Community
3 July, 2024
End of an era for Murrihys
THE end of an era is approaching for Ronnie and Beverley Murrihy.
The couple, who are believed to be the last of the original Heytesbury Settlement settlers, have sold their property.
While the decision is bittersweet for the pair, they have many fond memories of the property, including raising their young family.
“We came here on April 4, 1966,” Mr Murrihy said.
“I was living up the other end of Cobden Cemetery Road at the time. We were share farming with my grandparents for about six and a half years after we got married.”
The pair had heard about the Heytebsury Settlement blocks and thought they could make a go of it.
“We put in for a settlement block,” Mr Murrihy said.
“It was exciting.”
After an intensive interview process, the couple were notified they were successful in their application and soon moved to their Melrose Road property – and that was where the real work began.
Mrs Murrihy, who was from Glenormiston originally, recalled her mother crying when hearing the news.
“My mother cried when we started here; it was a long way away in those days,” she said.
When taking over the property, the couple had to build the farm from scratch, which included hand clearing sticks which had been left in the cleared fields.
“When we got this farm it was cleared, but it wasn’t ready,” Mr Murrihy said.
“We never knew what to do next, there was always something to be done.”
Stopping milking on the property in 2003, the couple have been enjoying retirement including spending time with family.
Mrs Murrihy said the pair had been enjoying holidaying more together as well as taking part in the country music circuit.
The couple said they had sold the property and have a year to vacate the home.
“I’m a bit dubious about moving,” Mr Murrihy said.
“It’s a big decision; we’ve been here since 1958.
“There’s a lot of memories here.”
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