Ethel Annie Bentley (nee Hall), 1882-1974
(written by Thomas Hall Bentley, her son)

She was reared in very comfortable circumstances in a large residence called “Lingrove House” in Lingrove Avenue, Corinda. Her parents were relatively well to do and had servants to perform household duties, and a well liked aboriginal to look after the horses and drive the sulky.

She went to a small private school at Oxley. I believe she was a good scholar, but in those days few women sought career jobs, so she did not capitalise on her ability. She did nursing training for one year - practically unheard of for a girl in her circumstances.
She received a payment of five pounds (ten dollars) at the end of her course, and framed it - why, I can only guess.

After marriage she accompanied my father to the cane farm at Ayr, N.Q. She hated it! Heat, humidity, few amenities, snakes, mosquitoes etc. There she produced three daughters. She told me of the time when a huge python had my eldest sister (Minnie), then a very little girl, cornered in a bedroom. Also of the large crocodile captured on the farm. I have only recently learned that upon marriage, my grandfather, T.M. Hall, gave my mother an allowance of 2 guineas (just over $4) per week - fairly generous, seeing that the basic services pay 30 years later was only $35 per week.

No tractors in those days - Dad ploughed behind a horse, and spent his nights studying by the kerosene light. She had to attend to his filthy clothes without our modern washing machines, no sewerage, no electricity. Also the local mafia, the Black Hand Gang, were active in the area, so she had to be prepared for emergencies. Dad bought her a .22 calibre revolver, and carried a .38 revolver himself.

She was a very good cook, and of course her brief nursing experience was invaluable. She was very relieved to return to South East Queensland. When Dad died in 1934 she was left without any means of support, apart from what her children could provide. However, a life policy covered the debt on the house. There was no widow’s pension in those days, or any other form of social service (including medical assistance such as Medicare). She faced and handled the situation very admirably, but was probably helped financially by her parents. When eventually the Old Age Pension became available she was too proud to accept it. I eventually forced her hand in her late eighties. From then on she was most pleased to get her small fortnightly cheque.

Until her last days she read 4-5 library books per week. She was always well dressed, complete with stockings and corsets. In fact, when Joan (Tom’s wife) called early one morning to her Toowoomba flat, she was declined admittance until Mother’s state of dress was to her satisfaction.

She was not the most tactful person, but was very supportive of her children and showed great courage. Apart from family, she preferred her own company and exhibited no fear of intruders or for personal safety. She was a product of her times - caring, protective and loving, but not demonstrative.