Judy Nelson – uncommon artistry and common history

Photo by Mike Moores

Judy sitting at her easel, documenting the life and times of Westbury in words and pictures.

JUDY UEHLEIN Nelson and her husband Jon live on a quiet Westbury street facing the Town Common. Built as the Military Barracks in 1828, for the newly formed convict settlement, their cottage is on the street once known as Toe Rag Lane and the patch of common ground was once known as the swamp. Originally from Wisconsin, Judy and Jon arrived in Australia in the 1970s. Part of a wave of US teachers recruited by the government, Judy was a female teacher bringing along her husband – problematic for the Australian authorities, but sense prevailed. Judy had trained as an art and craft teacher, but on settling in Melbourne, began designing and illustrated children’s books, working from home while their children were small. Jon also became a graphic designer, studying at Swinburne Technical College in Melbourne. Judy later combined her publication, illustration and digital design skills to commence a long career teaching graphic design at a tertiary level. The couple came to Tasmania looking for a quieter life. ‘The technology was doing us in!’ Judy exclaimed. ‘We didn’t know where in Tasmania … and then I found this house and I fell in love with it’. Next door to Judy and Jon is Dexter’s Cottage, built for Lieutenant Dexter, the commander of the garrison. The cottage and the former barracks on Toe Rag Lane (now Mary Ann Street) are two of the earliest buildings in Westbury that remain standing. Moving to Westbury in May 2014, Jon and Judy met their Dexter’s Cottage neighbour Gwen Boyer when she called in to welcome the new arrivals. Gwen was born in Dexter’s Cottage and grew up helping her parents tend their cows that grazed on the swamp, delivering the milk and doing the chores. She still lives in the small house which has been in her family since the 1920s. Disaster came to Mary Ann Street in June 2016. Winter rain flooded the town common and nearby houses, including the Barracks and Dexter’s Cottage. Gwen, Judy and Jon were forced to leave their homes for over six months, their belongings and property severely damaged by floodwater, and the long road to restoration and repair ahead of them once the waters receded. The day of the flood, Jon filmed the steady progress of the water across the road and under their door. He commented that the pine floors were so dry that they soaked up the water and swelled up. The fridge moved by itself and loud cracking sounds were heard, as the water slowly rose from under the house. Gwen was fast asleep next door, when at 5.00 in the morning, she woke to find the water coming under her front door. Flowing in, as fast she could mop it up, by the time her brother came down from his house up the hill, it was up to Gwen’s knees. With help from Westbury neighbours, family and friends, the Nelsons and Gwen moved from place to place until their houses were once more fit to live in. There is now little sign of the devastation that occurred in the Nelson house. With seven skiploads of damaged property – mattress, carpets, bed – taken to the tip from Gwen’s house alone, Gwen’s kitchen, living room and bedroom were completed so she could move back in as soon as possible. Gwen is still waiting for some final restoration work, four years on. Judy and Jon are both passionate about their small cottage and the greater community of Westbury. Judy’s interest in local history has led to her writing a book on the history of the lane, starting with her own cottage, eventually growing to encompass Gwen’s cottage, the surrounding streets and the whole town. Combining her skills as artist, designer and graphic communicator, the book, Such is Life on Toe Rag Lane, is a marvellous chronicle of everyday life in one small Tasmanian town. A resource for anyone interested in the early history of Westbury, copies of Judy’s book are available from the author. Book price is $25. Contact details are: judy.uehlein.nelson @gmail.com / m: 0402 240 749.