Annie Maria Kershler was born in 1881 at Mount Gilead, the daughter of John Kershler and Annie Oxley. Apart from a few years living at Randwick in her early childhood, she spent most of her life in the Campbelltown District. Her father John Kershler married at Campbelltown in 1879 and later took over the licence of the Federal Hotel in 1901. However, he lived most of his life in Mosman.
One of Annie's many talents were as a dressmaker. She operated a dressmaker shop in Queen Street next to the Club Hotel. A photograph taken in 1912 shows Annie and her staff posing outside the premises. Her skills extended to making and designing the uniforms of the Campbelltown-Camden Brass Band.
The dressmaking making business in Queen Street. Annie is in the dark dress at the left. (Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society)
In 1914, she married Percy Marlow at Mosman. Percy, the son of a former Alderman CJ Marlow, also served on Campbelltown Council, including three terms spanning the 1920s to the 1950s. As mayoress, Annie provided constant support to her husband with his mayoral duties. However, her terms as mayoress formed only a small part of her community contribution. Annie was very proficient with a rifle and won several prizes for her shooting. This was an interest she shared with husband Percy. She was President of the Campbelltown Ladies Miniature Rifle Club. Further, she was president of the Freemason's Benevolent Institute Ladies' Auxillary.
The Campbelltown Rifle Club. Annie is in the centre of the photograph.
Annie was also treasurer of the Ladies Social Committee of the Campbelltown Bowling Club. She would later be elected as 'Patroness' of the Campbelltown Women's Bowling Club. Her contribution to Campbelltown's Centenary celebrations, alongside her husband, was also significant.
Campbelltown Centenary Celebrations Committee at the showground in 1920. Annie is in the white dress in the back row. (Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society)
Another organisation she supported was Legacy, training debutants for their Ball. She also worked for Red Cross, CWA, The Crippled Children's Hospital and was a Life Member of both Camden Hospital and the Institute for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. She was on the committee for the AH&I Society and Patroness of a number of groups. But wait there's more! Annie also worked towards the establishment of the Memorial School of Arts in Campbelltown and was active in war committees!
Annie with Campbelltown Public School principal Alan Allen on stage at the Town Hall
One of the talents Annie was known for was for her driving. She was one of the first women in town to own her own car. The Daily Telegraph wrote an article about her, describing how she knew her traffic laws by heart. It went on to describe how "In her car Mrs Marlow has toured to all parts of the State. The ease with which she manipulates the wheel has brought Sydney close to her own hometown."
Annie Marlow died on 6 July 1957. She was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery on the corner of Moore and Broughton Streets. A pulpit honouring Annie was donated to the newly renovated Presbyterian Church in 1958. Her husband Percy died in 1971. They had lived in the same house at 7 Cordeaux Street since they were married in 1914.
Written by Andrew Allen
Sources:
FOWLER, Verlie
Federation and Beyond: The Marlow Collection
In Grist Mills: Journal of the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society, Vol. 19, No. 3
Campbelltown News, 21st October 1952, p1
Daily Telegraph, 18 July 1928, p20