© From the estates of Ruth Lane-Poole’s daughters, Charlotte Ruth Burston and Phyllis Gainsborough Hamilton, by descent to their familiesFamily life
Having successfully fulfilled her brief for the Federal Capital Commission in 1927, Ruth was engaged as a furniture consultant to The Myer Emporium Ltd in Melbourne. However, when the family finally moved into Westridge House at the end of 1928, Ruth decided to end her professional career.
At Westridge House, Ruth and Charles could finally enjoy a family life together. For the 17 years they had been married, they had spent lengthy periods apart and Charles had been absent for the birth of his eldest and youngest daughters. During those times, they had sustained their love, and their family, through regular correspondence and very welcome food parcels from Ruth with gifts from the children sent to Charles.
In Canberra, Ruth and Charles were enthusiastic participants in all that the city had to offer and the family took every opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the landscape around them.
The Lane Pooles were enthusiastic skiers and founding members of the Canberra Alpine Club, founded in 1934. The girls skied competitively in downhill, slalom and jump events and Charlotte represented NSW in interstate competitions. As President of the Canberra Alpine Club, Charles and his vice presidents, Richard and Maie Casey, oversaw the construction of a European-style chalet at Mt Franklin. He made it mandatory for his forestry students and a policy for the members of the Club to make their own skis using Australian hardwoods. ACT Heritage Library
They were keen bushwalkers and skiers, and the girls were active participants in school and amateur sports, including swimming, diving, hockey, and tennis. They made many friends through their schooling at St Gabriel’s School (later Canberra Girls Grammar School).
The social pages of The Canberra Times regularly reported their names among the attendees at social functions and charity events and Ruth was often invited to accompany the wives of the governors-general to official functions.
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