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.