Interview with Mary Ormandy

Mary Ormandy was born in Alexandra in 1932. Describes how her grandfather planted the family orchard in 1919 and her mother took it over later. Describes working in the orchard with a baby in a pram after marriage. Mentions she also worked at the Taylor orchard at Conroy's and comments that she has worked for four generations of Taylors over a fifty year period. Describes both the change in fruit type and in varieties of fruit. Discusses the importance of shelf life and appearance now in terms of marketing fruit. Comments on the reduction in flavour. Talks about the increase in the production of fruit for the domestic market. Describes the hydro ladder now used for picking. Compares the old wooden boxes worn round the neck for picking and the buckets now used. Discusses packing in wooden or cardboard boxes and describes the box construction.

Comments on the high quality of the Taylor's fruit, changes in frost fighting, improvements in spraying technique and protective clothing, cool stores and the use of fruit pallets. Describes good working conditions and staff relationships at the Taylor's orchard. Mentions the morning and afternoon teas which Belle Taylor used to make and the staff bus which runs from Alexandra during cherry picking. Comments that the need to select fruit for picking means that it cannot be a mechanized job. Discusses the work ethic of some young pickers.

Interviewer(s) - Janis Morgan

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008568

Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2670.

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copy OHLC-009247