As part of Orbost local Ella White’s 100th birthday celebration last week, her family decided to supply a poem detailing her life.
It reads as follows: On Sunday, 100 years ago, 21 September 1924
Giovanni Baptista Donchi, paced their Orbost kitchen floor. His wife Ella Gertrude, was about to have a home birth, Baptista had a huge grin to match his ample girth
When his new daughter, Ella Margaret, was born
Ella lived her early years in Mawson Street
The sides of the old house could barely meet
For the Donchis had a large Catholic family of ten
By pulling together, they came through thick and thin Rarely new clothes and shoes, but always good food to eat
Before she got too big, Ella became known as Tine
For Les, Kit, Bern, Phene, Jack, Iris, Kevin, Lana and Helen, that was fine
It saved confusion between mother and daughter
But “Tine” still got into trouble, if her parents caught her
Like with Phene, cutting the grass with scissors, when she was maybe nine
For Tine, the nuns at St Joseph’s were the ones to teach
With Sister Lucy, the difference between mountain, river and beach using a slate, and all the other things we learn to do at school
Later a career for young ladies, as a nurse, as was often the rule
At the Gippsland Base Hospital, Sale, and home still within reach
While Tine was nursing, fate took a hand
During the Second World War, a handsome young man
Saw a photo in the Weekly Times of a young spunky nurse called Ella Said Ron to himself, “She will be just right for this fella”
Two years of love letters soon grew into wedding plans
On 29 January 1949, some 75 years ago, they tied the knot At St Colman’s in Orbost, the day was quite hot
But Ron and Ella were not fussed by the weather
For at last, they were really together
They were both very happy with their lot
Off to Melbourne, where Ron plied his trade
As a carpenter, a fine house in Oakleigh he made
And shortly after, the young couple were blessed from Heaven with the arrival in October 1950, of Kevin
A very handsome fellow, just like his Dad
Then to Bete Bolong, to take up a chance
Of working a dairy farm, with Bert and Nance
But the young couple were not able to get ahead
“I know, I’ll work in the bush”, Ron said
And Ella saved them money, by making parachute silk underpants
So Ron joined the Orbost Forestry Commission
They bought 26 Wolseley Street with dreams and a vision
The old house really did need a lot of work
A leaking roof, sagging stumps, little money, a task they did not shirk In those days, there was no Rescue for Renovation
In March ’54, a daughter arrived, Lorraine, in March ’55, Phillip, a son and in August ’57, Patricia was born, never to be outdone
But shortly after, Ella got very sick
To Sale Hospital, as TB had knocked her for six
But she and Ron toughed it out, and gradually the battle was won
Later, Ella worked part-time in the Farmer’s Store shop
With Helen and John at Orbost Colour TV, these jobs helped them to get on top
A little money they were able to put away
To improve the house, buy a car, or save for a rainy day
Put down new carpet and throw away the old mop
The kids were all schooled and found their own feet
Their own path they chose, though Phillip took a while to leave
Kevin and Lorraine moved away, Phillip and Trish stayed close
Ella the Nana and Great Nana (Great Tine?) has a growing tribe to boast and they all have a great time, whenever they meet
At various times, Ella has been a fiery crusader, taking up the fight for the swimming pool, the quarry, against bureaucratic might and mention certain Green groups, and see her turn red
She would probably like to put them in a garden bed
But all in the name of what she sees as being right
Retirement for Tine and Ron was great
They travelled overseas, around Australia, and interstate working together in their garden, the many trips with horty playing with the grand kids, even being a little naughty they really were the very best of mates
Sadly, Ron passed away in March 2009
Life was now very different for Tine
In true determined, perhaps “stubborn” Donchi fashion, she found a way to make the best and most, of each and every day
She gives thanks to all she has, and she is not one to whine
Some years ago, her loss of vision caused the microwave oven to catch fire Ella misread the time settings, but in the end, not all gloom and dire
We kids had suggested she might like to take up village living
“No thank you” she said, but then good care at Orbost Hospital was giving Ella the chance to be in Lochiel House, where good friends had “retired”
Some growing health issues have slowly put her daily activities on hold her lack of sight, the “damn” arthritis, and more, have all taken their toll Waratah Lodge now cares for Ella, but she does what she can
The “ever protective” brood hen, still thinking of her growing clan
And trying to get good old St Kilda, to kick the winning goal
To the Daughter, sister, wife, mum, nana, and great nana, who we love the most
To Ella and Tine, many happy 100th birthday Cheers
