Who is Mourne Kransky?
I am a middle-aged person of average height with black hair and a slim build. My father was Polish and my mother was English. I live with my sisters in the small country town of Esk in Queensland. I have three sisters, Eve, who is a year younger and two half-sisters, Arva Kransky and Dawn Kransky who were the offspring of our mother Mary and stepfather Uncle Roly.
I live in our old family home with my sister Eve. Our half sister Dawn lives over the back fence in neighbour Mrs. Evermore’s house, and my other Half sister Arva moved away years ago to work with the Hornbell Military Marching Band.
I spent my youth bringing up my younger sisters working at a local egg farm, Pecker’s Pass, to bring in money after our parents left. I’m single and have never had a boyfriend. If I go to a dance hall it is always with my sisters. I need to look after them, so there is no chance of meeting a suitor… I sing and play instruments with Eve and Dawn, and we travel around the world sometimes playing our concerts. I like Dutch food and Michael Jackson.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I’d get married and have a small farm. My husband would be a goat farmer and I would make the cheese. I like Llamas, so it would be nice to have a couple of those and a pig or two. This is a dream of mine to look after some nice animals, but I may miss touring with my sisters, Eve and Dawn. We do have a nice time travelling around the place in our Morris Major. Eve sits in the passenger seat and Dawn in the back with a bucket.
Who inspires you and why?
The Queen. We love the Queen as she is a model of decorum and good manners. Ever since we were children she has been a sort of mother figure to us. Our mother always took us to the local RSL when we were young and while she entertained the gentlemen members, we would spend time in the hallway with the Queen. She was very comforting.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I’d give out free tambourines in the streets, some mouth organs, hair combs wrapped in greaseproof paper (it makes a good sound when you sing into it) pots, graters and ukuleles and have everyone join a band. The world would be a much better place if everyone made music instead of mischief.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Holland. We love the cheese and the buildings and canals, the very friendly people and the different foods they make over there. We’re especially fond of Bitterballen. They are small crumbed balls that have a gravy like substance inside. Then there’s Gehackt Balle. They are very large balls with meat inside. Very tasty. There are so many lovely foods you can get in Holland. You can get a good whiff of life out of a Dutch oven.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
We’d take them to the street that never ends. It’s a very steep street here in Esk. From the bottom it appears as though it goes into the sky. Actually it eventually reaches Mr. Furringer’s Piggery and Lila Boyd’s home for destitute sparrows.
What are you currently reading?
At the moment Eve and I are in raptures over a Women’s Weekly article we cut out from an old magazine from Dr. Pearce’s waiting room last year. It has step by step pictures of how to make cheap Christmas decorations from toilet rolls and tissue paper. It may be useful for our upcoming tour – A Very Kransky Christmas. We used to spend all our Christmas’ alone just with each other, but now we’ve decided to share it with all the lovely people. It’s marvelous sharing.
What are you currently listening to?
The Wireless. We learn all of our songs from the wireless and we enjoy the variety of modern songs. We like to listen to the Queen for a start and the other royal, Lady Gargoyle. At the moment the wireless is playing Michael Jackson’s Beat it – which has taken us by surprise because Eve and I are just about to froth up a bowl of egg whites for the pavlova.
Happiness is?
The wireless, two pieces of toast with hundreds and thousands, a cup of milo and a large Zucchini. Eve grows very large vegetables and we enjoy watching them grow. Our last Zucchini won first prize at the Esk show. The lady judge said she’d never encountered one as big as that and asked if she could take it home. We’ve got a collection of blue ribbons on our mantelpiece.
What does the future hold for you?
One would hope it will be continued good health and a lot more music to share. The two seem to go together very well.
Mourne performs with her sisters, Eve and Dawn in A Very Kransky Christmas at The Alex Theatre, St. Kilda: 20 – 26 November 2017. A Very Kransky Christmas will be also be presented across Australia between 10 November and 23 December 2017. For more information, including performance dates and locations, visit: www.thekranskysisters.com for details.
Image: Mourne Kransky (supplied)