Great Women of Esperance

WORDS KARLI FLORISSON INFORMATION & PHOTOGRAPHY ESPERANCE MUSEUM

Here in Esperance, we have no shortage of notable women in our past – women who have been courageous, persistent, hard working, and resourceful. In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, here are some of their stories.

Sarah Brooks was only 24-years-old when she arrived in Albany with her brother and widowed mother in 1874. The trio were determined to take advantage of the generous land leases that the Western Australian government was offering at the time, to lure settlers to remote areas of the colony. They walked from Albany to Thomas River, along with a horse and cart piled high with all their possessions, including two pigs and a cockatoo in a cage. The three established a pastoral settlement called Balbinia, in a remote area inland from Israelite Bay. While their pastoral efforts didn’t meet with much success, Sarah began collecting botanical specimens for Victorian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller. The hundreds of specimens she collected led to many of the plant species of the Cape Arid region being classified, and Mueller named two plant species in her honour. There were other women in the Esperance region who also collected botanical specimens for Mueller, including Sarah’s mother Emily Brooks, and Emily Dempster. Sarah was also an artist, and wrote articles about the landscape and ecology of the region where she lived out the rest of her days.

Like Sarah Brooks, Amy Crocker was an artist and naturalist who lived in the remote and isolated region to the east of Esperance. Amy was the granddaughter of Stephen Ponton, one of the first European settlers to move into the Cape Arid region. Amy grew up in the remote region, and later married Walter Crocker. The couple ran Balladonia station, and Amy had her own herd of Friesian cattle, which she loved. Amy was a prolific artist, and she also painted and collected many insects, adding to the knowledge of insects in the region. She collected specimens of a rare ant species, allowing this unique species of ‘dinosaur ant’ to be classified. One of Amy’s paintings of the horse that the town of Norseman was named after is hanging in Parliament House in Perth. Amy was also a keen observer, and wrote extensively about the history and ecology of the region where she lived, contributing to our knowledge of the area today.

Thelma Sims, daughter of Esperance’s first town clerk Henry Sims, spent her early childhood in Esperance. The family moved to Albany, and Thelma later married Robert Chadwick. It was an unhappy marriage, and although the couple had two children, they later divorced. Thelma Chadwick went back to Esperance, where her father was the secretary of the Roads Board. She worked as his assistant for nine years and then when he retired, in 1936, Thelma applied for the job. At the time, Esperance did not have a local municipal council, and the secretary of the Roads Board was responsible for administration of the town, a very important and influential role. Despite the fact that it was very unusual at the time for a woman to occupy such a role, and despite fierce competition, Thelma was given the position. She remained in the role for nine years, supervising the gangs of men building roads, collecting rates, and overseeing the building of the aerodrome. She was well respected by the men who worked for her, and often helped with the physical work of maintaining the roads. She played a significant role in the district as it recovered from the Great Depression.

Many of the notable women in Esperance’s past worked hard, often alongside their husbands, establishing homesteads, caring for livestock and growing crops, raising and educating children, and taking part in the civic life of the town. One such woman was Effie Turner, who grew up in Esperance. She married Norman Turner, and the couple took up a lease of land at Truslove (North Scaddan) in the 1920s. They had 10 children, and undoubtedly faced incredible difficulties establishing a farm without modern farming methods throughout the years of the Great Depression. As was not uncommon during those years, the bank foreclosed on their property and Effie sought a divorce from Norman on the grounds of desertion. She took up the lease of another property in her own name, and worked to make a living for her family, doing all kinds of physical work from milking cows to driving teams of horses ploughing the fields. In the 1940s, Effie moved to Esperance, where she established a dairy. She delivered the milk around town by bicycle, and was well known as a generous, hardworking, and hospitable member of the Esperance community. She sold the dairy in the late 1960s, when she retired. One of Effie’s children had a disability, and she donated some of the land that she owned to a group that cared for children with disabilities.

These women are just some of the many women whose hard work has contributed to the arts, farming, conservation, civic life, business, and education in our district. Frequently working behind the scenes, and often uncelebrated, the women of our past have made this town the place that it is today.

PISCES FEB 18 - MAR 19

You’re going to feel under the weather this month. You’re mentally exhausted, which will take its toll on your physical health. With a bit of fresh air, plenty of fruit and veg, and a vitamin or two, you can avoid too much sickness. A drop in energy over the next few weeks is a sign to slow down and return to the simple pleasures of life. Stay home and bake, head to Wharton for a day, or lounge around in your PJs til noon. It doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you’re taking care of yourself.

ARIES MAR 20 - APRIL 19

You love where you live but a change in scenery every now and then is needed to help balance your perspective on life. A feeling of entrapment creeps up on you this month. Now’s the perfect time to plan a getaway. If there’s room in your schedule and budget, think big. However, if you’re overcommitted and underpaid, a weekend escape to one of our regional neighbours will do just fine. It doesn’t matter if you’re headed to Norseman or New York, so long as you’re headed somewhere.

TAURUS APR 20 - MAY 20

Workwise, the year feels like it's dragging already. Figure out how to put the spring back in your step, or else you’re going to feel 100 years old before the year’s out. If you work for someone else, speak to your boss about a new challenge, project, or even a promotion. If you rule the roost, have a chat with a trusted employee, friend, or advisor about ways to grow your biz or take it in a different direction. Get out of your rut and get inspired!

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUN 20

As you get older, it gets harder to make friends. Your old pals are ace, but branching out is important. This month, take up a new hobby, or reignite your interest in an old one. You never know who you’re going to meet on the tennis court, in a drumming circle, or at the Cannery’s Forage garden. Reframe your thinking about finding new friends. Look at it like dating – have a go and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t matter. And, if it does, great! You’ve snagged yourself a new mate!

CANCER JUN 21 - JUL 22

Valentine's Day has come and gone but this doesn’t mean you’ve missed your opportunity to play with your passionate side. A shift in romantic energy this month means you’re in the mood to spoil your loved one. Think outside the box. Slow strolls along West Beach and candlelit dinners are nice, but tailoring a surprise to match your partner’s interests will really get sparks flying. No lover? No worries! Treat yourself by nurturing the part of you that’s been neglected for too long.

LEO JUL 23 - AUG 22

If you want to make more money, quit dreaming and start doing. Your bank balance isn’t going to inflate itself. There aren’t any unexpected windfalls coming your way – not now, not in the future. As such, you need to come up with real, tangible ways to fatten your wallet. Nothing is without risk, so whether you’re thinking of investing, starting a side hustle, or posting your feet on Only Fans, know there’s a chance you mightn’t come out on top. But if you never try, you’ll never know.

VIRGO AUG 23 - SEP 22

The health of your loved ones is front of mind this month. Your gut is telling you to encourage a friend or family member to head to their GP for a check-up. Doing just that may avoid a major health catastrophe down the track. While looking out for others, ensure you don’t neglect yourself. Evaluate how you can improve your health, whether that’s physical, mental, or both. There are always ways we can look after ourselves better, and you’re no exception.

LIBRA SEP 23 - OCT 22

It’s time to pack your bag and get out of town – no excuses. You’ve had a hectic few months, with work, family, and social commitments coming at you from all directions. A boost in energy has seen you through your packed calendar but that will soon dwindle, and you’ll find yourself needing to recharge. Look at heading somewhere that will allow you the breathing space required for rejuvenation. When booking your vacay, think country, quiet, and calm.

SCORPIO OCT 23 - NOV 21

There’s no point dragging yourself to work every day if you don’t love what you do. There are endless job opportunities going at the moment, so if you’re ready to throw in the towel at your current workplace, do just that. This goes for volunteering, too. Tired of doing the same thing week in, week out? Then look for something new. Interesting and exciting prospects present themselves this month. Be open to pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 21

A friend needs your support this month. Make time for your mate, even if you can’t squeeze another thing into your day. You’re more sensitive than usual this month, making you highly empathetic to your friend’s situation. Don’t get so swept up that you take their emotions on board. Practice being a good listener and a comfortable shoulder to cry on, but don’t lose sleep over someone else’s troubles. Your friend is stronger than you give them credit for.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 - JAN 20

A relationship rut has you feeling down in the dumps. Your partner isn’t holding up their end of the bargain and everything you say falls on deaf ears. Encourage them to listen by scheduling time to talk about what’s missing in your relationship. Do this on neutral territory – have a picnic in the park or find a table in a hidden corner at the Quarters. Lay your cards on the table and let them respond honestly. You mightn’t like what you hear but this is what’s best for you both.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 - FEB 17

You’re going to have a win this month. It mightn’t be the lotto, but you could bag yourself a bargain or see a pineapple floating down Dempster Street, so keep your eyes peeled. Now’s a good time to be frugal. Esperance weather is unpredictable and a rainy day could come along at any moment. Stock up on 2-for-1 deals, fuel up when petrol prices dip, and don’t be afraid of home brands. Your future self will thank you when you’ve got extra funds to fall back on.