Ruby
b......1892
d......1960
|
|
|==========||
Norman edward 
b.30nov1911
d......1986
|
m......1938
|
Mabel jean
Metcalfe    daughter of George and Florence Lily CHAPMAN.
b......1913
d......1988
|
|============|=========||
Robin        Son
b.           b.
d.           d.

There is no record of Ruby marrying. Indeed, her son Norman Edward's birth record (Vic BMD 32224/1911) does not mention his father's name. Norman Edward married Mabel Jean METCALFE in 1938 (Vic BMD 16813/1938). She was born in Great Western in 1913 (Vic BMD 4244/1913), They lived in the same street as his mother. Vivian Bugden reports 'Poor Ruby had polio and was often bedridden. It seems she was taken advantage off the result was Norman'.

Ruby died in Stawell in 1960 (Vic BMD 32957/1960) in Queen Elizabeth House, Ballarat and was buried in Pleasant Creek, Stawell Cemetery in Methodist plot 3642A. Right: Ruby Blackman's headstone in Stawell

The Australian Electoral Roll 1903-1977, available on Ancestry, records their homes and occupations in the 1913 Roll as:

• 230, Blackman Charlotte Hilda, home duties, Wakeham st., Stawell, a sub-district of Grampians
• 233, Blackman George, caretaker, Wakeham st., Stawell, a sub-district of Grampians

At this date Ruby didn't have the right to vote so the house duties of the widowed George were the responsibility of an unknown Charlotte, perhaps his sister.

The Electoral Roll 1903-1977, records their homes and occupations in the 1914-1927 Roll as:

• 231, Blackman George, caretaker, Wakeham st., Stawell, a sub-district of Grampians
• 232, Blackman Ruby, home duties, Wakeham st., Stawell, a sub-district of Grampians

with Ruby taking over household duties. George BLACKMAN is likely to be her father. They were still living there through to 1931. In 1936-37 Ruby's son was eligible to vote:

bl_info2n, sheet 2

• 237, Blackman George, caretaker, Wakeham st., Stawell, a sub-district of Corangamite
• 238, Blackman Norman Edward, textile worker, Wakeham st., Stawell, a sub-district of Corangamite
• 239, Blackman Ruby, home duties, Wakeham st., Stawell, a sub-district of Corangamite

In the 1942 and 1954 Rolls mother and son were living at:

• 248, Blackman, Norman Edward 19 Wakeman st., textile worker in Stawell a sub-district of Corangamite
• 249, Blackman, Ruby, 19 Wakeman st., home duties in Stawell a sub-district of Corangamite

This was by the railway sidings, which now appears to have become light industry. Her son, now married, lived in the same street, through 1942 to 1954:

• 224, Blackman, Mabel Jean, 1 Wakeman st., home duties in Stawell a sub-district of Wimmera
• 225, Blackman, Norman Edward, 1 Wakeman st., textile worker in Stawell a sub-district of Wimmera

Norman continued to live in Stawell.

The 1963-1972 Rolls records, a different address and occupation:

• 259, Blackman, Mabel Jean, 9 Napier st., home duties, in Stawell a sub-district of Wimmera
• 261, Blackman, Norman Edward, 9 Napier st., shopkeeper, in Stawell a sub-district of Wimmera

until he retired in the 1977 and 1980 Rolls:

• 363, Blackman, Mabel Jean, 25 Houston st., home duties, in Stawell a sub-district of Wimmera
• 365, Blackman, Norman Edward, 25 Houston st., retired, in Stawell a sub-district of Wimmera

Norman Edward died in Stawell in 1986 (Vic BMD 4800/1986) and his wife in 1988 (Vic BMD 30229/1988) in Heidelberg, perhaps in the Austin Hospital.

In 1995, their son Robin took over the organisation of the Phillip Island Bowling Club's Autumn Carnival developing it into one of the most popular in the state. In 2021, 150 bowlers represented 50 clubs including national and international competitors took part in a 'well oiled' process. In 2021, Robin handed over the organisation, though remaining a mentor, and ended his bowling career. The Phillip Island Bowls Club made Robin a life member. Phillip Island & San Remo Advertiser (Accessed: 10 July 2023) Right: Robin Blackman, Ruby's grandson, from the Phillip Island & San Remo Advertiser of 12 May 2021 at the end of his association with the Phillip Island Bowls Carnival

This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass			Version Aa Updated 30 September 2023