G'day Pam, for your interest, I have just heard on Radio ( 103.5FM) that tomorrow 17th Feb is the 100th Anniversary of the birth of one of the peninsular's own, Marjory Lawrence. While some biographies have reduced her age by 2 years ( Womens perogative ?). Musical Authorities confirm her birth in 1907. I believe a "Friends" group has organised some activity to mark the event and Perhaps the "Addy" may carry a feature .. regards, John Pam & Trevor Jennings wrote: > A reminder that the Friends of the GHC are holding their annual Open Day this Sunday (18th Feb) 11.00 to 4.00, Lt Malop St above Geelong Regional Libary in Johnston's Park. Our theme - celebrating the history of sport in Geelong & District - has gained the support of many local groups all proudly displaying their clubs' history with memorabilia, photos etc, much of which is held in private hands and not often available for the general public to view. A small donation is being asked on admission to the Open Day. As from next week there will be no admission fees charged on entry to the GHC and as the Friends group wishes to continue their volunteer support work for the Centre, to purchase equipment, new research material etc, we will appreciate your donation. The Centre is fully air-conditioned so please don't let the anticipated hot weather keep you away! See you on Sunday, Pam Jennings (President of Friends) > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > For on-line indexes and information on Geelong and District > http://www.zades.com.au > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > -- John Whitehand Melbourne Australia ~ a Linux (Ubuntu "Edgy") Desktop ~ http://home.vicnet.net.au/~whitehaj/index.html

Hi John - yes Marjorie Lawrence's celebrations have been happening in the Geelong district during the past couple of weeks. Marjory was born at Deans Marsh and I think celebrations were arranged by the Winchelsea area historical socities etc. Perhaps others more familiar with these celebrations may be able to give us details. What a woman pioneer to reduce her age!!!! Pam Jennings ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Whitehand" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 9:43 PM Subject: Re: [GEELONG] Geelong Heritage Centre Open Day > G'day Pam, > for your interest, I have just heard on Radio ( 103.5FM) that tomorrow > 17th Feb is the 100th Anniversary of the birth of one of the > peninsular's own, Marjory Lawrence. While some biographies have reduced > her age by 2 years ( Womens perogative ?). Musical Authorities confirm > her birth in 1907. > I believe a "Friends" group has organised some activity to mark the > event and Perhaps the "Addy" may carry a feature .. > regards, > John > > Pam & Trevor Jennings wrote: >> A reminder that the Friends of the GHC are holding their annual Open Day >> this Sunday (18th Feb) 11.00 to 4.00, Lt Malop St above Geelong Regional >> Libary in Johnston's Park. Our theme - celebrating the history of sport >> in Geelong & District - has gained the support of many local groups all >> proudly displaying their clubs' history with memorabilia, photos etc, >> much of which is held in private hands and not often available for the >> general public to view. A small donation is being asked on admission to >> the Open Day. As from next week there will be no admission fees charged >> on entry to the GHC and as the Friends group wishes to continue their >> volunteer support work for the Centre, to purchase equipment, new >> research material etc, we will appreciate your donation. The Centre is >> fully air-conditioned so please don't let the anticipated hot weather >> keep you away! See you on Sunday, Pam Jennings (President of Friends) >> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >> For on-line indexes and information on Geelong and District >> http://www.zades.com.au >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' >> without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> > > > -- > John Whitehand > Melbourne > Australia > > ~ a Linux (Ubuntu "Edgy") Desktop ~ > > http://home.vicnet.net.au/~whitehaj/index.html > > > > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > For on-line indexes and information on Geelong and District > http://www.zades.com.au > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' > without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi List, Marjorie Lawrence, was born on 17th February, 1907 at Deans Marsh, the 5th of 6 children. Her parents were William Lawrence and Elizabeth Smith, who are both buried at Bambra, Vic. cemetery. The family moved to Winchelsea when Marjorie was about 14. Marjorie's mother died when she was 2 years old. In 1928, Marjorie was sent to Paris to study singing. She made some visits back to Australia in other years. She contracted polio in 1941 and was almost crippled in both legs, but continued to perform using a wheel chair placed on stage. She married Dr. Thomas King on 29th March, 1941 in New York. A film, called Interrupted Melody, is about her autobiography. Marjorie continued to perform until 1952, after which she taught at Tulane, Southern Illinois and Arkansas universitites. Marjorie entertained troops in Australia and Europe, in World War 2 and was awarded the cross of the Legion d'Honneur (1946) by the French Government. She also entertained troops in Vietnam in 1966. On 31st December, 1976, Marjorie was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to the performing arts. Marjorie Lawrence passed away on 13th January, 1979 at Little Rock, Arkansas, USA and is buried in Greenwood cemetery. A memorial service was held at Deans Marsh, Victoria on 17th February, 1980 (her birthday), when a large crowd witnessed the unveiling of a photograph of Marjorie, in St. Paul's Parish Hall. The Winchelsea to Deans Marsh Road was later renamed the "Marjorie Lawrence Drive" in her honour. A plaque commemorating her birthplace, is present at the former Lawrence residence, situated on the Birregurra Road at Deans Marsh. The Globe Theatre in Winchelsea was built in 1926 by the family of Marjorie Lawrence. Last Sunday, a church service was held at St. Paul's Church of England, Deans Marsh (where Marjorie and her family used to attend church and sing), followed by entertainment in the Deans Marsh Hall. I think a similar thing is happening tomorrow at Winchelsea. Celebrations for Marjorie's 100th birthday are also being acknowledged at this time, overseas - so shows what impact she had on the world with her opera singing, having died 28 years ago Marjorie leaves many people in the Deans Marsh/Winchelsea area and elsewhere, who can lay claim to have been related to her or her family, even if only vaguely. What a great ambassador for a little place called Deans Marsh. Regards, Shirley.