“I moved to Footscray in 1990, and remember there was front page news on the local paper. Locals were really fearful of yuppies, and there was a real fear the gentrification of the west would destroy the sense of community.
I was born in 1952 in Melbourne. When I was two my family moved to the Gippsland. Dad was a teacher and in those days teachers moved around a lot. We lived there for three years and absolutely loved it. There is so much freedom being in the country. When Dad got a new job, we moved back to the Macleod and I finished my schooling there.
I went to Melbourne Uni and pursued Physical Education. Following my Dad’s footsteps, I became a teacher. After completing my studentship requirements, I was eligible for long service by the time I was 28. Around that time I began some serious travelling, travelling the world over a period of five years.
I spent some time as a tour guide in England in the 80s, where the company would send me to run tour groups through Europe, Russia and Scandinavia. It was with the tour company where I met my ex-husband Noel.
Virginia at 18 months
He was originally from New Zealand and had never been to Australia. We returned to Melbourne in 1986, and in 1987 our daughter Zaylee was born. She’s our only child. We had moved to Phillip Island by then, as we liked the country life.
Unfortunately, we found it hard to find work there and returned to Melbourne. I had friends who lived in Footscray then, and it was just convenient in lots of ways, so that’s where we moved to. There was good accommodation, and Noel was working up at Fisherman’s Bend. I had started work with the Footscray Institute of Technology, teaching mature-aged locals English.
In 92’ we moved to Newport and I still call it home. When we moved to Newport, I would happily say we live in the daggy end of Newport. Many people didn’t know where Newport was, and Newport was often referred to as Williamstown North. I’d just tell them it’s where the Powerstation is. Newport was very quiet then, compared to what it is now.
I worked at VUT/ Victoria Uni for nearly 25 years, I became the Head of School of Language, Literacy and Indigenous Programs. I was a member of the university council and the chair of the academic board. I’ve always had a view that you should contribute and give back. That’s something I got from my mum. She’s always involved with people, looking after them.
Mum died when I was quite young, but I remember being amazed who turned up at the funeral. These were people who were affected by and had received support from her.
I think we all have something we can contribute, and often the most generous and helpful people may not have a lot; they understand looking after one another is important. My mum didn’t have a lot but financially so she gave people her time and support.
Virginia, aged 18
During this period of time, my marriage broke up. It was never easy, but it was the right thing to do. Noel was always involved in Zaylee’s life, and they had a very strong relationship.
I left Victoria Uni four years ago, and I thought I’d do something different. A friend of mine does security and investigation, and I thought ‘Why not?’ I did the course, obtained the license and began looking for work at companies who specializes in work cover claims. I was shocked when I discovered they were not interested in me, due to my age. I had never experienced this before, but have moved on.
I do part-time work as an extra on TV. I’ve been on the last two series of Wentworth, as the prisoner in the background. What’s really interesting about an extra, is you can’t have an ego. You are the lowest of the low, and you do what you’re told. You don’t have an opinion. It’s a good thing to do and very humbling. You can’t complain, otherwise you’d never get another job but I love the experience and you meet some really interesting people.
Another thing I have done a lot of is researching my family history. It’s important to find out where we’re from. You can see characteristics passed down from your ancestors. I’ve also done family histories for quite a few friends and solved a few family mysteries.
My mum’s side came during the Gold Rush, were very politically active, strong unionists and believed in giving back.
Dad’s side was very different where we have four convict ancestors. The lolly brand Allen’s started from my great-grandfather Joseph and his brother, Alfred Weaver Allen. My grandfather had his own small business and had a factory in the backyard making lollies, snowballs and jubes. Some of my cousins still have the equipment he used.
Another interesting thing I discovered was my great and great-great-grandfathers were pioneer photographers in New Zealand and Australia. My daughter is also a professional photographer so perhaps it’s in her blood.
The first Allen came into Australia in 1835 and they were in the original settlement of Adelaide, and he was employed to establish the botanical gardens of Adelaide. Dad’s side had a lot of science background. Zaylee has a science degree, and my brother is a mathematician.
When I was in my early-20s, I had a number of experiences of human cruelty to animals. It horrified me, and I have been a vegetarian since then. It was quite challenging being a vegetarian in those days. I’ve been concerned about animal welfare all my life and have always adopted dogs and cats.
When I left Victoria Uni and had a bit more time for myself, I became involved in protests against animal cruelty. Wanting to be involved with animal welfare, I joined the Animal Justice Party (AJP). The more I learned and read about things, the more I was horrified about stuff. I want to make a difference and affect change and to do that I’ve had to get out and do something.
Last year I stood as a candidate for the party in the Victorian State Elections. One of my friends called me a politician. I laughed. I’m not a politician. I want to make changes, but I’m not interested in personal gains. It’s not about me, it’s about the animals.
Virginia and a friend’s dog, Henry
My last name Saint-James is actually a name I created. Allen was my last name, but I didn’t want to have someone else’s last name. I wanted my own name. I was more connected to Mum’s side of the family, Clements. However, I knew changing it to Clements would upset my dad.
Saint-James goes with Virginia. I went into the Citizens Advice Bureau and said I want to change my name. While I was spelling the last name out in full, the chap suggested ‘How about we put a hyphen in there?’
I said ‘Sure!’ and my new name was created.
What’s fascinating was going back 1000 years, I discovered an ancestor who came from Brittany in France. His last name was Saint James, without the hyphen. I’ve actually been to Brittany. I’ve even got a picture of myself wearing a Saint James-branded scarf!
I was just thinking about Martha Stewart this morning, and I thought ‘Do I want to get into a routine?’ Isn’t life just more about letting it happen? However, I think it’s also nice to do things spontaneously. I had goals, and want to do interesting things.
I want to get to the end of a Melbourne railway line, or a tram route. I’ve lived in Melbourne all my life, but there are still lots of areas I don’t know about. There’s a bus from a Mordialloc that runs across the north of Melbourne and ends in Altona. I once spent three hours in that bus one way and saw parts of the city I didn’t really know. I like new places.
Over the last 30 years, the Inner West has seen a lot of gentrification. There were very few coffee places to go to. Around Newport, I know when new places open, I love the joy of having the time to do these things. You’ve got to keep yourself interested in doing stuff. I think it’s good to travel in your own area as well. Be a tourist, even in your own neighbourhood.”
