2003 onwards - Settling into Life in Meadow Grove

While Frank was at the football on Saturday's, Margaret spent the afternoons looking in the Balwyn and Surrey Hills areas for a place to downsize too. At the time, with Jenny and Greg and their families overseas, being near Cathy and the family was important, as well as being handy to public transport and shops.

One day, Margaret was driving with granddaughter Kellie in the car and noticed the For Sale sign at Meadow Grove, Deepdene. Margaret went in to have a look with Kellie and had a good feeling about the private townhouse with a lovely small garden. Margaret returned with Frank and they agreed it was the perfect place for them. They moved into the townhouse in November 2003 and have remained there ever since.

The neighbourhood is perfect with three very friendly and welcoming nuns living next door and a lovely family in the front townhouse. The home is walking distance to Cathy's house, the local shops and the tram.

Margaret and Frank in their kitchen before it was renovated.

Margaret and Frank arranged for Melissa's partner, Evan, a builder, to replace the kitchen in 2016.

Cathy has spent many hours helping to give the gardens a modern makeover to make them easier to manage.

Melissa, William, Natalie, Chantelle and Kellie out the front
of the beautiful magnolia tree in 2004.

Over the years, many members of the family and friends have enjoyed Margaret and Frank's hospitality and stayed in their spare room. In fact, Jenny's two daughters Melissa and Chantelle and then Jenny herself, all spent time gratefully living with Margaret and Frank for a short period while they set themselves up with new jobs in Melbourne.

1999 - 2003 : A Brand New Building Project in Box Hill South

Frank and Margaret bought 1213 Riversdale Road when they sold their holiday home at Sorrento. They leased the Riversdale Road house for a couple of years. The original house on the land wasn't big enough and so Frank and Margaret decided to have the original house dismantled and removed. The block was cleared to build a new family home in 1999.

The company that built the new home were called Henley Homes. The purpose built home was designed from a plan that was adapted to suit the family's needs. It worked very well with three bedrooms, a double garage with internal access, an ensuite and a good sized family room. 

During that time, Frank and Margaret sold their Dempster Avenue home and had six months to fill in until the new home was finished and ready to move into. While the new home was being built Frank and Margaret spent some time living with Peter Hawkins in Murrumbeena and then David and Cathy Woodhouse and the family in Balwyn. 

Originally, it had crossed their minds to build two double storey town houses on the block. Frank and Margaret had some designs drawn up. But then in the end they decided to build their own home. Eventually, there was too much garden to look after and Frank and Margaret moved to a townhouse in Meadow Grove. Riversdale Road proved to be a noisy road although it had good public transport connections. The grandchildren loved the proximity of the Riversdale Road home to Wattle Park.

Frank started doing his volunteer work at the hospital while they were living in Box Hill South. They lived there for about four years.

Christmas 2000 get together in Box Hill South.

Great Auntie Dorothy with Margaret and Great Uncle Jim in the garden.

Auntie Dorothy and Uncle Jim often joined Margaret and Frank and their families for Christmas when they had retired. You can read more about them on the Family History Links tab of this blog site.

1985-1999: North Balwyn and a Special Romance Blossoms with a Next Door Neighbour

During the time that Frank and Margaret were living in Surrey Hills, the Monash Freeway from Dandenong to the city reached Warrigal Road. As a result, the traffic built up in Union Road and the original narrow road was widened. The noise of the traffic proved too much and the family made the move to their next home in a much quieter avenue. This was 49 Dempster Avenue, North Balwyn.

The Dempster Avenue home was a beautiful large place with a wonderful garden and entertainment area. The Woodhouse family lived next door and very soon, a relationship blossomed between Cathy Hawkins and David Woodhouse. The rest is history !

Beautiful bride Cathy with Melissa reliving the wedding fun together.

The home before Margaret and Frank added the carport to the right. There was
a garage to the left of the home which was a perfect workshop for Frank.

Frank working in the garage with a very special helper, his oldest grandchild Melissa in 1987.

Margaret and Frank decided to downsize and moved away to build a new home in Box Hill South in 1999.
The beautiful home in Dempster Avenue has since been demolished to make way for a much larger home.

1969 - 1984: Surrey Hills where Neighbours became Good Friends

While the family lived in Springvale, Margaret would travel by bus to meet Real Estate Agents in the Surrey Hills area and eventually found the family's next home, 212 Union Road Surrey Hills. 

After a twelve month stint living in Springvale, Margaret and Frank were pleased to be back in a familiar suburb not too far from their first family home in Blackburn. The family settled in Surrey Hills for fifteen years from 1969 until 1984. It was during this time, Margaret and Frank built long term friendships with their neighbours: the Burns, Tyrell, Dimmatina McCormack and the McGalliard families.

The Surrey Hills home with carport extension.

The Burns, Tyrell and Dimatina families lived across the road. Anne McGalliard and her mother lived next door and the McCormack family lived a few streets away. As the Hawkins children made friends in the area through attending Our Holy Redeemer Catholic Primary School, lifelong friendships developed with the neighbours for Margaret and Frank too.

Margaret and Frank enjoyed many happy times with Bob and their neighbour Anne McGalliard.

Margaret and Frank with Maureen and Norm Tyrell January 2018.

Kevin and Joan McCormack (RIP)

Marg Murphy, Alistair & Pat Fraser, Angela Dimatina with Frank September 2019

1968 - 1969: Springvale and School Refusal

The family moved to 26 Garnsworthy Street, Springvale for a twelve month period in 1968 while they searched for a suitable home in the Surrey Hills area.

Frank began doing maintenance work at Xavier College for Father Jim Hawkins (uncle). You can read about Father Jim Hawkins at this link (special thanks to Peter Hawkins for sharing this material).

Margaret recalls: Jenny running home from the State school. By the time Margaret had dropped Jenny in the classroom, she would run out another door, outside the school grounds on her way home. Jenny despised attending the State School which was a convenient walking distance from home. Unfortunately the family didn't own a second car and it was too far to walk to the Catholic school. Jenny would get stomach pains and feel sick. Margaret took her to the doctor and he carried out tests but to no avail. It appeared Jenny missed the nuns from St Teresa's Catholic school in Sunshine. Once we moved to Surrey Hills and she was back in the Catholic system at Our Holy Redeemer school, she was happy and well again!!

The Springvale house in 1969.

The Springvale house in 2019.

1958 - 1963: Blackburn, "The Murphy's" and Holiday Antics

In 1958, Margaret and Frank moved into their first home straight after they returned from their honeymoon. This was the house that Frank built at 45 Diana Drive, Blackburn.

Frank recalls: After growing up in the northern part of Melbourne and coming to work in the southern parts, I marvelled at the green open, tree lined streets. I knew straight away that I wanted to live and build our first home in Blackburn.  In those days we built houses very quickly. I started the house in June and it was finished ready for Margaret and I to move in straight after our honeymoon in October. 

Margaret recalls: When Jenny was a baby, we would go for a drive from Blackburn to Lou and Grace Burke's home at Seaford. We would put the bassinet on the back seat (there were no seat belts !) with the pet canary in a cage beside the bassinet/

The Diana Drive Blackburn Home in 1963 with Jenny out the front and
the five year old Red Flowering Gum. 

The Red Flowering Gum is taller here and the road is sealed.

The Blackburn house in 2019 with the giant Red Flowering Gum.

Margaret and Frank became friendly with Don and Marg Murphy who lived across the road. They had a daughter, Christine. Marg Murphy was an experienced mother who was a great support for Margaret when Jenny and Cathy were born. The two young families enjoyed each other's companionship and went away on holidays together with their growing families. Margaret and Frank are still very close friends with "The Murphy's".

Jenny with Christine Murphy, the FE Holden Sedan bought
 from Tom Hawkins in the background, early 1963.

Marg and Don Murphy with three of their four children, Christine, David and
 Joanne. Jenny, Cathy and Greg are there with Margaret.

Our first family holiday to St Leonard's with 'The Murphy's".

Some of the "holiday antics" to St Leonard's and Anglesea permitted to be published include:

• the Hawkins family poodle Marty and the canary joining one of the holidays
• Frank constantly replacing broken windows from cricket games due to the antics of two little boys !!

Margaret and Frank with Marg and Don Murphy in the grounds of the Dempster Avenue house 1985.

Don & Marg Murphy with Margaret & Frank ready to go away on their own holiday (date tbc)

     

1963 - 1968: Sunshine, "The Shop" and Greg's Recycling Efforts

From February 1963 until May 1968 the family owned "The Shop", a Mixed Business with a residence and large back yard at 56 King Edward Avenue, Sunshine.

Frank thought he would take a break from the building industry. Frank and Margaret spent some time visiting Ken and Jean Buckley (Margaret's brother and wife). On advice from Ken who was already in a successful Mixed Business in Nydrie, North Essendon, Margaret and Frank invested in what was fondly referred to as "The Shop" in Sunshine. "The Shop" was a good size with a large News agency section which set it apart from the other businesses in the area.

Jenny started school across the road from the shop at St Theresa's. Cathy helped Margaret and Frank in the shop (with the eggs !!) and Greg was born during the family's stay in Sunshine.

The family in the backyard of the "the shop".

" The Shop"with living quarters on the right hand side.

Frank behind the counter.

Frank recalls: One day in "the shop" after school, there was a long queue of children lined up at the front counter, all with a glass bottle in their hand. Drinks were sold in glass bottles at the time. Normally returned bottles would be handed over in exchange for a small bag of mixed lollies for the children. When I saw the exceptionally long queue, I asked one of the boys where they were getting the bottles from and was told, "The little boy down at the back fence is giving the bottles out to us." The little boy turned out to be a very young Greg (about 3 years of age) ! Greg was freely and generously passing the empty bottles from the storage crates in the back garden to the children through the back gate. I soon put a stop to that !!

Pa Hawkins (Frank's father who had recently retired) helping to sort the bottles

The front entrance to the "The Shop" in 2019. It has been an extension of the house
for many years when it ceased being a shop.

The living quarters to the right hand side, tastefully renovated with the
original double front door still intact. Advertised for sale for $600,000 January 2019.

Air Raid Shelters, Long Laneways and Enduring Friendships

Margaret Jean Buckley lived in Margaret Street, Moonee Ponds just off Puckle Street, not far from Buckley Street !

Margaret with her mother, Jean Buckley

Margaret attended St Monica's Catholic Parish Primary School behind the church where she later married Frank. The school and the church were are short walk from home.

Margaret with her best school friends, Pat Fraser on the left and Margaret Morrison on the right.

St Monica's Catholic Church, Moonee Ponds where Margaret and Frank were married.

Margaret recalls: We had to walk to Queens Park at the end of the street down from the primary school to practice getting into the air raid trenches during World War 2.

Frank adds: The Parade College and St Pat's College boys had to dig trenches in Fitzroy gardens and the Presbyterian Ladies College girls made afternoon tea for us.

Margaret lived at 71 Margaret Street, Moonee Ponds

Margaret recalls: There were numerous laneways in the Moonee Ponds area. There were mainly empty fields around our home at the time.  I used to walk to meet my best girlfriend Pat Fraser at her house and then run in the dark through the laneway home. Pat later became my bridesmaid and has remained a dear, close friend, the Godmother of our eldest daughter Jenny. Unfortunately my other bridesmaid Margaret, moved to America and sadly died of cancer at a very young age. 

Alistair and Pat Fraser with Jenny on her
First Communion Day in Sunshine, 1967.

Alistair and Pat Fraser with Frank and Margaret, 2018.

Margaret says: I was fortunate to be able to attend St Columbas College in Buckley Street for my secondary schooling. I would walk to college and catch up with my girlfriends along the way. 
Later on, our nieces, the five daughters of Peg and Gerald Hawkins (Frank's eldest brother) -  Monica, Clare, Anne, Gabrielle and Rosemary (fondly referred to as "The Geralds") all attended St Columbus College.

Margaret attended St Columbas College, Essendon Catholic Girls School.

Nieces: Monica, Gabrielle, Clare and Anne Hawkins (Rosemary lives in Perth). 

Monica, Clare and Anne all attended Margaret and Frank's wedding in 1958.

Margaret recalls: Later, when I finished school and began working as a secretary in the city, I would walk to the station at the other end of Margaret street, travel to the city and come home walking along the laneways.

Damaged Headlights and Slipper Throwing in Coburg

Frank grew up in Denman Street, Brunswick. His family moved to Elstenwick just before he married Margaret.

The family home in Brunswick had a tall cyprus hedge across the front garden. Frank and his brothers had the job of pruning the hedge and gathering the cuttings for the parishioners to use during Palm Sunday mass for Easter every year.

The family home didn't have a garage. Fortunately, Frank's father, Tom was able to park their car in a neighbour's garage down the lane at the side of the house.

Frank recounts: Dad used to get up early and go to mass every morning. There was a power pole right next to the garage. From our bedroom, we would regularly hear the crunching sound as Dad's headlight hit the power pole when he reversed out of the garage. Dad must have had a large number of spare head light covers as he was constantly replacing the damaged covers ! 

Frank and older brother Tom.

Frank grew up at 1 Denman Street, Brunswick.
The lane runs down the right side of the house.

Frank attended St Fidelis Primary School, Moreland.

Franks was an altar server at St Fidelis Church, Moreland.

 Frank recounts: One of the highlights of being an altar server was to throw slippers at each other in the sacristy after Benediction !! One time a slipper hit the Parish Priest in the head. Fortunately, Father Durkin was an understanding, Irish priest. His reaction was "Boys, I think it's time you went home". The next Parish Priest certainly wouldn't have tolerated such irresponsible, mischievous behaviour !!

A Diamond Anniversary Toast and 5 Outstanding Achievements

This is the speech by Greg Hawkins to close family and friends at the Diamond Anniversary afternoon tea, Malvernvale Hotel, Malvern, 2018.

Greg Hawkins

I officially welcome you all to the 60 year wedding anniversary celebration of Margaret Jean and Frank Adrian.

Now 60 years indeed, across this incredible life and partnership journey, we still have them standing here, upright!!, keeping fit, and social, and with generally sound mind (unless of course football, labour politics and trams are involved). You would have to call this a blessing indeed.

Just to go back a few years:
In the post World War 2 glow, a young buck from Brunswick (via St Pat's College) met a hot chick from Moonee Ponds (via St Columbus) and a spark was ignited. An itch was scratched.
Any way, after not too much time the tentacles of love had wrapped around them and the merger (via marriage) occurred at Saint Monica's Church in Moonee Ponds.

Tom and Cassie Hawkins, Margaret and Frank, Jean and Charlie Buckley 4/10/58

Frank Kainey and Pat Fraser were both in the Wedding Party

Now this was not a simple merger: It was the merger of the larger Hawkins clan and the smaller Buckley clan. It was the attempted merger of the the Carlton Football Club and the Essendon Football Club. It was the joining of the carpenter and the secretary. It was a coming together of mind and body that across a 60 year journey can only be measured by its achievements of which I have listed some:

• Outstanding Achievement 1 - 60 years of mum living with dad!! No, 60 years of togetherness in marriage in itself, perhaps the ultimate achievement?

Frank responded to Greg's toast. Margaret added that she was looking
 forward to the arrival of their first great grandchild, the next generation..

• Outstanding Achievement 2 - Child 1, 2 and 3 A teacher, a nurse and a manager. Raised as pretty sensible, caring and committed kids who enjoyed a happy family life with their parents who were always there for them, from Blackburn to Sunshine to Springvale to Surrey Hills to North Balwyn (and Sorrento) to Box Hill to Deepdene.

Jenny, Cathy, Frank, Margaret and Greg

• The further achievement here is being a great and available Omie and Opie to Melissa, Chantelle, Natalie, William, Kellie, Ella, Zach and Luke.

William, Natalie & Kelly, Chantelle & Melissa, Ella, Zach & Luke with Margaret & Frank

• Outstanding Achievement 3 - Building their own businesses, whether it be building and carpentry, or various retail shops, they reflected hard work and good thinking and relationships well managed.

• Outstanding Achievement 4 - staying together after the 1999 Essendon V Carlton preliminary final

• Outstanding achievement 5 - being surrounded and supportive of good family and friends, being social, being committed to friendships of many years and for new ones along the journey

Of course there are many achievements and challenges across 60 years, but they have climbed life’s mountain together and deserve to enjoy the view.

I ask that you please charge your glasses and join me in a toast for 60 years of marriage - to Margaret and Frank!!