ODE TO A STORYTELLER
Storytellers weave magic worlds for all ages. Their words and images whisk us away instantly from our reality to share someone else’s experiences. Intrigued, we explore further and wander endlessly on a quest for more. We are forever and happily caught in the storyteller’s web.
Ethelmay Gillard was a storyteller of note in our Scenic South community. She was the Fish Hoek Librarian from 1954 until she retired in 1990. Twenty-one years later, she still figures in most of the library clientele’s memory and conversation. Very few weeks go by without someone telling us how well they remember her story times and how her storytelling influenced them or their children or their grandchildren. The memories are bright and alive, and their faces reflect the pleasure and love felt in that moment and still coursing through their lives today.
I particularly enjoyed one reminiscence -
Miss Gillard had a special “story chair” from which she entertained the groups of children. A new mother arrived early and sat down in this chair, only to find an anxious little boy tugging at her skirt – “Get up! Get up! You can’t sit there’” he hissed urgently, “that’s Mrs God’s chair”. He certainly had his priorities and no one was going to derail his story time by usurping the most important seat in the room!
Her direct influence has reached many generations throughout her career. Indirectly, as role model to colleagues and through mentoring those of us fortunate to work with her, Miss G will continue to touch future generations in our community. It is an enduring legacy and a fitting memorial to an indefatigable spirit.
LYN STEYN
Ethelmay passed away on the 18 July at Peers Village in Fish Hoek.
2 Comment
Evelyn Aspin (nee Laslett), July 30, 2011 at 8:05 am
I am so sory to hear of the passing awsay of Miss Gillard. Miss Gillard as I knew and loved as a child was a lovely lady. In fact it was her that taught me and I am sure many other children of Fish Hoek the love of books. She pointed you in the right direction and was alsways on hand for advice as to which book was right for you. Like many others I remember as a child going down to the library on a Wednesday afternoon to listen toher reading stories to us children.
I know she will be missed by many people as she was ‘Fish Hoek Library’. When I return to South Africa it wont be the same going into the library and asking for ‘Miss Gillard or Ethel’ as I called her the last time I was in SA and went to look for her.
Rest in Peace.
ReplyMoira Oliver, July 21, 2011 at 8:14 pm
I worked in Fish Hoek Public Library at the start of my library career, before I had any qualifications and no idea of what my big picture would look like. Ethel May or Miss G as she was affectionately known, showed me what a huge contribution a library can make to its community. She was a font of knowledge and always willing to share it (this was pre-computers after all) But more importantly, she loved people, especially children and she changed the boring, dull image of the libriarian forever. I have worked in libraries ever since those early years and chose to specialise in corporate libraries but I have never forgotten the lessons I learnt in those early years at Fish Hoek. Miss G, you will be missed and in your own words “snit, snat snout, your story is out!”
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