# Timeline: 1970s

A truck accident upends the family and prompts the move to [East Fremantle](/places/east-fremantle-western-australia), Perth.

## Events

- **9 Jan 1970** — [Dick](/people/richard-charles-whillas-b1920) and son [Norman](/people/norman-vincent-whillas-b1952) in a single-vehicle smash (a semitrailer) at Hopetoun, Victoria. Dick severely injured, Norman slightly. See [Hopetoun truck accident](/events/hopetoun-truck-accident-1970).
- **Feb 1970** — Irine commences a Fashion Design course at East Sydney Tech.
- **Nov 1973** — [Richard (Johnstone)](/people/richard-johnstone-whillas-b1945) and Irine leave Sydney for overseas, starting with a month in Bali.
- **Oct 1974** — [J.H. Whillas](/people/john-henry-whillas-b1909) dies after a long illness in Adelaide.

## Notes & uncertainties

- After the trucking accident, [Dick](/people/richard-charles-whillas-b1920) could no longer do heavy work or drive trucks, and was bankrupted. The [Invergordon](/places/invergordon-victoria) Post Office was sold and the family (from Norman down) moved to 27 Malcolm Street, [East Fremantle](/places/east-fremantle-western-australia), Perth. Dick and [Jim](/people/stuart-james-whillas-b1954) got jobs mowing lawns with the local council; [Norman](/people/norman-vincent-whillas-b1952) and [Lea](/people/lea-graham-whillas-b1953) worked as TAs in refinery fitouts; [Mark](/people/mark-campbell-whillas-b1955), [Fi](/people/fiona-victoria-whillas-b1956) and [Susan](/people/susan-catrina-whillas-b1958) started at John Curtin HS; [Greg](/people/greg-stephen-whillas-b1960) and [Craig](/people/craig-douglas-whillas-b1959) moved to WA later. Cath worked at Wigmores.

## Related pages

- [1960s](/timeline/1960s) · [2000s](/timeline/2000s)

## Sources

- Whillas–McLeod family history spreadsheet (Rev 4), *1970s* sheet.