Alice Thorpe b. 1914

  • Artist (Textile Artist / Fashion Designer)
Weaver, was born in the Lake Boga district of Victoria in 1914.
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weaver, was born in the Lake Boga district of Victoria on 24 April 1914. She moved with her family to the Wimmera District before coming to live at Lake Tyers Aboriginal Station at the age of nine, where she remained until 1948. During this time she met her husband, Reggie Thorpe. They had five children, two of whom died of pneumonia. The other three were alive in 1995 – two sons and a daughter, Joyce Dow.

Life at Lake Tyers involved some good times and some bad times; it all depended on the mission manager’s attitude, Alice Thorpe recollected in 1993. In particular, she found Captain Newman a kind man, but when his successor arrived Alice felt that everything changed:

“He didn’t like us Koories…he made it real hard to have family visits. You hardly had time to have a cup of tea and a talk and they would have to go – he only allowed two hour visits.

During those days the men used to go to work in town and the women stayed at home… I wouldn’t go back to live at Lake Tyers permanently now. I’ve been away for a long time and many things have changed, but I would like to go back for a weekend and camp – yes, that would be lovely.”

Writers:
Drysdale, Marlene
Date written:
1995
Last updated:
2011

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