Dolores Paulina Beales
From Our Contribution
 Dolores Beales holding Citizen of the Year trophy, 1984. | |
| Plaque Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not known |
 Dolores Beales holding Citizen of the Year trophy, 1984. | |
| Plaque Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 13 January 1908 |
| Age at Death | 81 years |
| Transcription | In Loving Memory of Dolores Paulina Beales Born 1908 Died 06/09/1989 Aged 81 Years |
Dolores Beales was a Roleystone resident and former Citizen of the Year (1984) in the Town of Armadale.
Contents
Early Years
Born Dolores Paulina Beales (nee Canaletich) on 13 January 1908 in Day Dawn W.A., to parents Dominic and Teresa Canaletich (nee Dariz), formerly of Day Dawn, W.A. Dolores was Domonic and Teresa's eldest daughter.
Marriage
Dolores married George Walker Beales at St.Joseph's Church Queens Park on 15 March, 1926. Dolores had three sisters Diana, Grace and Eleanor(Noreen). The couple had sons named Brian George Beales born 1926, Arthur born 1930 and daughter Barbara born 1947.
Electoral Roll information
According to the electoral roll George and Dolores lived at "Keithfield" Orchard in Roleystone in 1949 and 1958 and at 3106 Albany Highway in 1963 and 1980 until retirement. Initially Dolores and George lived with the rest of the family in the Old House built by the Fernies. Soon after Brian's birth, the Old House was split up and the family moved to a two-roomed, timber framed house on George's block. The couple established a viable orchard after Dolores married George. Dolores also grew flowers, strawberries, cape gooseberries and passionfruit, to make a small income during the Great Depression of 1929 to almost the start of World War Two. Winter peas were also grown on the the newly cleared land. Fruit trees were planted amongst the peas, also cabbages, cauliflowers, swedes and potatoes. Summer favourites included watermelons, rockmelons, pumpkins, tomatoes, sweet corn and runner beans.
They also kept cows, pigs, ducks, fowls and were largely self-sufficient for food. Dolores was able to put her dressmaking skills, when she was given a treadle-type Singer sewing machine by friend Frank Main. She was able to recycle old garments for Brian and Arthur, jumpers knitted and darning and patching to keep clothes serviceable.
During 1955, 25 acres was bought which had better access to Peet Road.
Community Contribution
Dolores was recognised as the Town of Armadale's 'Citizen of the Year' in 1984. Prior to that achievement, she had been a founding member of the Roleystone CWA in 1933 (according to a Roleystone CWA history written in 1972) and was its first Secretary-Treasurer.
Death
Dolores died 6 September 1989 at age 81.