Born in Narrandera on January 5, 1936, Lorna Margaret Quilter was the second daughter of Ursula and Clem Quilter.

She had a happy childhood, living on ‘Collingwood’ with her sisters Phyllis and Pat and brother Frank.

Lorna went to the little bush school at Sandigo and stayed there to finish her high school education by correspondence.

In 1947 the family moved to ‘Avondale’, where farm life went on. Clem called Lorna and Pat “his boys” and Lorna even answered to “Tom”.

In 1956 a very high weather warning was published – Fire. Lorna, Phyllis and Pat rode their horses to Strontian and drove about 70 head of cattle home, saving them all.

Tennis played a big part in the family. They played in tournaments around the district and Lorna, Phyllis and Pat competed at White City during Country Week. Golf then became an interest. Lorna excelled at the game and held top handicap honours at several courses around the state.

When Clem passed away in 1970, a very difficult decision had to be made. Avondale had to be sold. This was a very difficult time for everyone, no one wanted to leave the farm.

In 1973, Lorna moved to town with Ursula and set up house at 84 Elizabeth Street.

Lorna continued to play golf and even had a go at lawn bowls, but her knees objected.

She was always interested in the local community and when a chance came to use her voice for the good of the area, Lorna stood for election to Narrandera Shire Council and held a position for 15 years.

Her other interests were the John O’Brien poetry weekend and she was also on the committee for the annual Koala Count.

Lorna’s love of horses and dogs didn’t waiver. She found the horse and bullock trains at Barellan Good Old Days Festival fascinating and spent many hours of pleasure at this event.

Her last dog, Peter, was a rescue dog and was her joy.

Lorna’s family will miss the Sunday night phone calls, just catching up, “You must send a letter” or “sign a petition”. Then the mail bringing newspaper articles relevant to the wellbeing of the farms, dog, sheep, cattle, and crops.

The nieces and nephews (there are 11 of them) remember Aunty Lorna offering pies and beestings from the bakery on the corner.

As Lorna’s health began to deteriorate last year she had to give up her licence which was very difficult on her independence. Lorna used to go for drives around the area on Sundays to look at the state of the crops, the level of flood waters and the wellbeing of the animals.

Being house bound was not for her, walking down to the canal and across the flats to the river became a daily routine. Her friends stepped in and included her in family lunches and took her for drives.

Lorna was able to stay at home for a while with the help from the ladies of Baptist Care and Narrandera Council Community Care.

Unfortunately, Lorna had a second fall and had to go into care at Teloca House and then to Narrandera Homestead Care Community where she passed away on Sunday, October 2 2022.

The family are thankful for their care of Lorna.

One last request from Lorna was “there is to be no gossiping outside the Church while she is waiting to go to the cemetery”.

Rest in Peace Lorna.