Pamela Towers

Pamela Towers (nee Bain) was born in Wollongong in 1938 and has lived her whole life in Wongawilli.

Listen to Pam’s Interview

Part One :

Pam talks about her family history and recalls bee keeping with her grandfather, rabbit hunting with her father, and her mother’s extensive garden.

She also recalls practising on her bike with a pail of water to hone her skills before she was allowed to ride to White’s farm to collect the milk.

Part Two :

Pam remembers her school days at Wongawilli’s one-room public school. She recalls school picnics and concerts and the many forms of youth entertainment organised by the share farmer families.

Pam speaks of dances, movies, learning to swim in the local dam, and exploring along Andy’s Track and the escarpment area at the back of Dapto.

Part Three :

Pam talks about attending house parties and playing games such as ‘spin the bottle’.

Floods would often make travel difficult in the Dapto area and Pam remembers the need to carry her shoes and socks on her way to school and other social events to try to keep them dry. She also recalls a particularly bad bush fire on the escarpment in the 1950s.

Pam gave another interview in 2026 about her memories of Wongawilli mine and her life.

Part Four:

Pam’s audio interviews can be downloaded here: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four.

Pam’s interview transcripts: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four

Keywords

Wongawilli – Dapto – Rural Life – House Parties – Floods – Wongawilli School – John Jarratt – Andy’s Track – Dances – Wongawilli Colliery and Coke Works