Margaret at 90: Living Life Her Way at Mayflower Brighton

Margaret has always lived life on her own terms, and turning 90 hasn’t changed that one bit. As she celebrated her milestone birthday at Mayflower Brighton, surrounded by loved ones, laughter and joy filled the air. A special cake was prepared, and Margaret, true to form, made sure to enjoy an extra scoop of her favourite ice cream.

"I consider myself very fortunate to be alive, active and here at 90!" says Margaret.

If you’ve ever visited Mayflower Brighton, you’ve probably seen her - chatting with friends, attending activities, or indulging in one of her greatest loves: ice cream.

In fact, Margaret even starred in one of Mayflower’s videos, sharing her passion for ice cream and the incredible difference that volunteers make across the Mayflower community. You can view the video at the bottom of this blog.

A Life Full of Stories

Born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Margaret’s early years were shaped by the vast outback and the rich history of the gold-mining city.

"Not many people realise it is actually a large city, with a major regional airport," she says.

She loves to share stories about her home city, its vast history, and its role in Australia's mining industry. "They continue to mine gold today," she says, explaining how specialised planes are used to transport the heavy metal across the world.

History wasn’t just something Margaret read about - she became a passionate historian herself. With more than 2,000 books on Australian history in her library collection, she spent two years writing a comprehensive history of the Shire of Lexton in Victoria.

A Labour of Love – the story of Lexton Shire

Margaret and her husband, Harry, bought a 20-acre block at Evansford in the Shire of Lexton while their children were in school, wanting them to experience country life. 

"Our kids enjoyed running wild on the block!" Margaret laughs, "it helped them get their energy out so they could focus on studying."

Their connection to the Shire of Lexton and its rich history led to Margaret being asked to write the book about the Shire’s past. What she thought would take two months turned into two years of in-depth research and writing.

"It got bigger than Ben Hur!" she laughs. "I gave up teaching to finish it in time for a special anniversary." The book was aptly named 'The Valley of the Finest Description.'

Her book became a local bestseller and is now a key resource for the local community and historians. It is even made available at the State Library for viewing, and purchase on Amazon. It documents the area’s early days as a hub for sheep grazing and fine Merino wool production in the mid 1800’s, followed by the gold rush that solidified Australia on the world map, through to more recent history in the 1980s.

A Love for Travel and Adventure

Margaret’s love for history was matched only by her love for travel - especially by long haul passenger trains.

Margaret is proud of her late brother Ron, whom was a train driver for the Indian Pacific, a coveted role that takes decades to achieve - and in honour of her brother, Margaret has made the journey herself from Perth to Melbourne more than 30 times to visit family.

"I've lost track of how many times I've crossed the Nullarbor," she says, "the best part is travelling through the desert for 1,200 kilometres – with nothing but stunning landscapes and the clearest night skies you’ll ever see."

Margaret recalls travelling across the Nullarbor during the heat of summer, before air conditioning was available on trains.

"Us girls would all sit together in the shower to keep cool!" says Margaret, "we would find very creative ways to make our journey more comfortable."

Having made the trip so many times, she offers a tip for the best experience:

"Always sit on the north side of the train for the best desert view," she advises. "At night, it’s like nothing you have seen anywhere else in Australia! The sky is just full of stars, and you don’t see a single person for hours."

A Life of Love, Learning and Teaching

Margaret’s passion for education led her to a fulfilling career as a kindergarten teacher. She entered teaching as a mature student, after raising her two children with her beloved husband, Harry.

"Harry was a beautiful person," she says fondly. "I came from a strict Methodist family and didn’t plan to marry, but he won me over with his charm."

“When I was 20, we dated for a few months before I moved back to Perth for a year,” shares Margaret, “we remained in contact through letters, and when I returned to Melbourne for the Olympics in 1956 he proposed!”

The happy couple had a plan – have two children, and then Margaret would return to schooling and become a teacher. And, they did just that.

Her teaching career was enriched by Australia’s post-war migration boom.

"My students came from all over the world," Margaret recalls. "It was an incredible experience to learn from so many different cultures."

Embracing Life at Mayflower Brighton

Margaret’s love for learning, socialising, and staying active hasn’t faded one bit.

At Mayflower Brighton, she’s involved in everything from quizzes and painting to lawn bowls and exercise classes. And, of course, there’s the ice cream.

"I visit the gift shop most days for an ice cream," she says with a grin, “and I enjoy going on the bus trips, we always stop somewhere nice and enjoy an ice cream together.”

Hitesh, Mayflower Brighton’s Care and Leisure Coordinator, confirms Margaret’s zest for life. "Margaret is an active resident who attends many of our activities. She brings so much joy and enthusiasm to our community."

And then, there’s the food.

"The food is too good here, very nice to eat!" Margaret shares, always one to appreciate a well-cooked meal. With fresh, chef-prepared meals daily, she finds every dining experience a delight.

A Life Still Full of Possibilities

Margaret isn’t slowing down.

She dreams of writing her own life story, capturing the incredible experiences she’s had - because her story is far from over.

"I've had a fascinating life, I’m very fortunate," says Margaret, "I’m not all here, but I’m still here!" she laughs.

At Mayflower Brighton, Margaret continues to live life her way - empowered, engaged, and always ready for her next adventure.

Happy 90th, Margaret!  Wishing you many more years of laughter, learning, and of course, ice cream.

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