Laurie Rumble guest speaker

 

Laurie told of her parents Keith & Betty McKeown, reading from letters they deposited in the time capsule in 2000.

Keith and Betty worked in banks in Numurkah, with Keith being transferred to New Zealand after four months. They continued their friendship by correspondence, with Keith proposing marriage by letter. They were married for 64 years and reared five children, Warren, Colin, Dennis, Gayle and Laurie.

Reading from Betty's letter.

  • Betty wrote of many changes taking place.
  • Wrote of Keith's involvement in many organisations, Rotary, Probus, Numurkah Development Committe, Numurkah Welfare Committee, Church Elder and auditor for many organisations,
  • Betty herself served the Church, Probus, Guides, Scouts, Volunteer Pioneer Lodge.
  • Betty was born in Wagga Wagga in 1923 attending school in Numurkah and MLC then Business College, commencing with Commercial Bank in 1943 and State Savings Bank in 1946.
  • Married Keith in 1947.

Reading from Keith's letter.

  • Born in Bairnsdale in 1920, attending Orbost High School and Caulfield Grammer.
  • Commenced with Commonwealth Bank aged 16 in 1937.
  • A keen bike rider rode his bike from Coburg to Orbost over two and a half days.
  • After four and a half years in the bank was called up and enlisted, posted to Brisbane then Port Moresby then Bougainville, retiring as a Seargeant.
  • Returned to bank and posted to Numurkah where he met Betty.
  • In 1947 transferred to New Zealand.
  • Offered a job as bookkeeper with Brown & Corke & Co. in Numurkah, spending 37 years as bookkeeper, secretary, joint manager and then director retiring in 1981.
  • Involved in many community organisations, Numurkah Singers and Numurkah Choristers, Shire severance committee, Rotary, Probus, Church and auditing book for 15 organisations.
  • Enjoyed encouraging children and was inspirational in his community service.

Laurie herself the youngest of the five children married Mark Rumble aged 19. Three daughters and 8 grandchildren. Studied nursing, massage business, integration aide at Notre Dame College and Christian college.