Alma MacDonald

This plaque is located on the Lake Cobden walking track, Shenfield St.

“Yes, there is much yet to be done, so I keep on doing while I am able.” (Alma MacDonald, 2016)

Apart from her hours of toil on the family farm at “Bonvue” on Cross Forest Rd, Alma’s commitment to volunteer work began at age 13 when she was a plane-spotter from the golf club rooms during World War 2. Fortunately for Cobden, she didn’t spot any.

Since then, countless organisations have benefited from her time, skills and boundless energy to serve her community in a variety of roles – as the Shire of Heytesbury’s first elected female councillor and the last Heytesbury Shire president before amalgamation, on the Corangamite Shire, the Bush Nursing Hospital and Health Services committees, the Chamber of Commerce and the Spring Festival committee, the Swimming Pool committee of management, Guiding groups, Senior Citizens, the Airstrip committee, the Historical Society and, of course, every organisation in which her children were involved.

Personal and professional highlights have included raising her family of three – Alistair, Craig and Ellen – with her late husband, Bill. Alma was awarded the 2005 Australia Day Citizen of the Year and a Commonwealth Centenary Medal. Projects like the development of Tandarook Park, the warm water exercise pool, the Heath Services Charity Shop and the rose garden on the Victoria St hill have all been close to her heart.

Born on 29th July, 1930, Alma’s parents were Hope Wilson and Molly Winchcomb. she loved her time at Cobden State School before leaving to study business subjects privately and by correspondence. She worked part-time in retail and, then, at Cobden Butter Factory for ten years, taking leave to work in London for 15 months.

Bill and Alma share-farmed in the Otways for six years and, later in her working life, she was employed by Arthur E George & Sons and timboon AB.

She has enjoyed holidaying across Australia and visiting other parts of the world as well. On route to London, Alma actually rode a camel from the end of the Suez Canal to Cairo.

“Be proud of what we have and remember we are all here as caretakers so take care of what we have to offer the future.” (Alma MacDonald, 2016)