Maureen Sykes had married Ken Ford in 1929, and had two children: John, born in 1933, and Maureen Selina Joan (Selina) Ford, born in 1936 in Mildura. The license for the Commercial was transferred in 1936 to Ken Ford (EJ was 62 years old).

In 1936 Joan Sykes and Jean Loomes had their ‘coming out’ at a Ball in the RSL or Legacy Hall in Mildura. Joan finished at Mary's Mount in Ballarat in that year, and left Wentworth to live in Melbourne; she had been invited to join the Catholic paper ‘The Tribune’, on the strength of her essay writing ability while at school; she stayed at St. Mary's Hall, part of Melbourne University, and wrote the children's page and the social column for The Tribune. She also began studying Arts at the University.

In August 1937 Lord Wakehurst, Governor of NSW, with Lady Wakehurst, visited Wentworth (Sunraysia Daily, August 1).
Hospital ball on Friday July 29 – first ‘debutantes’ ball in Wentworth. The debutantes were frocked in white, and carried early Victorian posies…. They included Miss J. Harvey, partnered by Mr. W.D.J. Sykes (Des)… Miss P. Loomes (Peg) partnered by Mr. B. Loomes (Barn)… Miss P. Scanlon, partnered by Mr. F. Sheean (Frank)… They danced the old Valeta waltz, which was very daintily performed.

The paper notes that the next day, the Mayor, EJ Sykes, and the Mayoress, Mrs K.H. Ford (EJ's daughter Maureen), entertained the Governor and his wife at a luncheon at the Crown Hotel.

The Governor and his wife returned a month later for the Vice Regal ball at Wentworth Town Hall, raising £74 for the benefit of the Wentworth Hospital. Again, they were greeted by the Mayor and Mayoress, EJ and Maureen. Ten debutantes were presented, including
Pegg Loomes, white net over a voluminous taffeta slip, the skirt and shoulder bands arranged with tiny pastel flowers, and coat of black velvet… The following were noticed amongst the well-frocked assembly… Miss B. Chenery… Miss E. I. McLeod (Isabel), black net and crepe-de-Chine… Miss B Chaffey…

In 1939 the Fords returned to live in their house in Cammeray in Sydney with Margo Rafferty to help care for them, but when Selina started school Margo returned to Wentworth.