Description of Content

A man and a boy with a load of bricks, for building a house. The man is sitting on a stack of bricks, the boy is standing. This photograph shows Brian Watson and Willie Kienhuis by the delivery of bricks to build the Watson's first house in Greensborough, circa 1958. Brian remembers: 'The bricks had arrived all the way from Ballarat. At that time building materials were still hard to obtain following the shortages of World War II. The bricks had to be wheeled down the hill and put in position for the brick layer. That way, anyone who wanted to pinch them would have to wheel them back up the hill again!' They only got to work on the house on the weekends, as Brian worked during the week. Willie Kienhuis lived next door to the Watson's property. Willie used to wait all week for Brian and Vera to arrive on the weekends. Brian thinks it must have been it 'the best entertainment.' This is part of a series of 18 images contributed by Brian and Vera Watson, showing the construction of their house in about 1958 - 1959 in Greensborough. Brian and Vera worked on the site with friends and family on the weekends, during their engagement. There was a shortage of materials such as bricks, and of labour. Brian was lucky to have a friend who was a builder, Albie Birrell, who gave him advice and help. Vera and Brian would bring a camera and take photographs at each significant stage.

More Information