The photo below is the only known family portrait which includes the whole family. Given the youngest member of the family George, (standing centre front) looks like he is in his early teens, the photo was probably taken about 1935.
Keady family about 1935. Left to right back, Roy, Francie, Thomas, Jack, Lillian Crawford. Middle row left to right, Robert, Molly, Kevin, Fred, Jimmy, Thomas Patrick Keady. George standing centre, front. (Source: Brian, Molly’s son)
Neither the occasion or location are noted on the photo, although it sure looks like the front verandah of 51 Cameron Street, Wonthaggi.
The quality of the photo is not bad after some repair work to remove small scratches and dust, unfortunately it looks like Thomas and Jack in the back row have moved slightly when the photo was being taken. Their faces are a little blurred and this can’t be fixed.
Get in touch if you would like a high quality copy.
When Frances Lillian “Francie” Keady was 13 years old a younger sister finally arrived. Mary Margaret Keady, or “Mollie” was born at Wonthaggi on 30 June 1922.
Mary “Molly” Keady, about 1925-26
The photo below was sent by Francie to her Aunt Annie, on the occasion of her 15th birthday, a couple of years latter.
Francie Keady, 15th Birthday, 13 July 1925. Postcard to Auntie Anne in Albury.
The last child of Thomas and Lillian to arrive was George Keady, who was born in Wonthaggi on 10 December, 1924.
The age spread across the family is pretty obvious in the photo below. The occasion or location is unknown, but everyone certainly seems dressed up, even the youngsters, Molly and George standing on the deck of the yacht behind their older brothers Fred and Jack. (The older gentleman on the left has been identified as Mr Vesteine, by someone !!! Help with clarifying his relationship to the family would be great.)
Molly, George on the boat. Front Mr Vesteine, then Fred, Jack, Lillian, Thomas (L-R). About 1930
The photo below must have been taken about the same time or a little earlier; perhaps around 1930. George Keady is standing in front of his older brother Fred, with the background being the side of the family home in Cameron Street, Wonthaggi.
It’s worth noting Fred’s grubby hands. If indeed the photo was taken about 1930, then Fred was in his late teens and had been working at the State Coal Mine since he was 14. Perhaps he has just returned from a shift underground.
Or perhaps Fred and George were doing some work in their father’s famous vegetable garden because it looks like George has been crawling around on the ground given the dirt on his knees.
This is one of the few informal photos of family members. In most family shots everyone is meticulously groomed.
Fred and younger brother, George Keady at Wonthaggi.
Points of Clarification
The stories accompanying each photo are pure guesswork. There are very few, if any photos with any written explanation. We are just lucky that names are noted on a few.
The last photo of Fred and George was distributed a few years back with a caption of John Dennis “Jack” Keady and George. Some recent photos from the collection of Veronica Keady, Fred’s daughter clearly identify the older boy in this photo as “Fred”. So apologies for that mistake.
Keady Family in Victoria 