After living in the region her whole life, nonagenarian Margaret Stewart (nee Tagliabue) is what you would call a true “Mallee Girl”.
Born in Ultima in 1927, Mrs Stewart recently celebrated her 90th birthday at Alcheringa Hostel with close family and friends.
She was the second of seven children, born to Lawrence and Agnes Tagliabue, who owned a farm next to the railway line between Ultima and Gowanford.
In 1938, the family walked off their land because of drought, poor conditions and fires.
They moved to Swan Hill where Mrs Stewart still lives today.
Mrs Stewart’s daughter Trish Stewart recalled her mother’s many achievements.
“Mum has always been a very smart lady and was always doing something,” Ms Stewart said.
“She brought up her children on her own and was a single mother for many years.”
Mrs Stewart was good at numbers and for most of her career worked in office administration.
“Until recently, she was still able to add up and subtract much quicker than her grandchildren could using a calculator,” she said.
Her first jobs included working at John Gray & Son, Beaurepaires and as an usherette at the O’Hallorans Regent Theatre.
Around Swan Hill, Mrs Stewart was known for her glorious long wavy red hair.
“She had her first haircut at about 18 years of age and kept her long skein of hair,” Ms Stewart said.
“It is in the same condition today as when it was cut in 1945.”
At the age of 23 in 1950, she married local truck driver Neil Roy Stewart.
They lived for many years on the land where Harvey Norman is now located and Mrs Stewart did the book keeping for McNamara Engineering.
Mr and Mrs Stewart also ran the Esso Service Station.
The couple had six children (Peter, Patrica, Julie, Tracee, Jodie and Anthony) over the course of more than 20 years.
After taking active roles within the Swan Hill Motor Racing Club, Mrs Stewart became secretary and treasurer for the club after local speedway began in 1964.
She would be in these roles for most of the 27 years she was involved with the club.
In 1974, Mr Stewart left Swan Hill and moved to Queensland.
During this time she focused her attention on the sports that her children were involved with.
Another huge achievement for Mrs Stewart was her role in the Australian Speedway where she was the only female pit marshal for many years.
She was also a lap counter in the judge’s box, she drove hot rods in races and even helped out with doing mechanical work on cars.
“People would say she always had a good ear when it came to Holden cars,” Ms Stewart said.
“She was able to tell you what was wrong with the car by its sound.”
For many years Mrs Stewart was involved with netball, as either a coach or umpire.
As a devoted Catholic, Mrs Stewart has always loved being involved in the church.
“She has also done many tasks within the church and in church groups over the years,” Ms Stewart said.
“Her faith in God has always played a major part in her life.”
Ms Stewart said her mother was never one to stand by and just watch.
“She was always involved in one way or another and took on many varied club positions and tasks,” she said.
Over the years, Mrs Stewart has been awarded lifetime memberships and/or best clubman awards from many of the clubs she has been involved with, including the Saints Basketball Club, Saints Junior Football Club, Swan Hill Little Athletics, Swan Hill Motor Racing Club, Swan Hill Football Netball Club and Swan Hill City Netball.
In her later years, she spent her days volunteering at St Vincent’s and as a Friend of the Pioneer Settlement.
In her spare time she loved to crochet.
“All her family and friends have more crocheted rugs than they need but accepted them to keep her happy,” Ms Stewart said.
In March last year, Mrs Stewart was put into palliative care after a fall broke her hips and pelvis.
However, she miraculously recovered and no longer required palliative care.
“I kept saying it’s a miracle,” Ms Stewart said.
“A lot of her recovery was due to the wonderful staff at Alcheringa; they were very loving and caring.
“She wasn’t eating and one day she just got up and walked.”
Mrs Stewart is very close to her family of six children, 16 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.
She loves visits from her family and friends, with her smile never fading.
“Before she moved to Alcheringa, she always loved having the grandchildren around the house,” Ms Stewart said.
“She is a very strong and determined woman who always did things her way and knew what she wanted.”
To read more stories, grab a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (March 29).
