Muriel Project Epistle



The

Muriel Project Epistle No: 2 (May 2009)

Although it’s been a while, plenty still happening and lots to let you know. There are now a few projects in the planning stage – some further along than others! The Centenary event at the Adelaide Town Hall and booklet launch, a documentary, a bigger book and if all goes well, the movie! First things first, though, and the incorporation of the Muriel Matters Society will be necessary soon to obtain funding.

Invitation

To launch the Society, I would like to invite you (please see the enclosed invitation) to brunch (at own expense) at

Café Palazzo

89a The Parade, Norwood

(cnr Osmond Terrace. Parking at rear)

10.30am on Sunday 14 June, 2009.

The Aims, Objectives and Constitution will need to be approved and I look forward to seeing as many of you who are able to attend for this historic occasion.

Follow Ups

*Visited MM’s niece Jocelyn in Melbourne in January after spending some valuable time at the State Library in Victoria. It was another lovely visit and I thank Jocelyn for all her kindness and help – and the lovely breakfast! I’m sure we all send our best to her daughter, Helen and hope her health will soon be 100%. Joan Kirner met with me and very kindly gave me the name of the owner of the Princess Theatre in Melbourne (where MM has performed). I look forward to meeting her on my next opportunity to visit Victoria.

*Had a wonderful visit, accompanied by Hon Steph Key, to WA to meet other Matters Family members. Unfortunately, MM’s nephew, Peter (Isabel’s son), has passed away and heartfelt condolences are sent to his wife Annemarie and her family. I hope to meet them all very soon.

Steph and I had a marvellous meeting with MM’s niece Adrienne (Isabel’s daughter) and her husband Stefan. They were very welcoming and have provided several wonderful photos thru their son, Peter. I am very grateful for these additions to our ‘album’.

It was also great to meet MM’s brother Keith’s descendants. Keith (Jnr) and his sisters Elaine and Lynette made time and special trips to meet us and we enjoyed hearing their stories. Unfortunately no photos, rather confirmation they are gone as are MM’s brother Charles’ medals, stolen from the house. By the way, we now have Charles’ war records and some photos of his name on the memorial at Lone Pine.

*UK trip in August this year may be postponed. More news on that later. The contacts were found thru Alex (at Parl. Library), Marie & Alan at SLSA, and Wendy at the EO. Am trying to be philosophical and hopeful there will be cheaper air fares and more people/things to see by the time I go! Hopeful, too it will still be possible to meet MM’s surviving family thru her brother, Leonard (Lenore and her family Hugh and Patricia) and visiting Hastings, the place where Muriel spent her last years.

*Helen Leake has a new movie under way (congratulations!). While no news yet about a person for the MM documentary, I have not yet lost hope of this project attracting the ‘right person’ in the not too distant future.

*Spent a great day at the Pt Adelaide Enfield Library, sourcing information about Leonard’s likely birth place and extended Matters family activities at the Port.

*Thru Steph Key, have met Don Matters and some his family. Don is the spitting image of MM’s dad, John. So, although we don’t have the exact connection, there is one for sure! As his family are in Victoria, another job to follow up there soon.

*Again thru Steph Key, have met with Mark Thomson. Mark has an enviable history of wonderful creations and an extensive history in publishing. I look forward to learning from and working with him to further our MM goals.

*Thru Marie Maddocks (another fabulous MM!) have assembled a large collection of death and marriage certificates and information on Violet Tillard (Grille accomplice), Captain Spencer (balloon pilot) and as usual, much more.

*Have received the information on the Rally in Hyde Park (on June 21, 1908) from the National Library of Ireland. Unfortunately, MM is not on the list of 20 speakers although Nellie Martel is, so there may have been an Australian platform. Hopefully more on that later.

Exciting Finds

Frank Hatherley visited Adelaide for the Film Festival and it was great to see him again. He has been looking thru old family papers and located a couple of wonderful aerogrammes in MM’s hand writing. Great finds to share in the near future. He has also been remarkable in his research of MM’s performances in 1910, of great importance for the 2010 Centenary event at the Adelaide Town Hall.

Exciting First Presentation

At the request of Ralph Clarke and the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, did the first ever power point of MM’s life. The group of around 30 listened attentively and clapped at the end. No technical hitches and enthusiastically received. Thanks to Wendy at EO for Power Point preparation.

Significant Current Lines of Investigation

*Still to organise a meeting with Trevor Porter at Hindmarsh Historical Society and the contact at the Lands Titles Office (LTO).

*Still to meet with Robin Matters and his dad, Tom. Looking forward to meeting and getting to know Tom and hearing his story.

*Still to visit Pt Augusta - MM’s brother Charles’ birth place. MM and 4 other siblings would have lived there for at least 2 years. I hope to have leads on schooling and MM’s dad John’s mining exploits thru this avenue.

*Thru some good luck met an historical investigator, Patricia Sumerling, at a book launch at Parliament House. She may be able to help (as she knows Helen Reid and a lot about early Adelaide schools and education) with MM’s school days.

Work to Do

*Still to plotting shipping passage details and Muriel’s trips – home to Australia and beyond.

*Still to work on William Porter’s professional life in dentistry.

*Still need to know a lot more about MM’s theatrical and music life – before and after arriving in London.

Please Add to Your Diaries

The Centenary of the Adelaide Town Hall season of MM will be celebrated with a re-enactment at the Town Hall on Sunday June 13, 2010. Frank is busy on the script (and moving!), so let’s keep the day free and be there!

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