HEARING tales of years and decades gone by has inspired Chelsea resident Kaye Musgrove to write a memoir of her father that also provides an insight into life in the area throughout the past nine decades.
Always a Gentleman is a book that tells the story of husband, father, grandfather and now great-grandfather Reginald Musgrove and also reflects on the many changes in the area throughout his life.
Mr Musgrove started a career as a family butcher in Chelsea and later bought a Carrum shop.
He retired in 1988 and was well known locally, Ms Musgrove said.
“He was the local butcher in Carrum for more than 40 years,” she said.
As Mr Musgrove’s 90th birthday in May approached, she decided to capture some of the tales her father and mother, Joyce, told of Chelsea history for future generations.
The title of the book describes how people interviewed for the book described her father.
More than a family memoir, Always a Gentleman allows readers to time travel to decades gone by and recall, or find out for the first time, how society and technology have changed over the past 90 years.
The book will be available to borrow at Chelsea Library.
Ms Musgrove hopes handcraft markets and bookstores in the area may also stock the insight into history, packed with photos and memories.
She works at The Cove Hotel and says patrons who have seen the book have enjoyed its depiction of local changing times.
The help of the Chelsea & District Historical Society was invaluable in putting together the book.
“I went there to get photos and stuff, I already knew a lot of the people there. Now I’m on the committee,” Ms Musgrove said.
Always a Gentleman can be bought by emailing kayemus@hotmail.com or will be available to borrow at Chelsea Library.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 20 June 2018
1 Comment
kayes book is an interesting account of the area over the last 90 yrs its a great book about a gentleman by a daughter who loves him very much great job kaye a book worth reading