After graduating from Stott's, Valma got a job as a Secretary to the Property Officer at Penny's in Brisbane. Although there were 41 stores across Queensland, a new store was being opened at Southport and Valma went there and served behind the counter, her first selling experience. A number of factors led her to resign, a lack of work to do, the air conditioner, and a dislike for the Managing Director. A friend of Queenie's suggested a job at H. G. Noble's where she was employed as a secretary. Noble's sold agricultural supplies such as portable sheep fences, dips and spray paint guns. Despite being employed as a secretary, Valma sold the first Victor Lawnmower in Brisbane. She also caused much amusement among the men employed in the business, when, one day all the salesmen were away when a potential customer came in to look at a new Victor Mower. Valma said that she could show him how well it worked. There was a big clump of grass outside and she started the mower and pushed it over the clump, but the grass popped up undamaged. She tried again, and still nothing! Eventually she turned the mower over to find that there were no mower blades attached. Victor Mowers were very popular and at one time there were 70 names on the waiting list, this is despite there being a ward at the hospital call the 'Victor' ward for those who cut their toes off! The motors were also used for speedboat motors.
In July of 1956, Valma went on a cruise aboard the�Elsanna, to Cairns, with her brother Paul's girlfriend, also Val. Val was seasick, so Valma sunned herself on the desk alone. Valma was very attractive, slim and poised, but very shy, and whenever she was approached by any of the men trying to talk to her, her nervousness led her to chatter about Noble's products. On her return to work some came in and bought lawnmowers, boat mowers and spray guns. The boss said he didn't know what she was up to, as she was supposed to be a secretary, not a saleswoman! None of those men had a chance with Valma, as, on the cruise, she had met a handsome ship's engineer called Barrie (the only unmarried officer on the ship), who appeared on the desk in his immaculate white overalls, and it was love at first sight. Nobles gave Valma and Barrie a Pressure Cooker as a wedding gift, and it is still in use 53 years later.
The Full Story Here,
https://sites.google.com/site/valmasmith/our-story-2/about-valI was not expecting to find information on An H.G.Noble Employee first hand, and also to out find she sold the First" Victa mower in Brisbane! That is Cool!
Hope This is usefull.
