In 1958 Doug stands as Liberal candidate for Stirling in the Federal Election. A family effort and a close-fought battle but Doug narrowly wins against C H Webb. Congratulations all round.
Yokine (1954) It was in 1954 that Joan’s father, Arthur Moore, applied for a Returned Soldiers Housing Loan. He was a World War I veteran and had served in Egypt. Arthur and Lucie chose Yokine as the place to live and on July sixth moved into 6 Fletcher Street, Yokine.
Arthur and Lucie open a shop in Wembley, four generations in a two bedroom house. Choc tops. Grandpa P C McKenzie dies. All move in with Doug’s parents in Belmont. Then a new home back in Wembley. Ken and Merle wedding. Sarah Cash dies in a tragic accident. Move to West Perth and then the wheatbelt town of Bullfinch.
1946, first Christmas as a married couple, rations still in force. In early 1947 first daughter Lynne born and in late 1948 Pam born. Cecil, Roly and Alice also welcome new arrivals. Mistaken for John Bottomley. Doug joins the Freemasons. In 1949 the Moore’s sell their 21 Victoria Square house.
Doug takes up an idea he had in the RAAF and gets approval to import stamps from the USA and sell to collectors. Maybe not the way to become a millionaire and Doug gives no indication this was anything but a small hobby.
In late 1946 Doug purchases a newsagency on busy St George’s Terrace in Perth from Laura O’Hara. Over twenty years and through multiple renovations by their landlords, Zimpels the furniture store, Doug and Joan open a separate greeting cards store within Zimpels and a chocolates store.
1944 and Doug meets Joan and the Moore family at 21 Victoria Square home in Perth. Doug and Joan get engaged via post in June 1945 while Doug was serving on Manus Island. They are married in May 1946 and tales of kitchen teas, could the bride have changed her mind (of course not) and happy celebrations followed by a honeymoon in Bunbury.