"Reka" / "Areka" Irene Arikia EDWARDS / GELL
Born C.1902 [2]
Daughter of James Duncan EDWARDS and Clare ASHWORTH [15] [39: 22-Jul-1929]
She had a brother "Jim" James Joseph, who died aged seven months in Kalgoorlie [15], and sisters Marjorie and Kathleen [39: 22-Jul-1929]
Before getting married she worked as a Music Teacher and lived at the King George Hostel in Katanning [50]
Married "Dick" Richard Dickson GELL in 1925 [66]
Following their marriage they resided in Cunderdin, Geraldton and Mullewa [19] [50]
Resided with her husband and children at the Bank of New South Wales in Carnamah 1933-1947 [19]
They resided in a house adjoining the back of the bank, which her husband managed, at 15 Macpherson Street in Carnamah [P7]
Member of the Carnamah Repertory Club 1933-1939 [4: 29-Dec-1934] [5: 7-May-1937] [489]
She was one of the providers of music for the Carnamah Repertory Club's rehearsals and productions [7: page 229]
Performed the overture at the Carnamah Repertory Club's Inaugural Concert on Monday 21 August 1933 [5: 25-Aug-1933] [72]
At the Inaugural Concert played the Widow Malone in the Club's first performance - the one act play "The Widow Malone" [5] [72]
Played piano overtures and accompaniments at the Carnamah Repertory Club's 2nd Concert on 30 November 1933 [5: 1-Dec-1933]
At the super party after the 2nd Concert she was made an Honorary Member of the Club in appreciation of her services [5]
Opened the Carnamah Repertory Club's Fifth Concert on 25 July 1935 with the piano overture "Rachmaninoff's Prelude" [5]
At the 5th Concert played the role of Mrs Robert Browne in the third and final one act play "Browne with an E" [5: 26-Jul-1935]
Accompanist on the piano to two songs sung by Mrs Beryl M. Y. TURNER at the Club's Concert on 20 August 1937 [5: 27-Aug-1937]
Attended the Repertory Club Social held in Carnamah on Thursday 18 May 1933 [5: 26-May-1933]
Attended the social and address on Home Mission work by Rev. Arthur J. BARCLAY in Carnamah on 10 July 1933 [5: 14-Jul-1933]
Attended the Card Party held at the home of Mrs Maggie KROSCHEL in Carnamah during the second week of July 1933 [5: 21-Jul-1933]
Member of the Carnamah Tennis Club in 1933-34 and 1934-35 - was Ladies Singles Champion in 1934-35 [4: 2-Dec-1933, 5-Apr-1935]
Committee Member of the Carnamah Tennis Club in 1935-36 and 1936-37 [5: 9-Aug-1935, 24-Jul-1936]
Donated a trophy to the Carnamah Tennis Club at a meeting of the Club on Tuesday 3 December 1935 [5: 6-Dec-1935]
Member of the Carnamah Golf Club 1933-1937 [5: 28-Jul-1933, 13-Apr-1934, 24-May-1935, 29-May-1936]
Joint Secretary in 1933, Captain in 1934 and Runner-up Associate Club Champion in 1935 and 1936 [5: 1-Nov-1935, 27-Nov-1936]
Captain of the Carnamah Golf Club Associates in 1937 [5: 21-May-1937]
In 1937 the Associates unanimously postponed the qualifying round of their championships as she was unable to attend [5: 30-Jul-1937]
She was touched by the gesture and placed a notice in The North Midland Times newspaper expressing her appreciation [5]
Her mother and sister, Mrs and Miss EDWARDS, stayed with her in Carnamah for a few days in August 1933 [5: 4-Aug-1933]
Attended the Carnamah Football Club's Monster Ball at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 2 September 1933 [5: 8-Sep-1933]
She was reported to have attended the Monster Ball looking "elegant in white crinkly crepe with organdie frills on puff sleeves" [5]
Attended the Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show at Maley Park in Coorow on Thursday 7 September 1933 [5: 15-Sep-1933]
Attended the Golf Club Ball held in Three Springs on Thursday 12 October 1933 in a dress of black georgette and lace [5: 20-Oct-1933]
Played an overture at the Carnamah Presbyterian Church's Fete and Concert on Thursday 2 November 1933 [5: 10-Nov-1933]
She was among the 150 who attended the Carnamah Tennis Club's Dance at the Carnamah Hall on 9 December 1933 [5: 15-Dec-1933]
Along with her two sons arrived back in Carnamah on Monday 8 January 1934 after a two and half weeks holiday [5: 12-Jan-1934]
Supplier of music at the farewell to Miss Mary LYNCH in Three Springs on Wednesday 31 January 1934 [5: 2-Feb-1934]
Attended the Carnamah Tennis Club's Flannel Dance held at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 3 February 1934 [5: 9-Feb-1934]
On the evening of Thursday 15 March 1934 attended the Carnamah Race Club's Annual Dance at the Carnamah Hall [5: 16-Mar-1934]
Performed a pianoforte solo at the Farewell to Miss Gladys M. DIXON at the Carnamah Hall on 22 March 1934 [5: 30-Mar-1934]
Attended the Farewell Social to Miss Doris MCLEAN at BERRIGAN's home in Carnamah on Wednesday 11 April 1934 [5: 13-Apr-1934]
Assisted with the music at the Parkinson Tennis Club's Dance at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 14 April 1934 [5: 20-Apr-1934]
Attended the Carnamah Golf Club's Opening Season Dance at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 21 April 1934 [5: 27-Apr-1934]
Attended the Methodist Home Mission Social held in Carnamah on Tuesday 24 April 1934 [5: 27-Apr-1934]
Helped with the music at the Carnamah Football Club's Grand Opening Ball in Carnamah on Saturday 12 May 1934 [5: 18-May-1934]
Attended the Repertory Social, of plays, community singing and dancing, held in Carnamah on 15 August 1934 [5: 17-Aug-1934]
Attended the funeral of Mrs Christina B. D. FORRESTER of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 31 August 1934 [4: 8-Sep-1934]
Played the piano at the Burns Night Celebrations held at the Carnamah Hall on Friday 25 January 1935 [5: 1-Feb-1935]
Supplier of music at Heinie and Mina BOTHE's Golden Wedding celebration at the Coorow Hotel on 26 February 1935 [5: 1-Mar-1935]
Performed a piano solo at the Farewell Social for Brian and Gerda STACY on 16 March 1935 at the Carnamah Hall [5: 22-Mar-1935]
Herself and Daisy BOWMAN were the winners of the Carnamah Tennis Club's Ladies Handicap Doubles in 1934-35 [5: 5-Apr-1935]
Won the Bridge Evening held to raise funds for the Golf Club at the Carnamah Hostel on Friday evening 21 June 1935 [5: 28-Jun-1935]
Attended the Official Opening of the Coorow Golf Club's golf course in Coorow on Sunday 23 June 1935 [5: 28-Jun-1935]
Played the piano at the afternoon tea tendered to Mrs PATRICK (wife of M.L.A.) in Carnamah on Monday 24 June 1935 [5: 28-Jun-1935]
Returned to Carnamah on Friday morning 9 August 1935 after spending an enjoyable vacation in Perth [5: 16-Aug-1935]
Won the Carnamah Anglican Church's Bridge Evening held on Thursday evening 15 August 1935 at the Church Hall [5: 23-Aug-1935]
Attended the Show Ball after the Carnamah Agricultural Show in 1935, wearing a dusky pink dress with black trimming [5: 20-Sep-1935]
Motored to Perth with her husband and Roger, Margaret and Roger Jnr CLARK on the weekend of 19-20 October 1935 [5: 25-Oct-1935]
Attended the Carnamah Golf Club's Annual Dance held at the Carnamah Hall on Thursday 24 October 1935 [5: 1-Nov-1935]
Sent a floral tribute for the grave of Miss "May" Mary L. LANG at the Winchester Cemetery on 26 November 1935 [5: 29-Nov-1935]
Competed in the Parkinson Tennis Club's New Year Tennis Tournament in Carnamah on Wednesday 1 January 1936 [5: 3-Jan-1936]
Sent a floral tribute for the grave of William B. SHERIDAN of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 27 January 1936 [5: 31-Jan-1936]
Herself and her son Murray returned to Carnamah from a holiday in Perth on Monday 27 January 1936 [5: 31-Jan-1936]
Attended the Mad Hatter's Leap Year Ball in Carnamah on 29 February 1936, wearing floral georgette with satin sash [5: 6-Mar-1936]
Accompanist on the piano at the Valedictory Social & Dance for Harold N. HARVEY in Carnamah on 10 March 1936 [5: 13-Mar-1936]
Played for the combined Carnamah-Parkinson tennis team against Winchester-Waddy-Coorow on Sunday 5 April 1936 [5: 3-Apr-1936]
Won the Ladies Golf Driving Competition at the R.S.L. Easter Sports Meeting in Carnamah on Monday 13 April 1936 [5: 17-Apr-1936]
Accompanist on the piano at the Farewell Social & Dance for George & Florence BROWN in Carnamah on 23 April 1936 [5: 1-May-1936]
Attended the Carnamah Golf Club's 1936 season Opening Day at Centenary Park in Carnamah on Sunday 26 April 1936 [5: 1-May-1936]
Travelled from Carnamah to Perth by car with Roger W. and Margaret D. CLARK on Tuesday 28 April 1936 [5: 1-May-1936]
Attended the Valedictory Dance for local postmaster Percy TEEDE at the Carnamah Hall on Tuesday 12 May 1936 [5: 15-May-1936]
During the evening she was played the piano in accompaniment to the rendition of a popular song by Charles ROBERTSON [5]
Winner of bridge at the Parkinson Tennis Club's Annual Social Evening at the Church Hall in Carnamah on 14 May 1936 [5: 22-May-1936]
Her mother holidayed with herself and her family in Carnamah during June 1936[5: 12-Jun-1936]
Wore black velvet with iridescent sequin trimming to the Anglican Church Mid-Winter Ball in Carnamah on 11 July 1936 [5: 17-Jul-1936]
Member of the Carnamah branch of the Country Women's Association in 1936 [5: 27-Nov-1936]
Attended the C.W.A. Plain & Fancy Dress Ball at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 25 July 1936 dressed as "Bell Boys" [5: 31-Jul-1936]
Attended the Ball after the Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show in Coorow on 3 September 1936 dressed in black lace [5: 11-Sep-1936]
Attended the Ball after the Carnamah Agricultural Show on 10 September 1936 in black ring velvet with sequin trimming [5: 18-Sep-1936]
Played a pianoforte solo at the social for Lord Archbishop of Perth H. F. LE FANU in Carnamah on 19 September 1936 [5: 25-Sep-1936]
Her mother returned to Perth on Monday 5 October 1936 after spending an extended holiday with her in Carnamah [5: 9-Oct-1936]
After a week at the Carnamah Private Hospital in early October 1936 she was reported to be "progressing favourably" [5: 9-Oct-1936]
Played the piano at the Annual Birthday Celebration of the Carnamah C.W.A. in Carnamah on 26 November 1936 [5: 27-Nov-1936]
Member of the Carnamah Adult Education Circle in 1937 - hosted some of their meetings at her home [5: 19-Feb-1937, 11-Jun-1937]
Her sister Mrs Kathleen E. HYMUS and infant son holidayed with her family in Carnamah in late March early April 1937 [5: 2-Apr-1937]
Together they won the Ladies Doubles Championship at the Easter Tennis Tournament in Carnamah on 27-29 March 1937 [5]
Her sister and nephew returned to her home in the Perth suburb of Nedlands on Tuesday 6 April 1937 [5: 9-Apr-1937]
Attended the Tennis Dance at the Carnamah Hall on 18 April 1937 in pink figured georgette with frilled bustle effect [5: 23-Apr-1937]
Attended the Coronation Ball at the Carnamah Hall on 12 May 1937 in "pink floral metal run georgette with green sash" [5: 14-May-1937]
The ball and its festivities celebrated the coronation of King George VI of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth [5]
Attended the Official Opening of the new golf links in Three Springs on Sunday 23 May 1937 [5: 28-May-1937]
Attended the very successful Annual Catholic Ball in Three Springs on 3 June 1937 in black velvet trimmed with sequins [5: 11-Jun-1937]
Steward of the Photography section at the Carnamah District Agricultural Society's Annual Show in 1937 [5: 4-Jun-1937]
She was among the 80 who attended the Carnamah Repertory Club's Social Evening at the Carnamah Hall on 25 June 1937 [5: 2-Jul-1937]
Attended the Social of the Carnamah Golf Club Associates at the home of Mrs Millie G. LEITHHEAD on Friday 9 July 1937 [5]
During the evening she played the piano selection "The Rustle of Spring" [5: 16-Jul-1937]
Helped judge the costumes at the Carnamah Girls Club's Masquerade Ball at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 24 July 1937 [5: 30-Jul-1937]
Gave a pianoforte solo at the Valedictory Social for William H. & Eva M. MOORE at the Carnamah Hall on 31 July 1937 [5: 6-Aug-1937]
Musical director and accompanist at the Community Concert at the Carnamah Hall on Wednesday evening 11 August 1937 [5: 6-Aug-1937]
Motored to Perth on Friday 10 September 1937 accompanied by her two sons for a fortnight's holiday [5: 17-Sep-1937]
Vice Patron of the Carnamah Tennis Club in 1937 [0: image 03666]
Committee Member of the Carnamah District War and Patriotic Fund in 1941 [0: image 04014]
From 1942 to 1947 she led a local orchestra that played at local events, known as "Mrs Gell's orchestra" [0: images 04187, 04421]
Played the piano at the Welcome Home Ball held at the Carnamah Town Hall on Saturday 15 December 1945 [7: page 48]
On 27 March 1947 was with her husband the guest of honour at a farewell social and dance in the Carnamah Town Hall [0: image 04452]
Along with her husband left Carnamah on Friday 28 March 1947 [0: image 04452]
Resided of late in the Perth suburb of Claremont [2]
Mother of Bryan Edward and Murray Dickson [5: 12-Jan-1934]
Died 4 October 1976; buried at the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth, Western Australia (Anglican, ZK, 107) [2]
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Irene Arikia Edwards / Gell' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 16 April 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/irene-arikia-edwards [reference list] |
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