Published on Tuesday, 3 March 2026 at 12:54:52 PM
Happy #TimeWarpTuesday! We’re back from a short break with Part Four of our series showcasing Renae Carey’s photographic entries into the 2025 Local History Awards.
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. This week we are featuring two of these photographs that capture a Victoria Park love story.
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 to you two of the photographs entered, and these are here after described as submitted by Renae Carey.
14. 'The Dapper Days of East Victoria Park’
Name of the person who took the photograph(s), if known?
Possibly Norma Miss - an office/ clerical worker.
Date when it was taken:
11/01/1950
Where was it taken?
Saint Peter's Anglican Church - 11 Leonard Street Victoria Park WA
Who is in the photograph?
On the left: Bill Taylor from Ashburton Street, Bentley.
- Worked with stockfeed at Wesfarmers on Welshpool Road.
- Father from Devon, Mother from Cornwall, England and had 3 sisters.
- Left Southhampton for Australia in 1911.
- Father worked Greenbushes railway so moved to a railway house there with family.
- Attended a catholic convent and got a scholarship to attend Christian brothers.
- Father wouldn't let him so worked as a farmhand until married to Mavis.
- Mavis was a school teacher, together they had 2 daughters.
- ' Talented Bones player' who would imitate Al Jolson.
- Remarried and had a shoemaker son. Second wife was an alcoholic.
- Died of a heart attack at home around 1969.
In the middle: Stanley Bruce from 6 Milford Street, East Victoria Park.
- Born 24th Dec 1901 on a dairy farm in South Perth, now Vintage Cellars.
- Youngest of 8 to Robert and Alice Bruce - a dairy pioneer family of the area.
- Worked and were friends with Manning Family. Lived in their "Temperance Cottage".
- Married sister of man on left in 1931 but no honeymoon due to war.
- Wouldn't wear dungarees as "clothes of a workman".
- Walked into rivers to get new shoes settled into feet.
- Delivered bread on horse and cart during depression, then worked for Boans.
- "Man-powered" to stay as retail during War but left when Boss's sons were KIA.
- Loaded bombs in Corruna Downs Airforce then carted sleepers for Collie Railway.
- Played in PCYC, walked the beat with friend, retired 65 years old and died in 1971.
On the right: Bob Maiss from Ardoss.
- Married to the niece of the guy on the left. She loved to play bowls.
- An accountant for Mills and Ware (biscuit/ cake company later to become Arnotts).
- Rented houses everywhere including Queens Park until moved to Ardross.
- Father was a publican/ owner of the Cottesloe Hotel and Queens Park Hotel.
- Would go fishing down the Cottesloe Jetty then serve the fish fresh on hotel menu.
- Saxophone player in a 3 man band that also included an accordion.
- Had a daughter.
In which direction was the photograph taken?
Slightly North-west
Do you know what is in the background?
The front entrance of Saint Peter's Anglican Church with its Inter-War Romanesque architecture on clear display. Visible in the shot is its front facade with arched entry, rounded windows and decorative projected parapet.
Do you know why the photograph was taken?
The daughter of the man on the left was getting married so this is a photograph of the father of the bride standing with his brother-in-law and cousin.
What additional information can you give about this photograph?
The reverend of this wedding was Ralph Thomas who became Dean for an Anglican Church in Fremantle. He was a popular minister but known for quick ceremonies, lots of which only lasted for 20 minutes. Some referred to him as the "mincer" in disdain for this pace. He didn't want anyone to throw confetti until they reached the footpath . He also took Scripture at East Victoria Park Primary School where the boys would love hearing him talk about the war.
What condition is your photograph in? (please tick box)
Excellent
Has this photograph been enhanced or altered?
No
Does your photograph have a title? If yes, please include below:
The Dapper Days of East Victoria Park
PH00463-15 The dapper days of East Victoria Park
Local History Collection, Town of Victoria Park Library Service.
15.'Guard of Honour for the Ages’
Title of entry:
The beginning of a 60-year union on the Steps of St Peter's Victoria Park.
Name of the person who took the photograph(s), if known?
A hired photographer/ professional, name unknown.
Date when it was taken:
22/10/1960
Where was it taken?
Saint Peter's Anglican Church, Victoria Park.
Who is in the photograph?
The groom is Roy Tilbrook.
- 27 years old at the time of the photo, getting married to Valmai nee. Bruce.
- First worked at a dairy in Cockburn before becoming a farmhand at Cunderdin.
- Lived at St Joseph's Orphanage in Subiaco as run by the Christian Brothers.
- Moved to Castledere in Queens Park/ Wilson.
- Natural relocation to Clontarf but airforce took it over so he went to Cardin instead.
- Married Vailmai from Milford Street in East Victoria Park and moved to red dirt towns.
- Became share farmers at Beacon and ran a caravan park near Rabbit Proof Fence.
- Had 2 sons and 1 daughter.
- Passed away in a car accident with youngest son in Mukinbudin, where they retired.
The Bride is Valmai Tilbrook nee Bruce.
- Born into Dairy pioneer family of Bruce and relation to the Douglas Family.
- Worked as a shorthand typists, first as a private detective on William Street.
- Then Sandovers - a retail and farm machinery/ hardware store.
- Last job before getting married was Nicholson electronic store in Barrack Street.
- 6pr originally aired from there.
- Lived in 6 Milford Avenue with father, mother and older brother Ray.
- Joined the CWA in Beacon.
- Retired to Mukinbudin with Roy and became heavily involved in community.
The man behind Roy to the left with a tie is Alec/x Clark/e.
- Best man at the wedding and aged around 25 at time of photo.
- Roy's childhood friend.
- His mother worked as a cleaner at the Castledare Orphanage.
Woman on the right, behind Val is Pat Gordon.
- Lived on Briggs Street, East Victoria Park with sister Dot.
- Seen here picking up Val's wedding train.
- Best friend of Val's since 1945 Infant school Edward Millen.
- Aged 6 months older than Val.
- Did girl guides together and made their debut together.
- Her father sold machinery, known as Mr. Roach.
In the Background, standing in the guard of honour on the right of the photo towards the stairs is Captain of the girl guides, Sheila Green with her husband Webb.
On the left of the entrance as we see the photo, is Val's great- Aunty.
Also included in this photograph is a Rhonda Bruce and Jim Blackman. These were Val's neighbours who lived in 8 Milford Street, East Victoria Park. His father built all 5 houses on the south side of Milford Street (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10).
In which direction was the photograph taken?
North-west as it faces straight to a church entrance that was built facing south east.
Do you know what is in the background?
The front entrance of Saint Peter's Church in Victoria Park with a couple walking down pathway towards their Taxi. On either side is a Scouts and Girl Guides guard of Honour in tribute for the bride who was ranked lieutenant the time this photo was taken. The wedding party behind the bride and groom consisted of their best friends and the flower girl daughter of the Girl Guide's captain with family members and neighbours on the stairs behind.
Do you know why the photograph was taken?
A visually distinctive and striking capture of a popular personality in East Victoria Park, whom amongst the Scout and Girl Guides, was well respected and getting married to a man whom she shared a 60-year union until Roy's sudden passing.
What additional information can you give about this photograph?
The Scouts and Girl Guides consisted of troupes belonging to Carlisle.
What condition is your photograph in? (please tick box):
Excellent
Has this photograph been enhanced or altered?
No
Does your photograph have a title? If yes, please include below:
Guard of Honour for the ages.
PH00463-16 Guard of Honour for the Ages
Local History Collection, Town of Victoria Park Library Service.
-End of Description of Photographs-
We hope today that you have enjoyed this look back at this record of a special family moment. I’m sure you can all remember moments of excitement and anticipation of what life would bring next. We’d love to hear about it, and don’t forget to share images with us also.
We Need 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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