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This week I learned something about myself which, if you are a regular reader of Town Talk, you might understand.
In theory, this column is full for the next 10, possibly 12 weeks — on paper or, more accurately, in a folder on the computer.
However, inevitably, the list gets shuffled around; sometimes because of circumstance or an attempt to retain some balance — and sometimes because of me.
This week, for example, a topic was suggested to me, and although I’m only mildly interested in the subject matter, I immediately contacted the lady involved.
Why, I wondered — and then instantly knew the answer.
I am very interested in the passions people have — for music, for art, for a sporting club, for motorcycles, for their work, for a good cause, or just for life.
Sometimes, they simply want to see a story told and shared.
Volunteers often develop a very real passion for the work they are doing, and several of them have brought their interest to me; many names come to mind.
And I’ve noticed, over the months and years, that a passion for something, anything, keeps people going through good times and bad.
It can be a ‘safe place’ to think about, to plan for — a place to which they can escape, when necessary.
Or it can be their life’s work.
All that became clear to me when I shuffled my list around this week, for a lady who wants people with interest, to visit and share.
Marlene Bromley loves frogs — and I know better than to think there isn’t a story here.
There always is; everyone with a passion has a story.
More than 10,000 frogs
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, I drove to Murchison to meet Marlene and take a tour of her comfortable home.
In five of the rooms, the frogs had completely taken charge; in fact, her husband had extended the house and provided cabinetry — very nice cabinetry — for the safety and comfort of frogs of all kinds.
They are made from pewter, china, gold, porcelain, resin, wood, silver, cane, glass, rubber, concrete, bronze and iron.
They are also printed on fabrics to make tablecloths, place mats, cushion covers, towels, blankets, neckties, windcheaters, mobile phone covers etc.
My questions were banking up — when, how, why, but I couldn’t contain a question about the men’s neckties.
There were 12 of them, all different.
Do you know many men who like frogs on their ties?
Marlene told me that a well-known Melbourne barrister wore a frog tie whenever he had a day in court.
When he retired, he gave Marlene his ties.
Over coffee
We sat at the table with a very, very good coffee (but the coffee machine, as good as it was, is sadly, too large for my kitchen).
The tablecloth had frogs on it, as did the place mats and coasters — and I got to ask some of my questions.
Marlene’s frog collection and passion began, more than 50 years ago, with one small, white, porcelain frog.
She connects it all to her Chinese grandparents.
As a child, she remembers frogs in their home and the frog is a Chinese symbol for ‘health, wealth and happiness’.
The little white frog reminded her of her Chinese ancestry.
Over the years, Marlene has purchased frogs from various parts of Australia, as well as overseas.
She seeks them out in antique stores and has bought several collections from estates.
Every frog in her collection is different; however, occasionally, a purchased collection contains a frog she already owned.
Therefore, doubling up on some of them.
These frogs have been separated from her displays and if a visitor wants to take home a souvenir, these frogs are available.
Occasionally, she puts some on Facebook Marketplace.
However, let me assure you, Marlene isn’t in this for money.
If she sells an excess frog or two, funds are quickly reinvested (in more frogs, of course!)
This ensures that every one of her 10,000 frogs is different and some are unique.
Her son Stuart has made a number of them, in addition to beautiful stands for smaller frogs.
His decorative fridge magnets (frogs and horses) are works of art and, I promise you, are unlike anything you may have seen.
I said, “Stuart, you are an artist” and he shook his head.
But he is wrong!
After our chat and the wonderful coffee, Marlene showed me the garden frogs.
She buys frogs that are damaged and no longer loved, repairs and paints them, and adds the newcomers to her outdoor collection.
My conclusion
Like me, Marlene doesn’t like real frogs and knows absolutely nothing about them.
However, she is a meticulous and dedicated collector.
As I told her, some years ago, my husband and I visited Mildura two or three times, to participate in their bi-annual play festival.
In the motels, the council had provided information about the sights to see in Mildura, and we still remember them.
1. See the tractor that saved Mildura from flood. (Sometime in the ’50s.)
2. See where the Darling River flows into the Murray. (We had seen this while driving around.)
3. Visit the salt and pepper exhibition — open at weekends.
(There is more to this story — for another day) But, despite the council’s recommendation, the salt and pepper collection was nothing compared to the collection I saw, in Murchison, on that sunny Sunday.
This truly deserves visitors and Marlene is keen to show her displays to anyone interested.
I heard of it because a visitor to the collection returned to Shepp and contacted us.
It was clear, from my visit, that she loves talking about her frogs and telling their many stories and I quote her: “Hopefully my story connects with frog lovers, collectors and anyone interested. Please feel free to contact me!”
Here’s how to do it — Marlene Bromley, 0427 472 415 or fossilfrog1@bigpond.com
I thank Marlene and Stuart for their hospitality — and great coffee. (Marlene’s husband was not at home.)
Thank you for your interest
I haven’t a great deal of space left but am very grateful for your interest in KidsTown.
The following is from Susan:
Just read your comments in today’s paper and agree we must maintain the KidsTown facility.
I’m curious in this day and age if we are permitted to have working bees on council property?
It would be a great solution, but I suspect there are all kinds of insurance and liability issues that may prevent such activity.
Council needs to be accountable for maintaining such facilities — there should be a committed amount in the budget for annual maintenance to prevent facilities deteriorating to the stage where they need total upgrades or replacements.
The community contributed so much to the establishment of KidsTown — council owes the community’s contribution by maintaining what was once a great drawcard to the area.
We are not “aging Pollyanna’s”.
I have many happy memories of taking my three sons to KidsTown, and we often hosted birthdays there.
I look forward to doing the same with my grandchildren.
Susan is right about the insurance issue.
In my opinion, she is also right about the annual maintenance — although the flood in 2022 would have caused additional damage.
And from Austin and Sue:
We really hope something can be done to save KidsTown.
Our grandkids loved it, and it is worth preserving.
The quote, in Friday’s News, from council’s Gary Randhawa was, I thought, unfortunate.
Many of the people who will be “informed and engaged where appropriate” are people who created this attraction — with imagination, hard work and funds.
Perhaps the information was ‘appropriate’ some years ago.
Take care and may it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Letter: Town Talk. The News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.
Phone: Text or call 0409 317 187
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