These photos were owned by Oriel Parker’s late brother-in-law who probably bought them during his World War II service.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Oriel, who lives in Tumbi Umbi, passed the photos to Margaret Rogers of Taree who loaned them to the Times for scanning before handing them on to the Manning Wallamba History Group.
The Stack and Yarad families will receive the photos of their businesses.
Oriel Parker writes: “Our personal link with the Manning district began in about 1960 when my husband Rex bought out Mellicks Drapery (right at the bottom of the T-junction at Wingham), his first of a chain of Parker Menswear stores in rural NSW (Narrabri, Grafton, Inverell, Port Macquarie, Griffith and other towns. Like Yarads, we were part of “the ragtrade” so we feel a connection.
“I am a singer and needed eisteddfods to prove myself, so I am delighted that the photo went to the president. I also needed eisteddfods to make me work to perfection. A lot of learning is done in musicianship preparation for eisteddfods, even as an adult.
“In Wingham our landlord was Stan Costas and his wife and children became dear friends. We are still in contact with Marpoula, Aspacia and Milton Costas who all live in Melbourne.
“We were also friends with other business people in Isabella Street – the Kaleels, Goodis and Bill Woodgate (chemist).
“Wingham was a happy place for me to spend the first four years of my marriage. My children were born in your hospital.”