'MRS VIN' THE TUCK-SHOP LADY
Phyllis Vincent managed the “tuck-shop”(as it was known in those days) from 1950 to 1968.
Mrs Vin, as she was known to her devoted following of food addicts, was not only the “tuck-shop lady” but a true friend and confidant to many students and staff. She was always interested in what they were doing and was a shoulder to cry on when things were not going quite so well as they should have.
Mrs Vin, managed Fergusons cake shop for many years and when she was approached to join the Coburg High team she saw this an opportunity to cut back on her working hours and spend more time with her family. She also enjoyed the company of young people and had a real rapport with them.
Even after retiring in 1968, after the birth of her second grand child, she still kept in contact with staff members and followed the lives and achievements of many students. Coburg High was very much always in her heart.
Being chosen to help out in the “tuckshop” was quite an achievement. In those days there was a large variety of lollies, cakes, milkshakes, ice-creams and other delicious things that are definitely a no-no in school canteens today (somehow the kids survived).
The “tuckshop” was quite famous for its bar where you lined up to enter (of course boys on one side girls on the other, no mixing of the sexes). The school yard was quite segregated, as was the canteen (one half for boys another for girls). Some girls were considered to be quite “forward” as they loitered around the dividing bar to catch a few words or even a glimpse of their “heart throbs”. Mrs Vin got to see many romances blossom and develop at the bar (she was even invited to quite a few weddings).
When she retired she really missed the social interaction so she joined the PANCH Auxiliary where she became President and later President of Northern Hospital Auxiliary. She loved every minute of it and was working in their kiosk and running fund-raising activities up until 12 months before she passed away in 2009 (aged 90).
Phyllis Vincent lived a very full and eventful life and is missed by many.
This information and photograph was supplied by Brenda Mayne , the daughter of Mrs Vin, who was a student at Coburg High in the 1960's.
Mrs Vin, as she was known to her devoted following of food addicts, was not only the “tuck-shop lady” but a true friend and confidant to many students and staff. She was always interested in what they were doing and was a shoulder to cry on when things were not going quite so well as they should have.
Mrs Vin, managed Fergusons cake shop for many years and when she was approached to join the Coburg High team she saw this an opportunity to cut back on her working hours and spend more time with her family. She also enjoyed the company of young people and had a real rapport with them.
Even after retiring in 1968, after the birth of her second grand child, she still kept in contact with staff members and followed the lives and achievements of many students. Coburg High was very much always in her heart.
Being chosen to help out in the “tuckshop” was quite an achievement. In those days there was a large variety of lollies, cakes, milkshakes, ice-creams and other delicious things that are definitely a no-no in school canteens today (somehow the kids survived).
The “tuckshop” was quite famous for its bar where you lined up to enter (of course boys on one side girls on the other, no mixing of the sexes). The school yard was quite segregated, as was the canteen (one half for boys another for girls). Some girls were considered to be quite “forward” as they loitered around the dividing bar to catch a few words or even a glimpse of their “heart throbs”. Mrs Vin got to see many romances blossom and develop at the bar (she was even invited to quite a few weddings).
When she retired she really missed the social interaction so she joined the PANCH Auxiliary where she became President and later President of Northern Hospital Auxiliary. She loved every minute of it and was working in their kiosk and running fund-raising activities up until 12 months before she passed away in 2009 (aged 90).
Phyllis Vincent lived a very full and eventful life and is missed by many.
This information and photograph was supplied by Brenda Mayne , the daughter of Mrs Vin, who was a student at Coburg High in the 1960's.