Ron Birss and Mary Birss interviewed by Rob Willis in the Rob and Olya Willis folklore collection [sound recording]

Folkloric recording. Ron Birss, born 1921, at Emu Point, W.A. discusses how his family was involved in the fishing industry; his father's background; fishing, making nets, variety of nets; fishing boats; being self sufficient during "The Depression"; net racks; conservation underlying the selection of fish even in the early days; his father's feelings regarding whaling; beginnings of whaling; description of the equipment purchased by his father; construction of the manager's house; description of the working area; establishment of the company; marketing; Ron's career at the whaling station; whales hunted; reasons for hunting specific whales. Mary contributes information on Ron's achievements; Chris Bollerod and the variety of personalities working at the whaling station; workers at the whaling station; methods used in transferring oil from station to boats; accidents at the whaling station; products from whaling; quantity of oil; closure of the whaling station; some experiences at the whaling station.

Mary Birss, born 1934, in Holland speaks about her family background; how the second world war affected her family; migrating to Australia with her family; working as a domestic and other jobs; father's attitude towards life in Australia; learning language through radio, night school and correspondence; meeting Ron at a square dance; moving to Albany with her family; the train trip from Perth to Albany; getting married; fishing and whaling becoming part of her life; living conditions at the whaling station; being able to watch whales in the bay; the accommodation on the whaling station; community life at the whaling station; the smell of the whales; having a fear of losing her husband out in the sea as he often had to go to rescue people out at sea at night. Ron recalls a rescue incident; fishing on bad nights; finding best places to fish; superstitions; leaving the whaling station as fishing became a priority; no conservationist issues; no safety regulations; medical treatment; women employed at the whaling station; the nationalities working at the whaling station.