feel good
Longtime local shares lifetime of unique memories from the York Town Hall
Brian Baker returns to the York Town Hall where he spent his childhood. (ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Dana Hamilton)
Not many people can say they grew up inside a town hall, but 95-year-old Brian Baker can.
Mr Baker was born in York, about 100 kilometres east of Perth in the Avon Valley on December 2, 1930.
His father was the caretaker of the York Town Hall for 30 years, with the family living in supplied quarters alongside.
Having returned to town, Mr Baker shared stories of his unique upbringing on a visit to the hall.
Some of his fondest life memories involve the hall, including meeting his wife, Margaret Salkilld, at a dance.
Loading..."I first had my first dance with my glorious wife, Margaret. She was a beautiful dancer,"he said.
Mr Baker points to a corner of the hall where Margaret was sitting with friends that night.
He distinctly remembers the black lace dress she wore, which still hangs in a wardrobe at home.
"One of my lady friends later said that Margaret saw me dancing and said, 'Oh gee, he dances nicely. I wish he'd ask me', and I did," he said.
"We got married in this hall.
"My mum and dad put on a beautiful wedding reception here and we got married, had four kids here in York."
Brian Baker has fond memories of his early years at the ornate hall. (ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Dana Hamilton)
Historic town provides plenty of memories
York is the oldest colonial inland town in WA, with European settlement beginning in 1831.
The York town hall boasts Edwardian opulence, featuring ornate pressed-tin ceilings and regal jarrah wooden staircases.
Mr Baker recalls the times he spent watching his parents or American army and navy personnel at dances during WWII.
"My mum and dad were lovely dancers, but they were ballroom stuff, you know,"he said.
His mother never missed an opportunity to provide constructive criticism.
"My mum used to stand at that big door there … and watch me," he said, pointing across the hall to the front stairs near the stage.
"The next day, 'Brian, I've got to tell you this, my boy, when you dance, do not slump your shoulders forward. Bring your head and your neck up straight and keep it there.' Yes, Mum."
Brian and his wife Margie met at a dance in the town hall and were later married there. (Supplied)
Idyllic childhood
Brian and his brother Les would get up to mischief, sliding down the hall's jarrah banisters, joking that it probably helped keep them shiny.
"I was about six. He [Brian's father] used to hold me and walk down as I slid down the stair rail," he said.
"But as time went by and whenever we knew Dad wasn't around, my brother and I used to slide down without assistance."
Brian's father would polish the floors ahead of special events and balls with a contraption he invented himself.
He loaded heavy weights into wooden crates used to transport four-gallon kerosene tins.
The crates were then stacked on top of wheat bags and dragged across sawdust and kerosene that was spread over the floor.
"There was a rope that he tied around his waist and he used to walk around and around and around,"he said.
"My brother and I were allowed to sit in the box while he towed us around."
He has fond memories playing for the York Football Club, including as captain of the premiership-winning team in 1954.
Brian Baker (back row, fourth from right) played in the 1954 flag-winning team for York Football Club. (Supplied)
Leaving York
After the arrival of their four children, Brian and Margaret moved around the state for Mr Baker's work as a town clerk.
They spent time in Three Springs, Narrogin, Kondinin, Pinjarra and Mandurah, Cottesloe and even north to Roebourne at a time when the bitumen stopped at Carnarvon.
He also worked for the federal Whitlam government and later joined the air force.
But in all these stories, it is those about his wife, his children and his childhood in York that light up his face the most.
Mr Baker looks at a picture of his wife, Margie, who died seven years ago. (ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Dana Hamilton)
Mr Baker returned to York three years ago after 64 years away.
"I see friendship in York … it's peaceful," he said.
However, many of the people from his past with whom he hoped to rekindle friendships had died in his years away.
But "that's life", Mr Baker said.