Marion Doreen Ellis (nee Pointon)

Marion Doreen Pointon was born 5 minutes past midnight, on the 18th of December 1948, at the Port Augusta Hospital, to parents Doreen and Frederick Pointon. Marion was delivered by Doctor John Thompson, who had to rush off to Adelaide straight after Marion’s birth as his own daughter, Jennifer, arrived the next day at 5 minutes to midday. Marion was the youngest of three siblings, with two brothers, Graham and Robert.

Marion’s parents and siblings lived in Tarcoola for 6 weeks after Marion was born and then they shifted to Port Augusta, living on Railway Terrace in a Commonwealth Railway home. Six months later the family moved again to support Ma Bottomley at 15 Jervois Street, after the passing of Marion’s Grandfather, Albert Bottomley. This is the only home Marion remembers living in as a child. Later her cousin Marilyn, who was more like a sister, joined their family home.

Growing up Marion enjoyed spending time down the beach with family and many friends. Swimming was something she enjoyed from a young age. This may have been due to her mother, Doreen, also enjoying swimming. With no air-conditioning at their home, the hot days were better spent having picnics at the beach. (Just a hop and skip from where they lived).

Marion married Wayne Ronald Ellis on the 21st of September 1968 at the Methodist Church in Port Augusta. The Methodist Church had special significance to the family. Her great-grandfather laid a stone in the hall and a stained-glass window as a donation from the family. She had also been baptised, christened and attended Sunday school in that church.

Wayne and Marion were blessed to have two children. Petrea Kristin Ellis was born on Wednesday the 28th of January 1970 at 5.25am. Four years later, Christopher Wayne Ellis was born on Monday the 14th of October 1974 (Labour Day), at 3.27am.

Marion and Wayne lived in a Railway home on Douglas Street in Port Augusta, where they raised their two children. They then shifted to a newer home on Clontarf Street in 1986. Marion had many fond memories of their time in Douglas Street, with Petrea stating that her mother’s social life was bursting at the seams, with regular bingo night attendances as well as card playing days with her girlfriends. This busy social life allowed both Petrea and Chris to leave the house first thing in the morning and not return until just before sundown, with Petrea tending to her horses and Chris spending time with his friends. Petrea said that the children around the Douglas Street area all did the same, with regular door knocking on neighbour’s homes to invite their friends out to play. Petrea laughs when telling the story of letting her horse, Flicker, inside the house, much to her mother’s disgust, as she screamed at Petrea to get the horse out of the house before it pooped on her carpet. Petrea also remembers sitting her Mum up onto her horse and her being utterly terrified up there. The horse went to take a step forward and Marion screamed to get off as she thought the horse was galloping.

Chris remembers his mother telling him to, “run away and go play with the trains”. Seeing as they lived in Douglas street at the time, the Spencer Junction was over the next street. Chris used to get his fishing gear, jump on the back of a train and go to the Whyalla train bridge. He and his friends would do their fishing and catch the next train home. If Mum knew he had taken her seriously, she would’ve had a fit or tanned his backside!

Marion loved her pets. Her first dog was named ‘Rusty’ and he had an uncanny ability to find Marion. Even after she left her childhood home, he somehow found his way to her Douglas Street home. ‘Rascal’ was the first family dog of Marion and Wayne’s and Cody their last. Their first cat was called ‘Tibby’. Over time more and more animals found their way to the family home as Petrea had a knack of rescuing and keeping stray or homeless animals. The animals they owned included dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, rats, mice, goats, lambs, ducks, chooks, frogs and horses.

Over their lifetime together, Wayne and Marion made many beautiful memories. One in particular was of them both fishing together at Locks Well near Elliston, where Marion had her first attempt at surf fishing on the beach. This saw her catch her first Salmon. Soon after Wayne baited her line again, she pulled up another good-sized salmon. By the end of the day, Marion had caught plenty and Wayne never caught a thing. After that he jokingly told her she would need to bait the line herself going forward.

Marion’s work life commenced at the Commonwealth Railways in the traffic branch in 1965 when she was 16 years old. From there she went to work in the Commonwealth Store as a cashier. Marion stopped work in the December of 1969 to have Petrea the following January. Marion returned for a period of time and did some relief work within the railways. When Chris was 9 months old, Marion returned to work within the Court House as a Sheriff’s Officer for 11 years. Marion was then approached to return to full-time work with Australian National in 1986. Marion worked in every branch of the railways, including as a Secretary to the Manager Northern Operations, Members Service Clerk, Records Officer, Accounts Payable Clerk, Data Operator, Stocktake Clerk and Cashier Accounts Clerk within the Flinders Terrace offices. Marion was the only remaining female in the AN Railways and was lucky enough to be taken on by Transfield, after ANR closed on the 8th of November 1997. She manned two radios and was the main contact for the maintenance gangs working in the West and Leigh Creek coal lines.

During the Olympic Dam Expansion Project Marion was coordinating the truck drivers, safe workers, and train control in order to avoid track damage and lost time.

Marion had said that leaving the company she had been a part of for so long was very difficult, and she was quite teary. Working in the Railways was ingrained in the family. Her father, Harold ‘Fred’ Pointon, had worked as a Fireman on the Steam Trains before becoming an Engine Driver and Marion’s brother Graham, husband Wayne and son Christopher had all spent some time in the Railways.

Her children Petrea and Chris tell a story of the 50-odd Railway men that Marion worked with, having arranged a male stripper from Adelaide for her 50th Birthday at the ANR yards. He went and danced around and then did the ‘full-monty’ for her!

Marion worked with Transfield up until December 2012. On the 1st of January 2013 Transfield was taken over by ARTC who decided to take their maintenance in-house. Marion maintained her position with ARTC and found herself working in the old Commonwealth store building up until she retired in 2014. Marion frequently spoke of the enjoyment she got from work and spoke of the many great friends she made along the way.

Outside of work Marion enjoyed her life spending time with family and friends. Throughout her life she was actively involved in many groups and activities. As a child she was involved in Sea Ranges and later became a member of the Port Augusta Pistol Club, Port Augusta Art Centre, Arid Lands, The Garden Club, The Craft Group, The Royal Flying Doctor Service, Saint John’s Ambulance Service and Neighbourhood Watch.

Marion loved her entire family and would always take an interest in anything that they were doing. Marion enjoyed craft and took a particular interest in crocheting, making many blankets and items of clothing for her grandchildren. Marion shared a lot of her time crocheting with her grandson Joel as he too enjoys crocheting. Marion and Wayne often went on holidays with Petrea and Kevin and shared many happy memories together.

Marion’s brothers Robert and Graham both agree that you could not get a better sister or friend than Marion.

Sadly, Marion was diagnosed with cancer not long after she retired. As only Marion would, she lived life to the fullest, despite her ill health. She remained positive, never complained or had a negative outlook. She made every moment count, spending time with her family, special friends and doing the things that she loved. Even through all the pain, she would get up, put her make up and lippy on and go out and enjoy herself with a smile on her face. We couldn’t believe her strength and determination which was a testament to her character.

We know that Marion appreciated the love and support from her family and friends throughout her journey.

On behalf of Marion and her family we would all like to thank the following: Professor Mitra, Leanne from the Oncology team in Whyalla, Dr Selva, Dr Chris Buck, Dr Grewal, Palliative care nurses, Courtney and Amy, as well as the many Doctors and nurses from the Port Augusta hospital and Edenfield (Ramsay).

Marion wished for the following poem to be shared with you all.

“Afterglow”

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when the day is done

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

of happy times, and laughing times, and bright and sunny days.

I like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun.

of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

Love to you all.

“You are my sunshine love you all”