Norma was the third child born to Frederick & Ruby Webber on 30th January 1931 during the great depression.
From 1931 -1936, the family was living on City Beach in a house built of hessian bags by Frederick. This was known as “Tent City”.
A 44 Gallon drum was used to make a stove, which Thelma Webber (Sal) recalls Ruby baking Pies and Pasties.
A freshwater creek flowed beneath the ground with an outlet at the ocean.
The kids would stand at the outlet to collect vegies washed down from the market gardeners. Extra food for the families. The Salvation Army used to conduct Sunday School for the children. Norma learnt to walk on the sand.
“Days of Depression and Love” by Thelma Irene Page, describing her childhood is published at: www.poetry.com/publicatons in 2000.
Norma attended Leederville Primary School, then Perth Girls School and left at age 13.
Her first job was as a waitress in a City Beach Restaurant/Café, she remembers the American “Yanks” sailors coming in.
She then worked as a babysister/housekeeper for a Lawyer and his wife with 2 children, 2 years and 6 months old, 8am – 8pm. Norma lived in Jolimont and walked to their house in Daglish each day.
Then moved to Leederville and lived with Mother Ruby and her four sisters. Frederick was away at war.
Then she worked at Mazzuchelli’s Jeweller in Perth City as a shop assistant and only lasted 1 week before quitting. She was very shy and didn’t enjoy serving and interacting with the customers.
She was offered a 3 year apprenticeship at” Penrose Studios”, retouching negatives before going to print. Then onto “Carillon” Informal Photography which mainly did Street Photos, Weddings and Parties, serving behind the counter, taking orders etc.
Moved to 16 Lansdowne Street, Jolimont.
She met Ray Harrison at Jolimont dance hall where he was playing drums in his brother’s band, The Jack Harrison Trio.
Their courtship was around 5 years. Norma would follow the band around the Perth area until she could no longer cope with her jealousy of all the young woman googling over Ray (in her words).
Ray asked Frederick Webber his permission to marry Norma.
She was married at 19 years 11 months on 16th December 1950, at 4.30 pm, St George’s Cathedral, Perth, with a reception in the Masonic Hall, Regent Street, Leederville starting at 6.30pm.
Bridal Party:
BRIDESMAIDS: Sister Elise Webber, and sister-in-law Jill Harrison
BEST MAN: brother-in-law William Arthur Harrison (married to Mavis Sansom)
GROOMSMAN: brother-in-law Ronald Moxham (married to Thelma (Sal) Webber
Norma & Ray had their honeymoon in Albany, Western Australia.
They purchased their first house at 18 Hammersley Street, North Cottesloe, Western Australia, from Ramon’s father William Harrison, a personal loan which was paid in monthly instalments over many years.
All Norma wanted was children. On 5 May 1953 a son was born, Jeffrey Wayne Harrison.
A daughter was born June 5 1955, Julie Rae Harrison.
She was very content with her pigeon pair. She was a very devoted, loving Mother, always putting her kids before herself.
Son, Jeffrey married Elaine Joan Brown, January 1978 at Kings Park Gardens.
Norma made a warm and comfortable home for the family at # 18, and was an excellent cook and wonderful wife and mother. She spent many days basking on Cottesloe Beach, did lots of walking as she never had her driver’s licence. She had great pride in her home and was an extremely proud housekeeper.
A fond memory of Julie’s is the gentle warm touch of the wash cloth on her face as Norma bathed her as a child, and the warm embracing hugs all through her life.
Her first grandaughter was born 3 March 1977, Ahna Rae Munday. Julie married John (Jack) Cecil Munday 12 June 1976 at Scotch College Chapel, Swanbourne, Western Australia.
Norma was in her element, a very young switched on Nana, always there when needed. Ahna spent many overnight stays with Nan & Pa.
Second grandchild was born, a boy, John (Jack) William Munday 16 August, 1982. Julie & Jack owned the Inland City Hotel in Kalgoorlie at this time and Norma made many trips on the Prospector Train to visit and assist with the grandchildren.
Third Grandson was born 26 May 1985, Michael Jeffrey John Munday. Norma was present at the birth of Michael and was Julie’s Doula.
Norma lived at 18 Hammersley Street, North Cottesloe for 35 years until Ramon retired in 1985. They moved to 15 Frome Way, Cooloongup, Western Australia to be closer to Jeffrey, Elaine, Julie, Jack and grandkids who were all living at Mundijong, Western Australia.
Norma was still living in her own home until she passed away in 2021. She had a short stay in Hollywood Hospital and then at Gracehaven Aged Care in Rockingham leading up to her death.