July 30, 2020
Two new books detailing special pieces of Proston’s history have now gone on sale.
Former Proston resident Joyce Penman’s parents were the “Smith” part of the historic “Smith and Duffy” grocery shop in town.
Joyce, in her 80s, now lives on the coast but returns to Proston as often as she can.
Linda Rea, from the Proston and District Heritage Association, said Joyce had a “fantastic memory” about her life in Proston and still feels the town is home.
Recently Joyce has been researching the history of the Proston QCWA and has prepared two books after trawling through newspaper archives, meeting minutes and online resources.
Copies of the books, “Proston QCWA Debutante Balls” and “Proston Branch QCWA – The First Fifty Years”, were presented to the Proston QCWA branch at their recent annual general meeting.
“Joyce spent a lot of time reading old newspapers to compile the books,” Linda said.
Unfortunately, Joyce wasn’t able to attend the AGM herself, so Linda presented copies of the two books to the branch on her behalf.
This isn’t Joyce’s first effort at documenting Proston’s history.
She has also prepared books about the Proston RSL Sub-Branch, the railway sleeper mill, the butter factory and the railway.
Copies of Joyce’s two latest books can be bought for $10 each at Shop 44 in Blake Street, Proston.
All proceeds from the sales will go to the Proston and District Heritage Association.
The association is busily working on plans for the town’s centenary celebrations which will be held from September 30 to October 1 in 2023.
Linda said a special history book would be published to coincide with the centenary
“We are asking people to write between 500 and 1000 words about their memories of Proston, or about their time in the town,” Linda said.
Linda can be contacted by email
