I have had two moves in Northeast Victoria – from Melbourne to Winton and from Winton to Benalla – both caused by major changes in my life, resulting in starting over again, and both that meant new friends and new homes, both the result of break downs in my personal health.
 
Moving from Melbourne to Winton was the result of not being able to find work after returning from Queensland, following caring for my parents for two months.  The ‘bottom’ had dropped out of the employment market for older, experienced females, however I landed a position at Winton.  Then the move from Winton to Benalla some 23½ years later, to a new home in a town that I had only visited to do shopping, where I knew very few people and had to commence a new life all over again.
 
At Winton I was fortunate to find a position, living the dream for many years, working at my hobby of motor racing.   I was fortunate to be able to live in the caretaker’s house located at the race circuit, work at events, watch the development of young drivers from go karts to Supercars and Formula 1.   I experienced the joy of organising events, looking after the operation of the kiosks, organising Corporate Hospitality at major events as well as hospitality for organisations who hired the circuit.   I made new acquaintances with users of the facility, local media and the like.    I watched the circuit develop into an international facility which was capable of running events such as Supercars, Trucks, and other major events.   
 
I was part of the Administration team at the facility with oversaw the development of the actual facility in the extension of the track from 2.03km to 3.0km, worked with Government departments in relation to the rezoning of the area to cater for motor events such as cars, bikes and rally vehicles. I was a committee member for many years, achieving a Life Membership for my work.
 
My move from Winton to Benalla was not planned, but due to animosity caused by takeover manoeuvre’s following the sudden death of Winton Raceway’s long-time CEO by those people who forgot the organisation and facility was owned by Benalla Car Club, causing me another bout of ill health.
 
I purchased a home at the Haven Lifestyle Village (as it is now known), moved in, and as I knew very few people in Benalla and realised that I had to start my life over, once again.    I had to get to know my new neighbours, had to find new things to do to fill in my day.   I joined the local croquet club, formed the Homeowners group at the Village to try and get everyone to participate in activities and not sit and watch TV.  I took on the cause of getting an extension to the existing bus route to stop at the Village, for use by Homeowners, campers at the Tourist Park and Ryan and McNulty employees, which was successful after 6 years of lobbying the State Government.   I joined U3A, becoming involved in a number of their groups, became a member of the Aged Friendly in Benalla Reference Group, joined Probus and gradually made a new life for myself and met many people with such a varying array of interests.   
 
Life is good.  I now have contentment I have not had previously, am in control of my own life, can do what I want, when I want and how I want.  I have learnt some very difficult lessons over the years, but can sit back and enjoy the many years that I have to live.
 
 
Heather Wallace
February 2023

My life has been somewhat nomadic so I have been new in town so often it has become “the norm”. My father was badly affected by his experiences in the war so could not resume his apprenticeship. He and Mum moved frequently before embarking on the biggest move yet, to Australia from the UK, in search of a better life.
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After a stay in the migrant camp, which was a series of old Nissan huts and a communal food hall, we arrived at his new place of employment, Bunnings Mills.  Bunnings had saw mills in several locations around W.A. This one was in Nyamup surrounded by natural bushland. The company actually constructed little communities in which the employees and their families could live. The road through town was gravel and the mill houses were timber with little front verandahs. They were basic but comfortable, we had beds and a couple of donated pieces of furniture but managed with wooden crates for dining chairs, and a larger timber crate as a table. We had a wood burning cooking stove, there was a huge rainwater tank outback of the house which we had to rely on for our water supply and of course, right down the end of the backyard was the essential little timber structure. For a small child, this was a big adventure but I’m not sure my poor mother saw it the same way. In the UK she had been used to an electric stove, running water and indoor loo.  It didn’t help when, the first time she used the backyard facility she had a small visitor sitting next to her, watching. It was a goanna!!!  I confess I was a bit scared of them till I got used to them.

I commenced Primary school and was happily travelling from the mill into town on an old school bus, meeting new friends and swapping stories of where we came from. (90% of the school were children of immigrants from many locations). Dad was enjoying his new job and making friends but poor Mum was having a much harder time getting used to the facilities. I don’t think she shared our enthusiasm for the new life at that point.

Our first Christmas was the hardest. Being away from family, we had been invited to the Community hall for a Bunnings Christmas. Children were given gifts by the company and happily played, the men chatted. It was fun. Unfortunately, the invitation said, “bring a plate”, so my parents, being their first year, brought a plate each plus a cup and cutlery, thinking the mill may be short on those too. No one advised them that there was supposed to be food on the plate to share. An embarrassing introduction to the Aussie tradition of “bring a plate”. Everyone was very nice about it and it became a source of good-natured humor. We got it right the second year, hahahahahaha …

The move to Australia was the best idea my parent ever had. They eventually got to own their own home, with indoor plumbing, plus they got a car.  My sisters and I got an education and made our lives here. We have been very happy. 


Heather Hartland
February 2023