General News
1 June, 2023
Inspiration to a community
Margaret Louise Menzel was born on the September 27 1938 in Dimboola. She was the first child of Ludwig (Lou) Alexander Menzel and Olga Marie Ottelia Schieblich, and was joined by her little brother Boyd Alexander Menzel in 1939. Margaret and Boyd...
Margaret Louise Menzel was born on the September 27 1938 in Dimboola.
She was the first child of Ludwig (Lou) Alexander Menzel and Olga Marie Ottelia Schieblich, and was joined by her little brother Boyd Alexander Menzel in 1939.
Margaret and Boyd had a wonderful childhood in Dimboola, and were inseparable.
Their father, Ludwig, was a skilled carpenter and joiner, built their home back in 1932, so it was a cosy and established place.
The children often found themselves getting into mischief together, even going fishing in the canoe that Boyd’s father had carved, Margaret paddling madly without a thought for the fact she couldn’t swim.
They both attended Dimboola Primary School, but Margaret especially cherished the holiday seasons like Easter and Christmas.
Christmas was particularly exciting for Margaret due to her parents’ German heritage.
Weeks before the big day, her father would craft wooden toys while her mother would prepare a multitude of delicious dishes.
On Christmas morning, they would have a fresh pine tree that touched the ceiling adorned with streamers, ornaments, tinsel, and iced biscuits in various festive shapes like angels, stars, and Santas.
And, of course, plenty of lollies.
Anyone who visited their house was treated to a biscuit or lollies from the tree.
At Easter, Olga would decorate fresh eggs by tracing designs with wax and boiling them with a drop of food colouring. Afterward, she would hide the warm eggs in the garden, creating a delightful surprise as if the Easter Bunny had just been there.
When it came to holidays, Margaret and her family spent time by the seaside in Geelong.
When Margaret turned eight, she started taking piano lessons which would later open the doors to her extensive involvement in community service, particularly with the Country Women’s Association (CWA) in Dimboola and the Presbyterian Church.
Her ability on the piano led to an invitation to play the organ at her Presbyterian Church when she was just fifteen.
She immersed herself in learning the distinct techniques of playing the organ, techniques which differed greatly from the piano.
Margaret eventually became the secretary of the Presbyterian Fellowship of Australia and a Sunday School teacher.
WORK AND COMMUNITY
After finishing her education at Dimboola Memorial Secondary School in 1953, Margaret attended sewing lessons at the Singer Sewing Machine Centre in Horsham, which led to her pursuing dressmaking at home.
In 1957, she joined the office staff of The Dimboola Stores - a department store selling various items - where she remained for an impressive 19 years.
In 1976, Margaret accepted a position at the Dimboola & District Hospital, where she took care of the bookkeeping for the Allambi Home.
Even after the hospital merged with Wimmera Base Hospital in 1995, Margaret continued her connection with Allambi on a voluntary basis as a board member overseeing their finances.
She worked alongside Norma Elsom organizing numerous fundraising events for Allambi, and eventually became the president of the Allambi Ladies Auxiliary, following her resignation from the Board.
Margaret’s involvement in community service activities was remarkable in her later years.
Renowned for her musical talent, Margaret served as treasurer of the Church Council at the Uniting Church since 1978.
When the CWA choir was established in Dimboola, it was clear that Margaret was the perfect choice for the choir pianist.
Her involvement with the CWA began in 2001 and she eventually became an official member, serving as president on multiple occasions and dedicating 25 years of her life to the group.
In 2005, Margaret became treasurer at the Dimboola Historical Society - a position she held for 18 years.
In addition, she held treasurer positions in the Dimboola Auxiliary of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, and the Dimboola Ambulance Auxiliary.
Margaret generously volunteered her time at the Driver Reviver Stop in Lochiel and served as a mentor at Dimboola Memorial Secondary College.
In recognition of her outstanding commitment, she received a nomination for Mentor of the Year in 2013 - one year after the Dimboola Town Council awarded her Volunteer of the Year.
Furthermore, Margaret actively participated as a member of the Horsham & District coordinating committee, and contributed as a bookkeeper and volunteer at the Gateway Shop.
Her contributions didn’t stop there.
Margaret was honoured as a Life Governor of various institutions, including the Victorian Institute for the Blind in 1981, the Dimboola District Hospital in 1995, and the Allambi Elderly People’s Home in 2015.
She was also recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
As Evelyn King, secretary of the Dimboola Historical Society puts it: “Margaret was involved with everything. She played a significant role in making this town what it is today.”
CWA member, Margaret Hunter, admired Margaret not only for her remarkable achievements, but for her humility.
“She was humble. No matter what we needed to do, she was always ready to lend a quiet helping hand,” Ms Hunter said.
The two Margarets collaborated on writing and producing the 80-year history book of the West Wimmera CWA Group, often working late into the night to meet the deadline for the 2014 anniversary.
CWA president Mandy Myers also acknowledged Margaret’s self-effacing nature, and emphasised her inspirational impact.
“She was a great inspiration to the community and to me,” Ms Myers said.
“If it weren’t for her, I would have never joined the CWA.
“She was the first person I met when I moved to Dimboola in 2014, and she went out of her way to help me.”
It was Margaret’s closest friend, Lorraine McCarron, who offered her relief and a light-hearted contrast from all the work, and Margaret loved the way Lorraine relaxed her.
Together they indulged in small outings, dinners, and picnics.
Lorraine recalls Margaret being captivated at one such picnic by the sunlight twinkling on the river, which she said was like stars.
LATER LIFE
Margaret’s impact went beyond her involvement in the community.
Alongside her musical talent, she possessed remarkable skills as a watercolourist, earning numerous state prizes and awards for her paintings.
Despite her undeniable talent, she remained humble.
Influenced by her mother, Olga, Margaret had a natural gift for various crafts and won additional state prizes in that domain.
Throughout her life, Margaret resided in the house constructed by her father.
Visitors, like Ms Beeton, cherished invitations to her home.
“We would sit together in her garden, savouring Turkish delight, while she pointed out the flowers her mother had planted, and share stories about her parents,” she said.
“Margaret took immense pride in her family.
“She was not only a generous host and person, but also an exceptional teacher.”
In 2016, Margaret faced challenges after a fall resulted in a broken right wrist.
The surgical pins impacted her ability to write and perform various tasks, but she persisted.
“She often experienced pain, yet she continued working,” said Ms. Hunter.
In March 2023, Ms McCarron noticed small motor function mishaps that indicated something was amiss.
Lorraine insisted that Margaret visit a doctor and Margaret willingly agreed.
From that point on, Margaret was in and out of Wimmera Base Hospital, but her condition did not improve.
“When they moved her into ICU, she was worried because she had left some unfinished bank documents, and they wouldn’t allow her computer in the area,” Ms McCarron said.
“It was just another example of her unwavering dedication.
“She was so anxious that Greg Bolwell completed the documents himself and I rushed in to inform her they were done.
“Once she knew the bank documents were taken care of, she let go.”
Margaret Menzel passed away on April 25 2023 at Wimmera Base Hospital, aged 84.
Ms McCarron remained by her side until the end.
“I remember her telling me, ‘You don’t need me, but I need you,’” Ms McCarron said.
“After that, she could hear me, but she couldn’t speak.”
Maureen Lehmann said people failed to grasp the true extent of her contributions.
“She simply got things done in her own quiet way, and her loss is deeply felt in our town,” she said.
“We will miss her tremendously at the CWA.
“Every time I walk down any street in town now, I think ‘I’m never going to see Margaret there again.’
“It’s heartbreaking.”
Charles Rees, a member of the Historical Society, summed it up aptly.
“Margaret Menzel was a Queen,” he said.
“She did an immense amount for this town and its people.
“She was a quiet individual, yet she sacrificed greatly for the betterment of others.
“People like her only come along once or twice in a lifetime.”
A Lovely Lady at Rest in God’s care.