Published on Tuesday, 10 March 2026 at 8:00:00 AM
Happy #TimeWarpTuesday! Welcome to Part Five of our series showcasing Renae Carey’s photographic entries into the 2025 Local History Awards, in which we are pleased to highlight with you the photograph that was awarded First Prize.
But first a little recap… Renae interviewed her partner’s grandmother, Valmai Tilbrook and told her story in poetic lines in the Personal Memoirs category. Renae’s entry was also illustrated with many beautiful images from Val’s life in East Victoria Park. The 18 photographs from her entry were also entered individually.
The Photographic Memories Category
Entrants to the category can be from any time period in history, they must be taken in the Town of Victoria Park and not be photographs already held in the Town of Victoria Park Local History Collection. For each photograph entered the entrant is required to answer some set questions about the photograph including details on who is in the photograph and any other additional information such as why the photograph was taken (if known) and the location of the photograph etc.
Today we bring you the photograph that our judges chose to win First Prize, here after described as submitted by Renae Carey
18. The Style of the Times at East Victoria Park
Name of the person who took the photograph(s), if known?
Unknown
Date when it was taken: 14/05/1940
Where was it taken?
Between 4 and 6 Milford Street, East Victoria Park.
Who is in the photograph?
The boy on the left is Ray, aged around 9 years old and dressed in his winter coat with shorts.
The woman in the side car holding the little child was Hilda Bruce nee Taylor.
She was born in 1906 and migrated from England around 1911 with her family. They lived in Greenbushes where her father worked for the Railways there and attended a convent. They eventually moved to Queens Park where she would work as a nanny in various places, especially Mount Street Perth. She was a social woman who loved dancing and racing yachts, but she couldn't swim. They would often have picnics in Point Walter. By the time of this photograph, she was a housewife but she was always a cheerful presence in the house and a nice personality as a mother.
The baby in the photo is Valmai Tilbrook nee Bruce born in 1939. She would grow to spend 19 years in this property and visit it regularly some more 30 years as her mother continued to live here. Not many memories at this particular age but she would grow to become a frequent walker of the bush that surrounded this property, where she would play with her friend Pat from nearby Briggs Street. She attended infant school at Edward Millen (Now Carson Street school), then East Victoria Park Primary (original) (Now the Park Centre) before going to Girdlestone High school in the city (now the cultural centre walkway).
The man standing with a leather jacket was Val's father Stanley Bruce. This brown leather jacket would stay in his possession even after the War. He was born to Robert Bruce of the pioneering dairy family, and close associations to the Mannings, whom Stan would play with the younger sons of. Stan was given a milk run at age 14 but would give the money for free, so out of all children, Stan amongst one of his sister’s were the only ones not to follow in the dairy business. Stan didn't share the same financial or religious sense of his father whom was strict on the religious side (something that drove one of his daughter's away). Not soon after this photograph, Stan went to Sydney to train for the Airforce during the second world war but was luckily stationed just up North loading bombs on planes in what was a secret airbase then, called Corruna Downs Station.
In which direction was the photograph taken?
South-west towards the Shepperton Road barely seen in the background.
Do you know what is in the background?
Left of the photo is Ray standing with his coat and shorts. The family had just backed onto the street as their property is number 6 (unseen in this image to the left). The corner of the house seen behind Ray is number 4 Milford Street. It was built in a similar style to all the even numbers as Mr. Blackman did so himself. 6 was the only house with a brick foundation. The corner of the house we see had a wooden foundation and wooden posts with rails and fencing wire as the front fence. 6 grew hedges as the person who lived at this location was a bit of a sticky beak. The house in full view behind Stan was a rendered, white painted house (not brick), also with an awning like most other houses. A woman lived there with her hair always in a bun, however sometime the Davidson family moved in. Their son with in the Airforce with Stan. As we see vacant land next to this property, in the far distance to the right of the photograph is a property. This was on the corner of Shepperton Road and belonged to a baker. He had a horse yard and stable next to the property (barely seen with the trees in the distance). Their bakery stood opposite this property on Albany Highway.
Do you know why the photograph was taken?
Assumingly preparing for an outing of some sort.
What additional information can you give about this photograph?
When Stan went to the Airforce, a man came knocking on the door with interest to purchase the motorbike. Hilda didn't know how to start it so her son started it for her and off it sold. When Stan returned from the Airforce he bought a pushbike and wouldn't have a vehicle until he bought a chevy in 1958/9. This car would eventually be sold to someone who drove them up the dunes in garden island. As seen in the image, the motorbike with side car was convenient for everyone but once it was sold, the primary mode of transport for his wife and children would be the trams that terminated at the end of their street - an intersection between Shepperton Road, Albany Highway and Milford Street. The trains were a mile away so rarely used compared to the trams and originally, this motorbike.
What condition is your photograph in? (please tick box)
Fair
Has this photograph been enhanced or altered?
No
Does your photograph have a title? If yes, please include below:
Style of the times at East Victoria Park
The First Prize winning photograph in the Photographic Memories category of the 2025 Local History Awards.
PH00463-11 The style of the times at East Victoria Park.
Local History Collection, Town of Victoria Park Library Service.
-End of Description of Photograph-
We hope today that you have enjoyed this look back at this record of a special family moment. Can you help us to preserve our local history….?
All year around we are happy to receive donations and can always scan and return originals as required. You may also like to get ready and prepare an entry for the 2027 Local History Awards. Either way, I hope you feel encouraged to protect, conserve and share our wonderful stories.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via telephone: 08 9373 5500, email: vicparklibrary@vicpark.wa.gov.au, by mail: PO Box 1109, East Victoria Park WA 6981 or in person at 27 Sussex Street, East Victoria Park.
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