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TRIBUTE TO BERYL HAFFENDEN
The Museum lost one of its longest-serving members this year, the Museum
Director's mother, Beryl Haffenden. Beryl was proud of the Museum and came
to most events. Her favourite moment was watching Lionel Rose play guitar
at the Nutbroki Concert organised by Robert Mate Mate in 1992.
Beryl was strongly involved in the Guide movement as a teenager and later
when she became a Brown Owl to give young girls an understanding of outdoor
things. She was a committed feminist in her own way and believed women should
consider themselves independent and competent.
Beryl had a particular interest in the Aboriginal Program at the Museum.
She had made her own contribution to 'reconciliation' in the 1960s. Beryl
and another Guider in Perth, W.A. worked to bring an Australian sense into
Brownie consciousness. She consulted with Bill Onus of the Yorta Yorta tribe
on appropriate names and figures and came up with the images you see on
this page to replace the elves and fairies of Britain.
So she understood that culture is something you engage in and work with,
to address the realities you see before you. She was an inspiration to her
son, Peter, and we will miss her.
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