Now Barb is saying a bittersweet farewell, moving to Melbourne to be closer to family, with her final column appearing this week.
Barb moved to Cobram in 2020 after retiring at the age of 75. Having lived in the town during the 1980s, she felt it was the perfect place to retire.
Before joining the Courier, Barb wrote for the Tatura Guardian for about 18 years before the paper closed.
“I’d written many letters to the editor of the Shepparton News and the Cobram Courier, and they asked me if I would like to work for them,” she said.
She then worked in real estate for more than 20 years before retiring.
After moving back to Cobram, Barb felt she needed something to do and reached out to McPherson Media Group executive chairman Ross McPherson about a writing position.
Mr McPherson put her in touch with the editor of the Courier, and On the Grapevine was born.
“I'm very fortunate that the Cobram community have been so accommodating to me,” Barb said.
“It has been wonderful and the people who live here in Cobram, they’re very generous, they get behind one another, and I think it’s quite special.
“I will miss it.”
Barb said what she had loved most about writing On the Grapevine was “the people I’ve met”.
“It’s been great, and I am very privileged that I’ve had very few refusals,” she said.
“I think it’s the country people that I’ve loved.
“They’re genuine.”
One story that stood out to Barb when reflecting on the many she has written over the years was the life of 90-year-old Veronica Brooks.
“There was so much to tell — she’s a spectacular woman,” she said.
Barb is now moving back to Melbourne to spend more time with her three children — Simon, Bianca and Katrina — along with her six grandchildren.
“My son-in-law and eldest daughter have built me a studio in their rear garden under the elm tree,” she said.
“I am looking forward to it because it is a lovely area, and it's only a few minutes from the beach.
“They also have two little Staffie’s, an American and an English one, and I think they'll be coming to knock on my door every morning to see if they can come inside.
“We're good buddies.”
While Barb is unsure what the future holds, she is looking forward to exploring her new neighbourhood and says she plans to return to Cobram to visit.
Cobram local Ellie Stephens will take over On the Grapevine from June 3.
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