EELES, Emily Joyce

Emily was born in Ballarat on the 10th November 1921.  Spending her early years in Ballarat, Emily Trahar attended the Humffray Street Primary School for Years 1 to 6, followed by Years 7 and 8 at Dana Street State School.  By secondary school age, though, the Trahars had moved to west Gippsland to live, young Emily had danced in revues since she was six, so it was not altogether surprising that, at the age of 14, she left school in Wonthaggi to teach dance.

Emily and Angus were married in Wonthaggi.  Emily produced many charity shows during the war and also spent time working in a Footscray ammunition factory.  On her return to Ballarat, Emily spent a few years in pantomime, before setting up her own company, The Sunshine Revue Company in 1949, with the aim of raising money for Ballarat's kindergartens.  The revues were noted for their big, colorful production numbers and excellent chorus work.  As well as dancers, there was usually a magician, a comedian, a gymnastic troupe, and stirring singing from the Masonic Male Choir.  All proceeds from these revues went to charity.

Emily directed and presented a variety show with song, dance, tap, and comedy which ran in Ballarat until 1959. Up to 150 artists performed four times a year, filling Her Majesty's Theatre every time.  On any given Saturday morning, Emily could have up to 80 children at her dance classes and she gave freely of her tuition, direction, and time.

If you drive up Eureka Street today, you can still see Emily's house.  Its the one with the fence made of dancing girls, fashioned for her by her husband, Angus.  The name of the song on the fence is Tammy.

From Bronwyn, Emily's Grand Daughter

My late Grandmother's house, 'Emily Eeles'. She was a self-taught Ballerina and also held her own Ballet school in Ballarat when she was younger, you can read about it on the Ballarat Her Majesty's Theater website under 'Ladies of Dance'. She was an amazing lady and I, as well as my family, have many memories of playing in the front yard, and listening to and also seeing many photos of her Ballet days and the concerts that she performed at the Ballarat Theater. The house and the fence were built by her husband (my Grandfather) Angus Eeles (Who's name may be familiar if you know of Angus Eeles Plumbing in Ballarat North). He built the fence for Emily in honor of her love for Ballet, and the musical notes along the fence, Play out to the Piano tune of a song named 'Tammy', This was Emily's Favorite song. She took much pride in their property and most of her fence as it became known to many who lived in the area and to some tourists who as I child I would regularly see taking photos and taking their time to admire the fence on their travels. I and as well as my family have many fond memories of playing in the front yard alongside the 'dancing ladies' and for the last 80 plus years it has stood in its glory and hopes that for many more years, it will continue to be looked after and stand in all its glory and hopefully, its story will linger for those who are interested in its history and of the lovely couple who built, lived and raised and very proud family of what still stands in the historical and much-loved street of Ballarat! -  Grand Daughter of the Lady with the Dancing Girls Fence xx