Woodman Point Quarantine Station

Elizabeth Gilmore Weir
MARSH ( Nee McLachlan )

Born 9th April 1924

Larkhall
Scotland

Passed away
31st March 1994
Yangebup WA.

Orient Line's S.S. Osterley

White Star Line S,S.Vedic

The Marsh family name has a unique record in the history of the Woodman Point Quarantine Station. This being that George Marsh was the last Officer in Charge of the station at Woodman Point when it was operating primarily as a Quarantine Station up till it closed in 1979. He was also Officer in Charge of the Bicton Animal Quarantine Station from 1959 to 1963 before being transferred to Woodman Point as O.I.C. The Marsh family has also the unique distinction of having resided in every residence at the Woodman Point Quarantine Station during George's term of service. George Marsh retired in 1979.

George Arthur Daniel Marsh

Born 5th September, 1920 in Hambleton, Hampshire, England to parents George and Edith Mary Marsh. His father was a blacksmith, who also served in the Boar and First World Wars. They immigrated to Western Australia in 1927 on the Orient Line steamship " Osterley " under the Early Settlement Scheme. This scheme brought out to Western Australia Ex-Servicemen, where they could purchase land. The Marsh’s brought a hundred acres for 250 pounds in Forrest Road, Hamilton Hill. It was the last house on Forrest Road before Bibra Lake. His early interests as a young lad were hunting and fishing. He went to Fremantle Boys School, and left at 15 years of age. George’s first job was with the Jandakot Wool Scouring, then The West Australian Meat Export Works at Robb’s Jetty. Part of the initiation there was to be thrown into a vat of blood. He then joined the Coogee/ Spearwood Bus Company as a bus driver. In this job he became well known in the district and this is where he met Elizabeth McLachlan. On the 29th October 1948 they had their first son, Ross George Marsh followed by Gary, who was born on the 26th November 1950

Elizabeth Gilmour Weir Marsh

Born Elizabeth Gilmour Weir McLachlan on the 9 April 1924 in Larkhall, Scotland to parents James Thompson and Janet Sorbie McLachlan. Her father was a Blacksmith, who served in the First World War. Betty, as she was mostly called, was the youngest of four daughters. The Family immigrated to Western Australia in 1927 on the Liner “Verdic” as part of The Early Settlement Scheme for Ex- Servicemen. The McLachlan’s brought land at South Coogee. Betty, and her three sisters, went to South Coogee Primary School and then attended Princess May High School in Fremantle. On leaving school, she worked at Charlie Carters store, in Fremantle. She joined the Army during the Second World War and was based in Perth Records Section. She gained the rank of Corporal. After the war she returned to Charlie Carters. It was during her travelling by bus from South Coogee to Fremantle and return each day that she first met George. On the 21st December 1946 they were married in Fremantle. Their first home was in Edeline Street Spearwood.

Ross & Gary c1956

In 1951 George joined the Australian Quarantine Service where he was required to relocate his family to the quarantine station. His main duties then were maintaining the station and making sure it was ready for any quarantine patients that may arrive at a moments notice. Other duties were quarantine inspection of ships at Fremantle Harbour and also quarantine duties at Perth airport. Elizabeth enjoyed the country style life and raising her two children on the station. On one occasion at the quarantine station she and her family were confined there for up to six weeks at a time because of complete quarantine lock down. This meant that no one could enter or leave the station during this period and to the boys delight, no school. There were also hard times, during the early years at the station they didn't have a car, and the closest bus stop was on Cockburn Road and this meant that each week Elizabeth had to carry the shopping and look after her two children at the same time.

Bicton Quarantine Stn. c1959

In 1959 he became Officer in Charge of the Bicton Animal Quarantine. He spent 4 years there before returning to Woodman Point Quarantine Station as the Officer in Charge. He replaced Roy McIntosh who retired in 1963. Part of the his duties then required supervision of other quarantine officers, ship inspections at Kwinana, quarantine duties at Perth International Airport and receiving telegrams, during all hours, from ship captains in relation to the health of the passengers and crew. He remained Officer in Charge until the Quarantine Station closed in 1979. One of the stories he told of his experiences in his early days as a Quarantine Officer was that he and another officer were given the job of cremating a patient, who had died of smallpox. The Station had its own Crematorium, and in those days was wood fired. During the cremation they had to check the fire and add more wood. They opened the doors, and while loading more wood onto the fire, the body started to sit up. This sent them running scared but they did find out later that it was the heat from the fire that had caused this to happen.

Betty was a great cook. She also used to cook for patients in quarantine and later for deportees in the Detention Centre, which was based at the Station. She was also very good at craft work, knitting, crocheting, hand crafts and cake decorating. She was famous for her cream sponges.

George’s main interests outside of quarantine responsibilities were his family, fishing and hunting rabbits. The fishing in those days was great, especially from the long jetty. Blue Manna crabs and Cobblers were plentiful and could be caught all along the beach.
The Quarantine Station was surrounded by natural bushland, had a large private beach that was used exclusively by quarantine staff, including lawn areas and shady trees. It was almost like paradise.

During their time at Woodman Point, Ross was married to Roslyn and they produced two grand children, Kylie Anne and Daniel Ross

Christmas c1963

Quarantine beach c1960's

Rifle Range

Margaret Smith and
Betty Marsh

Official photograph for
Bertie Poore's Retirement 1957

In retirement George enjoyed being involved in Senior Citizen Organisations. Firstly Cockburn Senior Citizens, then Southern Districts Senior Citizens where he became their Bingo Caller. George was kind and gentle, and a loving family man. He had a great sense of humour and always had a joke to tell. Once he started, it was hard to stop him telling them.

After her husband retired in 1979, Betty retired also and became involved in the Senior Citizens with her husband, where she shared her interests in cooking and craft work with the other ladies.

Betty died on 31st March 1994 during Heart Surgery.

After the death of his wife Betty , George’s own health started to decline.

George Marsh passed away 18 months later, on the 4th November, 1995.

Betty Marsh 1924 - 1994

Quarantine beach at sunset. Image taken by Gary Marsh in memory of his mother and father.

Images and family history information
kindly donated by Gary Marsh.