The passing of Miss Violet Chaundy on 15th August 1983 at the age of 91, ended a long association with Traralgon and the surrounding district.
Her father, Richard John Chaundy, brought the first steam plough from England for use by the Chaffey Bros. at Echuca. However, he found the climate in northern Victoria too hot and returned to Melbourne where he married Elizabeth Sarah Byrne.
Miss Chaundy was born in Malvern in 1892 and after a time the family moved to Yinnar, then to Yarragon, and then to Toongabbie where her father was Manager of the Butter Factory and where she attended school.
Only a month before her passing, Miss Chaundy re-visited Toongabbie and identified her old family home, recalled various identities and told of her music lessons in the Hall and how she would practise on the piano in the schoolmaster's residence. Some of the personalities of old Toongabbie that were mentioned were the Semmens family, Wilson's (grocers), Marks (butcher), Leighton (grocer) and Ellismith (store).
Miss Chaundy also recalled how she and other children used to run out along the road and meet the wagons coming down from Walhalla over the corduroy road, and ride with them into the town.
The Chaundy family came to live in Traralgon in 1910. They were the first occupants of the house situated at the corner of Franklin and Moore Streets, which, at that time, was surrounded by open paddocks - even the Grey Street State School had not then moved to its present location from Campbell Street. The family remained the only occupants of the home until Miss Chaundy and her sister, Mrs. Carruthers, vacated it in 1981.
It was in 1915 that the Rev. W.J.T.Pay invited Miss Chaundy to play the organ in St. James' Church of England and thus began a remarkable contribution to Church and community life, for it was not until, 1975 that Miss Chaundy submitted her resignation as organist. For most of the 60-year period during which she greatly enriched worship in St. James', she played the organ for two services on Sundays - sometimes three - for mid-week choir practice and for special services such as funerals and weddings. Many a bride has told the Rector of the day, "Miss Chaundy played for my mother's wedding, too." And in the days before T.V., Miss Chaundy's services were in demand as a pianist and accompanist at concerts and recitals.
She also became well-known throughout the district as a long-term member of staff at the Traralgon Butter Factory, having first worked in the old factory when it was sited on the bank of the Creek. This building later became the Shire Council Depot and today is used as a Scout Hall.
For a time Miss Chaundy was engaged in conducting the blue bird Cafe, in partnership with Miss Ruby Wickham, but again returned to the office of the Butter Factory and served until her retirement. (The Blue Bird Cafe was situated where the Commonwealth Bank is presently erecting its new building.)
The funeral service at St. James', conducted by the Rev. A. Huggins, assisted by the Rev. J. Connelly and the Rev. P. Rickard, with a full choir, was attended by many Traralgon residents of long standing. The Committal Service at the Springvale Crematorium was conducted by the Rev. Geoffrey Ross, a former Rector of St. James', and he pointed out how Miss Chaundy's devotion to the life of the Church was shown in her determination to adapt to the changes in church music that took place in recent times.
Following abuse of my email address under the Harassment Act 1997,
my cousin Bob has kindly agreed to accept email on my behalf at Bob Chaundy