Letter from Marjorie Russi

As per my phone call to you last week I am sending you my much treasured Gould League of Bird Lovers Certificate which I have had for over 60 years.  As you can see it has seen the time of wear and a much travelled Certificate, as my husband was in the army and we had many moves and my Certificate always came with me.

I was born on the 16th September 1931 and started school at a little country school at Beuliah Victoria, and if my memory serves me, I was presented this certificate after a walk with my class to the little creek at the back of the school to look for wild life and Birds, and this was around 1941 to 1942, as we moved to Warracknabeal in 1942, being my father went into the Air Force owing to the war and moved to be near my Grandmother, and also our Uncles and Auntys.

I am hoping you may be able to put correct date on seeing Certificate, as it doesn’t show a date which is such a pity, if you find my date incorrect, I’m sure it is from 1941, not later as I remember our walk to the creek very well, it has always stayed with me.

I do hope you can use my treasured Certificate, as I am sure my dear family would not understand how proud I was to receive it.

It is funny how life changes for one, as we now live at Taylor Bay at Lake Eildon which at the moment is only 11.4% full and during the drought we have trying to look after all the birds on my certificate, which give us much pleasure, but must admit the cockatoo give us a hard time as they can be so naughty, but still beautiful to see.

I do hope my Certificate will help you in replacing your lost treasures, even if it is well worse for wear.  “Good Luck”

Regards Marjorie Russi