrated the contributions of senior family members. Joining in the fun with her children and grandchidlren was 93-year-old Myrtle Sharp, of Berwick.
    Pictured are Jeremy Williamson,
    left, Judith Williamson, Paul Williamson, Jessica Benton, Casey Williamson and Myrtle Sharp