Episode 21 - Betty Collins: (Nee Smith) Part 1

"I was lucky to be a child growing up in Casterton in the best era! A simple time where I felt safe, loved and happy."Be transported back in time as spritely 92 year old Betty Collins whose colourful recollections and love of conversation creates an informative and captivating picture of Casterton in times gone by. Youngest of twelve, Mother of four, grandmother of 11 and great grandmother of 31 Betty reminisces of her walking to school rain, hail or snow with brown paper in her shoes to help keep her feet warm. Carefree days rabbiting with her brothers, being rewarded with little cakes for delivering billy cans of milk to Stewarts bakery. Like most of her generation Betty poignantly recalls her three brothers heading to War and whilst protected from it now thinks what a worrying time it was for her parents with son sin the Airforce, Light horse and one a Prisoner Of War. In a world now so reliant on technology Betty's recount of a simple Anzac Letter written by her brother Wally to are turned soldier is heart warming as it created a lifetime of Connection that she holds dear today. A simple act of kindness in the form of a letter....... an art not often used today. With humour and clarity Betty, with tongue in cheek, recalls her courting days with husband Des to the movies while being chaperoned by her cousin and once married in 1952 building their home in McEvoy Street one room at a time with no power or running water " bit by bit as we could afford it'.Travel the years, the everchanging landscape of Henty Street through the eyes and memories of the young Betty: daughter sibling ,classmate, employee, young wife and mother, grandmother, friend and volunteer. Creating bonds has kept this amazing lady young at heart and quick witted. A top conversationalist who still walks every day and appreciates the way Casterton and Family enriches her days. Listeners and Casterton in return are in debt to this grand senior citizen, volunteer extraordinaire who states "Casterton will do me. It will see me through"With gratitude and great pleasure Casterton Connections presents another home grown legend and says Bravo Betty Collins!