EVERYDAY PEOPLE - Margaret Richters - Facing adversity with determination

MARGARET Richters was born in the picturesque coastal town of Kiama on the South Coast of New South Wales. But was brought up on the family dairy farm in Albion Park about fifteen minutes from her birth town. Margaret’s upbringing was filled with joy and adventures, growing up as the eldest of six siblings—four brothers and one sister. She fondly recalls her childhood, surrounded by numerous cousins and with her grandparents living nearby. Her grandfather was a regular presence in her life, creating many cherished memories. Her great-great-great-grandfather actually founded Albion Park so the family's history in the area runs deep.

In 1979 the family moved another hour down the road to a little town called Berry.

When she went to high school, Margaret developed a passion for tennis, playing doubles. She would walk a kilometre down the hill to catch a bus to wherever they were playing next, she loved the game.

Margaret recalls that her first job was as a dishwasher at the Dapto Dogs, a renowned greyhound racing club in New South Wales, where her grandmother used to work as the cook.

She met her husband, Fred, in Nowra, New South Wales. He was in the Navy at the time but later transferred to the Army. The pair connected through a mutual friend. They later moved to Oakey, Queensland. Sadly, Fred had a terrible accident while in the Army, which resulted in him crushing his back after falling off a truck and popping three or four discs that had to be fused back together. He would eventually get a medical discharge. Margaret had to rely on the neighbours as she had no family around at that time. She also had to go back to work.

Margaret says, “I was going to be a stay-at-home mum, but ended up back at the Westpac Bank then Fred's specialist told us that to aid in his rehabilitation we needed to move to a warmer climate. So, we did a bit of searching before visiting friends in Hervey Bay. I then decided that this was where I wanted to stay and got a job transfer to Hervey Bay.

After the job in banking, Margaret worked in various roles, including a stint at a furniture store and later in accounting. She eventually earned a Bachelor of Commerce and worked for Astute for seventeen years, nurturing her love for numbers.

After retiring from accounting, Margaret became the treasurer of Meals on Wheels as a volunteer, contributing to her community and helping seniors maintain their independence. Her retirement plans included teaching Tai Chi, a practice she had embraced for stress relief during her accounting career. She has now been teaching Tai Chi for eight years, finding solace and improved mental health in its mindful movements.

Margaret's adventurous spirit has taken her to various corners of the world, including South Africa, Europe, Dubai, London, and the United States with lots more travel to come.

Earlier this year she celebrated her sixtieth birthday, marking a significant milestone in her life. While reaching this age felt a little daunting, she is grateful to be in relatively good health. Both she and her husband have now lived in Hervey Bay for thirty-two years.

Margaret's life is enriched by her twin grandchildren, who are about to turn ten. She values the fresh perspective they bring to her life.

Throughout her journey, Margaret has learned a valuable lesson: the importance of resilience in the face of life's challenges. The past four months have been particularly tough, centred around Fred’s health, but Margaret remains steadfast in her commitment to facing adversity with determination and a positive outlook.

By Kim Parnell

From What’s On Fraser Coast