These are the words of Mary Woodlands, that are strongly echoed by her husband Graeme, who cherish their ability to work as a team to get things done. 

The Woodlands are well known in the local community, as there is not often an event you go to and don’t see at least one of them lending a hand. 

Right from the get go, the duo has been a strong part of the community and they often find themselves in a situation where it’s easier to jump on board rather than say no. 

Last Wednesday they were busy supporting the Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Bishop Essay readings, but they were back into it bright and early Thursday to spare some time for The Scone Advocate. 

Mrs Woodlands said she felt very humbled to be asked to feature as ‘True Blue’ as they are just two of the many hard workers in Scone and the Upper Hunter.

But that is why they are very worthy, because their contribution counts. 

Although she was born in Sydney, Mrs Woodlands’ mother was an Ellerston girl and the family moved back to Scone when Mary, an only child, was just four. 

Living the best of both worlds, growing up in town and then visiting the family properties at Ellerston and Tomalla on weekends and school holidays, Mrs Woodlands quickly realised this was the place to live and has been here ever since. 

After being educated at Scone Public School and Muswellbrook High School, Mrs Woodlands completed a TAFE course in shorthand typing, however she was fortunate to continue helping out on the farm. 

“I loved the bush, and loved helping and learning all about it,” she said. 

“So every opportunity I got, I was out at Ellerston riding and helping my grandparents.”

Throughout the years Mary worked at the local newsagency and at Flints Farm Supplies before she and Graeme bought and took over the BP bulk fuel depot in Guernsey Street in 1972, running it together as a partnership, “not only in marriage, but business too”.

A Sydney boy as well, Graeme was born and raised at Epping going to school at Epping Public School and Newington High School, before setting off to boarding school at Wolaroi College in Orange for his senior studies. 

The young man graduated from school and started working for a firm of accountants in Sydney where he worked his way up to be transferred to their practice in Kavieng on the New Ireland off Papua New Guinea, about two degrees south of the equator. 

Mr Woodlands worked there as an accountant from 1963 to 1966, which he said was very interesting as they had just introduced income tax and overall taxation there.

“I still remember when the decimal currency started on February 14, 1966, it was a busy time,” he said. 

Soon after, Mr Woodlands had a career change and joined the BP Australia workforce as part of their sales department in North Sydney.

It was in August 1967 that fate brought the Woodlands’ closer together as he was transferred to the Scone BP to fill the position of district representative covering the region from Branxton to Murrurundi, out to Cassilis in the west and to the Tomalla tops in the east. 

Mr Woodlands said this was a great position as he had direct contact with all the farmers and commercial customers, as well as managing three service stations, the depot in Scone and other agencies spread throughout the area. 

Meeting on a blind date that year proved a sure thing, as the couple married in February 1969 and later joined forces commercially to take over the depot as a team. 

When BP changed its marketing strategy in 1983, the Woodlands’ were bought out, however Graeme stayed on as manager for the top half of the Hunter region until he retired in 1988.

Since retiring, the active grandparents have remained just as busy, as they love being involved. 

As a young man, Mr Woodlands was always involved in the local Apex Club, which he said was great for fellowship and friendship.

A highlight of this time was in 1980 when Apex collated ‘The Scone Aggravate’ – a newspaper printed on April 18 for charity with quite a bit of humour. 

Mr Woodlands said the paper was great fun and they spent the hours to create the 32 page document predominantly from their dining room table. 

After out ageing Apex, turning 40, Mr Woodlands joined Scone Rotary Club of which he is still a dedicated member. 

Being the current treasurer he is often involved with fundraisers, cooking barbecues or collecting donations as he did on Hat Day recently. 

Throughout the years Mr Woodlands has held all the office positions, and he is also the proud recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow, which is the highest accolade in Rotary.

In 1988, Mr Woodlands was appointed to the Lake Glenbawn Park Trust as the chairman where he and the other trust members worked for the betterment of the park, until it disbanded.

He was also a board member of Hunter TAFE in Muswellbrook and was involved in the introduction of the Scone TAFE campus.

Mr Woodlands said he was also involved with the P&C associations at Scone Public and Scone High Schools where their two daughters were educated, where he worked with other good workers to do things for the schools. 

While the male of the house is busy, so is the lady as Mrs  Woodlands is a keen member of Innerwheel and has held many of the office positions throughout her many years of service. 

Her passion for history drives Mrs Woodlands’ dedication to the Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society as a                       committee member. 

She said she loves the heritage and genealogy, and loves to help people find their family’s history.

“It’s a great way to learn more about the district, which I really enjoy,” she said. 

“I am also a member of the Upper Hunter Shire Council’s Heritage Advisory Committee which involves bringing items and places of historical significance to the attention of the council.”

Mrs Woodlands is also the current president of the Scone Ladies Probus Club, and was involved with Guides and Brownies back in the early days. 

Together, the duo are volunteers on the Scone Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Support Group and both avid members of Scone Golf Club.

Mrs Woodlands said she loves all sports, and they both share a great love for cricket.

Lately they have been busy helping members of the Upper Hunter District Cricket  Association research and compile a book capturing the history of cricket in the Hunter, which will be launched at the Thornthwaite Cricket Day later this month. 

“We really enjoy being part of the community,” Mrs Woodlands said. 

“My first thought is always to offer to help.

“If someone is organising an event and they’re telling me about it, I always think ‘what can I do to help’.”

“We love having Scone as our home, but we enjoying travelling overseas as well, and going to the cricket,” she said. 

Mr Woodlands said he believes if you’re going to complain about things, there is no good sitting back and doing nothing, you need to get up and do something.