ACT Heritage Library Manuscript Collections

HMSS 0397 John Bevan Photograph 

Scope and Content Notes 

This is a photograph of John Bevan, aged a few weeks, being admired by Dame Enid Lyons, right, and other guests at a garden party at Government House, Canberra. He is held by his mother, Dorothy Bevan. The identity of the other women are unknown.

The garden party was organised to raise funds for the ACT Red Cross Society and the Canberra Volunteers’ Welfare Association, and was held on Saturday 3 December 1939. Dame Enid was in Canberra for a meeting of the Red Cross Society. Lady Gowrie, the wife of the Governor-General Lord Gowrie, provided afternoon tea and Les Pogson and his orchestra donated their musical services. The wives of five State Governors, in Canberra for the Red Cross meeting, Prime Minister Menzies and Mrs Menzies also attended.

Les and Dorothy Bevan moved to Canberra from Ballina, NSW, in the mid 1930s. Les was a foundation member of Canberra South Bowling Club, formed in 1948. He worked for Eddie Gumley at his Manuka milk bar before opening ‘Arcade Grocery’, which closed in 1960. Les’s sister Ruby also moved to Canberra, and worked at Gumley’s for about 40 years.

John Bevan attended Telopea Park primary school and Canberra High school. He lived in Canberra until 1963.

The photograph is a scanned reproduction of a black and white print, 15 x 20 cm.  Prints of newscuttings from the Canberra Times are provided as background information.

The photograph is black and white, 15x20cm. Prints of newscuttings from the Canberra Times have been provided as background information.