DIANE CUMMINGS - Proud to be Australian"This lady not only collects dolls and other treasures, she finds time in her busy life for all manner of things,such as reading, sewing tapestry and 'organising' things." |
My childhood: two parents who worked, a sister and two brothers, two wonderful grandmothers who looked after us during school holidays, and several dogs and cats. At High School I spent much of my time in the Library, having discovered the joy of books and the power of the written word. At my first job in 1966 I received Nine Pounds a week, working as a Telephonist for about 8 years, before discovering the joys of parenthood, where I learnt to get passed the 'shy thing' but I know that underneath it's still there. I also discovered the challenge of the unknown, of not knowing what might happen next. Maybe that's why I like puzzles and detective stories. I love music, particularly the 'golden oldies', the stirring scottish bagpipes, the haunting welsh choirs and especially 'pure' music sung or played by soloists, such as "Pachelbel", "Ave Maria" and "On the Wings of a Dove", and many of the pieces sung by Bing Crosby, Andre Bochelli, Lotus Moon, The three Johns - Cash, Denver and Farnham, and even Billy Connolly. I also discovered a wonderful man (my hubby Ken) and his wonderful parents who looked after our daughters on numerous occasions. |  MY IDEAS ON LIFE Take each day at a time, cling on to the faith of your own worth and build on it, no matter how slowly or how little each step. You cannot go backwards. Have the courage to go forward well. At the end of each day - pause. Reflect, then praise yourself for that and then let go. Rest and hope - never let go of hope. |
They learnt to cope with 'Mum and her Shows' and the trips away sharing our love of collecting dolls and other treasures. They have put up with my love of the unknown, discovering new and not so new ideas and stories of days gone by; discovering books I haven't yet read and ideas for my tapestries. My family announced the other day - cushions we have enough. I said - I've got this great idea for another one - they groaned. |
 Jenny, Sally, Ken (my darling hubby), Heather and Diane (me) |
It seems such a long time ago when I first began 'organising'. Whilst organising is part of any mother's life, I started out by organising a playgroup for the mums and kids at the local health centre. Because I like crafty things (my main love is tapestry), I got involved with the local Community Festival and somehow found myself looking after all the stalls (finding new people to participate etc). I learnt Stalls Management the hard way and thoroughly enjoyed 'doing the Festival' for the next fifteen years. Mind you, I wasn't happy when it rained on our Parade or when we all got sunburnt. And then Council mergers began and I could see changes were afoot, and I realised I needed a change too, so I bowed out gracefully in 1995. Imagine how thrilling it was for me to receive an Australia Day Award for Services to the Community. By then I had also become involved in another form of organising. This festival experience, plus that of attending Australia's first Doll Convention and a number of other events, inspired me to try it on my own I looked around, found "a niche in the market place" and in 1985 I began organising trade shows for the Doll & Toy Industry. Yep - me, the organiser, the chief cook etc., having to working with all manner of people, remembering their foibles, and still 'being nice'. Way back in 1985 we had hardly any shows (just a couple in Melbourne), and the countryfolk really wanted one in their area. I looked at areas, costs, etc and developed a Five Year Plan. Little did I know it would mushroom threefold plus. My first fair was in 1985 - Victoria's first Doll Convention at the Old Ballarat Village, where many of us made staunch friends and over the years have learnt a lot and had heaps of fun. Since then we have organised 75 shows - in Ballarat, Wangaratta, Brighton, Warragul, Morwell, Bendigom Echuca, Horsham, Apollo Bay, Sorrento, Heidelberg, Box Hill, Mentone, ABOP (Australian Bears On Parade At The Old Melbourne Inn), Ringwood, Ivanhoe, and Flemington. Over 500 stallholders have become part of our 'family'. Many have move on as their interests or committments change, but quite a number of those original stallholders were still attending our Fairs when I made a momentuous decision. On New Year's Eve 2001/2002 I realised I needed a change (17 years = 75 shows) and decided "this is it". You should have seen my family's faces when I told them. |
I bought my first computer in 1985. Little did my family know just how much time I would spend, working into the wee small hours, in my little office, writing newsletters, researching, 'doing' my family tree and the latest project or, for a little light relief, a game of Scrabble or cards. I've been collecting dolls, old china and other interesting things for many years. On thinking back, I realise that my family, especially our three daughters were probably the cause of all this. What could be more natural than to look/buy/love the dolls bought for a daughter or three. In 1980 I joined The Doll Association of Victoria Inc. and became a Committee member (2 years as President, and nearly 10 years as Editor and Public Officer). I enjoy discovering the history of our dolly treasures - the who/where/why and when, and I love people who are prepared to share their love of dolls. "I guess more than anything I love CHINAS AND PARIANS, because these dolls "talk" to me. Most collectors of antique dolls seem to prefer the pink bisque dolls, with their "warm/real/living" pink skin. However the prices wanted for these bisque dolls was always more than a "mum" could spend out of the housekeeping, but I knew I could afford these china and parian dolls. Once they were considered as "cold", but now they are loved and appreciated. I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL IN 1995. Whilst looking after my family and organising shows took up much of my time, I realised I needed to learn about current trends in the marketing world. I decided to take the big step of going back to school after 30 years, and was accepted as a mature age student. I studied advertising, marketing, communication, computer programming, architecture and law. Here I discovered wonderful old books on History - such a help when researching your family history. Moneywise we are not rich but we are rich in friends. I've met thousands of lovely people over the years and fully expect to meet as many more now I have retired. Retired from what - there are still so much to see, or do, and learn. I like to help out whenever/wherever I perceive a need - tho' I sometimes wonder if those I want to help actually want me to help. |
That's when the Family Tree hit me, and I don't need to tell you that now my days are never boring (well - except when I can't use my car) and I definitely get withdrawal symptoms if I'm away from my computer for too long. I guess the one thing I have discovered is that my friends are finally beginning to understand my quirky humour, and are realising how valuable a friend I am (and so they should). "Be assured - Diane won't be sitting back taking it easy, not when there are so many exciting things happening around her, all issuing the challenge to be involved, and she is really looking forward to the gurgling laughter of her currently non-existent grandchildren." |