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[Helen] Loud enough? [Belinda] Yep, alright. My name is Belinda Fardell I am interviewing [Helen] Loud enough? [Belinda] Yep, alright. My name is Belinda Fardell I am interviewing
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Helen Stone and it is the 10th of October nineteen Helen Stone and it is the 10th of October nineteen
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ninetyfive and the time is twenty past 10. Alrighty we can start again ninetyfive and the time is twenty past 10. Alrighty we can start again
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When did you start working at the When did you start working at the
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munitions factory? [Helen] In 1942. [Belinda] Okay, umm, and what munitions factory? [Helen] In 1942. [Belinda] Okay, umm, and what
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why did you start working there or were you called up? [Helen] I wasn't called up. Ah, I made up my mind why did you start working there or were you called up? [Helen] I wasn't called up. Ah, I made up my mind
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to go there mainly for the money. And, ah, to go there mainly for the money. And, ah,
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see I had expected to be a hairdresser. And, ah, see I had expected to be a hairdresser. And, ah,
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money was very poor in those days. Ah, for seven and money was very poor in those days. Ah, for seven and
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sixpence sixpence
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a week. I, ah, worked from 9 until 6, and 9 until one of a Saturday.  a week. I, ah, worked from 9 until 6, and 9 until one of a Saturday. 
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[Belinda] Um, alright, have you always lived in the Orange district? [Belinda] Um, alright, have you always lived in the Orange district?
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[Helen] Except for the time of my marriage, 21 years, I lived in Sydney on the northern  [Helen] Except for the time of my marriage, 21 years, I lived in Sydney on the northern 
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beaches. [Belinda] So you were born around Orange [Helen] At the start, yes. beaches. [Belinda] So you were born around Orange [Helen] At the start, yes.
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[Belinda] All right. Um. What other opportunities were there in Orange for women workers at  [Belinda] All right. Um. What other opportunities were there in Orange for women workers at 
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that time? [Helen] Not very many. [Belinda] Okay, um, so were there that time? [Helen] Not very many. [Belinda] Okay, um, so were there
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anything at all other than hairdressing and working at the munitions factory?  [Helen] Well that's what I was interested in. anything at all other than hairdressing and working at the munitions factory?  [Helen] Well that's what I was interested in.
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So that's about all I could really ah indicate. [Belinda] Yep. So that's about all I could really ah indicate. [Belinda] Yep.
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[Belinda] So what was your job at the factory? [Helen] Well I started off, um, in ah Number [Belinda] So what was your job at the factory? [Helen] Well I started off, um, in ah Number
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two 2 turret lathe, filing components two 2 turret lathe, filing components
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[Belinda] Yeah. [Helen] I was there for some months, ah and then they approached me about moving [Belinda] Yeah. [Helen] I was there for some months, ah and then they approached me about moving
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down to the barrell section, and that was down to the barrell section, and that was
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a specialised job. We had to, um I think it was a specialised job. We had to, um I think it was
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a ten pound hammer that we had to strike in the barrells. And we had to have perfect eyesight, a ten pound hammer that we had to strike in the barrells. And we had to have perfect eyesight,
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we viewed them through a through we viewed them through a through
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a light? and there were rings in the barrells, and we had to pick them all  a light? and there were rings in the barrells, and we had to pick them all 
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correct. Ah, we had to be taken into correct. Ah, we had to be taken into
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an eye doctor to make sure our eyes were in perfect condition for that job and an eye doctor to make sure our eyes were in perfect condition for that job and
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after some months, I didn't like the job and I pestered the after some months, I didn't like the job and I pestered the
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bosses until I was given a job on the machine which I wanted. bosses until I was given a job on the machine which I wanted.
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I could see them happening and I  I could see them happening and I 
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said that what I preferred to the soaping of the  said that what I preferred to the soaping of the 
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barrells. So they put me on an, um, chambering machine barrells. So they put me on an, um, chambering machine
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the chambering of the barrel, um and they had some 5 or 6 or 7 the chambering of the barrel, um and they had some 5 or 6 or 7
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big elaborate machines, American machines, and it was all worked off the big elaborate machines, American machines, and it was all worked off the
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a little  a little 
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a little, um um, wheel, and I was breaking just a little, um um, wheel, and I was breaking just
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so many cutters that it wasn't funny, and they were terribly expensive so of course  so many cutters that it wasn't funny, and they were terribly expensive so of course 
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I got the blame for breaking them and they put me  I got the blame for breaking them and they put me 
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away onto another machine. However, in the meantime they discovered that all those away onto another machine. However, in the meantime they discovered that all those
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American machines were faulty. So it wasn't American machines were faulty. So it wasn't
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my fault after all. So there were two little ah machines there my fault after all. So there were two little ah machines there
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ah,  English machines, chambering machines, and ah,  English machines, chambering machines, and
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They had belts, and and and handles and levers, you had to be pushing levers and They had belts, and and and handles and levers, you had to be pushing levers and
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there was all this black oil,  brown oil running through them, and it was all  there was all this black oil,  brown oil running through them, and it was all 
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all this, quite different to the American ones which were all like that, and [ah] anyway all this, quite different to the American ones which were all like that, and [ah] anyway
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to make a long story short in the end after 3 years in the factory to make a long story short in the end after 3 years in the factory
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all the, all the [um] production was going through my hands, I was doing all those all the, all the [um] production was going through my hands, I was doing all those
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chambering of those barrels by that time. [Belinda] Hmm, yeah you can speak about things chambering of those barrels by that time. [Belinda] Hmm, yeah you can speak about things
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you don't have to cut a long story short if you think it's important. [Helen] Yes well, you know, I can remember that all very clearly you don't have to cut a long story short if you think it's important. [Helen] Yes well, you know, I can remember that all very clearly
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because is this switched off at the moment now is it? [Belinda] No it's not but we'll just record this. [Helen] Because I know because is this switched off at the moment now is it? [Belinda] No it's not but we'll just record this. [Helen] Because I know
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I felt I felt
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a bit bad when I got, you know when I was blamed for [ah] doing it wrong, but I wasn't [laughs]  a bit bad when I got, you know when I was blamed for [ah] doing it wrong, but I wasn't [laughs] 
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Well I couldn't have been, so anyway that's how it all went. But I got on fine with  Well I couldn't have been, so anyway that's how it all went. But I got on fine with 
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these little machines and [uh] there used to be visitors come though, you know important people, I these little machines and [uh] there used to be visitors come though, you know important people, I
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suppose VIP's, and [ah] they used to watch us. And I was pretty expert on it by that time. suppose VIP's, and [ah] they used to watch us. And I was pretty expert on it by that time.
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But still, I remember one [ah] man that got squirted with oil  But still, I remember one [ah] man that got squirted with oil 
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which you couldn't you couldn't [ah] [laughs] you couldn't say how the oil was going to go  which you couldn't you couldn't [ah] [laughs] you couldn't say how the oil was going to go 
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we had waste material there that we used to mop ourselves down if we got it  we had waste material there that we used to mop ourselves down if we got it 
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But anyway, that there was seven cutters, seven cutters and you had to bring the wrench around and work it through But anyway, that there was seven cutters, seven cutters and you had to bring the wrench around and work it through
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They had to be worked through smoothly so that they didn't break. [Belinda] umm, what were the hours like?  They had to be worked through smoothly so that they didn't break. [Belinda] umm, what were the hours like? 
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[Helen] Oh well now, when I first started in number two turret lathe   [Helen] Oh well now, when I first started in number two turret lathe  
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we went three we went three
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three shifts, [ah] eight until four [ah] one week, following  three shifts, [ah] eight until four [ah] one week, following 
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the second week, [ah] would be four until midnight, and then the third week would be  the second week, [ah] would be four until midnight, and then the third week would be 
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midnight until eight. The complete factory worked around the clock. [Belinda] How many days a week was that?  midnight until eight. The complete factory worked around the clock. [Belinda] How many days a week was that? 
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[Helen] umm five-five days, yes. We would start on Sunday night [Helen] umm five-five days, yes. We would start on Sunday night
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at midnight when we were on the night shift. [ah] But when I went down to the barrels  at midnight when we were on the night shift. [ah] But when I went down to the barrels 
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section [ah] there were two shifts. [ah] Eight 'til four [uh]  section [ah] there were two shifts. [ah] Eight 'til four [uh] 
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and four 'til twelve. We didn't have any night shifts in the barrel section.  and four 'til twelve. We didn't have any night shifts in the barrel section. 
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[Belinda] What were their working conditions like? [Helen] Oh very good [Belinda] What were their working conditions like? [Helen] Oh very good
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excellent. [Belinda] So there were no problems like with, the working conditions as such? [Helen] [Ahh] there were certain excellent. [Belinda] So there were no problems like with, the working conditions as such? [Helen] [Ahh] there were certain
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problems, but I don't really remember them because It wouldn't- didn't worry me much, I  problems, but I don't really remember them because It wouldn't- didn't worry me much, I 
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was there to do the was there to do the
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job and that's what I did. [Ah] Actually I haven't told you about   job and that's what I did. [Ah] Actually I haven't told you about  
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I used to be lent-lent out to the maintenance section at times. If they were down in weapons or I used to be lent-lent out to the maintenance section at times. If they were down in weapons or
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if somebody was away if somebody was away
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and I could go over and work in the barrel- and in the maintenance section.  and I could go over and work in the barrel- and in the maintenance section. 
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On bayonets and on general knives. The general knives were fearsome looking things. [Belinda] Yeah On bayonets and on general knives. The general knives were fearsome looking things. [Belinda] Yeah
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[Helen] And [uh] but that was only temporary, I did that work.  [Helen] And [uh] but that was only temporary, I did that work. 
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[Belinda] How long did you work at the munitions factory for? [Helen] For three years. [Belinda] Ok so until 1945.  [Belinda] How long did you work at the munitions factory for? [Helen] For three years. [Belinda] Ok so until 1945. 
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[Helen] When the war ended. [Belinda] Yeah [um] why did you leave? [Helen] Well it closed down.  [Helen] When the war ended. [Belinda] Yeah [um] why did you leave? [Helen] Well it closed down. 
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And that was it. [Belinda] Ok And that was it. [Belinda] Ok
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[umm] Tell me about you how you felt working for the war effort. [Helen] Oh well I-I-I, you know, we didn't [umm] Tell me about you how you felt working for the war effort. [Helen] Oh well I-I-I, you know, we didn't
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think a lot about it, but we knew we were doing think a lot about it, but we knew we were doing
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a job. You know, it was a job to be done and we did it. [Um] Buses used to come out  a job. You know, it was a job to be done and we did it. [Um] Buses used to come out 
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and used to take us to work and-and [uh] for the changing of the shifts. We had buses to  and used to take us to work and-and [uh] for the changing of the shifts. We had buses to 
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bring us home. [Belinda] [umm] Tell me about bring us home. [Belinda] [umm] Tell me about
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security at the factory due to the sensitive nature of the job.  security at the factory due to the sensitive nature of the job. 
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[Helen] Well [uh] there were [uh]  [Helen] Well [uh] there were [uh] 
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[umm] I'm trying to think of the term, [um] Peace Officers  [umm] I'm trying to think of the term, [um] Peace Officers 
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And you had to show your badge as you went through onto the shift. [Belinda] So they just checked that And you had to show your badge as you went through onto the shift. [Belinda] So they just checked that
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everyone was. [Helen] You went-you went through a everyone was. [Helen] You went-you went through a
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a small gate, hmm and there was a... somebody there to check you in and out.  a small gate, hmm and there was a... somebody there to check you in and out. 
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[Belinda] Yeah so that means that no one who wasn't meant to be [Belinda] Yeah so that means that no one who wasn't meant to be
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there could get in. [Helen] That's right- that's right, yes. [Belinda] Yep, So what would of happened if someone had tried to get in that wasn't there could get in. [Helen] That's right- that's right, yes. [Belinda] Yep, So what would of happened if someone had tried to get in that wasn't
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[Helen] Well I don't know I never came up against that. [laughs] [Belinda] So they were sort of like security guards? [Helen] Yes, Yes.  [Helen] Well I don't know I never came up against that. [laughs] [Belinda] So they were sort of like security guards? [Helen] Yes, Yes. 
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[Belinda] [um] Where you allowed to discuss your  [Belinda] [um] Where you allowed to discuss your 
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job with your family and friends? [Helen] I think so, yeah  job with your family and friends? [Helen] I think so, yeah 
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I don't remember any restrictions there. I haven't got any I don't remember any restrictions there. I haven't got any
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recollection of that. [Belinda] Ok, [um] where were you living when you  worked at the factory?  recollection of that. [Belinda] Ok, [um] where were you living when you  worked at the factory? 
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[Helen] I was- I had an Aunt who lives in Summer Street.  [Helen] I was- I had an Aunt who lives in Summer Street. 
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where the Caleula Motel is now, and [uh]  where the Caleula Motel is now, and [uh] 
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that's where I that's where I
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lived with my Aunt. [Belinda] [Um] Yeah the next question is how did you get to work? [Helen] Well that was  lived with my Aunt. [Belinda] [Um] Yeah the next question is how did you get to work? [Helen] Well that was 
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yes, [ah] the buses, yes, it was just [ah] across the way, on the corner  yes, [ah] the buses, yes, it was just [ah] across the way, on the corner 
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of Hill Street, and i'd pick up the bus there. [Belinda] So did the buses pick up every worker?  of Hill Street, and i'd pick up the bus there. [Belinda] So did the buses pick up every worker? 
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[Helen] Specially run for the workers [Belinda] Did they come to your house or did you have to go to a bus stop? [Helen] No you went across  [Helen] Specially run for the workers [Belinda] Did they come to your house or did you have to go to a bus stop? [Helen] No you went across 
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to the corner of the nearest street, the nearest cross street. [Belinda] Ok [um]  to the corner of the nearest street, the nearest cross street. [Belinda] Ok [um] 
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What shift were you on the most? Or did you just rotate? [Helen] It was all rotation.  What shift were you on the most? Or did you just rotate? [Helen] It was all rotation. 
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[Belinda] Were there  [Belinda] Were there 
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different shifts for men and women? [Helen] No they were all the same as far as I know. [Belinda] Ok. [Helen] I think the  different shifts for men and women? [Helen] No they were all the same as far as I know. [Belinda] Ok. [Helen] I think the 
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office staff may have had different times. [Belinda] Yeah [um] it also says what hours did you work but we office staff may have had different times. [Belinda] Yeah [um] it also says what hours did you work but we
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we've covered that earlier. [um] What were you paid? [Helen] [Umm] as I remember it  we've covered that earlier. [um] What were you paid? [Helen] [Umm] as I remember it 
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was in pounds then of course. [Uh] the night shift [ah] we-were close to  was in pounds then of course. [Uh] the night shift [ah] we-were close to 
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[ah] eight pounds and the [ah] the other two  [ah] eight pounds and the [ah] the other two 
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shifts were less. [um] I think they day shifts were shifts were less. [um] I think they day shifts were
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oh, better than five pounds and that was a big  oh, better than five pounds and that was a big 
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difference from seven pounds sixpence, for an apprentice [um] hairdresser. [Belinda] Just a bit.  difference from seven pounds sixpence, for an apprentice [um] hairdresser. [Belinda] Just a bit. 
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Do you know if the men got different wages? [Helen] I think it was, no I think Oh, I'm not sure  Do you know if the men got different wages? [Helen] I think it was, no I think Oh, I'm not sure 
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about that. I was only intersted in my own [laughs] but [ah]  about that. I was only intersted in my own [laughs] but [ah] 
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I think it was all similar. [Belinda] Ok, tell me about the  I think it was all similar. [Belinda] Ok, tell me about the 
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other workers, were they  other workers, were they 
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mainly local people? [Helen] Oh no there were [uh] there were people come down from mainly local people? [Helen] Oh no there were [uh] there were people come down from
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Queensland. [ah] To help out with the war effort to work there. I remember two girls came Queensland. [ah] To help out with the war effort to work there. I remember two girls came
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down here together and-and [ah] there were people from [um] North West and West  down here together and-and [ah] there were people from [um] North West and West 
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lived here and helped out. [Belinda] Yeah - Did they live in little places - special places? [Helen] No-no lived here and helped out. [Belinda] Yeah - Did they live in little places - special places? [Helen] No-no
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I'm not sure about that. I think that most of them had [uh] somebody they found who would  I'm not sure about that. I think that most of them had [uh] somebody they found who would 
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take them in.  take them in. 
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I'm not sure about that though. [Belinda] Was that sort of like billeting the out? Do you think? Like to  I'm not sure about that though. [Belinda] Was that sort of like billeting the out? Do you think? Like to 
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families? [Helen] I-I don't know about that. [Belinda] Oh ok. Did you make many friends at work?  families? [Helen] I-I don't know about that. [Belinda] Oh ok. Did you make many friends at work? 
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[Helen] I did! Yes, very much so, because coming from Nashdale on a-on a farm  [Helen] I did! Yes, very much so, because coming from Nashdale on a-on a farm 
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it was, I was  it was, I was 
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a shy person and I made my lifelong friends there-there. In those three years.  a shy person and I made my lifelong friends there-there. In those three years. 
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[Belinda] [Um] Did you enjoy any sort of social life connected with the factory? [Helen] Not really [Belinda] [Um] Did you enjoy any sort of social life connected with the factory? [Helen] Not really
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I don't think. I used to love, my two loves were dancing and horse riding.  I don't think. I used to love, my two loves were dancing and horse riding. 
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and [uh] I used to go and hire a horse and ride. and [uh] I used to go and hire a horse and ride.
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[Belinda] How did the man- the factory management tell you about the war effort? And how [Belinda] How did the man- the factory management tell you about the war effort? And how
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oh wait a second, I'll start again. [um] How did the factory management tell you about the war effort and how  oh wait a second, I'll start again. [um] How did the factory management tell you about the war effort and how 
14:11

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how production at the factory was going? [Helen] Can't clearly remember that.  how production at the factory was going? [Helen] Can't clearly remember that. 
14:18

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[umm] We - we just had our noses to the ground so [laughs]  [umm] We - we just had our noses to the ground so [laughs] 
14:25

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we worked, I don't think we were [um] I don't think we were, could have been, but I don't remember, we worked, I don't think we were [um] I don't think we were, could have been, but I don't remember,
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don't remember that. [Belinda] hmm So you don't remember any sort  don't remember that. [Belinda] hmm So you don't remember any sort 
14:39

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any meetings that they'd tell you how things were going or anything? [Helen] No-no, we were there busy, we were busy any meetings that they'd tell you how things were going or anything? [Helen] No-no, we were there busy, we were busy
14:46

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with our jobs. [Belinda] Did you have standards that you had to meet? Like you had to make so many whatever  with our jobs. [Belinda] Did you have standards that you had to meet? Like you had to make so many whatever 
14:51

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within a certain time limit? [Helen] Well they did have a within a certain time limit? [Helen] Well they did have a
14:55

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[um-ah] a weekly you know, can't think of the word, however  [um-ah] a weekly you know, can't think of the word, however 
15:03

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I can remember I was putting through those-those chambers, at the-the peak and I  I can remember I was putting through those-those chambers, at the-the peak and I 
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could have the week's [um] tally out by the Wednesday.  could have the week's [um] tally out by the Wednesday. 
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You see you had to allow for breakdowns in the machines. [um] I would occasionally break a  You see you had to allow for breakdowns in the machines. [um] I would occasionally break a 
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cutter and you had to go find the cutter and you had to go find the
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section hand then to come and fix it for you. So you had to allow for various things of that  section hand then to come and fix it for you. So you had to allow for various things of that 
15:36

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description. [Belinda] [um] Was is hard work?  [Helen] No description. [Belinda] [um] Was is hard work?  [Helen] No
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[Belinda] [um] Did you stay after  [Belinda] [um] Did you stay after 
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Email opened? [Helen] Did I stay? [Belinda] Yeah when Email  Email opened? [Helen] Did I stay? [Belinda] Yeah when Email 
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opened? [Helen] [um] I can't quite [um] follow there. [Belinda] Oh I opened? [Helen] [um] I can't quite [um] follow there. [Belinda] Oh I
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think that's after the think that's after the
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the munitions factory changed into Email. [Helen] no, no, no, no I didn't.  the munitions factory changed into Email. [Helen] no, no, no, no I didn't. 
16:14

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[Belinda] Is there anything else you'd like to add? [Helen] I can't remember, I can't think think of anything [Belinda] Is there anything else you'd like to add? [Helen] I can't remember, I can't think think of anything
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special. [um] It was very noisy of course with all special. [um] It was very noisy of course with all
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that machinery, but that didn't bother us really, because I was young  that machinery, but that didn't bother us really, because I was young 
16:35

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a late teenager. [Belinda] hmm, yeah well that's all of the questions I a late teenager. [Belinda] hmm, yeah well that's all of the questions I
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got here, but if you think of anything at all more that you'd like to add now. [Helen]  I can't think of anything  got here, but if you think of anything at all more that you'd like to add now. [Helen]  I can't think of anything 
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special. I think we've covered it fairly well. [Belinda] Ok, um, I'll just special. I think we've covered it fairly well. [Belinda] Ok, um, I'll just
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pause the tape for a second. [pause] Were you pause the tape for a second. [pause] Were you
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specially trained for your job? [Helen] No. [Belinda] So there was no special training that  specially trained for your job? [Helen] No. [Belinda] So there was no special training that 
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given to you? [Helen] No, no given to you? [Helen] No, no
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[Belinda] How did you learn how to use the equipment? [Helen] I suppose it was [Belinda] How did you learn how to use the equipment? [Helen] I suppose it was
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the [um, um] section hand who showed me the running of the  the [um, um] section hand who showed me the running of the 
17:30

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of the ah, I mean there were seven cutters on the chambering machine [ah] of the ah, I mean there were seven cutters on the chambering machine [ah]
17:37

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it was definitely my [uh] most  it was definitely my [uh] most 
17:48

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the longest time, I was the longest time on that [ah] and ah the longest time, I was the longest time on that [ah] and ah
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once you knew the running of it that was it. [Belinda] So where there any  problems when you changed once you knew the running of it that was it. [Belinda] So where there any  problems when you changed
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jobs, were like, any different sort of things-requirements needed for each section [Helen] No jobs, were like, any different sort of things-requirements needed for each section [Helen] No
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No. It was [um] purely  No. It was [um] purely 
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go ahead and do. laughs. [Belinda] Were there many accidents? [Helen] No  go ahead and do. laughs. [Belinda] Were there many accidents? [Helen] No 
18:22

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I don't think so. [Belinda] Ok, [um] Were there any unions at that time? [Helen] Yes, oh yes you had to be in I don't think so. [Belinda] Ok, [um] Were there any unions at that time? [Helen] Yes, oh yes you had to be in
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be in the union [Belinda] And what did they do for you? [Helen] I can't remember anything [laughs]  be in the union [Belinda] And what did they do for you? [Helen] I can't remember anything [laughs] 
18:37

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So it was compulsory to be So it was compulsory to be
18:38

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a member of the union? [Helen] It was compulsory, yes, yes. [Belinda] Are there any significant a member of the union? [Helen] It was compulsory, yes, yes. [Belinda] Are there any significant
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events, good and bad, from the time you worked there that stand out in your memory? [Helen] Well the good times  events, good and bad, from the time you worked there that stand out in your memory? [Helen] Well the good times 
18:52

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were all the friends I made. Yes. Oh, ah, there were ten were all the friends I made. Yes. Oh, ah, there were ten
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girls, ten of us, in our section who where all close knit girls, ten of us, in our section who where all close knit
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and I could just mention here that I was the only one who didn't smoke. and I could just mention here that I was the only one who didn't smoke.
19:14

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Ten. [Belinda] Yeah, so, did you mix much with the people Ten. [Belinda] Yeah, so, did you mix much with the people
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from other sections? [Helen]. No, no, actually you were driven there on the bus, and you got off  from other sections? [Helen]. No, no, actually you were driven there on the bus, and you got off 
19:28

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the bus and went straight to your job. You worked.  the bus and went straight to your job. You worked. 
19:35

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[Belinda] um, did men and women socialise    [Belinda] um, did men and women socialise   
19:37

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apart? Or did they? [Helen] Oh yes, oh yes, everybody talked to everybody else. Oh yes. [Belinda] So were they apart? Or did they? [Helen] Oh yes, oh yes, everybody talked to everybody else. Oh yes. [Belinda] So were they
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[Helen] It was all easy going. [Belinda] Yeah, so the men and women would like socialise together or would they go  [Helen] It was all easy going. [Belinda] Yeah, so the men and women would like socialise together or would they go 
19:49

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Oh, a couple of them I suppose did. [Belinda] seperately? [Helen] But I had my outside interests dancing and horseriding  Oh, a couple of them I suppose did. [Belinda] seperately? [Helen] But I had my outside interests dancing and horseriding 
19:56

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and my friends of course, we used to play cards, we used to have card evenings.  and my friends of course, we used to play cards, we used to have card evenings. 
20:06

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[Belinda] Where there  [Belinda] Where there 
20:07

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differences that drew people apart like religion or language? [Helen] No, no, no  differences that drew people apart like religion or language? [Helen] No, no, no 
20:17

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they were all [um] country people there see. There was no, I can't remember  they were all [um] country people there see. There was no, I can't remember 
20:24

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any people from other countries. [Belinda] Yeah, I spose that was before the end of the war. [Helen] Yes  any people from other countries. [Belinda] Yeah, I spose that was before the end of the war. [Helen] Yes 
20:33

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[Belinda] Were you are responsible for the house work at your home, in your house? [Helen] No my mother  [Belinda] Were you are responsible for the house work at your home, in your house? [Helen] No my mother 
20:44

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[Belinda] How was your home life affected by your job? [Helen] I don't think it was affected  [Belinda] How was your home life affected by your job? [Helen] I don't think it was affected 
20:50

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much at all, except for trying to sleep when I was on night shift. [Laughs] That was a bit  much at all, except for trying to sleep when I was on night shift. [Laughs] That was a bit 
20:56

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that was a bit  that was a bit 
20:57

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a bit rough. [Belinda] [um] Do you think it affected it at all where you lived,  that you came to live with your Aunt? [Helen] No because I  a bit rough. [Belinda] [um] Do you think it affected it at all where you lived,  that you came to live with your Aunt? [Helen] No because I 
21:05

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had been with her when I was at school, you see at high school. [Belinda] My name is Belinda Fardell, I am interviewing  had been with her when I was at school, you see at high school. [Belinda] My name is Belinda Fardell, I am interviewing 
21:11

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Helen Stone and it is the tenth of October 1995, the time is quarter to Helen Stone and it is the tenth of October 1995, the time is quarter to
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eleven. 1995 - the time is  eleven. 1995 - the time is 
21:23

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a quarter to 11. And, wait where was I up to a quarter to 11. And, wait where was I up to
21:30

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the last question was, how is your home life affected by your job?  the last question was, how is your home life affected by your job? 
21:33

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and how was that question? Do you think that like, that had anything to do with  and how was that question? Do you think that like, that had anything to do with 
21:39

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your friends from work? [Helen] Oh well we mingled, frequently. your friends from work? [Helen] Oh well we mingled, frequently.
21:48

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[Belinda] So did you have friends from outside work as well? [Helen] Yes, oh yes I did, yes my  [Belinda] So did you have friends from outside work as well? [Helen] Yes, oh yes I did, yes my 
21:55

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dancing friends, I used to go to the, to the Oddfellows Hall  dancing friends, I used to go to the, to the Oddfellows Hall 
22:00

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of a Saturday night. I loved that, I loved to dance, and at that stage of course there were no   of a Saturday night. I loved that, I loved to dance, and at that stage of course there were no  
22:07

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nobody, very few people had cars and we walked wherever we went.  nobody, very few people had cars and we walked wherever we went. 
22:14

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When they were balls on out of town [um] When they were balls on out of town [um]
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a bus would leave the post office and you would catch that bus.  a bus would leave the post office and you would catch that bus. 
22:26

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Go to a Go to a
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ball out of town. [Belinda] Ok, [um] Do you think it had any affect on who you married?  ball out of town. [Belinda] Ok, [um] Do you think it had any affect on who you married? 
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[Helen] No, not at  [Helen] No, not at 
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all because I-I-I, it was just after the war had ended. Well I met my  all because I-I-I, it was just after the war had ended. Well I met my 
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future husband and he was in, he was being demobilised from the Air Force  future husband and he was in, he was being demobilised from the Air Force 
22:49

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and [uh] he came here to visit old friends before he started in his work in Sydney which he was with  and [uh] he came here to visit old friends before he started in his work in Sydney which he was with 
22:56

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a Sydney water board. And [um] I just met him  a Sydney water board. And [um] I just met him 
23:00

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then. So we were married the following year. [Belinda] What about the then. So we were married the following year. [Belinda] What about the
23:07

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shift work, would you say that had an affect on your home life? [Helen] No shift work, would you say that had an affect on your home life? [Helen] No
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I didn't let it [laughs] No I-I was there to do a job and that was it.  I didn't let it [laughs] No I-I was there to do a job and that was it. 
23:24

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[Belinda] What affects do you think munitions factory had on the city of Orange? [Helen] Well it would have [ah]  [Belinda] What affects do you think munitions factory had on the city of Orange? [Helen] Well it would have [ah] 
23:30

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a big effect because [um] the people, there was money for the people to-to [um]  a big effect because [um] the people, there was money for the people to-to [um] 
23:38

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live better lives. [Belinda] So it had an effect on the economy of Orange. [Helen] It would have to really. live better lives. [Belinda] So it had an effect on the economy of Orange. [Helen] It would have to really.
23:45

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Did it have an effect on anything else? [Helen] I wouldn't know that I was Did it have an effect on anything else? [Helen] I wouldn't know that I was
23:50

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a teenager and I didn't think much about those sort of things. [laughs] [Belinda] Do think that it would of  a teenager and I didn't think much about those sort of things. [laughs] [Belinda] Do think that it would of 
23:56

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[um] reduced the unemployment rate. [Helen] I wouldn't know about that either [um] reduced the unemployment rate. [Helen] I wouldn't know about that either
24:02

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really.  really. 
24:10

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All right [um]. Anything, oh yes that's right, what about the Glenroi area?  All right [um]. Anything, oh yes that's right, what about the Glenroi area? 
24:17

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Oh yes, [ah] that [ah] was that happened in the early years and Oh yes, [ah] that [ah] was that happened in the early years and
24:24

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more houses  more houses 
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were built up there to house the people who came to work in the factory. [Belinda] So it was built were built up there to house the people who came to work in the factory. [Belinda] So it was built
24:32

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specifically for the people who worked there? [Helen] Oh yes, yes. [Belinda] Did most people who worked there live in that area?  specifically for the people who worked there? [Helen] Oh yes, yes. [Belinda] Did most people who worked there live in that area? 
24:38

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I suppose they did really, yes. [Belinda] What was the I suppose they did really, yes. [Belinda] What was the
24:43

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housing like? [Helen] Oh I never lived, only housing like? [Helen] Oh I never lived, only
24:47

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visited them, but um they were adequately housed.  visited them, but um they were adequately housed. 
24:54

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That was family people. [Belinda] Yep, um, well I've run out of questions again and I can't think  That was family people. [Belinda] Yep, um, well I've run out of questions again and I can't think 
25:00

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of anymore. But I'd like to take this time to thank you for giving up your of anymore. But I'd like to take this time to thank you for giving up your
25:05

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time for this interview and for sharing your memories with the oral history project. They will be very time for this interview and for sharing your memories with the oral history project. They will be very
25:11

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important in the history of the munitions factory, and they are going to be used as an ongoing resource  important in the history of the munitions factory, and they are going to be used as an ongoing resource 
25:17

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for the history of Orange. So thank you very much. [Helen] It was very interesting. Brings back happy memories.  for the history of Orange. So thank you very much. [Helen] It was very interesting. Brings back happy memories. 
25:23

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[Belinda] Yep, If there's nothing more that you'd like to add then  [Belinda] Yep, If there's nothing more that you'd like to add then 
25:29

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I'll just turn it off [Helen] Nothing more I'd like to add [Belinda] OK.  I'll just turn it off [Helen] Nothing more I'd like to add [Belinda] OK.