Town Talk | Margaret Farrell: a legacy of love and land

I might be a slow learner because recently I realised I had written Margaret Farrell’s name a number of times, for different reasons.

With her husband, Joe, she was involved in land development; with her sister, Betty Segafredo, she ran a successful retail store for 15 years.

With a small committee, she took two acres of bushland and turned it into a beautiful park. She is a keen gardener and an award-winning cook.

Surely, it was time to give her a call.

Where to start?

I sat in her immaculate unit in Ave Maria, wondering where to start; then Margaret told me that she was born at Shepparton’s Una Hospital on September 30, 1933.

I grinned at her because the beginning is a very good place to start.

We talked for some time about the difficulties our parents and grandparents were dealt — without any of the conveniences we take for granted today.

She was 12 years old before electricity became available (on Benalla Rd) and it took her dad two more years to save up and have it connected to their home.

Margaret was educated at Shepp East State School to eighth grade and finished her schooling at Sacred Heart College, where she took a commercial course.

Her mother had saved up her child endowment because Margaret had her heart set on this.

At state school, Father Hussey had taught her about God and she has never lost her faith.

Her first job was with W.A. Thompson, Grocer, in High St and her second position was with Mr Crawford Stewart in Fryers St (corner of Maude St). She was a book-keeper at Stewart’s Hardware until her marriage in 1955. She remembers Mr Stewart with a great deal of affection and admiration; she mentioned him being responsible for the beautiful organ in the Methodist Church.

Joe and Margaret

Joe was a dairy farmer at Congupna and when his father bought property at Radio Australia, Joe and Marg purchased the 96 acres he was leaving.

They then purchased 200 acres of dry farm land at Tallygaroopna; they relocated their family of seven children — and put a sharefarmer on the Congupna property.

They borrowed money to invest in 40 Herefords — before the effects of the Whitlam government were felt by farmers.

Then milk prices, the value of the cattle and even the value of the property itself all dropped substantially — and they had three difficult years ahead.

However, there was a good peach season and the cannery was looking for people. Margaret, after taking six children to school, worked on the 9am to 3pm shift.

Joe took their two-year-old with him, on horseback, as he took care of the property and the cattle.

In the afternoon, Joe and his daughter would have a sleep before he went to the cannery for the late-night clean-up.

It was difficult, but they managed — and, when their finances were under control, sold the property in Tallygaroopna and returned to the original 96 acres in Congupna.

The Congupna Football Club

This was a lifelong relationship, which began in 1956 when the club was formed — with Joe in the team and a premiership in their very first year.

Joe went on to coach the seconds, a few seasons later, and another premiership was his reward.

Margaret was president of the ladies’ committee for more years than she can remember, and Joe accepted the presidency of the club for six years.

Joe passed away in 2017 (on New Year’s Eve).

Margaret remains on the committee, but says she is no longer able to do the work she handled with ease in the past.

However, the relationship with the club remains important to her.

“It was a large and special part of our family life,” she says.

Joe received a life membership in 1979 and Margaret in 1987.

Land development

In 1988, they acquired land in Congupna, suitable for subdivision.

They borrowed $100,000 to start the work on the north end, with another company taking care of management.

With half the land sold, Joe did the sums and discovered that they had not made any money at all — so, wisely, they decided to manage the subdivision themselves and did very nicely out of the second half.

The blocks were ¾ acre and sold for $31,000, with the last of them $40,000.

Margaret recently took a drive around their development and says she is very proud of what is now a beautiful and peaceful place to live.

The School Uniform Shop

Margaret’s sister, Betty Segafredo, had been a volunteer at Notre Dame College, for many years, looking after the uniform supply.

Eventually, Margaret and Betty decided to take advantage of Betty’s experience in this area — and opened the School Uniform Shop in Corio St.

Their business model was different — to say the least — but successful. When clothing stores had a mark-up of 80 to 100 per cent, theirs was closer to 25 to 30 per cent.

They would buy the best quality available, sell it at an affordable price and offer genuine customer service.

Margaret borrowed money from her mother to get the store started and was easily able to repay the loan in just six months.

They enjoyed their work but, after almost 15 years — with the GST about to come in — they decided to sell it.

Congupna Community Centre Committee

Margaret was secretary, treasurer or member of this committee for around 24 years, during which time, an extension was added to the hall.

This included a kitchen, toilets, a carpeted area and a bar.

She remembers a great deal of work, from polishing floors to cleaning toilets.

But, she remains proud of what was achieved.

That year, 1991, she was awarded ‘Senior Citizen of the Year’.

A Landcare project — The Pony Paddock Park

In 1998, Margaret joined the Congupna/Tallygaroopna Landcare Group.

They noticed two acres — next to the Congupna Rd School — of wild bushland, which ran the risk of becoming a place to dump rubbish.

It belonged to the Victorian Education Department.

By 2000, they had received permission to create a park on the site.

Over the next 17 years, Margaret applied for, and received, $49,000 in grants — with Joe frequently helping her with the heavier work.

The school children all plant a tree with the child’s name and the type of tree on a little plaque; they still do this and the park is still beautiful — under the expert supervision of the Landcare Group.

Margaret received a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ on International Volunteers Day.

Of all the good works with which Margaret has been involved, this is the one that moves my heart.

How wonderful for the children to see what changes can be made when you care enough — and to have played their own part in creating beauty.

Society for Growing Australian Plants

Yes! Margaret is also a member of this small but important group.

However, I have more names in my book, and we’ll be chatting soon about Australian plants and gardens.

Rome — yet again

Dear Marnie,

I was disappointed to read that you felt you had poor feedback after your story about the Roman Empire.

I enjoyed it very much.

I have all Colleen McCullough’s books on the subject and find them absolutely fascinating.

As you can imagine I was also pleased to read in your story, from the Book Inn, that you have collected and read these books.

I’m sure there are many more readers in the G.V. who enjoyed your story, so I thought I would let you know that history buffs are out here looking forward to your articles each Tuesday.

Happy reading and writing,

Barb

I appreciated the more positive feedback I received this week.

Barbara’s response is an example.

However, I wasn’t surprised or disappointed with the response; in fact, I found some of the comments amusing, which is why I shared one.

“I even read the Rome story.”

Leonie, please note, it still makes me laugh. God bless you.

Command Performance

In reference to last week’s story about the Command Performance. We have confirmation that it was a performance given by June Bronhill.

The star was supported by Apexians and Mrs Thomas’ School of Dance. June was an internationally acclaimed coloratura soprano, born in Broken Hill in 1929.

However, we have quite a lot of information about another performance, down near the river, on a specially constructed stage — with Jenny Howard the star performer.

I think this caused the confusion and is just one of the traps of attempting to write history.

Next week — Shepparton’s balloon story

For those who requested it — and those who have never heard of it.

Until then — may it be easy, my friends.

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. The News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Text or call 0409 317 187.