Dulcie May Rush (nee Walter) (1924- )

Early Life

Dulcie was born at her parents Green Street, Booval, home on the 9th August 1924. 

Her father, William August Walter, was a tinsmith.  Her mother, Betsy (nee Thayer), and father married on the 14th October 1922.  Betsy grew up in Green Street, across the road from where her and William would live, with her father Frederick Thayer and her grandmother Mary Ann Ainsworth (nee Crompton) (Betsy's mother, Mary Ann Ainsworth, had died when Betsy was two, in December 1904).  Like her granddaughter Dulcie, Mary Ann Ainsworth would live a long life, with an article published in the Queensland Times in 1929, on the occasion of her 98th birthday (she passed away a few months before her 100th birthday).

Dulcie's brother, Colin, was a year older, born on 9th June 1923.  Both attended Silkstone State School, with Dulcie starting in January 1930 and finishing at the end of grade 7 in 1937.  The following year, Dulcie continued her education at Ipswich Girls' Grammar School, finishing in 1940.

"Home, James"

Dulcie and her family would often go to the National or Alpha Theatres (both on South Station Road, Booval) on a Friday and Saturday night.  A young miner from Blackstone, Robert James (Jim) Rush, who was three years older than her, would often be there, sitting where he could see her. 

One Saturday, in 1940, whilst Dulcie was in her final year at Grammar School, she went to the movies without her parents.  According to Jim, half the theatre went up to him saying 'she's not with her parents tonight'.  So, Jim sat beside her and, as Dulcie did chase him away, Jim stayed.

They courted for seven years.  During this time, Jim worked in the mines around Blackstone during the week, and played football for the Blackstone Rovers on weekends.  He made a couple of Queensland teams and an Australian team, except World War II prevented him from competing for his country at this time.  After leaving school, Dulcie worked at Woolworths in Brisbane Street, and later at T.C. Beirne.

Dulcie and Jim were married on the 20th September 1947, at the Booval Congregational Church.  They bought land in Cole Street, Silkstone, halfway between each of their parents houses.  Due to post-war building restrictions, they were unable to build immediately, so spent the first few years of their married life living in Green Street with Dulcie's parents and her brother Colin and his wife Daphne.  Whilst living at Green Street, their daughter, Lyn, was born.

In time for Lyn's second birthday, they had built on their house at Cole Street, with Colin and Daphne building next door.  Within three years, their son, Robert, completed the family.

The Family Sport

Replacing representative soccer with representative target rifle shooting, Jim became heavily involved with the Ipswich & District Rifle Club, serving as both the club captain and later president for many years.  He also became involved at a state level, serving on the Queensland Rifle Association council.  He represented Queensland and Australia several times.

A non-shooter herself, Dulcie has nonetheless played a significant part in the Rush family shooting dynasty.  When Jim was club captain, Dulcie filled the role of Captain's wife, working in the kitchen at the annual prize meeting.  When Jim began Jim Rush Shooting Supplies in 1955, Dulcie worked the business alongside him, visiting the regional prize meetings, selling goods from their car boot, and entertaining those who came to the house to buy direct.  Dulcie was the one who took packages to the post office to send across the country.  For nearly 50 years, they did not miss the state championships, or "Queen's Prize", held annual at Belmont.  When Jim travelled around the country and overseas with the sport, Dulcie travelled with him.

When their children, Lyn and Rob, and their grandson, took up the sport, Dulcie continued to support the family and the Ipswich club.  In recognition of her continued support to the Ipswich & District Rifle Club, Dulcie was made an honorary Life Member.

Later Years

Following Jim's retirement from the mines, the two continued the shooting supply business from home and were able to play grandparents to Rob's two children and Lyn's daughter.  Jim passed away in 2015.  Shortly after, Dulcie became a great-grandmother to two great-grandsons.  

As Dulcie approaches her 100th birthday, she remains in the family home.  Mobility issues have slowed her down physically, but she continues to keep up with both world and family events, and enjoys spending time with her family.