Caption: Northern Grampians Shire mayor Karen Hyslop congratulates Stawell's Maureen Hunter on her 90th birthday, presenting a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the council.
Long-time Stawell resident Maureen Hunter celebrated a special milestone on June 20, surrounded by her family.
Mrs Hunter received several visits and plenty of well-wishes as she marked her 90th birthday in the home she purchased with her late husband, Len, 40 years ago.
The Hunter home is recognised by many Stawell residents, often with marvel because of the beautiful roses that line the front yard.
Mrs Hunter is a passionate gardener, who loves roses.
She is also a passionate member of her community, and used to volunteer her time for Ladies Probus, the Lions Club – also with Len – and Meals on Wheels.
An avid tennis player, Mrs Hunter is also a cake decorating enthusiast and would have 'made over 100 cakes for the family by now'.
Mrs Hunter, née Templer, was born in Stawell Hospital, the second eldest of 13 children – eight girls and five boys.
Her elder sister, Margaret, is only 11 months older and now lives in Eventide Homes.
Mrs Hunter attended Glenorchy Primary School, but left high school at the age of 14, 'like most young girls did back then'.
She has fond memories of growing up 'in the bush' as she refers to it. She said she and her siblings were always outside as children and remembers, 'putting out rabbit traps and then bringing the rabbits home on the handlebars of my bike. I had a decent crash trying to carry too many home once, with one getting stuck in the spokes of my wheel'.
Mrs Hunter got a job at the Stawell Hospital with Margaret. The pair used to walk from home in Glenorchy along the old highway or down the train line to get to work.
"If we ever saw a car along the way we used to hide behind trees," Mrs Hunter said.
She trained to become an assistant nurse, which she did up until she started her family with Len, a schoolteacher, who sadly died in December last year just before Christmas.
The Hunters have four children – Darryl, Julie, Debbie and Andrea – along with seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Mrs Hunter said she and Len had done plenty of travelling during their time together, having completed 'a lap or two' around Australia.
"Never got to Tasmania though – you'll never catch me on a plane or boat," she said.
Mrs Hunter loves her community and believes Stawell is a wonderful place for families.
"I loved growing up in the bush and Stawell has been a great town to raise our kids," she said.
"It's very special to spend time outside with the family, doing bush-kid things like fishing and camping."
When asked about some of the changes she had seen in Stawell throughout the years, and if any stuck out, she said, 'when the mall wasn't a mall anymore in the Main Street' and 'when the new David O'Jones Mitre 10 building was opened, which was quite exciting'.
While on the subject, she encouraged people to 'buy locally in Stawell more often'.
"We need to support our local businesses otherwise they will shut up one day and we won't have any left," she said.
Northern Grampians Shire mayor Karen Hyslop was among people stopping by to wish Mrs Hunter a happy birthday.
"Maureen is a wonderful lady who has made a big contribution to her town throughout her lifetime," Cr Hyslop said.
"It was my pleasure to pay her a visit, wish her a happy birthday and share some of the great stories she has of a long life well-lived."
