Mrs Phyllis Dohnt celebrates ‘the big 100’
Happy birthday to Resthaven Western Community Services client, Mrs Phyllis Dohnt, who turns 100 on 24 May!
Born in Hindmarsh, South Australia, on 24 May 1924, Phyllis was the third eldest of six children. At the time of her birth, her parents were market gardeners, living at Flinders Park, before buying a market garden on Grand Junction Road, Hope Valley.
Times were hard, they had no electricity and no bathroom, so on Sundays the children all lined up to have a bath in the washtub in front of the fire. Clothes were hand-me-downs from cousins, but Phyllis remembered her mother getting her a new dress for her to wear to the local Sunday School anniversary celebrations.
Phyllis went to school at Hope Valley, finishing up just before she turned 13 to stay home and help her mother with the family’s newest addition, her youngest sibling.
To earn some money, Phyllis took on house duties at homes around the neighbourhood, before obtaining a shop assistant position at the Myer Emporium. She held this job until 1942 when, with the advent of World War II, she enlisted into the WRAAF service as a Radio Telephone Operator. She commenced at Victor Harbor and was then posted to Mildura. In 1944, Phyllis was discharged from service on compassionate grounds to return to Hope Valley to care for her ailing mother. When her mother’s health improved, Phyllis found a new job working in the Mail Order Department at Myer, where she stayed until she married.
Phyllis and Alick
In 1946, Phyllis met Alick Dohnt. He lived at Tea Tree Gully and had served as a Signalman in the Australian Military Forces. By Christmas, they were engaged, and on Phyllis’ birthday (also coincidentally the date of her parent’s wedding) 24 May 1947, the pair were married at Hope Valley.
The couple found a place to rent in the area, but the home had no electricity. Instead, reminiscent of her upbringing, they had a wood stove, and for washing, the copper was boiled and a scrubbing board used to clean clothes. When it came time for a bath, the copper was again employed to boil the water and then decanted into the tin bath for bathing.
On 13 September 1948 the couple’s first child, Janet, was born.
The couple had put in for a building permit to build on a block of land they owned at Klemzig. They transferred this permit to build a brick house at Richmond instead, and in 1950 they moved into their new home.
Their son, Gary, was born on 1 November 1951.
Passions and pastimes
When Gary turned five and started school, Phyllis joined the Women’s Auxiliary of the Cowandilla Infant School, then took up a part-time position as a shop assistant at Coles in Rundle Street.
Over the years, Phyllis and Alick followed Janet and Gary with their activities. Janet was a Seafarer marching girl and Phyllis chaperoned the junior team, ensuring the team’s uniforms were clean and looking after the general wellbeing of the girls. Gary joined the Cubs and Scouts.
When she wasn’t working, Saturday mornings were baking time – rock cakes for everyone’s lunch box. Phyllis was also a very good knitter, knitting jerseys for the kids, as well as making clothes to keep everyone looking smart in hard times. She was also Secretary of the Hilton RSL Women’s Auxiliary for around 25 years.
With a healthy work ethic, Phyllis increased her hours to full time and stayed with Coles until she turned 50. She then joined Alick in retirement (he had retired early due to ill health).
The couple took the opportunity to hit the road and jumped in their caravan for two trips up to North Queensland, travelling for 3-4 months each time and leaving their teenage children to fend for themselves. This interest also showed itself in their membership of the Roadrunners Caravan Club. They also enjoyed a trip overseas, travelling to New Zealand, where they took in the scenery of the lush countryside.
Sadly, Alick died in 1999.
Still living in her own home with support from Resthaven Western Community Services, Phyllis enjoys doing find-a-word puzzles and playing patience.
Her secret to longevity? Drinking only water – no tea, no coffee, and no alcohol (but she loves her chocolates).
Happy 100th birthday Phyllis!