Apple Crumble Generation Three

 

My life has been very different from that of my mother and my grandmother. I was born towards the end of World War Two. By the time I reached young adulthood, the world was vastly changed from that which I was born into. Although not many girls completed secondary school, I was fortunate to earn a teaching scholarship which meant that I finished Senior (now Year 12) and went on to Teachers College. Most women saw employment as something to engage in until they were married.  Nursing and teaching were probably exceptions, though many did not return to the job after marriage and children.

We were the first generation to have access to superannuation but without security. The ‘marriage bar’ was set high. When I got married, I was forced to resign and become a part-time worker. My superannuation contributions were returned (and bought a fridge - which would have been at least $30,000  at retirement.)  When I became eligible for permanent work, I had the temerity to have children and stay home to mother them with casual work at TAFE. My super, at retirement was less than one third of my male counterparts. To make it even more difficult, it was not until 1972 that female teachers were paid the same amount as men, despite the fact that as early as 1949, the teachers union endorsed equal pay. I really must share my status when I worked in Western Australia. Because I was married, I was designated ‘Temporary Mistress’. When I was stood down during the Christmas holiday, I became ‘Temporary Mistress Lapsed.’ How low can you go?

When I was divorced, I had three children under 10, full time work and part time study. I had completed my Bachelor of Educational Studies and was working on a Grad Dip in Human Resource Management which involved some volunteer work. For me, that was a fortnightly shift with Lifeline telephone counselling. I went on eventually to get a second Grad Dip and a Masters in Educational Administration. I was also heavily involved in Toastmasters which I have continued to this day.

I would probably have remained in a primary school classroom but I took on a District Relief role. That was a permanent position and involved relieving teachers on long service leave and principals and deputy principals on long term leave. One off those stints was so difficult that I was ready to leave teaching but instead applied for a one-teacher school where I rediscovered my love of teaching. As an experienced teacher in the bush, where most are in their early years of teaching, I came to the attention of the Executive Director and was offered one year of paid study in New Zealand to set up and run the Reading Recovery program in Queensland.

Now I was working with teachers, a role that fitted me to a T. My teaching and Toastmasters came together to give me a twelve-year highlight to my teaching career. It was a heady time for me and gave me another opportunity – to work overseas in Northern Ireland, London and Vancouver Island in Canada, with lots of travel in school holidays.

I retired at 60 with a love of travel but not a good travel budget. I bought a very small camper, followed by a slightly larger campervan – a converted ambulance - and set off. Over a period of 13 years, I travelled almost every highway and byway in Australia, often in the company of fellow Solo travellers. That was an incredible way to see the country and I have made life-long friends. I have finished my road tripping now and settled into quite a busy lifestyle which I will continue for as long as I can.

My vehicle didn’t have many expensive features, or even many basic features! With limited cupboard space, a very small fridge and not much interest in cooking, my meals were rather straightforward – even boring. However, there were times when we shared meals and I had to have something quick and easy and foolproof. What better than an apple crumble! Nana had a simple recipe. Mum made it simpler. Was it possible to simplify it even more? Yes, and without an oven or even a reliable stovetop, I developed my own version which was always popular. I rarely had leftovers to worry about.

My version of apple crumble:

·        Pie apples from a ring-pull can

·        Empty pie apples into a good-sized dish

·        Top with granola and serve

Monica O’Rourke 1944 - now