FLORENCE BARRETT (1893-1976)

Florence ‘Flossie’ Barrett  managed the iconic Cabin Tearooms at 121 High Street, Fremantle, with an ‘‘iron fist” in the 1920’s. She was independent and spirited. Highly skilled in poker, Florence took on a dare and turned her winnings into investments that generated enough income for her to buy her own Overland car in 1924. She was also one of the first women to own a driver’s license. (Reference)

Florence Gillham was born in 1893. Her grandfather, was an English convict and according to Wendy Lewis- her great great grandmother, was an Irish Famine Scheme Orphan. (Reference) She was the youngest of 9 siblings, 3 of which did not make it past the age of one; her father Joseph William and her mother, Mary Rathbone, lived in Macedon, Victoria. The family moved to Western Australia around 1906, and settled into 10 Josephson Street, Fremantle. 

“My grandmother Florence was a gun poker player. Honing her skills every Tuesday night and when she won 10 pound she was dared to turn a profit with it.  She promptly bought a big block in Stock Road Melville (where Craigville is now), divided it into 4 lots and sold each lot for 10 pound. With the profits Flossie purchased an investment property in Allen Street East Fremantle to rent out...” Granddaughter Sherryn McBride (Reference)

In 1913, Florence married William ‘Bill’ Arthur Barrett (1884-1967) of Sewell Street, East Fremantle (Arthur L. Barrett was registered at 98 Sewell St (now no. 42) in 1914 and then moved to 28 Silas St (now no. 14). 

In December 1916 at age 30 Bill Barrett enlisted in the 28 Infantry Battalion and embarked to France to serve as a despatch clerk during WWI (Reference) and Florence lived with her sister Mary Victoria Cook, at 172 Attfield Street, South Fremantle. Their mother, who was widowed shortly after their relocation from Victoria, remarried in 1918 to Frank Horn (ex-military), and lived in 48 Sewell St (now no. 20), East Fremantle, from 1921-1923.

William was discharged from his service in WWI after receiving a gun wound to his ankle. He was treated in England and returned to Fremantle in 1917. Florence and William moved into 40 (ex 201) Bedford Street, East Fremantle around 1918.

The Cabin Tearooms, started in 1910 at 106 High Street, Fremantle by Ernest Albert and Blanche Rose Evans.  From 1913 to 1915 the Tearooms expanded with an office at 106 and Tearooms at 121 High Street- a two story building with beautiful balustrades leading upstairs. The tea rooms remained at that address until 1937 and became an iconic dining establishment in Fremantle. Social meetings and celebrations including wedding receptions, corporate and club anniversaries and other special events such as the inaugural “Ugly womens competition” were held there.  The Cabin Tearooms also provided catering. In 1928 the tearooms were sold to Fred Farrelly (reference) who was interested in an ice cream factory and shop: 

1930 After a successful business visit to America, Mr. F. T. Farrelly, proprietor of the Cabin Tearooms, Fremantle, returned to this State... Mr. Farrelly said that he had completed the purchase of an ice cream confection, known as 'Icy Pi,' which he had been importing from an American manufacturing firm under oppressive expenditure. (reference)

His business barely survived a fire in July 1931. (Reference). 

In 1937 The Cabin reemerged as refreshment room at 32 Market Street, where the Evans son Ernest Redmond Evans ran a pastry cook business until 1948.

Florence worked at the Cabin Tearooms from 1918 (Reference) and in 1920 would have participated in the Cabin Tearooms Strike -a dispute over fair wages and conditions for it’s staff- instigated and resolved by staff member Mr W J Rolfe, who was also President of the Master Caterers' Union. (Reference) The strike was big news in the Port and even won the support off the Lumpers Union who did not appreciate Mr Evans, the owner:

1920 Sir. W. Renton said the Cabin tearoom girls met last night and passed a resolution that they would not go back to work until the 'scabs' had been taken out of the tearooms. Mr. Evan had been out after Labor for years arid now they wanted to bring him to his knees. There was no doubt he had learned his lesson during the last few days. Only a couple of days ago he had told the workers' representatives he would employ whom he liked, and in fact do as he liked. He knew now that he had to do as the- unions wished him to, and that he would only be allowed to employ union labor. There were only 27 girls in the tearooms fight. Surely they could keep them for three weeks if necessary, or even 13 months, in order to win the fight. (reference)

Florence’s only child Gwen was born in 1920. 

It was likely that Florence became manager from 1922, following the resignation of Mr. Rolfe. (Reference). The girls at the Tearooms in the 1920s wore a button through blue uniform with a white collar, rather like a nurses uniform (See photograph of three girls, Fremantle Library)

“For many years she managed the Cabin Tearooms... She managed it so well (with an iron fist I hear) that she only worked part time hours herself so work life balance is not new!  She was very happily married to Bill, with one child (my Mum Gwen) yet she did all these things independently and just let my Pop know about it after the fact. Quite a trail blazer wouldn't you say? ” Sherryn McBride, granddaughter (Reference)

Florence supported her daughter Gwen in her ambitions to make an independent living as a dressmaker: 

“When Mum left school she was earning 2 shillings a week as an apprentice to a well known dressmaker in Glyde Street East Fremantle.  Her mentor was very secretive and wouldn't let Mum in the room when she cut her material, fitted her clients and sewed up her designs. When Mum realised she wasn't going to learn anything more than picking up pins, sweeping and tacking she asked her Mum to put her through a pattern cutting and dress design school.” Sherryn McBride 

Florence allowed Gwen to open her own studio attached to the family home with a separate entrance. The business was a success and Gwen outfitted more than 100 weddings, including making her own wedding dress. (Reference) Gwen married Alfred Thomas Gillham in April 1941 (reference)

1946 Birth GILLHAM (nee Gwen Barrett).On August 7, at St. Helen's Hospital, East Fremantle, to Gwen and Alf, of 40 Bedford-street -a daughter (Wendy Lynette).(reference) 

In 1947 Gwen and Alf moved into no 42 Bedford St, next door to Florence and William at no 40 Bedford St- where they lived until 1967. Gwen Gillham (née Barrett) for several years ran the East Fremantle Play Centre, Corner Hubble and George Streets, East Fremantle.

William died on the 25th of November, 1967, at 83 years of age and was buried at the Fremantle Cemetery.

In 1968 Florence moved into 5/111 Marmion Street, East Fremantle. Florence also lived to the age of 83, and died on the 4th of June, 1976. She was buried at the Fremantle Cemetery with her husband. 

Researched and written by Xing Yun Lee for www.streetsofeastfreo