Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Mavis Margaret Valmadre was born on 27th December, 1910 to Battista Giovanni (Jack) & Margherita (Cecini)in Ravenswood. The family moved to Proserpine where they took up a selection at Kelsey Creek raising cattle & growing sugar cane. Jack & Margaret had 3 boys & 3 girls. Mavis being the 3rd child. She attended the Kelsey Creek school where she achieved her scholarship.
After graduating Mavis & Edna together established a successful dress-making business, providing garments to many of the Proserpine families. Min, the eldest, did most of the drafting & cutting out, while Mavis provided the stitching & Edna the orders & office work. The business was located in the main street of Proserpine, & they employed other ladies as well to fill demand. When war broke out, all 3 sisters joined up. Mavis joined the V.A.D. (Voluntary Aid Detachment) after passing the First Aid Exams & they received the princely sum of 1/6p (15c) per day for their services. She served in various places & gained the rank of Corporal. Eventually the defense force transferred them to the A.A.M.W.S. a branch of the Army & they went on higher pay – hence the X in their identification number. She watched the Japanese General sign the surrender papers on Morotai Island. Mavis found the days with the war service very satisfying in all areas making friends along the way. Their last duties included nursing the prisoners of war on their return home from Morotai Island to Australia. After the war she decided to see more of the world & travelled overseas through Japan, England & Europe for 3 ½ years, working along the way. Upon return to Australia, Mavis worked for several years as a Manageress & buyer for David Jones in Brisbane & Townsville. She later decided to open an Interior Decorating shop there until 1967 when while travelling back to Townsville after a family 21st birthday party, she was involved in a terrible car accident. After the accident she returned to Proserpine to live with her parents on the corner of Herbert & Marathon Street. Mavis never married.