- Dad’s (Thomas Joseph William Hallam b07.05.1920)
A Brief History Living at Cavendish –Early Hs verbatim
Thomas -Dad was born in Hamilton and lived in Cavendish some 20 miles out on a farm (Sheep and oats). The father William Frank and Marguerite moved to Port Fairy where his father still farmed. When the depression hit, William Frank and Marguerite lost a lot of money. Consequently William Frank started a small butchering business 1929- 1934. they stayed on the family farm some years when in 1936 they moved to Portland. William worked at the Portland abattoirs in later years.
-Dad had a Arab pony “Rowalah” which was brown. Dad ‘s Dad Frank bought for the kids as the horse was fairly spirited and Dad (Tom)& Jack could ride. The horse was fairly spirited, and a great ride says dad. (Tom). Whilst in Cavendish , Dad states “ I was too small to get on and I was helped onto the horse to ride into Cavendish to the veranda of the store and pick up bread and groceries. The store was 3 miles from Cavendish. The guy in the shop would leave a block on the veranda store where dad (Tom) could dismount and mount then would ride home. Dad would do the shopping a few times a week.
From 5 years of age Thomas was riding a horse. Tom says he was a good student and as a kid would talk. He went as far as intermediate year 8/9. Thomas's ambition as a child was to be a solicitor.
Tom’s family moved to Port Fairy where his father still farmed. The Depression hit the family quite hard. Consequently, his father William started a small butchering business from 1929- 1934. The family stayed on this farm for a couple of years when in 1936 they moved to Portland.
Thomas started work at 15 years of age.
Dad was at home when the WW2 started in 1939. Dad was in the army infantry as a private and then in 1942 joined the airforce and trained as a air force mechanic.
Then in 1942 Thomas transferred to the RAAF and trained as a Aircraft mechanic where for three years he repaired damaged planes in Darwin.
Tom & Terri married in 1944. This was the beginning of a lifelong loving partnership.
Towards the end of the War, Trained Industry Personnel were discharged early from the war to stimulate the economy for when all returned home. Thomas had specialized knowledge in the Dairy Milk and Butter Industry and so Thomas discharged and worked at the Portland Butter factory.
Thomas & Theresa commissioned a newhouse in Portland located at Millbank St Portland built by Thomas's brother Joseph Bernard. Kevin , William and Barry were all born in Portland.
Over the years Thomas studied part-time for the Dairy Technology Certificate with Terri sitting by his side, hearing him and testing him for various exams.Thomas was offered a job as foreman with the Portland Butter factory in 1946 and later became Assistant Manager and stayed till January 1951. Tom & Terri’s first child Kevin was born in 1946.
Thomas with work promotion later moved to Alexandra as Assistant Manager. Thomas stayed in Alexandra with his family for 9 months and then again in 1951 to go to Yea where he worked as a Factory Foreman, staying in Yea till 1952.
The family then moved to Stawell in 1952 because of a work promotion with Thomas working at the Stawell Butter factory as Manager till November 1955. Whilst at Stawell Thomas served on the Stawell Council and Elizabeth their fourth child was born in Stawell in 1954.
Thomas & Theresa left Stawell with Dad continuing to study and applied and was successful to a position at the Department of Agriculture in Melbourne October 1955.
Thomas left the Department of Agriculture in 1960 and the joined Western District Co-op as Assistant Manager and later Manager of Western Star Butter Factory in 1967, located in West Melbourne.
Thomas enjoyed his job as assistant then Manager of Western Star Butter factory overseeing over 40 employees. Later the factory expanded and was later known as ACMAL- Amalgamated Corporate Marketers Australia Limited.
Thomas & Theresa built a new home at 17 Hartington St Glenroy. On the 01.02.957, Thomas and Theresa had a surprise as did the other 4 siblings with the birth of triplets, Joseph, Gerard and David born 5 weeks premature. Thomas and Theresa had 7 children under 11 years.
Up until then medical history stated that triplets usually consisted of one pair of identicals and 1 other.In this instance the Hallam triplets were all individual eggs, nil splitting and each had different blood groups- A new medical understanding.
In June 1974 the family moved from 17 Hartington St Glenroy to 27 Kevin Ave Blackburn. The Blackburn home cost then cost $34,000, purchased in February 1974 and moved in June 1974. Thomas and Theresa spent the greatest proportion of their married life living in Blackburn North hoe till their passing away.
Tom & Terri spent 62 ½ years together, where both have always been there for every member of the family and their friends. Mum & Dad were just so committed to their family of seven children under 11 years. Both had strong Catholic beliefs and sent all their children to Catholic schools which involved additional sacrifices.
When they arrived in Blackburn, their children adults they spent a lot of social time with like minded retirees from their local Catholic Church, calling themselves the "getabouts" where they ha shared enjoyable experiences.
Thomas and Theresa also volunteered their time doing "meals on wheels", a government program which relied on volunteers to deliver meals to others who because of age or infirmity were unable to cook for themselves.
All visitors and family to the The Blackburn Home were made to feels special and much loved. The Blackburn home was a regular meeting place for all the family. We had many joyous barbeques, birthdays, Christmas celebrations and informal sharings for all who visited where mum would put a great meal and feel all. A great example of loving couple strong in faith and good will who gave much to family and others and made the world a better place.
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1920 - 2007 (87 years)
