DOBSON Ann 1909 - 1991

Ann Dobson was the second youngest of six children of John and Mary McIntyre who ran a small mixed farm near Heywood. They were a hard working pioneering family of that district who trapped rabbits in order to supplement their income. Those early days were not easy for her but Ann was not afraid of hard work and always helped on the farm working long hours beside her parents, brothers and sisters.

In 1935, following the death of her parents, Ann along with two of her brothers, Lou and Jack, put their herd of cows on the train to Dandenong in hope of finding a more productive place to farm. They found such a place next to the Dobson farm in Stud Road, Rowville.

The McIntyres and Dobsons became good friends, Ann and Gordon particularly so, and they were married on 6th. January 1945.

They built a small cottage facing Police Road and for many years worked together milking cows and doing the many farm chores.

Each week Ann would harness her horse into the jinker and set out for Dandenong to do the weekly shopping.

When Gordon took on his droving and stock transport business, Ann was a great backstop. She was always there to answer the many phone calls. The kettle was always ready on the wood stove for when Gordon would drop in for a quick cuppa on his way to market.

Ann's home was modest. She never had many of the modern conveniences which most women enjoy. It wasn't that they couldn't afford them - it was that she never wanted them.

Those early pioneering days were in her veins and she was never really able to make the change.

However, contentment always seemed to radiate from her. Ann was a very good wife to Gordon, and their only child Jean was showered with her love. When Jean married, Ann welcomed John as a son and was extremely proud of her two grandsons, Lloyd and Rohan. Her many nieces and nephews recall very happy holidays spent at the farm with Aunt Ann and Uncle Gordon.

Over the years Ann was a member of the Scoresby Primary School Mothers' Club and an inaugural member of the Rowville Red Cross, the Recreational Reserve Committee and of the Rowville Uniting Church from the time of its humble beginning in the meeting room opposite the farm in Police Road. One of the small but important duties Ann performed was that of "keeper" of the key for the Rowville Tennis Club courts and many Rowville tennis players will recall Ann's words of encouragement when they collected the key before a match.

Ann was never one to seek the limelight much preferring to work in the background at the many charitable functions she attended. She was a gracious lady and all who knew her will miss her very much.

Ann Dobson passed away peacefully at Jean and John's farm at Yea on 8th. October 1991. She was aged 82.

Margaret Dobson

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