Harry & Mavis Godbold
Harry and Mavis Godbold and their sons Garry, 13 years, Derek 12 and David 6 years old, moved in 1944 to 130 Merrivale Road, Pickering Brook, previously owned by Antonio Maraffa. The property consisted on 10 acres of orchard and 16 acres of uncleared land.
Harry had served in the 2nd/28 Battalion in North Africa in WW11, and on his discharge took up the property in Pickering Brook in 1944. Mavis was familiar with Pickering Brook as her brother Alex Niven had taken up 40 acres Of mostly virgin land in Merrivale Road 1928 which he cleared by hand. The property is now owned by Ray Farrari.
The house in Merrivale Road where Harry and Marvis lived was very basic: kitchen with a metters wood stove, bedroom, living area and front verandah where the boys slept. In time a bathroom and two more bedrooms were added. A rainwater tank collected water for drinking and another tank was filled from a well for washing and garden. Lighting was from tilly lamps, food was kept in a Coolgardie safe, later an ice chest.
Electricity came in the late ‘40s and the telephone a little later.
In Harry’s absence Mavis and the boys managed to keep the orchard operational. On his return the 16 acres of land was cleared by Archie Anderson’s steam engine. Crops of oats, barley and lucerne were planted and later sheep were introduced for wool and meat. The live stock was take to the Midland markets from time to time, for sale. Cows provided milk, Mavis made her own butter and clotted cream, and also provided some neighbours with milk.
Brumbies and Kangaroos often visited the area.
Chooks were also introduced for commercial production. Ducks, geese and turkeys were added for the Christmas market. Harry also introduced pigs. At one stage the piglets numbered over 100, which were paddocked near Merrivale Road. The orchard produced apples. Stone fruit and citrus.
Harry and Garry built the two stone cottages on Merrivale Road, on Alex Niven’s property for workers on his orchard and later used by Italian migrants who had immigrated post WW11.
Harry and Mavis were both very community minded: Harry was the inaugural secretary of the newly formed RSL sub Branch, a position he held for many years.
The first meeting was held on May 18th 1946:
President: Alan Fernie
Secretary: Harry Godbold
Meetings were held in the Carilla Hall
Members:
George & Ernie Holroyd.
Cec Davey
Andy Gillespie
I. Harper
E. Neave
D. Ryan
Reg McCorkill
T. Reid
On August 20th 1948 a meeting was held in the Carilla Hall for the Pickering Brook (Darling Range) Rifle Club. The VDC, operating during the war years, was disbanded. Past members of the VDC and new office bearers were elected to form the new club.
Office Bearers:
Secretary: Harry Godbold
Captain: Alex Niven
Vice Captain: Harold Littley and G.Orrell
Treasurer: Bert Beard
Committee:
Ted Davey
Fred Cunnold
Patrons:
Wally Temby
W. Fears
Social Functions:
Trixie Smailes
Priestly A
Nita Niven
Bunny Cunnold
The Official opening day was March 20th 1949. The club filled a social niche for both men and their wives. The club was eventually disbanded sometime in the late 1950’s. The Rifle range is situated behind the Golf Course, the entrance if off Canning Road. The Rifle range under new management still functions to this day.
In 1946-7 a Boys Club was formed and a meeting was held in the Carilla Hall. This Club subsequently became the SSL (attached to the RSL) and their meetings had to be attended by a member of the local sub branch. These meetings were supervised by Harry Godbold and L. Coupland.
After some months they moved to the recreation ground in Pickering Brook where soccer was introduced and followed by cricket.
So began the Pickering Brook Sports Club, and the club rooms were built on Hewison Road. Harry Godbold was elected as President and Charlie Spriggs as Secretary. Harry Godbold retained this position for some years.
Mavis served for many years on the Womens Auxillary and worked tirelessly for the Sports Club, later beig made a Life Member.
Mavis also delivered the mail to the district in the 70’s in her green Anglia, and later managed the Post Office in the Pickering Brook Shop. (Old shop site).
Because of his love and knowledge of animals, Harry helped people with their sick cows and horses, the latter a necessity in the orchards before tractors were introduced.
The boys and Helen attended the Primary school at various times.
The boys worked the orchard when needed, On Harry’s death in 1962 Garry purchased the orchard. Mavis remained on the property until the late 1960’s, then she moved into a new home in the townsite designed by her son David.
Gary sold the orchard in the 1970’s. He became a warden at the Barton’s Mill Prison, later becoming Supervisor at Bunbury and Wooroloo Prisons. Gary died in September 2012.
Derek worked in the fruit industry, packing apples for various orchards and later moving into Exporting apples. He went on to be the Export Manager for Mercer Mooney until his death in 1994.
David joined the Army and studied Architecture in Victoria, returning to Perth in 1961. David later began his own architectural practice. His works included:
His mother’s home in Pickering Brook in the 1960’s
Pickering Brook Sports Club on Weston Road in 1974
Helen, went to high school at St. Brigid’s in Lesmurdie. She then went onto study nursing at Royal Perth Hospital graduating as a Registered Nursing Sister in 1966.
In 1994, David Godbold, with a great love of Pickering Brook and the history of the early settlements called a meeting with a group of local residents to form a committee to preserve the local history. The PICKERING BROOK HERITAGE GROUP INCORPORATED was formed in 1994 and David was the President for the first twelve months. Helen was the Secretary/Treasuer for 25 years.
David died in February 2002.
Mavis died in June 2002 at the age of 91 years.
Harry and Mavis Godbold and their family contributed greatly to the Pickering Brook Community and are remembered for their tireless volunteer work.