"My Williamstown" - A Social History

Haydee - 1983

"My Williamstown" is a book written by my mother,

Haydee J. Witt,

which was first published in 1986.

I had shown it to a publisher who said:

"We may be interested in accepting this book. We'll let you know within about 12 months."

"No way!" I said. "My mother is 92 years of age and doesn't have that sort of time to spare!"

So my sisters and I decided to pool some money and we printed 500 copies.

We had a BIG LAUNCH at the Williamstown Little Theatre where my mother signed books, drank champagne and had a ball.
She died about three months later, about a month short of her 93rd birthday.

By the anniversary of her 100th birthday - 1993 - all the books had been sold

so we printed another 500.

A SPECIAL, ONCE ONLY, OFFER !!!

I now have about 15 of those books left

and am putting them up for sale for $10 plus $3 postage.

Let me tell you about it:

Haydee J. Witt was born in the regional Victorian town of Rochester in 1893. In 1900, her family moved to Williamstown where she grew up, married a childhood sweetheart, and brought up her family of five children. Her book is sub-titled:Reminiscences of growing up: 1900-1914. There are 31 illustrations – old photographs of schools, Haydee’s family, Williamstown swimming beach, the ferries, and many, many more.

Williamstown Baths – c.1914

The book is soft cover, has 56 pages and the chapters cover various subjects:

Schools, Children’s Games, Sunday Schools and Churches, Pastimes, Shopping,

Housework, ‘At Home’ days, etc.

For the student of social history or those who are merely interested in old Williamstown,

it’s a steal at $10 plus $3 postage.

Email me at gwadds@gillianmwadds.com.auand we’ll organise payment and delivery.

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