Change of name from Doris Cora by way of an application dated 12 February 1975. Approved by the Australian Hon Minister for Justice in a letter dated 24th February 1975. Letter states " a license does not actually 'change' a name, but merely authorises the assumption and use of a new name". Photograph Inscription ------------------------------------ 9th Oct 1911 W A Dear Old Willie, I thought you might like a photo of our baby Doris. She is No. 6 & as swet as possible. A little Melba for she sings quite 30 little songs. It is a novel way of having her taken but *we* think it very natural. Hope you will be able to come out old fellow. Your idea of taking W A views & then later lecturing in England seems a practical one. Why not inteview our agent general? He will advis you. don't write but call upon him. Much love to all Eva Pam has a photograph of her in Venice (undated). EULOGY TO HEATHER BARTLETT DAY given by Bill Bartlett Day at the memorial service, Sundowner Chapel 10 August 1999 Heather Bartlett Day, was born in Northam on December 5th, 1909. She was Christened Doris Cora Bartlett Day, the sixth child of Hubert and Evelyn Bartlett Day. Evelyn was a daughter of George and Annie Throssell of Northam. Heathers mother wrote that her baby was prayed into the world as a sister for Ethel, the only other daughter who had been born seven years earlier. In the days before ultrasound, Evelyn wrote: I tried in my humble way to cooperate with the Creator in everything to bring about my desire for a little girl, healthy and musical... I always sang about my work and played a little at the piano... When Heather was born she gave a laugh instead of a cry. At 17 months, for the Coronation of George and Mary, her brother Frank taught his little sister to sing a verse of God save the King which her mother says she did in perfect tune and time and every word clearly. By her second birthday, writes her mother, Heather could play 30 songs. By three she could play with both hands, transposing into twelve keys. Visitors would come to the house to hear the little girl recite, sing or play on the piano. Her fathers favorite was I love a lassie and because of this, he began to call her Heather. The name stuck, although it was not until 1975 Heather changed her name by Deed Poll. At five, writes her mother, Heather could sing alto to any hymns at the childrens service. Her rather irreverent father wrote on the back of a photograph of his little daughter: Had she been a boy, I would have been convinced he was Jesus Christ reincarnated, which her very reverent mother has erased as blasphemous. However, it was true that the disadvantages in being a girl were difficult to overcome in Heathers era. Heather was a loyal sister. My father said he was once being caned by the headmaster when Heather rushed up and grabbed the cane shouting, Dont you do that to my little brother. She played and sang for patients in Northam hospitals before moving with the family to a house in Bay View Terrace, Claremont. In Perth, Heather began her 15-year radio career at 6WF in Milligan Street in 1934. She developed a repertoire of 8,000 tunes by ear without ever learning to read music and became known for her ability to compose words and music on the radio on request. On a program known as The 6IX Challenge, Heather competed against a Melbourne girl who had composed a song in 60 seconds. Given three words to incorporate into a song, after five tense seconds of thought, the words and music flowed into a song which was recorded and the news flashed over the nation. The announcer is recorded as saying: West Australia is proud of Miss Heather Day who we consider has a greater natural instinct for music than any other Australian. She cant read music but that is not important because she feels music and that is important. It was said Heather takes handfuls of notes. Heather was involved in radio plays as a reader and sound-effects person. It was claimed she could drink a mountain stream because, before one recording, Heather poured the contents of a jug and drank it, thereby swallowing the sound effects for a running river. She also played on childrens radio as Aunty Heather. During the war, Heather served in the Entertainment Unit and as a mailroom censor. She was transferred to Sydney in 1943. She often told how she celebrated Armistice Day on board HMAS Australia in dry dock, playing the piano to the officers unable to go ashore that night. Special permission was sought from the Commodore for her to stay on board as women were not allowed on navy vessels after 7pm. Heather says she received some strange looks as she came ashore at midnight. She also played at the Pickwick Club and mixed with the artistic circles of Sydney. Back in Perth Heather played at the Adelphi Hotel and on radio. She completed a book of childrens songs illustrated by my mother which was never published. Her ability to improvise music was useful when she played on stage with the hypnotist, The Great Franquin. During this time when singalongs were still popular, I remember her playing on a Swan River cruise and a live broadcast for childrens radio. In 1951, Heather set off to join her older sister in London where they stayed together for 24 years. Many of us have enjoyed the hospitality of Heather and Biddy at Number 20 Upper Phillimore Gardens, Kensington. Heather played nightly at Chez Cleo, an exclusive French-style restaurant and club. The two sisters also regularly toured Europe, the Balkans and North Africa in their holidays. In 1961 Heather began her 13 happiest years as a receptionist for a Harley Street homeopathic specialist and played the piano professionally at weekends. When Biddy was diagnosed with breast cancer, the girls returned to Perth in 1974. They lived in Melvista Avenue Claremont until her sister Biddy died the next year. Although Heather was devastated, she always believed Biddy was close by. She maintained the faith of her mother, whose favourite bible verses were the ones we have just heard from John 14. In the daily meditation book given to her by her mother, Heather kept this little poem: If I should die and leave you here awhile, Be not like others sore, undone, Who keep long hours and nights by the silent dust and weep. For my sake, turn again to life and smile, nerving thy heart and trembling hand , to do something to comfort other hearts than thine. Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine, And perchance they may therein comfort you. In her retirement Heather continued to play her beloved piano for preschoolers and playgroups for 10 years and at the Sundowner for the Monday singalongs which Heather planned meticulously to bring joy to all who came. Heather took an active role in the chapel and played the organ for the services. I am grateful for her prayers at the monthly healing service conducted here by Bishop Dennis Bryant in the 1980s. At 83, and into her last weeks in the nursing home, Heather still had a three octave singing voice and was always apt to break out into song. In later years she had enjoyed a loving friendship with a Perth widower and past Surveyor-General, Vernon Fife, until his death. Heather was blessed with good health until recent years, and after two months in and out of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital she ended 17 years at the Sundowner and moved to Hamersley Nursing Home in Rokeby Road Subiaco. After only two contented months at Hamersley, Heather passed away peacefully on Wednesday 4th August 1999 with family and friends about her. Her ashes will be privately scattered in the Hollywood Reserve, an area of bushland adjoining Karrakatta saved from the bulldozers by her late brother Bill and others. Before we hear from The Reverend Llewellyn Jones, I would like to read one of Heathers own poems written after her mothers death: I have so much to thank you for dear Lord. For all the blessings you on me have showered. For eyes to see the radiance of the sun outpoured And marvel in the beauty of a world endowed. I thank you from a grateful heart made light Through lilting channels of sweet verse and song. And for your help in doing what is right And owning to a fault, when I am wrong. Yes, as I lay me down upon my cot, And close my eyes in slumber, free from pain, In humbleness, I marvel at my lot And simply murmur, Thank you, once again.
FreeBMD --------------- Births Mar 1847 Day Henry Cranbrook 5 8_ [.] FreeBMD --------------- Births Mar 1847 Day Henry Cranbrook 5 8_