When one of our Association members requires a home visit to collect their membership fee, as they are not equipped to pay online, this can also provide as an opportunity to obtain member feedback, and discuss our river programs.
Margaret Campbell, made such a request recently, and it really was a great opportunity for river discussions.
Margaret is not only one of our longest members, she is a well-known writer, historian, Justice of the Peace, dedicated community volunteer and former Citizen of the Year. She more recently contributed to Wyndham City’s Reconciliation Advisory Committee, and continues to volunteer with Wyndham Community Education Centre.
When Lisa Field from the Werribee River Association got the call about how might Margaret pay her annual fee, she had a 
feeling that a face-to-face visit might yield more than a few dollars.
Margaret is many things, or has done many things, and visiting her home is laden with many books, photos, certificates and awards, that share some of her story.
Margaret by her own admission, loves the river. She walks along it every day. She visits and hugs her favourite tree every day.
She has written and published many poems and stories about the Werribee River. Some of them are short and melodic, and some tell the real stories, like of Allen, a homeless man, who lived by the river and behind the Watton Street shops for many years.
In her younger years Margaret used to visit Cobbledicks Ford and she’d take her son fishing there. Margaret describes Cobbledicks as a very special place, a place that gives her goose bumps. Margaret said she can feel the Aboriginal ancestors; she can feel the women watching over her.
When Margaret was involved in Wyndham City’s Reconciliation Advisory Committee, she spent some time with Indigenous Uncles and Aunties who took her and the group on Country. In a visit to the Werribee State Rose Garden, the Indigenous Elder spoke of the rose garden, not as a garden, but as a massive burial ground. Through oral history, this site is known as a place of gross misjustice, where many Aboriginal people were murdered. It is hoped that one day, there will be a healing ceremony for this site.
Margaret feels the need to acknowledge and to apologise for what has occurred. She wrote a poem, that is included in the Reconciliation Action Plan that was completed in 2018.
Also, through her role on the committee, Margaret has been taken to various local places; places where Indigenous women had traditional gathered for their business, and also to places for men’s business. One day, the Elder who was leading the walk said to her, “Margaret, you are one of our white Elders.”
Margaret loves living so close to the Werribee River, in a central part of Werribee, that enables her to take the shared trail into town. Margaret keeps active with her reading, writing, volunteering, and always makes time for her daily river walk and hug of her favourite River Red Gum.
