Yallourn Hospital

I was born in the Yallourn Hospital - there wasn't one in Morwell in 1953.  I used to show Susan where I was born on our way to visit her Nan - and pointed to the Open Cut Coal Mine which eventually swallowed up the Yallourn Hospital.

I don't ever remember seeing the hospital myself, even though we went to Yallourn often when I was a child.

Ballet

Going back in time now.  When I was about 6 I guess I began ballet lessons.  Actually, it was ballet and tap at first, but I soon gave up tap and just learnt ballet.  I can't remember how long I went to lessons but it was a couple of years.  I loved it, so don't know why I stopped.  My teacher was Marie Morden, and although she also lived in Morwell the lessons were held at Kernot Hall in Yallourn.  We had concerts here too.

Kernot Hall, Yallourn

I remember that Marie used to say she could always tell how far up we raised our legs when doing one position because she could see the trail of coal dust up our opposite leg.  I used to travel to Yallourn with Marie.
Aunty Joan paid for my lessons, despite living in England.  She was a dancer herself.