Mary McDougall has been part of the Scenic Rim community since 1950 and celebrated her 90th birthday on April 24.
She is a lovely, energetic woman and a bright spark in the Beaudesert community with her involvement continuing today.
Her story starts in England where Mary lived on Goose Hall Farm, Farcet, with her parents Stephen and Gladys Tungate and her younger brother Norm.
In 1950, shortly after World War II, her family sold their farm in England to travel to Australia.
Arriving in Sydney on March 23, the family travelled by train from Sydney to Logan Village where they purchased Birnam Farm. They hadn’t viewed the property before purchasing it.
“There were only four of us in our family when we arrived in Australia and then two of my brothers (Michael and Roy) were born after we arrived,” Mary said.
“We felt so welcomed by the Logan Village community and treated like one of their own.”
Mary started to train as a telephonist in Beenleigh Telephone exchange in 1956. She then transferred to Dalby Telephone exchange where her mode of transport was her infamous motor scooter.
She was transferred to Beaudesert Exchange in 1957 where she worked until the Exchange closed in 1978.
“Working at the Beaudesert Telephone Exchange, we were one big family. There were no mobile phones or electronic exchanges, we were the only link to the community and had to be jill of all trades,” she said.
“Often being called on to assist in helping people in need with everything from recipe advice, to emergency advice and support.”
Her family moved from Birnam Farm to a house at Veresdale in 1957, where Mary met her husband, Frank McDougall. Frank lived on a neighbouring farm across the street.
They married in 1958 and built a house at Veresdale on a section of a neighbour’s farm where Mary still resides today.
“My husband Frank and I spent many enjoyable weekends videoing special events, weddings, balls and local dances,” Mary said.
“We came home exhausted and full of anticipation of how the videos turned out. It was lovely being a part of so many local memorable events.”
The couple started a family and had two sons, Robert, who is now retired from the Air Force; and David, who is also retired after 41 years in the Queensland Police Service.
Frank passed away on August 16, 1998, after a tough battle against cancer and his best friend Keith Freiberg has since kept Mary company as her closest companion and dearest friend.
Mary has many talents and her cooking is famous amongst friends and family. She is also a talented seamstress and made all her own clothes, including her wedding dress.
Mary shared her love for cooking with the community and started Meals on Wheels in Beaudesert with her friend Dorrie Rogers. They both volunteered as cooks for over 24 years.
She remains active in the Beaudesert community, attending many events and spending time with her family.
