From presenting to a room of people about wardrobe essentials to offering sewing guidance to a small group of ladies in a rural hall to inspiring youngsters in the kitchen, Margaret Hamilton has done it all.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
She is one of many teachers who have led in the local community, but what stands Mrs Hamilton out from others is the way she has always passed on her skills with the utmost integrity, care and compassion.
To some people, the Aberdeen local will always be ‘Miss’, to others she is ‘Margie’ and to many she is simply a lovely caring friend.
Mrs Hamilton has taught her love of sewing, craft and cooking in all corners of the Upper Hunter Shire and beyond, and although she has been officially retired for the past three years she still willingly assists with catering for events and sewing with other women in town.
Her love for the fine art of sewing is something she can always remember having, even as a young girl growing up in Newcastle.
Mrs Hamilton had quite a colourful childhood as her father was a kidney specialist which led to the family moving to England when she was 10 for two years while her dad completed post graduate studies.
Although Mrs Hamilton was born in Newcastle and had been raised in New Lambton Heights and Merewether, from the very first time they moved to England she formed the most wonderful love for the country.
Mrs Hamilton has returned to England on many occasions since, as she said she still has that great love of England and its history.
“They look after their history over there, whereas we don’t look after our history here as well,” she said.
Upon returning to Australia, Mrs Hamilton completed her schooling at Merewether High School before branching out into the big wide world and starting her training as a School of Fashion teacher.
In time she made the big move to Sydney to complete her training and launch her career with her appointment being at Granville TAFE College teaching fashion subjects to students both through the day, and night courses.
Mrs Hamilton said she still recalls those early days working at Granville and living at Paddington.
“I remember sitting at the Granville train station and waiting until 9.30pm for a train back to Paddington, they were tough days,” she said.
After 12 months, the young woman was transferred to Muswellbrook TAFE in 1968 which was the start of her life in the Hunter.
Throughout the next chapter of her life Mrs Hamilton worked a very diverse calendar providing circuit teaching where she would visit other areas out of Muswellbrook once a week.
One block she would teach at Rouchel, the next at Scone and the next at Merriwa.
“It was really good as it allowed me to meet other people and share in their learning,” Mrs Hamilton said.
“I made some lovely friends through circuit teaching, such as Anne McMullin who I used to go out and visit for lunch on a regular basis.
“It gave me the chance to really enjoy what life in the country was all about,” she said.
“It was also a lovely occasion because I was teaching women who went there because they wanted to be there.
“Everyone shared their stories and it was a great companion thing, as it allowed country women a social outing while also being productive.”
Mrs Hamilton’s passion for sewing and craft is limitless as she loved the broad range she got to teach from millinery lingerie and dress making to tailoring, floral art and spinning.
She recalls many occasions of the days where she made numerous wedding dresses for brides, something that will always be very special to her.
She said they had massive classes and long waiting lists as the courses were always really popular, because it was a great way to meet others.
Mrs Hamilton’s work also branched out to TAFE Outreach where she would make regular trips to Singleton, Bunnan and Aberdeen to take the classes to the people.
Mrs Hamilton continued to work at TAFE after marrying her late husband Allan in 1970 and bearing their two sons and two daughters.
In 1995, a career change took place when Mrs Hamilton started work as a textiles and food technology teacher at St Joseph’s High School in Aberdeen.
She spent the next 20 years teaching the youngsters of the community, on both a paid and volunteer basis, and also enjoyed teaching kids craft at St James Primary School.
Mrs Hamilton said although schools and teaching has changed a lot throughout her years on the job, she always loved teaching at St Joseph’s.
“I enjoyed working with the children and seeing them develop into nice young adults.
“It was a good time,” she said.
Obviously a good cook and coupled with her warm heart, Mrs Hamilton has always been too willing to help out with catering at local events.
She was one of the major organisers of the catering for the Golden Oldies functions that used to be run at the school, as well as cooking for the pageant and all other school activities.
Her cooking and compassion also spread into the church, as she is very involved in St Thomas’ Catholic Church.
Mrs Hamilton has always been strongly involved in the church helping as a sacristan, cleaning the church and looking after it.
In the past she would carry out home visits, and members of the church still gather once a month to celebrate the Neighbourhood Church Community.
Mrs Hamilton also loved to work with others to share their skills, as she and the late Marion Miles of Rouchel would organise a patchwork weekend each year for interested ladies where teachers would come from Tamworth to offer their talents.
She has also been known to offer advice and share ideas on calligraphy, pottery, porcelain art and folk art.
Like most mums do, Mrs Hamilton planted the seed of community spirit early as she was always involved in the schools with her own children and she is a big supporter of all local events in Aberdeen, Scone and Muswellbrook.
Mrs Hamilton said she really enjoys living in Aberdeen and feels she has made so many lifetime friends in the area.
“As a local I like to get in and support events and I still like to help out at the school where I can.
“Being a teacher, I have made so many lovely acquaintances and I have always felt that I can go places and join new groups and easily talk to others.”