Erica was born Verna Erica Grace Drake-Brockman on Good Friday April 6, 1928 child number 6 for Ivy and Phillip Drake Brockman. Her childhood was spent on their dairy farm just out of Nannup and her special love was her 5 pet cats which all slept on her bed. She loved to go down to the creek with an old red Christmas stocking and a bucket, pour water through the stocking to catch tadpoles and then feed them to her pet kookaburras, John and Jean.
In 1942 Erica went to Bruce Rock to stay with her sister Margaret and her husband, John Moore and after achieving her junior certificate at the end of the year returned to Nannup. Her brother Paul used to say she was a wonderful daughter… and sister.
Erica took up a commercial course by correspondence and later by personal tuition. Following the death of her father in 1944 she moved to Perth and commenced employment at the Sunday Times, initially a clerical staff member and 3 months later joined the literary team mainly as a social writer. Her love of cats was remarkable and although at this time she didn’t actually own a cat, she would often find strays and bring them home. Each cat usually got a new home with a Sunday Times employee.
Erica’s neighbour Jacqueline could not wait for her to meet her big brother Gerald when he returned home from serving overseas. November 22nd, 1945 was the day Erica was introduced to a tall, softly spoken, curly haired pilot whom on that very day had arrived home from England on the “Aquitania” Before too long they were courting. Erica was thrilled when she turned 18 and could finally donate blood. In fact she continued giving blood as often as she was allowed until she was well into her 70’s and over the years donated 127 pints. Erica and Gerald loved to socialise with friends, play tennis, have card nights and dancing.
Throughout August, fundraising events for the 1947 Miss Australia Quest in Western Australia (Perth) were held focused on raising funds for charity and celebrating the 20 local entrants.
“1947 Miss Radio” Gloria Swain. First Function on Sunday
The first function in aid of the candidature of “Miss Radio” in the “Miss Australia” contest will be held on Sunday night. A community concert timed to start at 8.45 o’clock will be conducted in the Capitol Theatre. Artists who have offered to appear include Letty Hosking (pianist), Chris Christensen (wizard of the zither), Coral Gunning (personality girl), Jack Harrison (mouth organist), Irene Stancliffe (soprano), Maurice Jaffy (tenor), Dave Howard (saxophonist), Nell Shortland-Jones (soprano), Ted MacDonald (entertainer) and visiting stars Joe Brennan and Ida Newton. The community singing will be conducted by John Juan and Ted Kean.
Miss Erica Drake-Brockman was selected as “Miss Western Australia” and later flew to Sydney in November 1947 to compete in the national final. (Gerald was hoping she would gain second place so she didn’t have to go to away for the Miss Australia judging).
1947 Miss Australia Quest with Erica Drake-Brockman – Dick Fair signed program
1947 Miss Australia program with contestant Erica Drake-Brockman
Feb 1948 Erica left the Sunday Times and commenced employment at Shell with her lifelong friend Hilary.
Although Erica had a great love for cats her greatest love of all was Gerald and on January 8th 1949 they married. They set up home in Mount Lawley with her cat “Widgee Dot n Bar”. January 1951 their first child, Jenny was born, and 2½ years later Pip was born.
Erica and Gerald loved fun filled holidays and happy gatherings with friends. She was always so organised and unflappable.
October 1957 Dear little John came into the world in a hurry in the front seat of Gerald’s dodge. Exhausted after the traumatic event Gerald was given tea and cake, Erica often vented her disgust as she only got tea and a biscuit!!
1959 Erica and Gerald moved to Sydney and in 1963 the family went to live in Kuala Lumpur as Gerald had started a branch of his business there. September 1st ,1963 their fourth (and supposedly favourite) child Di was born. Shortly after they returned to Sydney.
Late in August 1973 Gerald was transferred with his company and the family moved back to Perth. Quickly rekindling friendships and making new ones.
In June 1976 Erica started back at the Sunday Times, she was the longest serving employee at the time of her retirement…. 63 years of employment at the Sunday times. 1980 saw a huge change when Erica and Gerald purchased Claremont Cards and Toys. Erica was in her element and truly loved the shop, with good old-fashioned service and both wholesalers and customers loved Erica’s smiling face, her patience and manner. Gerald often was distressed at Erica’s spending on stock for the shop, but she would assure him it would all sell and everything would be fine and of course she was right.
December 1989 Erica and Gerald said goodbye to Claremont Cards and Toys and retired. Gerald was a little concerned about how they would fill their days…..Erica of course was not at all worried and her love of cards shone through and she took up bridge.
Heaven knows where she found the time to fit everything in……..
Minding grandchildren, volunteering, holidays, entering competitions, working at the Sunday times to type the race results on a Saturday afternoon, helping her cousin Alan Jackson with the family tree, researching for cousin Joan Brockman with her book, holidays, short get aways, reading, crosswords, quiz nights and anything else she could find to do
She passed away 5th February, 2018 after a brief illness.
