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16
Australian
citizen visits
Mom, Dad
By CHARLOT M. DENMON
Staff Correspondent
In September of 1962, when
Marjorie Davis entered her
senior year at Dallas High
School she was looking forward
to a graduation, then entering a
school of nursing. Little did she
realize that a tall, light-brown
haired male exchange student
from Myrtleford, Australia,
would bring about a complete
change in her life before grad-
uation in June 1963.
Marjorie, the daughter of Wil-
liam and Verna Davis of the
Back Mountain, like other stu-
dents in the class looked for-
ward to meeting the new stu-
dent from Australia, Ross
Walker, who came to the United
States through the Rotary
Exchange Program. It wasn’t
too long, however, before Mar-
jorie and Ross attended school
events and church youth group
activities together.
“As soon as I saw them with
one another, I knew they would
be married one day,” said Mar-
jorie’s mother.
Verna Davis was right
because for today, her daughter
is Mrs. Ross Walker, living in
the small city of Echuca,
located along the Murray River
in Australia. She and Ross are
parents of two children,
Michael, 19, in his second year
at the University of Melbourne
majoring in nuclear physics,
and Scott, 15, student in high
school.
This month Marjorie is visit-
ing her mother and dad, return-
ing to the States for the first
time in eight years when the
entire family came for the
Christmas holidays. This time,
Marjorie came alone to spend
one month of a three-month
service leave from her nursing
position with her parents.
When Marjorie and Ross grad-
uated from Dallas High School
in 1963, they were engaged but
Ross, according to the require-
gram had to return to Australia.
Two years later, however, Mar-
jorie went to Australia where
they were married. “In a small
wedding with about 150 of Ross’
relatives attending,” laughted
Marjorie.
The couple remained in Aus-
tralia for a year, then returned
to the United States and the
Back Mountain where they lived
for eight years. Ross registered
at King’s College where he
received his degree in account-
ing. He received job offers in
New York City and in Chicago
but since they didn’t want to
raise their two sons in either
city, they decided to return to
Australia when Ross was
offered a transfer by the com-
pany with whom he was work-
ing as an accountant.
Three years ago, Mr. and
Mrs. Davis went to Australia to
visit their daughter and son-in-
law and their family, spending
four months with them.
Marjorie is now a registered
nurse on the staff of the Echuca
District Hospital, having studied
nursing after she returned to
Australia and her sons were in
school.
A naturalized Australian citi-
zen, Marjorie loves the country.
“The lifestyle is more relaxed
and easy going,” she said. “Our
climate is much warmer than
here and we spend a lot of time
out-of-doors. The Australians
are very American in their
thinking. We have all the fast
food places that are here in
Dallas Post/Charlot M. Denmon
of the country ‘down under.’
America, cinemas, similar tele-
vision with American and
English programs and a lot of
outdoor sports. We also have a
lot of outdoor barbecues.”
The Walkers at one time lived
in Melbourne but now live in
Echuca, a city with a population
of about 8,000. It is a much
quieter area and about two and
a half hours from Melbourne.
Marjorie explained that they
have a lot of boat races, water
skiing, cricket, hockey, football
and tennis but none of these are
competitive sports in the
schools as they are in America.
There are more town competi-
tive sports with one town com-
peting against another.
One topic Marjorie does not
care to talk about is politics. “I
have no use for politics,” she
said. ‘Mention politics and you
can shut me up. Our govern-
ment is very similar to the
Canadian type of government.’’
Outside of the city of Echuca
where the Walkers live are
large sheep, wheat or horse
farms, most of them miles
apart. Each farm is so large,
the distance from the main
house to where the children
have to get the school bus is so
far, they need to be transported.
Out in the Back Country, Mar-
‘School of the Air’ where the
children are taught by television
and the students in each home
have a ham radio to carry on
discussions with their teachers.
Out in the bush there are no
paved roads, according to Mar-
jorie, but in the city the high-
ways are similar to those in the
United States although nar-
rower.
The Walkers have two theatre
groups in Echuca, several art
studios and several ballet
troupes. They also drive into
Melbourne for concerts and
symphonies. Marjorie said they
have many more cultural cen-
ters than in this area.
She has seen ‘‘tons’’ of
changes in the Back Mountain
since being here before and has
had a difficult time idetifying
much of the area although she
has seen a few familiar land-
marks. “I do see many familiar
faces, however,’”’ she remarked.
In Australia, their police force
is different. There are no com-
munity police departments but
all are state police forces. All
candidates for the police must
train at state academies and
J
are selectively chosen according
to how they pass the training.
They are assigned to areas
when certified. In Echuca, the
force numbers 36 policemen.
Marjorie thanks the Rotary
Exchange Program for her
marriage despite the fact that
the Rotary members disap-
proved of their going together.
Ironically, Ross is now, presi-
dent of the Echuca Rotary Club.
JOSEPH
BILBOW
% XT % x %
NZ”
Make this Halloween a
fun and safe one.
Avoid any Halloween
scares by following these
simple, but important,
safety tips.
* Keep children away from lit
jack-o'-lanterns if their
costumes are flammable.
Make sure costumés are not
so long that your child
could trip on them. Reflec-
tive tape should be put on
all costumes — especially
dark-colored ones. Also,
painted faces are better than
masks since masks almost
always affect vision.
Instruct children not to eat
any treats before you have
inspected them carefully.
You may want to feed them
a good meal and give them
RECENTLY, EDITH PIL-
LARELLA, wife of Rev. Andrew
Pillarella, pastor of Trinity
United Presbyterian Church,
attended the dedication of The
Joseph. House, Staten Island,
N.Y. An apartment house for
senior citizens, The Joseph
House is dedicated to Edith’s
father Rev. Dr.
DeRogatis.
Edith’s parents, the late Rev.
DeRogatis and Emma Cold
DeRogatis, were missionary
workers with Italian immi-
grants on Staten Island, in New
York City. Rev. DeRogatis was
pastor of Olivet Presbyterian
Church, which he established as
a mission church and served for
50 years. A very progressive
minister Rev. DeRogatis was
instrumental in helping his con-
gregation find employment,
learn to read, helped them with
English interpretation and edu-
-cated them concerning the ill
effects of use of alcohol and
drugs.
The property on which the
Joseph House is located was
purchased during Rev. DeRoga-
tis’ pastorate. In appreciation
for the efforts of Rev. and Mrs.
DeRogatis, the senior citizen
apartments were named in his
honor.
A wonderful weekend was
enjoyed by the DeRogatis
family. On Saturday evening an
informal gathering was held
with visiting of many old
friends. On Sunday, the
DeRogatis children, Edith Pil-
larella, Rev. Davis S. DeRoga-
tis, Waban, Massachusetts and
Faith Merrill, Rome, New York,
participated in the worship
service. Sunday afternoon, a
banquet was held celebrating
the church’s anniversary and
**x VOTE **
Joan
Kingsbury
the Joseph House dediction.
Each of the DeRogatis offspring
spoke about highlights in their
parents’ ministry.
Attending from the Back
Mountain in addition to Mrs.
Pillrella were Beth Pillarella
Faerber, her husband, Bill, and
their daughter, Kristen and
Mary Pillarella. Mrs. Faerber
and Ms. Pillarella are grand-
children of Rev. Dr. and Mrs.
DeRogatis. Kristen Faerber is
one of their great-grandchil-
dren.
a
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, the
Christmas Holidays will be upon
us. Shopping early is the best
way to get what you want in the
way of gifts. Many area
churches will be holding Christ-
mas Boutiques featuring beauti-
ful homemade items.
-0-
THE LADIES GUILD of St.
Frances Cabrini Church will
hold their Christmas Boutique
on Nov. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 6
p.m. and on Sunday from 9:15 to
2 p.m. at the church located on
Mount Olivet Road across from
Mount Olivet Cemetery.
In addition to many handmade
items being offered, a home-
made afghan will be raffled off.
Mary Ann Knepp is president
of the Ladies Guild. Rev. John
STATE
trick or treating to help
avoid temptation.
e Trick or treat only in well-
lighted neighborhoods —
preferably only at homes
where you know the
‘occupants personally.
® Accompany all small chil-
dren while trick or treating.
Older children, if unchaper-
oned, should follow a pre-
determined route and have a
set curfew time.
e Carry a flashlight and walk
on sidewalks, not on streets.
Do not run between parked
cars to cross the streets —
cross at corners only after
looking both ways for cars.
(If there are no sidewalks,
walk on the left side of the
road facing traffic.)
® Inspect all candy and other
treats closely. Candy with
were taken by a Dallas
Post photographer are
available for sale. The
cost is $2.50 for a 5x7 and
$5. for an 8x10 print.
Color photos are $3. for a
5x7 and $6. for an 8x10
print. Color photos are
available only when a
Photo Description
Date Published
Number of Copies:
<
¢
torn wrappers or any pack-
aging that looks like it has
been tampered with should
be immediately thrown
away. Fruit should be
washed and cut into small
pieces before eating.
Don’t let the goblins get
you — follow these
Halloween safety tips!
Foley is pastor of St. Frances
Cabrini Church.
-0-
BEST OF LUCK to Dallas
sophomore Ann Balonis, daugh-
ter of Betsy and Ron Balonis,
Trucksville, who will be repre-
senting Dallas High School in
cross country state competition
at Penn State main campus,
State College on Nov. 1.
MR. AND MRS. ELWOOD
SWINGLE, Shavertown, will be
entertaining Margaret Harrison
of England for three weeks.
Margaret will be attending the
installation of Mary Lou Swin-
gle as president of Penn’s
Woods Girl Scout Council during
her visit.
0:
GATE OF HEAVEN CHEER-
LEADERS had a great time
Saturday at cheerleading clinic
offered by the national cham-
pion Hanover Cheerleaders in
College Misericordia gym.
The girls learned some
chants, new cheers, worked on
gymnastics and jump mounts.
Attending were Kathy Hughes
and Bridgette Scott, captains of
Gate of Heaven cheerleaders,
Nancy Kingsbury, Carrie Reid,
Paula Sitar, Lauren O’Neil,
Jody Kuniskas, Cindy Kuniskas,
Jennifer Harteis, Lisa Ford,
Lori Van Etten, Joanna Siegel;
alternates, Josephine Zekes,
Amy Alles and Erin Cuff.
Miss Mary Grace Cascio and
Miss Janet Furman are coaches
of the Gate of Heaven Cheer-
leaders.
(Joan Kingsbury, a Back
Mountain resident, is a column-
ist for The Dallas Post. Her
column appears regularly.)
og
ZZA PERFECT
16 Carverton Rd., Trucksville
696-2100 696-3888
836-2100
137 E.
Main St.
BURGER
KING
®
SHAVERTOWN
NAPA)
wn