Survivor’s new life

By Kath Gannaway
MARYSVILLE had been home to Elaine Postlethwaite for more than 50 years.
Her husband, Len, who perished on Black Saturday, had lived there for 78 years.
They could have expected to live out their lives, together, in their Falls Road home, in the community they knew and loved.
The past year for Elaine has been one of upheaval and mixed emotions.
She escaped with just the clothes she was wearing but says she was fortunate that she had family, and an insurance company with a heart.
By the end of February Elaine had moved into a unit in Ringwood, but she missed the trees, the mountains and the sense of community.
“Because I was away from Marysville I think I was probably better off than those who remained with the constant reminders,” she said. “But I hated Ringwood. All I could see was concrete and I never got to know anyone; even at church people didn’t speak to you,” she said.
She knew she would not return to Marysville and says Healesville is the next best thing.
“We always shopped in Healesville, and Len visited the pathology every two weeks there, so it seemed the right place.”
Elaine and her cat, Kitty, couldn’t be happier with their new home. They moved in in November.
“I can walk into town and in the late evening I look out and get a wonderful view of the sunset. Some mornings I can see the hot air balloons flying in the distance … and the cat of course is much happier,” she says with a contended smile. From the first day here people would call me by name and people passing in the street would smile and say hello,” she said.
“I feel as if I am in a community again.”
Some things are irreplaceable, but Elaine has a new collection of familiar things around her; photos people have reproduced, she has hunted out a lot of her favourite books, there is an impressive display of St Kilda Football Club memorabilia and a replica of her Commonwealth Games Torch.
And, of course, befitting the creator of Marysville’s famous Rainbow Serpent, she has added some new splashes of colour.
A stunning chandelier in all the colours of the rainbow, only brighter, reflects her optimistic approach to life.