Museum Metadata Exchange

Names

Name PrimaryThe O'Keefe Collection

Name AlternateThe O'Keefe Collection

IDs

ID LocalWAM 21

ID UriOffline Only

Descriptions

Brief DescriptionA collection of 406 toys, books and school items used on the Western Australian Eastern Goldfields, in Harvey, Maylands and Perth Modern School by two generations of children and teachers. Some items belonged to Kalgoorlie sisters Alvina, Evelyn and Beatrice Straube who were raised in the 1890s and early 1900s. Alvina became a local school teacher and married postmaster George Barker. Their five children, Dorothy, Carmel, Monica, Loretta and George, spent part of their childhoods in Boulder and Leonora between 1916 and 1925 and later in Harvey and Maylands a suburb of Perth. Most items in the collection are childhood items belonging to Monica, but the collection also includes items from Monica's education at Perth Modern School in 1936-37, teacher training at Claremont Teacher's College and later time as a primary school teacher in various Western Australian government and private schools through to her retirement in 1971. The toys and other items reflect families of modest means. There are no grand objects, rather, cheap dolls, ephemeral and home-made toys and simple traditional games such as knuckle bones and marbles. Many are dirty from outdoor play. The extensive range of educational material is reflective of the education experience of two generations of Western Australian students and teachers.

Full DescriptionA collection of 406 toys, books and school items used on the Eastern Goldfields, in Harvey, Maylands and Perth Modern School, Western Australia by two generations of children and teachers. Some items belonged to Kalgoorlie sisters Alvina, Evelyn and Beatrice Straube who were raised in the 1890s and early 1900s. Alvina became a local school teacher and married postmaster George James Barker. Most items in the collection belonged to one of their daughters, Monica. Monica Mary O'Keefe (nee Barker) was born in Kalgoolie, Western Australia on 7 December 1919. She was one of five children, her sisters and brother being, Dorothy Priestly (nee Barker) (born 1916), Carmel Veronica Barker, Lorette Thomas (nee Barker) and George Barker. As a postmaster, her father George and the family moved frequently including to Boulder (from 1916), Leonora (left 1925), Harvey (WA), finally settling at 124 Railway Parade, Maylands (WA) in 1930. Apart from toys, the collection has a strong educational emphasis and includes many items from Monica's primary and secondary education, teacher training and all phases of her career as a teacher. She attended school first in Harvey, then at the age of 9 went to Maylands Covent school, followed by Maylands State School, Perth Girls School and finally Perth Modern School (1936-7). She then acted as a monitor at Victoria Park State School and Mayland State School from 1938-9 before continuing her education at Perth Senior Technical Collage followed by Claremont Teacher's Collage (her mother had previously studied there). In 1941 she was posted to Reedy State School before teaching at various Western Australian government schools including Inglewood State School, Claremont State School and Hollywood State School. Monica married Jack Leonard O'Keefe in 1947. The collection also includes items from Jack's education. They had two daughters Margaret Christine Hird (nee O'Keefe) and Jeanette Patrica O'Keefe. In 1954 Jack O'Keefe was hit by a drunken driver as he was walking home along Stirling Hwy, Perth, leaving him a paraplegic. In 1959 Jack passed away. As a result Monica returned to teaching in 1960, starting at Graylands Primary School as a domestic skills teacher. During the 1960's Monica also taught at St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls and to the children in the burns unit at Fremantle Hospital. She retired in 1971, her last pay slip being from City Beach Primary School. There were/are a number of teachers in the O'Keefe/Barker family including Alvina Christine Barker (nee Staube), Evelyn Straube (Monica's Aunt), Carmel Veronica Barker, Jack O'Keefe, Margaret Christine Hird and Margaret's daughter resulting in four generations of teachers (only two generations represented in this collection).The toys in the collection reflect families of modest means. There are no grand items, rather, cheap dolls, ephemeral and home-made toys and simple traditional games such as knuckle bones and marbles. Many are dirty from outdoor play. The extensive range of educational material including school textbooks, school work and equipment is reflective of the education experience of two generations of Western Australian students and teachers. Monica's daughters Jeanette O'Keefe and Margaret Hird (nee O'Keefe) donated the collection in 1994 to the ECU Museum of Childhood Collection which was gifted to the WA Museum in 2009.

RightsSome material may be subject to copyright.

AccessSelect items viewable in exhibitions at WAM Kalgoorlie branch. Other items available by appointment.

NoteA related collection (Dorothy Priestley, nee Barker) of children's costume worn by the Barker sisters is also held.

Subjects

person_orgAlvina Straube; Carmel Barker; City Beach Primary School; Claremont State School; Claremont Teachers College; Dorothy Barker; Dorothy Priestley; Evelyn Straube; Fremantle Hospital Burns Unit; George Barker; Hollywood State School; Inglewood State School; Jack O'Keefe; Jeanette O'Keefe; Loretta Barker; Margaret Hird; Margaret O'Keefe; Mayland State School; Maylands Covent School; Maylands State School; Monica Barker; Monica O'Keefe; Perth Girls School; Perth Modern School; Perth Senior Technical College; Reedy State School; St Hilda's School; Victoria Park State School

localBooks; Boulder; Children's literature; City Beach Primary School; Claremont State School; Claremont Teachers College; Education; Fremantle Hospital Burns Unit; Harvey; Hollywood State School; Inglewood State School; Kalgoorlie; Leonora; Mayland State School; Maylands; Maylands Covent School; Maylands State School; Perth Girls School; Perth Modern School; Perth Senior Technical College; Post office; Reedy State School; School; St Hilda's School; Teacher training; Teaching; Victoria Park State School; Western Australia

pontBooks; Toys

scotChildren; Education; Games; Goldfields; Play (Recreation); Toys

aptChildren's effects; Children's literature; Education; Gold-diggings

Coverage Spatial

TextPerth Senior Technical College; Claremont Teachers College; Mayland State School; Inglewood State School; Hollywood State School; City Beach Primary School; Perth Modern School; Victoria Park State School; Maylands Covent School; Claremont State School; St Hilda's School; Reedy State School; Leonora; Harvey; Boulder; Kalgoorlie; Maylands State School; Perth Girls School; Fremantle Hospital Burns Unit; Maylands

Coverage Temporal

From1890

To1979

Related Collections

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Dates

Date Record Updated2012-05-30 23:42

Date Created in MME2011-03-25 15:19