Paraska (Pauline) Teres 25 May 1917

	I was born in a small village on the outskirts of Kovel in Ukraine, on 25^th May 1917. I was the 4^th child in a family of seven girls and two boys. All my siblings are now deceased. At the end of the war, my family returned to their home in Ukraine. My parents owned a small farm growing wheat and potatoes and raising a small number of horses, pigs, and cows. My family was extremely poor so I did not attend school but was sent from home, when I was seven years old, to live with an aunt and look after the cows for two years. I returned home when I was nine and was sent to live with and look after a neighbour’s young girl for food and board. In the following years, up to the age of 15, I looked after several children in other households. Here is a picture of me at 22.
			I met my future husband, Wasyl, while working in the home of a local official. Wasyl was also working there as the caretaker. During my courtship, I lived at home with my parents. Some of my siblings had married and moved away by this time. We were married on 24^th November 1935. We lived together with Wasyl’s parents for four years. While Wasyl went away to work during the week, I helped on the farm, growing potatoes, harvesting wheat and caring for animals. After only 4 years of marriage World War 2 broke out. Wasyl was conscripted into the Polish Army and I stayed with my in-laws helping with farm work. After 2 years I received word that Wasyl was being held in Germany as a Prisoner of War. He spent 3½ years working on a farm before escaping and returning home.
During his years in Germany Wasyl, had learned to speak fluent German so was able to secure a job on the railways acting as an interpreter. I continued helping my in-laws on the farm. When the Russian Army began to advance through Ukraine, we decided to flee to Poland rather than risk living under communist rule. We remained in Poland for one year then moved to Lengerich, Germany, to live on the farm where Wasyl had worked as a POW. We were well cared for by the kind farmer and his wife. Paul was born during this period in 1945.
		Shortly after the end of the war, we were accepted as refugees and spent the next 3½ years in a refugee camp in Budhorne, Germany. Wasyl chose to migrate from there to Australia and I followed with Paul six months later. We were reunited at Bonegilla in May 1949. Here is a picture of Paul and me getting off the train at Bonegilla.
				We started our new life renting a room in Alphington, in a house owned by an old widow, Mrs. Cross, who is in this picture with us. Wasyl quickly found work at the nearby quarry and I began working as a cleaning lady in several homes and shops. After Paul started school, I found full-time work in a local jam factory and a deposit for a house was saved in two years. Our first house in Naroon Road, Alphington was purchased in 1951. We accepted Australian Citizenship in 1954 and, by the time John was born in 1956, had settled into a quiet lifestyle in suburbia. When both boys were at school, we held down full time jobs. Wasyl worked at a spinning mill and I was a tea lady at Myer cafeteria.
We became increasingly involved in our church, the Slavic Baptist Church, and spent much of our free time being active within the Church. We have maintained our devotion to the Church throughout our lives. In 1962 our family moved to a new house in Wingrove Street, Alphington which Wasyl had built under sub-contract. He and I were very proud of this house. Wasyl planted fruit trees in the back yard and I maintained a vegetable garden and the front flower garden. After leaving Myers in 1966, I worked full-time in the rag trade for another 10 years and then part-time for the next 9 years.
				When Wasyl retired in 1973, he began to devote more of his time to the work of his church; preaching, visiting people, continuing his bible studies and committee work. I was always there to support him. We moved permanently to Brisbane in 1986 when Wasyl accepted an honorary leadership role in a small church congregation. I spent my early retirement gardening, maintaining the house, visiting friends and attending church on Sundays. As Wasyl’s health deteriorated, I spent an increasingly large amount of my time caring for my husband. Wasyl was admitted to the Cazna Gardens Nursing Home in March 2003 and I visit him regularly. Here is a picture of one of my visits. I also attend a club for older people once a week and look forward to visits from my family.
					After my husband passed away in May 2006, I made application for residency at the Ukrainian Elderly People’s Home in Delahey, Melbourne. I was accepted in September 2006 and relocated, leaving my house in Brisbane to be sold. I enjoy good company, care, security and comfort at the Home. There is a daily activities program organised by the staff including exercise, crafts, games, entertainment and excursions. Paul visits me every week and I see my grandchildren occasionally on weekends.

Last updated by Paul Teres 30 June 2007.

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