Early Introduction to the Life of Elsje Whealing
by Marianne Rowley

My first introduction to Elsje was when she was born on 7^th March 1951.  She was the youngest child of Hendrik and Johanna Pillekers.  I was 3 and I don’t remember a great deal about that time.  However my mother often told the story of my reaction when I first laid eyes on her - it was love at first sight.  Apparently, I was mesmerized by this beautiful new baby and made a big fuss of her tiny fingers, hands, toes, feet remarking how small everything was. 

Mum, dad and the four siblings were all born in the Netherlands; Henk, John and I in Rotterdam and Elsje in Vlaardingen where we lived before we came to Australia. Our father had been in Australia for a number of years on the construction of the Shell Refinery near Geelong, Victoria.  Dad would return home occasionally and on one occasion when our father came back to visit the family in Holland and Elsje was told that her papa was coming home – she got very excited.  When the time came to pick up our father from the airport, she did not recognise him and mistakenly thought the taxi driver was her daddy.

Our father did not like the weather in Holland and decided that the family should emigrate to Australia which we did in September 1955.  We arrived on the ship the ‘Waterman’ and the sea voyage took 6 weeks during which time we all suffered from sea sickness until we got our sea legs.  Our father met us as the ship arrived in Melbourne and then took us to Geelong. Prior to our arrival, Dad had commenced to build a house in Corio. We moved in when two rooms and part of a hall were finished.  Conditions were quite primitive as there was no power, the fridge was an ice box and there was no sewerage on the property. So you can imagine what kind of loo we had.  Lighting consisted of several kerosene lamps and mum cooked for six on a couple of primus stoves.  These conditions were quite appalling for mum as she had left a very nice home back in the old country.

For the four of us it was quite an adventure.  As time went on, our father completed a comfortable happy home.  As siblings we were all fairly close although, like most families, we had our occasional squabbles. 

 Elsje attended Corio State School and then Norlane High where she made friends with Kathy Jones and Judith Grills. The three of them had many things in common, particularly a love of animals, especially horses. Kathy and Judith both had horses which must have been an instant attraction for Elsh.  Her love of horses earned her the nickname - TEX by one of my boyfriends.  The three girls have remained firm friends ever since and were of great support and help during Elsje’s recent, short illness in hospital.

 Elsh was the outgoing one in our family and would be into everything – during her teenage years in the 60’s, she became a go-go dancer in the small country town of Lara.  She looked terrific in, white boots and short mini skirt showing off her great legs. 

 When she left Norlane High, Elsh went to Melbourne and commenced a nursing course at 17.  After graduating, she worked in a number of hospitals in and around Melbourne.

 Around this time the family had moved to the Melbourne suburb of Frankston as our father commenced work for Esso.  Elsje decided to change direction in her working career and did a secretarial course.  After completing the course she worked as a legal secretary.  Her first boss, Ralph Lindner, was wonderful.  He looked after her very well and treated her as part of his family. Ralph and his wife also became friends with our parents over this time.

 Elsh had developed into a beautiful, outgoing young woman and easily made friends.  In 1970 I decided to move to Sydney and found a 2 bedroom apartment in Harbord.  About a year later Elsh decided she too would like to try living in Sydney and moved in with me. We both lived there until I married Bill.  I was working for Bryson Industries the Jaguar distributors at the time and one day a little rat grey mini was traded in on a beautiful new Jaguar.  We decided that we would purchase this car - only one problem, neither of us had a driving license.  We organised a driving school – Elsh had the first lesson.  The driving instructor asked her out and she agreed.  Not long afterwards, I got my driving license and Elsh got the driving instructor being none other than Ross Whealing, her husband of 30 odd years.  Elsje eventually managed to get her license when she was four months pregnant with Mark.  Ross and Elsje always did things with a twist – Mark was born on 22^nd March and two years later to the day, Paul and Luke were born – all have the same birthday.

 Elsh and I have always remained close – on many occasions we shared holidays together with our families.  We could almost tell what the other was thinking – just a look did it.  Elsh & Ross were wonderful when my husband Bill died after many years of illness, looking after Kent when necessary and being very supportive.

 Mum, Elsh and I were very close and loved shopping.  We always enjoyed our time together.  When mum passed away, we continued the tradition and as our tastes were very similar, we would often end up buying the same outfits’ and on occasions, we wore the same outfit to functions which we both attended – not having checked what the other one was wearing. 

We often had a good giggle over that.  The last time we purchased the same outfit was just prior to me leaving for my European trip in May.

 Ross and Elsh used to give wonderful parties at their home in St Ives.  These began after I became single again and they were a riot.  The party themes were unusual for they included Danny the Dog’s Birthday, Mussolini’s birthday, South African Independence Day and Perry Como’s Birthday; any excuse to throw a party.

 Elsh was a beautiful person both inside and out.  She was always ready to help out when necessary and was wonderful looking after our mother during her long battle with cancer prior to her passing.  She was always ready to help whenever needed.

 I still find it hard to comprehend that when I left for my trip, I had a strong, healthy sister. When I came home 3 months later I was advised that she had lung cancer and she passed away a month later.

I was very proud to have her as my sister and will miss her terribly.

 I would also like to thank Geoff for the way he cared for our sister’s every need during this trying time which was exemplary.  He made sure the nurses were informed on how to make her comfortable so they would be gentle with her.  He was there to liaise with the Doctors and nursing staff and made sure she was as comfortable as he could possibly make her.  He stayed by her side until the very end.  Thank you Geoff.