LOIS Margaret Hinton (nee Bell) was born in Ultima in June 1932 to parents who were wheat farmers near Ultima township.
She had two sisters, Mary and Maureen, and two brothers, Kevin and Bernie, all now deceased.
Lois attended Fourteen Mile State School and then Swan Hill High School.
On finishing school, Lois commenced employment at the Ultima Garage owned by Clem and Jack Baldwin.
Lois’s duties involved serving petrol and some bookwork.
It was at this time that Lois memorised every customer’s car number plate and she could still recall them years later.
Clem Baldwin had a Holden agency and was three times awarded top Holden agency for sales.
Lois liked working there and the Baldwins thought very highly of her.
Lois liked tennis, golf and basketball (nowadays called netball).
Basketball was her favourite. In the 1950s Lois played in the crack Ultima firsts with distinction.
Lois married Bill Hinton, a farmer from Nowie North.
They had a son, Brian, and two daughters, Karen (Mrs Canavan) and Julie (Mrs Brady).
Bill was a top cricketer and footballer and had been sought by a Melbourne club but couldn’t leave the farm.
Throughout her life, Lois was a great supporter of all community sports and activities.
She took a great interest in all her extended family and was particularly proud of her young granddaughter Bernadette Canavan, who is starring in women’s football in Melbourne.
Lois had a very engaging personality and a lovely Irish sense of humour.
She had a wide circle of friends and the gift of being able to make everyone feel welcome and appreciated.
Lois thought that there was no place like Ultima and agreed with the late Hazel Perris that “the Mallee is the safest place on earth”.
I always felt that Lois Hinton was the pulse of Ultima.
Lois passed away on November 12 at Box Hill Hospital after attending a family christening in Melbourne when she suddenly took ill.
Her passing leaves such a chasm of sadness and loss.
Lois was a fine lady, a great Australian, a wonderful friend.
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
