Looking for property in the late 60s

Her dreams shattered; Judy returned with the children to Victoria in 1967.  Myrtle, her mother, found her a flat in Huntingdale behind a local chemist in the same street as the local primary school, not far from where Myrtle lived.

“[I] returned to Melbourne to live in a rental flat. It was unsatisfactory as there was little play room for the children who were 3,4, & 5 at that time.”

Figure 1 Photographer unknown, Front view of house, circa 1968, 27 Fourth Avenue, Chelsea Heights, Victoria, Australia, Sandra Williamson’s Private Photo Collection [JW001]

Searching for a better future, Judy purchased a new home for her family in Chelsea Heights. The cost of the house was $10,600 and she obtained a mortgage of $7000. She raised the deposit with a loan from her mother. The house was fairly new but without paving, a garage or front fence.  The new suburb had not long been developed and was surrounded by wet lands and farms.

Then… “I bought a house in an outer suburb where I was able to provide a home & playing area for the children it was also near state schools for them”

Figure 2 Photographer unknown, Three children working in the back yard, circa 1968, 27 Fourth Avenue, Chelsea Heights, Victoria, Australia, Sandra Williamson’s Private Photo Collection [JW002]

Over the next few years, Judy and a few select friends and family spent their weekends working on the property. A garage was built, and a brick front fence and a gate were installed across the driveway to enclose the backyard. Judy sewed what seemed like miles of curtaining fabric for the interior, including elaborate pinch pleated drapes for the lounge room.

Figure 3 Photographer unknown, Judy digging in the front yard, circa 1968, 27 Fourth Avenue, Chelsea Heights, Victoria, Australia, Sandra Williamson’s Private Photo Collection [JW003]

During this time Judy remarried. Her new husband, Russell manicured the front lawn to create a perfectly flat surface, and he regularly trimmed and rolled the grass, as though he were an actual greenkeeper rather than a security guard at a local university. Occasionally he would play also grass bowls on it. 

Figure 4 Photographer unknown, House for Sale, circa 1973, 27 Fourth Avenue, Chelsea Heights, Victoria, Australia, Sandra Williamson’s Private Photo Collection [JW004]

“[B]ut Russell couldn’t adjust to the young children and eventually continually found fault with them. This caused friction between us and [we] eventually agreed to separate.”

Judy decided it was time to sell her Chelsea Heights home, as her eldest child was finishing her last year in primary school and there was no high school close by. She bought a new place in a good area within walking distance of both a high and a primary school, and not too far from her work.

Inspiration for the Post - 

Sepia Saturday: Using Old Images As Prompt for New Reflections - Prompt 522