19/08/2026
Today we celebrated history
We take this opportunity to thank Mrs Margaret Hamilton
๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ
Margaret and her husband Robert lived at โRosevaleโ Illabo, a historic Hamilton family property. Wilma Kanaley was a sister to Robert Hamilton.
Margaret, a school teacher by profession joined many community groups at Eurongilly, Illabo and Junee. Many younger people remember Margaret as their teacher.
Margaret become a councillor with the Junee Shire Council with an aim of ensuring country people were heard by Council.
After some preliminary discussions between interested persons, junee Shire Council and the Masonic Lodge a public meeting was called to establish what became known as Junee Hostel for the Aged Inc. Margaret Hamilton accepted to position of Chairman of the new committee with Bob Smith as secretary. The was a committee of 12 persons.
Margaret worked with all the interested persons to plan and move forward with the proposed Hostel initially planned for 12 beds with room to expand.
I recall that Hostels were new in this area. One visit we made was to Tumbarumba to look at their new Hostel to gauge what we needed to build in Junee. These visits and others helped with the planning. The RFBI or to some just referred to as the Masonic Lodge provided guidance, a grant, and the services of their planners to draw up plans for what has become Cooinda Court.
Margaret was a champion working with all aspects of the planning. Especially the fundraising. She was everywhere promoting the cause. The catering at the Junee Show, the catering at farm clearing sales, the street stalls, the raffles, the wheelchair derby with 2 local personalities in Lorne Street.
Most of us remember the the fundraising barometer mounted on the Railway Fence, the watching Colin Kanaley move the counter up as the funds grew.
Margaret has retained an interest in Cooinda for almost 40 years and regularly attends events when possible.
Margaret and Robert retired to The Grange in Wagga with their son Andrew taking over their farming pursuits. Interesting that there are 4 former Junee households currently living at the Grange
Thank you
Margaret Hill for this information and presenting on behalf of our Board of Directors and Management