McAllister of Ireland
Ethel Margaret McAllister, the sixth child of Joseph McAllister and Ethel Margaret Mason, was born on 9 January 1913 at 68 Chief Street, Brompton, South Australia. Young Ethel grew up in a household that was frequented by crowds of relatives and friends who came to share her mother’s excellent table, notable for apple pies, scones and custards sprinkled with coconut. The whole family would get together on Sunday evening after church for a sing-a-long around the piano. Ethel also followed her mother’s example and enjoyed needlework, knitting and crochet.
In the 1920’s when Joseph McAllister was employed with the South Australian Railways, the family would often take the train to Victor Harbor where they had some memorable holidays. Ethel attended Brompton Primary School, the same school that her brothers and sisters all attended. She left school at about age 13. In about 1927 Ethel began working for Holsteins Hat Makers in Adelaide. She also worked at Myers in the haberdashery department for a time – “The Habby” as she referred to it. |
Ethel married Ralph William McDonough, son of Ralph Joseph McDonough and Margaret Elizabeth Harman, on 22 July 1933 at St Saviours Church in Hindmarsh, South Australia (now Sacred Heart Catholic Church). They had eleven children: Colin Ralph, Margaret Dawn, June Patricia, Janice Ethel, Daryl Richard, Andrew Joseph, Phillip John, Stephanie Lynette, Coral Ann, Helen Ruth & Graeme Eric (Rick).
The family lived in Chief Street, Brompton at first before moving to Drayton Street, Bowden for a few years. They lived in Henley Beach briefly before moving to 13 Margaret Street, Croydon Park (now Oswald Street) where they lived for about 14 years. In around 1954 they moved back to 68 Chief Street, Brompton and Ethel diligently began making payments to purchase the house from her mother. In fact, Ethel McAllister presented her with the deeds to the house at Janice’s wedding on 26 December 1964.
All of the children, except Janice, were born at Hindmarsh Memorial Hospital, Hindmarsh. Ethel was such a regular visitor that she was on first name terms with the Matron and Helen was given the middle name Ruth after Matron Ruth. Janice was born at Quambi Hospital, St. Peters. With such a large family, Ethel was always busy and very resourceful. She could make a meal out of virtually nothing and was a great all round cook. She always had an eye for a bargain and was a regular visitor at the local butchers and greengrocers along Port Road with her shopping list and wheeled trolley. When they lived at Croydon Park, Ethel kept a large vegetable garden and had lots of chickens to keep her supplied with eggs. They even had a horse in the backyard for a while at Croydon Park. The poor horse had been won in a bet. It ran away one day, never to be seen again! At another time, Ralph got hold of a green 1935 Ford 2-ton truck and this was used for an ice delivery round until around 1950. Colin remembers helping with the deliveries.
The children would never go without at Christmas as Ethel would produce homemade cowboy and cowgirl outfits, stuffed toys, dolls and dolls clothes. Christmas day was always full of gifts, food and happiness. Ethel also would sew nighties and pyjamas for all of the children, usually out of one big roll of fabric, so that often they were all dressed alike at bedtime. |
Ethel was a very caring mother and not only cared for her own large family but also took in other children at different times. She looked after a baby for a family from West Street, Brompton for a while. She also allowed a young friend of June and Janice’s, Jenny Prosser, to live with them when she was experiencing some troubles at home. The children always came first and whenever Ethel went visiting, she ensured that the children were welcomed as well. They often visited Ethel’s youngest brother Gordon’s house on Torrens Road, Croydon Park and later at Frederick Street, Welland and they all loved to spend time with Gordon’s wife Robina (Auntie Beanie). They would have made quite a sight trooping along pushing prams and even pushing Janice along in her wheeled bed when she contracted polio at about eight years of age. Daryl remembers Ethel taking the children to Croydon Theatre to see a picture show with Janice in her bed and the other children sitting on top of the bed.
In 1950, Philip was a celebrity for a day, being born on the day that the Corporation of the Town of Hindmarsh purchased the Hindmarsh Hospital and renamed it the Hindmarsh Memorial Hospital. The whole family went off to the Hindmarsh Town Hall where there was a ceremony and speeches. Philip was given the middle name John in honour of the first Governor of South Australia, Sir John Hindmarsh. Hindmarsh was the first private town laid out in the colony of South Australia and the original village was established on land owned by Governor Hindmarsh in 1838.
The older children all attended Challa Gardens Primary School at Croydon Park. In 1954 Janice, Daryl and Andrew transferred to Brompton Primary School and the younger children followed one by one. For those who went on to secondary school, they attended Croydon Technical High School. All of the girls played netball at one time or another and Ethel would enjoy the company of the other mums when she was able to go the netball games. |
As the children got older, one by one they married and left home. With more time on her hands, Ethel then began to pursue other interests. In the 1970’s she joined an entertainment troupe with her friends Lou Wingard and Lois McAuley. As the “Shalama Concert Party”, they would perform for local community groups and at elderly citizen homes such as the West Adelaide Cheerio Club and the Brompton Pensioner League. Ethel loved to dress-up and was known for singing some slightly bawdy songs – she was once banned from singing The Marrow Song (Oh What a Beauty) during a performance. She had a fun sense of humour even in the hard times. With a strong sense of community, Ethel also volunteered at the Brompton and Bowden Mission and at Meals on Wheels in Hindmarsh. She would make toys and baby clothes for her neighbours whenever she heard of a new addition to their family.
Ethel adored every new grandchild that came along and looked forward to their visits. She also enjoyed the special treats and outings that each of the children would provide – trips to the movies, day trips to Victor Harbor and even a couple of interstate trips. Always up for a new adventure, Ethel was also able to enjoy some wonderful holidays with her friends from the entertainment troupe. There was a trip to Perth at one time as well as trips to Sydney, Queensland, Robe and on the Murray River. |
On 10th December 1976, Ethel was busy, as usual, performing for a group of elderly citizens with her entertainment troupe. She popped out to the kitchen to help prepare the supper but felt unwell. Sadly she collapsed and was taken to hospital suffering a stroke. Ethel Margaret McDonough died on 11 December 1976 at the age of 63 years. The Rose Garden at Enfield Memorial Park was her final resting place. Ethel is very fondly remembered and has left a lasting legacy for her children, her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Descendants of Ethel Margaret McAllister
Ethel Margaret McAllister was born on 9 January 1913 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 11 December 1976 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 63 years. Ethel married Ralph William McDonough on 22 July 1933 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. Ralph was born on 20 October 1914 in North Adelaide, South Australia and died on 1 July 1989 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 74 years. They had eleven children: Colin Ralph, Margaret Dawn, June Patricia, Janice Ethel, Daryl Richard, Andrew Joseph, Phillip John, Stephanie Lynette, Coral Ann, Helen Ruth & Graeme Eric (Rick).
- Colin Ralph McDonough was born on 16 March 1934 in Hindmarsh, South Australia and died on 8 June 2013 in South Australia at age 79 years. Colin married Roslyn Anne Forster on 27 April 1963 in Klemzig, South Australia. Roslyn was born on 8 January 1942 in North Adelaide, South Australia. They had three children: Kerry, Trevor and Debra.
- Margaret Dawn McDonough was born on 29 December 1936 at Hindmarsh, South Australia , died on 11 April 1993 in Elizabeth Vale, South Australia at age 56 years and was buried on 15 April 1993 in Cheltenham, South Australia. Margaret married John Patrick Kilmartin on 22 October 1955 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. John was born on 19 January 1932 and died on 5 August 1981 in Macdonald Park, South Australia at age 49 years. They had six children: Ian John, John, Robert, Anthony, Glenn Garry and Bernardette Margaret.
- June Patricia McDonough was born on 21 February 1941 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. June married Ronald Eric (Ric) McAuley on 26 December 1959 in Brompton, South Australia. Ric was born on 13 December 1937. They had three children: Steven Eric, Mark Brenton and Darren Paul.
- Janice Ethel McDonough was born on 28 August 1943 in St. Peters, South Australia. Janice married William Ivan John Mars on 26 December 1964 in Brompton, South Australia. John was born on 8 November 1943 in Alberton, South Australia. They had two children: Fiona and Tania.
- Daryl Richard McDonough was born on 13 June 1945 at Hindmarsh, South Australia. Daryl married Ruth Lorraine Alsop on 26 October 1968 in Guildford, New South Wales. Ruth was born on 27 June 1947 in Guildford, New South Wales. They had four children: Kylie, Darryn and twins, Michelle and Angela.
- Andrew Joseph McDonough was born on 10 March 1948 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. Andrew married Glenda Joyce Kirtland on 27 September 1969 in Blair Athol, South Australia. Glenda was born on 3 April 1949 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. They had two children: Amy and Hannah.
- Philip John McDonough was born on 10 May 1950 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. Philip married Pauline Gay Mullins on 21 February 1978 in Adelaide, South Australia. Pauline was born on 17 December 1953 in Adelaide, South Australia. They had two children: Leah Anne and Paul David.
- Stephanie Lynette McDonough was born on 25 February 1952 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. Stephanie married James Smith on 19 December 1969 in Adelaide, South Australia. James was born on 31 October 1949 in Rose Park, South Australia. They had two children: Kym and Melanie.
- Coral Anne McDonough was born on 13 June 1954 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. Coral married Gregory Fawcett on 31 July 1971 in Brompton, South Australia. They had two children: Tammy and Kirstin. Coral next married John Turner.John was born on 7 March 1947. John had two children: David and Darren.
- Helen Ruth McDonough was born on 23 February 1956 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. Helen married Noel Purcell on 9 February 1974 in Brompton, South Australia. They had one child: Nicole. Helen next married Robert John (Mick) Archer. Mick was born on 10 March 1945 and died on 22 July 1992 at age 47 years. They had two children Shey and Danni.
- Graeme Eric (Rick) McDonough was born on 15 July 1958 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. Rick married Teena Kay Noakes on 15 July 1979 in Broadview, South Australia. Teena was born on 5 December 1959. They had two children Shawn and Allan.