This story begins when a young lady arrived in Shepparton to teach at St Colman’s.
She was the first teacher not a member of a religious order, and she was the first woman. It was 1959.
Annette Richardson was raised in Ashburton and attended an Anglican college.
However, as time went by, she was attracted to the Catholic faith.
At which time, her parents, who rarely attended any church, wanted nothing more to do with her; she went to live with a friend in Glen Iris, where she studied to become a teacher.
And so, the young lady, who arrived here 67 years ago, was courageous and strong-minded. She still is.
Annette joined a youth group at her church, where she met Peter Leahy.
They were married in 1962 and built a timber home on Peter’s property at Congupna, where they lived until 1972.
Four of their five children were born during the first decade of their marriage.
But, none of this was easy. For the first year they managed without water or electricity, with Annette collecting drinking water in a bucket.
The building was not completed either, with only one room fully lined.
What was left of Peter’s property, after probate sales, was not viable.
Doreen Leahy, née Halpin, was living in a rammed earth home nearby; after Doreen’s passing, they moved into her home and extended it with mud bricks.
However, it was time for them to work away from the property, as the financial situation remained grim.
Annette applied for a teaching position and accepted a primary class.
She found this far more demanding than the high-school work she had done previously.
Their youngest child attended “kindy”, with Betty Hildebrand in charge.
Little Tom called her “Angel Sister”.
Peter took work selling insurance — and didn’t like it at all. He began an off-campus Bachelor of Business.
He did well, and before he had completed the course, was offered a position at SPC. He was assistant to the accountant.
In the background to this, Peter had been on the board of a small but growing credit union.
He became its accountant and then the manager.
After five years in this role, he retired at 67.
The last of Edmund’s land
The Leahys sold their property in 2011, but continued to live in their home; both houses were on a separate title.
In 2022, they purchased a unit in Ave Maria. However, Peter was now unwell; he had Parkinson’s and dementia.
Peter had been a loving and supportive husband, but Annette was worn down and not in the best of health.
Peter lived in care until his death in 2023.
Annette and Peter’s children are all based in Melbourne.
Dr Mary Leahy is a lecturer in the education department at Melbourne University.
Peter works for a company that builds submarines.
He is a trouble-shooting manager and likely to be called to Perth in Scotland or anywhere there is a dispute.
Cathy works in the technology department at Victoria University.
Felicity works for a city council taking care of the socio/economic assessment policy and liaises between council and volunteer groups.
Tom is a customer service manager for enterprise level IT companies. He works for not-for-profits, state government, hospitals and corporate business.
However, it does appear the Leahy family continues to contribute in a variety of ways. Annette has nine grandchildren.
Today
Annette lives alone in her comfortable home.
She remains in poor health, but never complains.
She has her books (although the move to a smaller home meant that she had to dispose of 3000).
And she makes the most beautiful greeting cards, for every occasion.
We became almost instant friends, and several visits later, I can honestly say I greatly admire this lady for her warmth, her welcome, her laughter, her strength, her trust and her ‘live and let live’ attitude to life.
May it be easy, my friends
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317187
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