Laurel Prince interviewed by Alex and Annette Hood in the Alex Hood folklore collection [sound recording] - National Library of Australia Oral History Collection
email from Annette Hood
I’ve know her since I was 14 years old and she was my neighbour at
Turramurra, I babysat all her children and she became a beautiful and
influential friend. Our family was close and she was always interested
in what we did, she was always
full of laughter and joy. I spent many happy hours chatting with her
and she is the person that introduced me to Margaret Barr, taking me to
my first show when I was 15 years old at NSW University where I first
saw the wonderful show on Vietnam which opened
my eyes to politics and social issues and also to other humorous works,
e.g. Melbourne Cup, I was entranced.
We use to dance together in her
lounge room, me with my Classical ballet steps and Laurel with her free
and bold steps, again I became hooked to the
free impulsive movements of modern dance and later to my 14 years
dancing and involvement with Margaret Barr.
I have always kept up my
contact with Laurel, her strength, commitment, advocacy and voice
working for the disadvantaged. Her personality always
sparkled and you were always left with positive thoughts and ideas.
Alex and myself were lucky enough to interview her for The National
Library Oral History so her life story is there for anyone interested to
hear. I’m truly saddened by her passing and wish
to send my condolences to all the family and friends, she’ll be missed
by them all.
With love Annette Hood and Alex Hood and The James Family
Laurel Prince, Peter Bonner, Alison Pitt, Jaan Boersma and Colin Fong at Hunter's Hill sesquicentenary. (Colin Fong collection)
Australian Heritage Dancers at the Opera House (Colin Fong collection)
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