Glenn Arkell’s Family Tree

Birth - Phyllis was born in a private hospital in Fitzroy, Melbourne and weighed only 4lbs, was jaundiced and consequently kept in hospital for 6 weeks before being allowed home.

Employment - Phyllis travelled to Melbourne to sit an exam at Wilson Hall for a job as a telephonist. Of the 500 people sitting the test, 50 got jobs. Phyllis got a relieving job 3 days a week for 3 pounds. Unfortunately she was only at the job for 6 weeks when Reuben was trasferred to Coleraine as a full time senior driver (more pay).

General - Phyllis remembers going to the grocery shop with her mother and apparently getting goods for nothing. She thought this was a great idea and stopped by one day on her own and picked up a large bag of biscuits - one's with coloured icing and 100's & 1000's - a childs delight. She didn't understand that the grocer kept all the purchases on account.

Phyllis recalls going to watch silent movies at the Skipton Mechanics Hall - complete with a piano player. She learned to play golf and tennis with her parents.

Her fathers transfer to Ballarat wasn't very enjoyable for Phyllis, apparently the Brownhill State School wasn't very pleasant. The family drove to Beechworth where Reuben was transferred to, and the journey took 3 days with overnight camping on the side of the road. The car had a top speed of about 44 mph.

When Elsie died, Phyllis had a difficult time as she was newly married, had her 8 year old sister and unhappy heartbroken father living with her. Fortunately Glenda was a very independent child and was a great help to Phyllis, particularly after Kelvin was born.

Phyllis required upper dentures when she was 22 years old because she use to whiten her top teeth with charcoal. Apparently a friend had told her thats what the filmstars use to do. Unfortunately this damaged the enamel to the point that the dentist could not repair them.