Aunty Thelma

 Thelma was the older sister of both my grandma and my great aunt Jean. There's a lovely biography of her online talking about her career successes and everything she did for the advancement and education of women.

Before I found this biography, I knew her as one of those relatives for whom Mum would always insist we have impeccable manners.

Aunty Thelma would arrive with her brother Uncle Fred and they would bring us very odd gifts. Found objects, for example one of those high bounce balls that a dog had chewed a piece off. 

Aunty Thelma had a very posh voice, a glorious beehive bun atop her head à la Bronwyn Bishop and great big hips. 

I remember one time we visited their home in Auburn and Aunty Thelma cooked up an amazing batch of scones on the spot and we watched her and Uncle Fred cheer on the cricketers on TV.

She definitely did believe in the advancement of women because when she died she left my sister Rebecca and I each $10,000 in her will. This little nest egg came in very handy when I lived in France as an au pair girl. Thanks Aunty Thelma

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