Published on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 at 1:39:35 PM
Welcome to the 1st #TimeWarpTuesday of 2026! Today is Part Three of our four-part 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 four of these photographs that capture new hairstyles, getting all dressed-up for photographs and youthful enthusiasm.
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 four of the photographs entered, and these are here after described as submitted by Renae Carey.
10. 'Preparing for Studio Portraits, Milford Street’
Name of the person who took the photograph(s), if known?
Roy Tilbrook
Date when it was taken: 14/01/1969
Where was it taken?
At the front entrance of 6 Milford Street, in front of the loungeroom.
Who is in the photograph?
Allan Tilbrook aged 2 wearing a shirt and bib with shorts/ romper.
In which direction was the photograph taken?
South-west facing towards the intersection of Swansea Street and Forward Street
Do you know what is in the background?
Open window to the loungeroom of 6 Milford Street, East Victoria Park.
Do you know why the photograph was taken?
Preparing for studio photos to be taken at a photography studio on the same side as East Victoria Park School.
What condition is your photograph in? (please tick box): Excellent.
Does your photograph have a title? If yes, please include below:
Preparing for studio portraits, Milford Street.
PH00463-14 Preparing for studio portraits, Milford Street
Local History Collection, Town of Victoria Park Library Service.
11. 'A New Perm for a Popular Personality of East Vic Park'
Name of the person who took the photograph(s), if known?
Roy Tilbrook
Date when it was taken: 23/12/1964
Where was it taken?
Front yard of 6 Milford Street
Who is in the photograph?
Valmai Tilbrook aged around 24 years old.
In which direction was the photograph taken?
West.
Do you know what is in the background?
Shrubs and the corner of number 8, the property where Mr. Blackman Lived. The room behind Val was the main bedroom.
Do you know why the photograph was taken?
Val was listening to the radio and entered a competition she then won a voucher from. It was to a popular hair salon called Sam Rifici's where she decided to try a perm for the first time. This photograph taken by her husband is her enjoying this new hairstyle.
What additional information can you give about this photograph?
She didn't have another perm after this as it would not last very long given her naturally straight hair.
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:
A new perm for a popular personality of East Vic Park.
PH00463-02 A new perm for a popular personality of East Vic Park
Local History Collection, Town of Victoria Park Library Service.
12. 'A Young Boy's Big Adventure Over East, Milford Street'
Name of the person who took the photograph(s), if known?
Roy Tilbrook.
Date when it was taken: 20/06/1979
Where was it taken?
Outside the front of the loungeroom at 6 Milford Street, East Victoria Park.
Who is in the photograph?
Allan Tilbrook aged 13 in his school uniform - A yellow skivvy underneath a green jumper with pants and black leather shoes.
His mother Valmai Tilbrook nee Bruce in another photograph to the left with sunglasses and her mother Hilda Bruce on the other side of Allan wearing pink. Hilda would have been around 80.
In which direction was the photograph taken?
South- East they are standing directly in front of a house built facing the North-West.
Do you know what is in the background?
The window to the loungeroom of 6 Milford Street with a tiled awning, much like others in the street.
Do you know why the photograph was taken?
Allan was getting ready to go on a trip to the eastern states with his school for the first time. He went to Canberra and Ballarat.
What additional information can you give about this photograph?
School camps were usually to Geraldton or other places in WA, so this was a milestone for this school.
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:
A young boy's big adventure over East, Milford Street.
PH00463-13 A young boy's big adventure over east, Milford Street
Local History Collection, Town of Victoria Park Library Service.
13. 'Three Generations at 6 Milford Street'
Name of the person who took the photograph(s), if known?
Roy Tilbrook
Date when it was taken: 20/06/1979
Where was it taken?
6 Milford Street, East Victoria Park.
Who is in the photograph?
On the left:
Valmai Tilbrook nee Bruce who lived at this address since she was a little girl, for 19 years. Her experience of Victoria Park is noted in part, through the memoir "Walking The Gravel Roads, Home".
In the middle:
Allan Tilbrook, the son of Valmai and Roy Tilbrook. Aged 13 in his school uniform. He has one older brother Mark and 1 sister, Anne. He did not live at this address.
On the right:
Hilda Bruce nee Taylor, wife of Stanley Bruce and mother of Valmai Tilbrook aged around 80.
In which direction was the photograph taken?
South-east.
Do you know what is in the background?
The window to the loungeroom of the family home where Hilda lived at this point and where Val used to live growing up. 6 Milford Street, East Victoria Park.
Do you know why the photograph was taken?
Allan was getting ready to go on a trip to the Canberra and Ballarat with his school.
What additional information can you give about this photograph?
School camps were usually to Geraldton or other places in WA, so this was a milestone for this school.
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:
3 Generations at 6 Milford Street.
PH00463-12 Three generations at Milford Street
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 moments, new experiences and anticipated adventures. I’m sure you can all remember moments of excitement over a new hairstyle, or perhaps trepidation, as you wondered what others would think of the new style. You might also relate to the excitement and anticipation of travelling. Did your school visit Parliament House in Canberra, or go on other adventures? 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.
#LoveVicPark
Back to All News