Honouring Hazel: The Life and Legacy Behind the Hazel Rose Seto Novice Writers’ Award
Hazel Rose SETO, nee HAIR, was born at the Sandgate Hospital on 5 December 1930. The family story is that her father was out on the Bay enjoying a day sailing; her mother, Rosina Hair, nee Stokes, could not wait.
She was a happy and healthy child, until her mother, Rosina, died aged 29 years while giving birth to her fourth daughter. It was thought it best to adopt out the four girls separately. Hazel’s grandmother, Mildred SANDERS, then aged about 55 years, promptly sacrificed her retirement, took all the four girls and raised them until they were married.
Hazel was a bit of a quiet rebel, as many women had to be in those days. This included choosing the man she wanted to marry, and did this, despite the objections of all her family.
Throughout the marriage, and the raising and four children’s education, she was always the gentle ‘peacemaker’, smoothing over the edges of the strong personalities.
She was also the great home-made ginger beer maker.
Hazel and ‘Len’ (her husband) retired to Caloundra after the 1974 Brisbane floods when they lost everything they had gathered together since their 1951 marriage.
After the Floods: Move to Caloundra
In Caloundra, Hazel embraced the local life, including beach walking (followed by coffee and cake), square dancing, yoga and reading. She would often read two or three books a week, happily exploring the various worlds created by diverse writers. However, she would NOT write her own stories. Both because of a general attitude of ’no one would be interested’ and ‘I cannot write’.
Her son, Paul, tried his best but we did lose all her good and true stories when she died. And it took a great many trips to St. Vincent de Paul to donate all her read books.
But, she encouraged her son, Paul, and helped to fund his good education and love of books. He has since written about a dozen books, which she did see and read.
So, in tribute to Hazel, Paul’s beloved mother, he has funded the Hazel Rose Seto Novice Writers’ Award. May it inspire the next hesitant writer to cross the mental barrier and put their words to the keyboard!
Hazel in St. Mary’s Aged Care, with her 90th birthday cake.
Follow the link to find out more about our Writing awards and previous winners. Members can read previous winners’ works in The Caloundra Clipper (login required).
Our Writing Interest Group meets in the rooms on the third Thursday of each month from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Check the Events Calendar or Future Writing Interest Group upcoming events for changes to days and times.