Of Tragedy and Valor
Carlene Oliver

Carlene Isabel Oliver (nee Rumbelow) was born in 1940 at Tailem Bend, South Australia to parents Lester Malin Rumbelow and Euphemia (Peg) Fenton. 

Lester Malen Rumbelow was born in Adelaide on 9th October 1914, one of nine children of Walter Malen and Ethel Rumbelow. He lived in the Narrung district until 1923 when his father returned to Victor Harbor to fish commercially. Lester left school in 1928 and fished with his father for rock lobster at Victor Harbor and as far away as Cape Borda, Kangaroo Island. Late in 1931, Lester was sent by his father to Lake Alexandrina to teach several new fishermen to sail and handle small ketches of twenty five to thirty feet. During his visit he struck up a fishing partnership with the late Frank Pierson which lasted until the second World War.

Lester and Peg married in August of 1939. Carlene was one of three girls raised by Lester and Peg Rumbelow.

As a child, she played women's basketball (now known as netball) for Narrung A team from the age of 13, and also played tennis. Carlene won several awards including Miss Post Office in 1961. 

Carlene married Bruce Wellington in 1963, having 2 daughters, Alison Jane and Evette Joy.

In 1975 Carlene married John Thomas Oliver.

Carlene Oliver proposed the celebration of the 150 years of Rumbelow settlement at Encounter Bay. Carlene Oliver (nee Rumbelow) then organised a meeting in August 1999 and in November 2000 Peter Rumbelow took on the role of event chair. She was a stalwart on the organizing committee and has contributed greatly to the research.

In 2000 Carlene was awarded life membership of Historic Motor Vehicles Club Inc. in November 2000 for 20 years of meritorious service.

In 2006 Carlene won a KESAB (Keep South Australia Beautiful) award of merit for her front garden.