JOYCE MORRELL
A letter from Joyce dated 9th April 2002
Late in 1950 W.M.C. Symonds, Headmaster at Glossop high school urged me to have an interview at the Winery where he had put my name forward as a possible employee. I started work in early January 1951 as a telephonist. Vivienne Edwardsen started the same day as a Clerk.
The Switchboard was a 20 Connect with 2 outside lines. The number was Winkie 59. I had to answer the outside calls with "Berri Winery and Distillery". What a mouthful! Mr. Ken Russell was the P.M.G. Technician who repaired and faults. He is still alive and resides in Barmera.
My other duties were typing, serving the Counter, Weighbridge and taking tourists around the complex.
Who could forget the dedicated Muscat and Port drinkers who would turn up on Friday afternoon at 4.30 p.m. for their 2 gallons weekend supply. viv. and I had type their invoice, take the money and they went up to the Freestore. The only time I drink Muscat now is when I am making the bulk gravy at the Bowling Club. One for me and some for the gravy.
Angus Wagenknecht and the fellows in the Brandy Bond used to give the works when I was showing people around. Wolf whistles etc. All good fun with people I liked and respected.
Evelyn Cogan was the driver of the Green Ford "Prefect" when I first started. She could not manage the clutch and so we would "Kangaroo" hop along for a while. later Adel was allowed to take the car to Loveday and so she came past our block and picked me up.
When Kath Gutte left, I was sent to a Business college in Pirie Street, Adelaide for 2 weeks to learn the Comptometer and so I became the Vintage Clerk, calculating Growers' payments, Redemption Reserves etc. Cec. Lever was now my boss. I must have been the only one in the office that liked the man. If you did your work he was fine.
I sat in front of Sqizzy Taylor aand behind Judy Goode. Sqizzy kept ducking out the back door all the time and the drifting fumes told me where he been. Judy attending to her looks all day long.
Lunch hours were spent in Roy Wilden's office adjoining the Laboratory where we could toast or sandwiches on the radiator. Viv and I were often joined by a young guy from the laboratory. Other times in winter we would go mushrooming above the Manager's House on the ridge. Another memory is Evelyn taking us girls into Adriennes Frock Shop in Berri during the lunch hour.
I have to mention Howard Penrhyn, a wonderful man with a gift for figures. He could add £.s.d and Tons-cwts-qrs so fast. Many times we had a competition, he with his head, and me on the machine.
Rex McNamara was a means to get to Adelaide for a weekend. He would take the Ford "Pilot", don't know what he did, but us girls always stayed at the "Grovenor" and had a ball.
The Winery Staff always supported the Charity Balls in Berri. On one such occassion we raised money by a "Leg Auction". All up on the stage behind a curtain with only our legs showing. All except Kath since Kevin would not allow it.
A Mr. Otto Neideck used to supply mallee for the boilers. Insert from Bob Rowe-he remember painting an International truck red that belonged Otto.
|
