ailsa Mildred Willis
9 November 1924 - 24 September 1975
Born in Toowoomba, Ailsa was the youngest of Will and Hilary's five children. During her youth, Ailsa was highly proficient violinist. At one stage the local newspaper reported: "Miss Ailsa Willis, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Willis, of Woombye, who gained highest place in Queensland in the A.M.E.B. examinations held in June of this year, in grade III violin. This young lady has passed four examinations conducted by the A.M.E.B. in three years, and gained honours on each occasion. In 1938 she secured highest place in Queensland in grade VI" (Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, 13 September 1940, p. 5 - source: <http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/78032980>).
Ailsa's proficiency with the violin was such that over coming years she was asked to perform solo at a number of different events (e.g., Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Supplement, 26 September 1947, p. 1 - source: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/78384214> and Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, 11 February 1938, p. 7 - source: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/77870549>).
A news report from 12 December 1947 further illustrates the high regard in which Ailsa's musical ability with the violin was held:
Further plaudits were gained by the Nambour Amateur Theatrical Society in the presentation of 'The Unattainable,' a comedy in three acts by Somerset Maugham, at the Diggers' Hall on
Wednesday and Thursday evening last ... Members of the cast and orchestra were entertained by the Society at Collins' Cafe on Thursday evening. Opportunity was taken to express best wishes for future happiness to two members — Misses Ailsa Willis and Beth Beveridge (the former was married at
Woombye last Saturday, and Miss Beveridge weds Mr. Bill Atthow on December 27). Mr. B. McFadden, in making a presentation of a pottery vase to Miss Willis, referred to Miss Willis' keen interest and ability as a violinist.
(Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, 12 December 1947, p. 5 - source: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/78384824>)
For another news report of Ailsa's ability with the violin see:
<https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/77866142>
Ailsa rests at the Rockhampton Crematorium (<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199726139/alisa-mildred-rees>).
Born in Toowoomba, Ailsa was the youngest of Will and Hilary's five children. During her youth, Ailsa was highly proficient violinist. At one stage the local newspaper reported: "Miss Ailsa Willis, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Willis, of Woombye, who gained highest place in Queensland in the A.M.E.B. examinations held in June of this year, in grade III violin. This young lady has passed four examinations conducted by the A.M.E.B. in three years, and gained honours on each occasion. In 1938 she secured highest place in Queensland in grade VI" (Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, 13 September 1940, p. 5 - source: <http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/78032980>).
Ailsa's proficiency with the violin was such that over coming years she was asked to perform solo at a number of different events (e.g., Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Supplement, 26 September 1947, p. 1 - source: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/78384214> and Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, 11 February 1938, p. 7 - source: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/77870549>).
A news report from 12 December 1947 further illustrates the high regard in which Ailsa's musical ability with the violin was held:
Further plaudits were gained by the Nambour Amateur Theatrical Society in the presentation of 'The Unattainable,' a comedy in three acts by Somerset Maugham, at the Diggers' Hall on
Wednesday and Thursday evening last ... Members of the cast and orchestra were entertained by the Society at Collins' Cafe on Thursday evening. Opportunity was taken to express best wishes for future happiness to two members — Misses Ailsa Willis and Beth Beveridge (the former was married at
Woombye last Saturday, and Miss Beveridge weds Mr. Bill Atthow on December 27). Mr. B. McFadden, in making a presentation of a pottery vase to Miss Willis, referred to Miss Willis' keen interest and ability as a violinist.
(Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, 12 December 1947, p. 5 - source: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/78384824>)
For another news report of Ailsa's ability with the violin see:
<https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/77866142>
Ailsa rests at the Rockhampton Crematorium (<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199726139/alisa-mildred-rees>).
Llewellyn Tudor Rees
3 November 1919 - 11 October 2004
Lyn was born in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Throughout his life, Lyn worked across a diverse range of occupations including radio technician, timber mill manager, diary farmer, and sales representative.
Lyn rests at the Nambour Crematorium (<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/256115411/llewellyn-tudor_morgan-rees).
Lyn was born in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Throughout his life, Lyn worked across a diverse range of occupations including radio technician, timber mill manager, diary farmer, and sales representative.
Lyn rests at the Nambour Crematorium (<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/256115411/llewellyn-tudor_morgan-rees).
Ailsa and Lyn
Ailsa and Lyn were married in Brisbane on 6 December 1947. Soon afterwards they went to live in Ashgrove in Brisbane. Subsequently they went to live with Will and Hilary at Wellington Point for a short time in 1954. By 1958 they had moved to a dairy farm at Stokers Siding, NSW, where they remained for more than 10 years with their four daughters. In 1972 the family left Stokers Siding to go on an 'Around Australia' driving trip. However, when they arrived in Gladstone, Queensland, they liked it and decided to stay.
descendant Chart and report
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