SORCHA & JUNE

SORCHA, 25: Mum and I first lived with Dad in Coffs Harbour, but he wasn’t a great guy, so we ran away to Melbourne to live with my grandma and grandpa. We lived with Grandma from when I was a baby up until the start of this year, when she went into a home. My strongest memories are of her walking me to kinder every day, as well as making chocolate crackles together.

During my teen years, Nan was naughty and kept her licence a lot longer than she should have. She’d always drive me up to the shops for a sandwich and tea. At home, we’d sit and drink cup after cup of tea together. I felt comfortable telling Nan everything. She’s from a different generation, but I find her very progressive with certain views. I remember coming home so many times and bursting into tears because someone had broken my heart. She was always supportive, and never criticised me.

I think it’s unique to live with three generations of women in one house. I only had my mum, so Nan was like my second parent when Mum was at work all the time. I don’t know what we would have done without her. Living in the house together, we’d have so many silly arguments, just like siblings. But we spent so much time together, there was a closeness we otherwise wouldn’t have had.

Once, I was worried I was pregnant. I freaked out, but she just gave me a hug and said, “Who cares? You’ll be fine. Modern medicine is so good that you don’t need to worry.” Talking to her has always made me feel so much better.

She’s very progressive in that she doesn’t want to see me locked down; she likes that I date lots of people. When I tell her, she’s like, “That’s amazing, a new one!”

Grandma’s passed on values like the importance of hard work, taking care of people and not letting little things take over your life. She’s incredibly strong. She’s had breast cancer twice and is still alive at 94. Even though she can’t walk, she’s still mentally sharp. She’s also very funny and down to earth. She won’t fake her feelings. If she meets someone she doesn’t like, she’ll make it very obvious. Speaking to Nan gives me a good sense of perspective. I think you can learn so much just by talking with people who are older than you.

JUNE, 94: I was born in a house in Brunswick, Melbourne. When I was 25, Sorcha’s age now, I’d just been married and was working as a seamstress at MYER, making lots of evening dresses, wedding dresses and gowns. I learned sewing at 15 at the domestic school, but I really wanted to be a geologist. I loved travelling around Australia and looking at the rocks. But my mum pushed me into a trade – it was just what you did in those days.

I lived through the Great Depression and war. My family did OK, though, because we had chickens and a veggie patch. My favourite thing was going to dances with American soldiers to do the jitterbug. I met my husband when we were both 16. We were in the church choir; he was naughty and deliberately sang the wrong songs to be funny. Our first date was a hike up in the Dandenongs. I’d just bought new shoes, so my feet were sore and he carried me up. As a young woman at the time, the most important thing was getting married and having a baby.

I didn’t imagine I’d be a grandma when I was younger, but being one has been plenty of fun. I was 69 when Sorcha was born. She was a dear little baby. She cried a lot when I came up to visit her in Coffs Harbour, but she was nice. Seeing Sorcha grow up and being able to meet so many of her friends has been a very happy time. I love her and I don’t want anyone else as my grandchild!

Sorcha has taught me so much about art. She’s also taught me how to have a good time. My favourite thing to do with her is eat and drink together – some alcohol, but a cup of tea is the nicest. Some of my favourite memories of Sorcha are of taking her to kindergarten every day, and going on holidays to Mallacoota.

My advice to her would be that she should behave herself, continue seeing the world, and have plenty of boyfriends. It’s much more interesting having plenty of boyfriends! I just had my husband – he was my only boyfriend. He was the most handsome one, though. We stayed together from when we were 16, so we were boring. I think if young people just be themselves in this world, they’ll be able to enjoy life.