Maggie, A Tribute
Three Mile Bay and Beyond
In 1986, a 92-year-old woman sat in her kitchen and shared stories with the author Annette that painted a fascinating picture of early 20th century life in Western Australia. Margaret Woodcock née Cripps, Aunty Maggie, as we fondly remembered her, born in 1896, was the keeper of family memories—a living connection to pioneering days when roads were merely wagon tracks and beach holidays meant sleeping in tents under the stars. Her recollections, captured just three years before her death, offer us a rare glimpse into a world that has vanished.
Three Mile Bay c1920.
Photo courtesy State Library of WA, SLWA b4887435_1, Horrocks Beach and Jetty c.1920
Maggie was the second-to-last child of Charles and Margaret Cripps and the last of their children to pass away. Her stories weave through adventures at Three Mile Bay, the challenges posed by World War I that separated her from her father and her sweetheart Jack (whom she later married), as well as family stories that trace back to when her father ran away from England as a 16-year-old boy. Through Maggie's eyes, we gain insight not only into her own life but also into the experiences of women in rural Australia—their resourcefulness, sense of community, and quiet strength.
What began as a family history interview has become a treasured window into Australian pioneer life. Click through to discover Maggie's world, where Christmas holidays meant rabbit hunting competitions, beach cottages were built from chaff bags sewn together, and a china poodle became a cherished memento of a mother's love.
How fantastic to have these stories captured. What a great storyteller. I was transported there by her voice in these stories.