When Don and Emily Collins welcomed the 4th of their 7 children Florence Elizabeth into the family in 1939 they did not expect her to become the icon she is today.
Elizabeth has become very well known in the district and has worked with generations over her massive 65 years in her job, the job she says she has loved from day 1 and will now miss as she moves into retirement. The family of 6 surviving children (William having died as an infant) lived on a property known as “Somerset” near Crookwell and consisted of Margaret (Spackman), Boydie, Elizabeth, Janet (deceased), Eric and Judy Blackman.
Elizabeth attended Narrawa West School until she was 8 years old when her parents sold the property and moved to Beechwood just outside Harden in 1948.
The family attended Cunningar Primary School and then went on to Murrumburrah High School. Elizabeth left school after completing the Intermediate Certificate and then studied Shorthand and Typing with Mrs Swain, as did many young ladies of her era.
Mr E L. Macdonald Solicitor affectionately known as “guilty” was looking for a secretary to replace Mary Pounsberry who was getting married. After an interview, Elizabeth was invited to take up the position in October 1956 at 27 Neill Street. She attributes her mentoring to Judith North and Helga Sussmith.
Brian Brandt, Matron Mary Brandt’s husband was the solicitor at the time. She spoke of Mr Macdonald as being fair but serious.
Elizabeth met her future husband through her brother Boydie and Kevin Spackman as they were all mates. Many will remember Gerry Robinson as he was a talented footballer and nifty on his feet.
They married in 1962.
Business Principles and legal work had always fascinated Elizabeth and it was through this work that Elizabeth saw the bulk of the twin town’s residents’ sad and good times. She said during the time of death duties she saw many families faced with difficulties, struggling to hold onto possessions whilst paying money to the government.
John Potts joined the firm and became a partner.
He then purchased the business from EL in 1968. The business was then sold to Robert Ockenden in the early 70’s.
Elizabeth joked that she was part of the furniture and was sold on with each solicitor.
Many locals will have had dealings with Elizabeth in her role as a Justice of the Peace. She was always a wealth of knowledge and was happy to assist clients in any way she could.
After a few torrid years, it was a pleasure to work with Keith Carmody who took over in 1976.
During that time Jenny Brown and Catherine Irving worked alongside Elizabeth. The business moved across the road to the old Commonwealth Bank building where it remains today. Having begun with a typewriter, not even electric copying machines, carbon paper in triplicate and a kerosene heater, the office graduated to better technology.
It was hard work and long hours but Elizabeth thrived on it.
She was always grateful for the help with the technology changes that the staff gave her.
Hobbies were really not on her agenda as her work provided her with any fulfilment she needed. She did, however, enjoy watching tennis and footy.
Elizabeth and Gerry along with Harley and Judy Blackman shared many wonderful holidays within Australia as well as overseas to such countries as the US, Singapore, Europe, England and Hong Kong.
Many of the staff she worked with over the early years included Pam Barnes, Irene McGregor, Joan Hubble, Marie Solomon, Rhonda Rolles and Merrilee Armstrong. K.P. Carmody staff firstly consisted of Jenny and Catherine and then in no particular order Janine Manwaring, Sue Campbell, Bernadette Maher, Anna Henman, Michelle Howe, Jenny Dolman, Margaret Cowden, Ronnai O’Donnell, Carmel Bailey, Lisa Heywood, Lisa Langford, Alison Manwaring and Chris Woods.
Elizabeth has worked for 27 years with Maree Lodge, 18 years with Judy Pigram 11 years with solicitor Bernadette Corkhill and KPC solicitors employees Anthony Gilchrist, Rob McIlwaine, Rod Butson, Tim Young, Mark Herbert and Bernadette Corkhill.
She is especially grateful to Keith for sharing 46 wonderful years, and the girls in the Harden and Young offices.
“We all respected and trusted each other,” said Elizabeth. She would like to thank all the employers, staff and the community that she has served and she asks that K.P. Carmody continues to be supported. When researching Elizabeth’s story I was unable to find another employee who has worked in the same role with continuous service for 65 years.
She appears to hold the record. Thank you Elizabeth for serving your community so well.
We will all miss you. Keith Carmody would like to say that he had a wonderful working relationship with Elizabeth from 1976 to early this year and he would like to wish her the very best in her retirement.
The girls from the office would like to thank you for your wisdom, guidance, support and friendship. It was a pleasure to work with you. We miss your wealth of local knowledge.
The office is just not the same without you. We wish you all the best for your retirement and hope you enjoy this next chapter of your journey. Much love from Maree, Judy and Bernadette.
TS
