Former Mayor’s daughter holds Townsville history close

Born and bred in Townsville, Bolton Clarke Glendale aged care resident Margaret learnt a lot about her hometown through her father, the first Mayor of the former City of Thuringowa.

Margaret learnt a lot about the city as she worked by her father’s side during his time in politics.

“He would give me a fair bit of work to do because my mother wasn’t well,” Margaret said.

“I would go and do things with him like public appearances and meetings.

“But when I got busy later on, because I eventually had five kids of my own, I had to step back from helping him,” she said.

After wrapping up her time helping her dad in politics and raising a family of her own, Margaret got stuck into work around the area.

“When I started working, I worked for a place called Carol’s which was on Flinders Street – it was the biggest main shop there.

“After that my kids went to the Weir School on Ross River Road. They had no way of getting food, so I opened the tuckshop, then I worked at Lifeline for 29 years.

“I have stayed here for my whole life and have only left for 12 months to travel around Australia.”

Margaret now lives at Bolton Clarke’s Glendale residential aged care home while the rest of her family have continued to keep the family tradition and stay in their beloved hometown.

“All my children are still in Townsville - they are all married with families and I have 21 grandchildren now.

“It’s been surprising that Townsville has grown and developed so quickly over the years,” she said.