Robert Elrington interviewed by Rob Linn for the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 5815357
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Elrington, Robert, 1945-, interviewee
- Online Access:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2012
- 4 sound files (ca. 280 min.)
- Series:
- Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project.
- Technical Details:
- Mode of access: Online.
- Summary:
-
Robert Elrington speaks about his earliest memories of his mother and his childhood escapades; his siblings; child abuse; father's death during WWII; family connections and family history; how memories of his home life only date from after his years in care; his recollection of arriving at the Legacy Home, Blamey House, Beaumaris, Victoria; childhood perceptions, abandonment; institutional life including daily drill, religious routine, schooling, bullying and punishment; mother's visits; the matron at Blamey House; gangs at Blamey House and their games, initiation; visiting Beaumaris RSL (2005); memories of Christmas holidays on farms in Victoria; how his experiences taught him about love and survival, treatment of his own children; meeting with his future step-father George 'Sparrow' Williams, his character, role as father figure; leaving Blamey House and returning to parents; the family home at South Caulfield; attending primary school; childhood friendships and trips to picture theatre and social life; secondary education; behaviour of his siblings; Olympic Games (1956) in Melbourne; the impact of television; his adaptation to domestic life away from Blamey House; his methods of survival in life; his perception of his adult behaviour in relation to this childhood; SP bookies in Melbourne; his participation in step father's gambling business from age 13, and description of running a 'lane'; criminal environments; police; the 'six o'clock swill'; George Williams death.
Elrington discusses joining the Defence Forces, Australian Army, his training; Malayan Insurgency; Borneo, 4th Battalion; Vietnam War, 1963; discipline; his infantry life and gambling, running an SP book in the forces; mateship and preservation in action; the arrival of the first National Service personnel; coping under fire and with disease; his marriage (1967) and later divorce; his issues with Vietnam and the notion of a veteran, infantry pride and family history; leaving the army and his career path; his 2nd and 3rd marriages; his study of psychology and move to life training; studying in the USA and learning about financial planning; discussions with farmers and investments in South Australia; Rupert Murdoch; bringing together the TFN Group and the opposition he faced from investment groups and Government; his loss of licence, bankruptcy; Sydney; motivational speaking; his pursuit of money and his inability to retain it; Bev Buckley; returning to Melbourne and working with Jewish community; his engagement by AFL clubs to assist players; the importance of family and return to Adelaide; purchasing real estate in Adelaide and setting up another business enterprise in life coaching; his illness and life with his daughter; his ex-military friends coping with ill health and mental issues; moving into youth and child mentoring through school programs; his pursuit of coaching life and business skills.
- Notes:
- Recorded on 15 and 28 February and 20 March 2012 in North Adelaide, S. Aust.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (12 p.)
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Business professionals
- Other authors/contributors:
- Linn, Rob, interviewer
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project.
This collection contains 208 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2082 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2012
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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