| [Index] |
| Ethel Ruby BRIDLE (1879 - 1956) |
| Children | Self + Spouses | Parents | Grandparents | Greatgrandparents |
| Ethel Ruby BRIDLE (1879 - 1956) | William Henry BRIDLE (1851 - 1919) | William BRIDLE (1827 - 1922) | William BRIDLE (1797 - 1873) | |
| Martha MILES (1807 - 1886) | ||||
| Elizabeth Margaret WILKINSON (1826 - 1889) | William WILKINSON (1797 - 1860) | |||
| Margaret KEOGH ( - 1829) | ||||
| Emma GOSNEY (1854 - 1900) | ||||
| Maria Theresa CURRAN | ||||
|
|
| b. 26 Feb 1879 at Bombowlee, New South Wales |
| d. 16 Dec 1956 at Tumut, New South Wales, Australia aged 77 |
| Parents: |
| William Henry BRIDLE (1851 - 1919) |
| Emma GOSNEY (1854 - 1900) |
| Siblings (4): |
| Jessie Emma BRIDLE (1881 - 1952) |
| Laura Beatrice Vivian BRIDLE (1884 - 1940) |
| William Albert Gosney BRIDLE (1888 - 1909) |
| Madge Gosney BRIDLE (1895 - 1951) |
| Events in Ethel Ruby BRIDLE (1879 - 1956)'s life | |||||
| Date | Age | Event | Place | Notes | Src |
| 26 Feb 1879 | Ethel Ruby BRIDLE was born | Bombowlee, New South Wales | 69 | ||
| 1900 | 21 | Death of mother Emma GOSNEY (aged 46) | |||
| 02 Oct 1919 | 40 | Death of father William Henry BRIDLE (aged 67) | Tumut, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| 16 Dec 1956 | 77 | Ethel Ruby BRIDLE died | Tumut, New South Wales, Australia | 69 | |
| Personal Notes: |
|
From ‘Relict of’ Book see Sources
ETHEL RUBY BRIDLE By Sheila Garner 'Lellie'. Our early childhood name for a much loved Aunt, dearly loved by us all. Ethel Ruby Bridle was born on 26 February 1879 at Riverslea Bombowlee, eldest daughter of William Henry and Emma Bridle nee Gosney. She was never that rapt about her name, hearing that her father had chosen it, she wondered why he didn't name her after her grandmother Maria Theresa Gosney nee Curran as Marie Therese. Few people ever knew what the capital R stood for. She had a very happy childhood living opposite Rose Vale, home of her grandparents and Auntie Margaret, whom she loved. She and her sisters, Jessie and Beatrice, often played there on a big rock under a cedar tree. In September 1884 she was bridesmaid (five years old) when Auntie Margaret married Theodore Lampe and went to live at Woodlands, Talbingo. Holidays at Woodlands were looked forward to with much excitement, with her much loved Auntie and Uncle Theo, though he didn't appreciate an arrangement of briars in the white fireplace after he'd been pulling them out all day. Sundays, in those days, were strictly observed as a day of rest, especially at the home of Great Auntie, Sarah Lampe. After a family church service the day was to be kept QUIETLY and no noise or rushing about. Going to visit her with cousins, Ruby and Pearl, riding sidesaddle, she galloped up to the homestead, only to be asked didn't she know what day it was? Knowing full well what day it was and how she was expected to keep it, she answered that she was in such a hurry to see her aunt, she had to gallop. What is more, she got away with it. Ethel was always in great demand to play for their dances. On one occasion having promised her mother that she would go to bed at I am, which she did. However, Ethel reappeared a short time later and continued playing having kept her promise, as her mother had failed to say when she could get up. Reading was another favourite pastime and once she became so engrossed in the book, she got too close to the candle and burnt a hole through it. Ethel studied the piano and was a very talented pupil of Mrs Radford, so much so that she was encouraged to consider a career as a concert pianist. She was always in much demand at concerts, as a soloist or accompanist. She also indulged in a little singing and drama. There was much family reJoIcing when her engagement was announced on 31 December 1899 but a wedding was not to be. In August 1900 their dearly loved mother passed away leaving a great void in their lives. As the youngest child was only four, Ethel decided her place was at home and not as a concert pianist, which must have been a great disappointment. Her Uncle Arthur felt she had made a great sacrifice. Her Uncle Jack was teaching in Junee and 1906 saw her move there to care for his daughter Vivienne, following his wife's death. Ethel was very happy there and learnt to play bridge and golf, both of which she enjoyed immensely. In 1908 she was a bridesmaid at her sister Beatrice's wedding, when she married Les Franklin; from all accounts it was a pretty wedding. Off to Bourke in 1909 to be a mother's help for nine months. In June, her only Brother, William (Hilla) aged 20 was drowned, riding his, horse across the Tumut River. This was a tragic happening for all the family. Ethel loved the west so much she stayed nine years. When the nine years were up she rented Veneta and began teaching music, she was also the church organist. Jessie or Madge enjoyed spending time with her, meeting friends and participating in all activities, dances, parties, balls, picnics, musical evenings when Madge got more entertainment from watching two men, each vying for Ethels' affection, rather than the music and so on. The bone of contention for Madge was taking soup and cakes to lonely old house-bound ladies, whom Ethel thought would like to see a new face. A wonderful farewell was tended her when she decided to return to Tumut, being driven to the evening in the first car to come to Bourke. Her organising ability was amazing, be it a church bazaar, Red Cross concert, many war efforts, hospital functions and many others in Bourke and later in Tumut. Musical festivals, oldtime balls (adults and juniors), concerts, Musical Students Club (her pupils) and so on.. every detail and every aspect of it had to be exactly right and was so, usually due to her great input and thoroughness. 1918 she purchased Veneta (Tumut) from Fred Lampe and was the fourth generation of her family to own these two blocks. On her return to Tumut she continued teaching piano, singing, theory, musical perception and organ until her death in December 1956. Ethel went to Elizabeth Farm House, Sydney to have lessons on Beethoven, a favourite always. She also became the organist at All Saints. In 1926 a memorial pipe organ was installed but no one could play it, so Ethel went to the conservatorium of Music in Sydney and had organ lessons from Mr Faunce Allman. er religion and church were very important to her always. Sadly in 1919 her father collapsed and died suddenly after a long illness with asthma. A very sad time for Ethel and her sisters. Their much loved grandfather died in 1922. Ethel pursued all the usual happenings of her day. She created the All Saints Girls Club, taught Sunday School, provided the music for the Chinese Church Group and later on was a member of the Church Council for many years. She was mainly instrumental in having the Iych gate, memorial gates and fence erected in front of the church. She was secretary of the Music Festivals, the Literary Institute (she always wanted a public library, as she felt that reading should not be the privilege of those who could afford it), and the Pioneer Cemetery (when the church cared for their own area and she was able to secure a caretaker for that purpose by canvassing families). Many times she was approached to be a Justice of the Peace but she always refused as it would be too disruptive to her music lessons. She was quite a capable public speaker, usually "off the cuff". As well, she was still caring for the lonely, as in Bourke. 1924 saw the wedding of Madge to Robert Patterson and along came eight little Pattersons who were often at the Aunts, (Ethel and Jessie). Ethel was a born story teller and how we loved listening and begging for more, all made up and years later we realised each had a moral. Ethel refused a position as music teacher at a boarding school in Melbourne because she wanted to foster the musical talents she felt we all had, and if she left who would. A.E., as we later called her, had so much patience, but was strict, expected obedience, good manners, respect and correct speech. For the centenary of Tumut in 1924 Ethel composed a song "Tumut" in honour of the occasion. Many copies were sold in aid of the celebration. On the night of the Centenary Ball it was to be played by the orchestra. Complimentary tickets were sent out but not to her. As she couldn't afford a ticket she stood in the street to hear it played. She also composed a school song for the Tumut Intermediate High and it was sung every Monday in assembly for years. She also dabbled with other compositions. A "Back to Bourke" invitation was sent to Ethel in 1937 requesting her to bring two others. She chose the eldest daughter of each of her married sisters (Beatrice Franklin and myself). Wasn't I lucky? It was absolutely amazing to see the great number of people who remembered her and greeted her with so much love and affection. It spoke volumes. She had been in Tumut 24 years by then. In 1961 a painting was presented to the Library by the old Literary Institute in Ethel's memory, describing her as a most admirable, wonderful and vigorous personality marked by courage, large vision and an indomitable spirit. In later years the same kindness and care she bad shown to many, was bestowed upon her over and over again. What an exciting time to have lived through; going from riding side saddle to flying - to Tasmania and Cairns and she loved it: Ethel loved Sydney, and as she had the same holidays as schools, she went often. Her many relations and friends were always glad to see her. Finally, there were too many to visit and some got missed, of which she was reminded. So she decided, in future, those who could, would meet in the Botanical Gardens at a certain time and on a particular day. I always feel, in her small way, she began the re-unions we have since enjoyed. After her death, a window was given by her family and friends and dedicated to her memory, in appreciation of her music and what she had achieved for All Saints, her much loved "family church" in every way. Ethel Bridle was a lady highly thought of by so many, described as a marvellous influence, independent, outspoken, and if criticism was given, it was helpful criticism. Her thoughtful counsel, never failing sympathy and moral courage. To work with her was always a challenge and stimulus to higher and better things. A lady in every respect. On her death it was written that Tumut had lost one of its best known, noblest and well-beloved citizens. |
| Source References: |
| 69. Type: Book, Abbr: Relict of, Title: Relict of … Lives of Pioneering Women of Tumut and District, Auth: Tumut Family History Group, Publ: Tumut Family History Group, Date: 2001 |
| - Reference = 72 (Birth) |
| - Reference = 72 (Name, Notes) |
| - Reference = 72 (Death) |