Mary Gough 7 April 1961 –

	My name is Mary Gough (Collins) and I am the fourth born child to Con & Bridget Collins. I was born at Moreland Hospital (now John Fawkner) on 7 April 1961, raised at Whitby Street, West Brunswick, spent 7 years at St Joseph’s Primary School in West Brunswick, 6 years at Santa Maria College Northcote. I enjoyed school, but was not a great scholar, and after passing my HSC in 1978 was not to sure what career path to take. I deferred a course at RMIT in accounting and got a job in the Victorian Public Service. I worked as a clerk in the Police Department at Dawson St Brunswick.
After 6 long, long months, I changed jobs and started work with the Commonwealth Bank. My first branch was at Melbourne University. I think this was one of the last branches to go on line, or join the computer age. Everything was done by hand, even adding up. While there, I was involved in an armed robbery. Four men stormed into the small premises and had all staff and customers lie on the floor. As we were responsible for the pays of all university staff, they got away with what was at the time one of the largest hauls on record. Other branches I worked in over 11 years service were Cheltenham and Chelsea. My preferred occupation these days is looking after my family.
			I met Chris Gough in 1978 and we were married on 20 May 1982. We bought a house in Mentone where we lived for six years. While planning and building a house in Patterson Lakes (2½ years) we were blessed with two children. Max was born on 28 July 1988 and Alexandra 20 May 1990. We moved into Patterson Lakes when Alex was 5 weeks old. The house is on the water and has a sandy beach, it’s like being on holiday all year round (except for cooking, cleaning, washing………). After another 2 years we were once again blessed and Zachary was born on 3 Nov 1992. However, Zac was in a little bit of a hurry and was born on the ensuite floor. He hasn’t stopped since. Chris and I separated in 2002 and the children and I have remained at Patterson Lakes.
I love to travel. I have seen much of Victoria, been to Tasmania three times, numerous times to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, driven to Perth and Darwin, Kakadu National Park, climbed Ayers Rock three times, been to Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra. A road trip taking three months saw me going up the East Coast of Australia to Cooktown, across to Mt Isa, then to Tennant Creek and back down the centre to Adelaide. I hope one day to travel all around Australia and not be restricted by time. I have also been to New Zealand three times and the West Coast of the USA. I also hope to do more travelling overseas.
		Recently I have realised that I enjoy bush camping as well. I’ve been to such places as Saltwater Creek and Wanganella (NSW) and Bear Gully and the High Country (Vic). It’s very relaxing and carefree. I enjoy sport and being active. Over the years I have played netball, tennis, squash, indoor cricket, swimming and currently play basketball twice a week. I was once an aerobics junkie, but am happy now to just do a work out at the gym. I also enjoy walking. Other interests are reading, going to the movies, at times my garden, listening to bands and my most important thing - my children. I enjoy helping out at school and their sporting interests.

Last updated by Mary Gough, September 2004.

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