Margaret and Bob Watson were married in the Wesley Church, Shepparton, in 1968 and began married life on a small farm at Lalalty, where they milked a small herd of dairy cows.
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Unfortunately, at that time, there was a restriction on the amount of milk being accepted by the dairy company, forcing Bob to find work off the farm to lift the family income.
This he did, and while Margaret milked the cows and looked after their growing family, Bob obtained work with Dr Catchlove at Barooga Station.
It was where he was to meet the doctor’s son-in-law, who was president at Moonee Valley Racing Club.
Bob and Margaret had a strong interest in harness racing through their families, with Margaret’s grandfather breeding trotters, and the Shepparton trots being where the young couple first met.
The Watsons eventually made what they believed to be the best decision and sold their dairy herd.
Bob share-cropped and worked for Phillip Hanna with his horses.
They then set up their own property for agistment and at times would have as many as 30 horses agisted while Bob also worked on preparing young ones for the sale-ring.
Bob loved the horses and as an owner-trainer raced two to three successfully over the years.
He was also a clerk of the course at Cobram Harness Club, where he became heavily involved and was appointed secretary for more than 10 years.
He was presented with the HRV Country Clubs Secretary of the Year award in 2010, 2013 and 2017.
Margaret loved attending the harness racing yet also looked at how it could benefit the community and contacted the Cancer Council for some ideas.
Receiving little feedback and keen to get something going, Margaret then got in touch with the McGrath Foundation.
From an idea and a phone call, the fundraiser ‘Pacing for Pink’ was born and offered wonderful support to the McGrath Foundation.
In 2011, the fundraiser’s first year, the women drivers donated their driving fees and raised $10,000, an amazing result for a one-day event.
The Shepparton Harness Club secretary was keen to add his club’s support.
He suggested that if Margaret and her team would run it, Shepparton would host the next event.
Margaret, of course, agreed to this offer with enthusiasm.
News of the fundraising event was spread by the Cobram band throughout the state and Canberra came on board and NSW and WA also looked at the program.
Bob Watson organised the purchase of pink driving pants for the drivers, which proved enormously popular and added to the fun of the day.
In May 2025, Pacing For Pink raised a total of $144,000, while a year earlier the amount was $164,000 and collectively over the past 14 years the wonderful sum of $755,000 has been raised.
This is major for a small town like Cobram to contribute to such increased awareness of cancer and assist in funding additional breast care nurses for women undergoing the trauma of breast surgery and treatment.
Glenn McGrath and his family, who live in Queensland, have attended one of the Pacing for Pink days at Cobram, drawing attention to the McGrath Foundation and expressing their gratitude to the harness club for the generous support.
Resulting from the efforts being made at the local club, Harness Racing Victoria today is more supportive and prepared to become involved in activities.
Margaret was presented with the Pearl Kelly Award for outstanding contributions to HRV in 2022, while also receiving the Gavin Long Award for services to harness racing this year.
Margaret’s varied community involvements began somewhat earlier, however.
With four daughters in Janene, Adele, Oriana and Nerilie it became natural for Margaret to become involved in their activities such as netball coaching and school roles wherever needed, like at school fêtes and the canteen.
However, when they were all at Cobram High School and textiles were creating huge interest among the girls, Margaret recognised an opportunity where the school could put on a fashion parade and the girls could model their own handmade garments.
The older girls in Years 10, 11 and 12 were particularly creative, yet the parade was open to all levels.
Margaret contacted Val Hill in Shepparton, who operated her own sewing machine business, to ask if she would be willing to donate a sewing machine as first prize for the winner and Val was extremely generous in her response.
“Of course!”
Next was a call to the highly recognised designer, John Claringbold, who had previously won the National Gown of the Year.
He responded with, “Yes, I will come!”
When asked about the cost to the school to have him visit, he replied: “Just a bed and a train ticket!”
It was an exciting time for the students modelling their own designs.
For Margaret, watching her eldest daughter, Janene, be proclaimed winner of the race wear section and presented with her prize by John Claringbold was a huge thrill.
Each year, organisers sourced support from local businesses to be able to purchase a sewing machine or overlooker for the main prize and continued on for 21 years with 21 schools involved around the region.
Known as the Murray and Goulburn Fashion Awards, it offered an opportunity for young home dressmakers to become fabulous designers.
Currently, Margaret is president of the Ladies Guild at the Cobram Uniting Church, who firmly believe they should keep contributing to their community.
The guild will hold its Mission Luncheon on August 4, which is always a popular day and well attended.
She is the needlework steward at the Cobram Agricultural Show and has been involved ever since the family came to the district.
While Margaret’s much-loved husband Bob passed away from cancer in June 2020, and she has undergone open heart and knee surgery in recent times, this kind-hearted woman continues to give back to her community.
I wonder: is there another idea in the wind?
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