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Joan Coles: a full life

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Feb 23, 2024

JOAN May Coles was an amazing woman, larger than life, zany, colourful, kind, generous, intelligent, artistic, she had a wicked sense of humour and was a real dag who brightened everyone’s life with her laughter and exploits.

This is to honour this wonderful woman with laughter, joy and great memories.

Joan was born on October 13, 1933, in East Malvern to Sue and Harold Hodgson. She lived in Ormond for several years before moving to Murrumbeena where she attended the local primary school for two years.

Her father suddenly became ill with tuberculosis and tragically died aged 31 in 1940 when Joan was aged seven. During this time her mother was working full time and struggled to care for Joan so she was sent to live with her grandmother in Banambra, near Omeo, for several years. After returning home her grandfather died and her grandmother moved in with them to look after her.

At that stage, Jan came to live with them as a baby and became Joan’s beloved little sister.

Joan’s mum remarried to a bank manager of the State Savings Bank of Victoria and they moved to Yea in the late 50s. Sadly he also passed away and Sue had a nervous breakdown. She moved to friends in Marysville to recover and worked in the post office there. When her health improved, she had so loved her time in Yea, that she decided to move back there, working at the Yea Butter …… continue reading the full article by subscribing to our weekly, monthly or annual online subscription here.

Alexandra Newspapers offers display and classified advertisements as well the ability to promote your business through our online directory – Murrindindi Business or a space on our website.

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By Jenny Purvis

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If you see a photo in the paper of your child, grandchild, partner, or friend we can supply you with a copy to put on your wall as long as Alexandra Newspapers took the photo (we cannot provide a copy of a photo that was taken by a third party).

Alexandra Newspapers is proud to distribute our two primary publications through newsagents, supermarkets, petrol stations and many other outlets across the Murrindindi Shire and beyond.

Alexandra Newspapers offers display and classified advertisements as well the ability to promote your business. Both the Alexandra Standard and the Yea Chronicle offer classified ads for: Births, Deaths, Marriages, Situations Vacant, For Sale, Garage Sale, In Memoriam, Happy Birthday, Anniversary, Public Notice, Meetings, Automotive, Car/Caravan/Motorbikes/Boats. For Rent/Lease, and Wanted.

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Grab a copy of the weekly newspaper or reach out to us here for subscribing an offline newspaper copy.

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