{"id":581,"date":"2025-05-28T09:23:21","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T23:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ruralhealth.org.au\/stagingpartyline\/?p=581"},"modified":"2025-05-29T15:51:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T05:51:20","slug":"i-still-want-to-keep-running-a-rural-life-of-purpose-and-persistence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ruralhealth.org.au\/partyline\/i-still-want-to-keep-running-a-rural-life-of-purpose-and-persistence\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI Still Want to Keep Running\u201d: A rural life of purpose and persistence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At the Whyalla Hospital\u2019s foyer every weekday morning, greetings & conversation hums between customers and volunteers, at a booth located close to the entrance. The booth is run by HEARTBEAT<\/strong>, a community group that raises funds for cardio-pulmonary equipment for the hospital. Most items sold are made by women volunteers who knit, sew, and crochet the goods on display. Among the dedicated volunteers who staff the booth is Margaret Shambrook<\/strong>, who, in her 80s, still arrives on time every Thursday to take her place at the booth, brimming with energy and purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s at least ten years my senior,\u201d says fellow volunteer Ranjan Abayasekara, \u201cand when I joked that we\u2019d almost run our race, she looked me in the eye and said, \u2018I still want to keep running!\u2019\u201d That moment prompted Ranjan to learn more about the inspirational woman beside him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born in Oakey, Queensland, during the Second World War, Margaret (Fitzgerald) grew up on a share farm where every member of the family pitched in. Life was full of early mornings, milking cows before school, and walking several kilometres to a one-room schoolhouse that served multiple year levels under one teacher. The journey was communal and character-building: as children passed each farm, others would join until a \u201cfoot caravan\u201d of rural schoolkids wound its way to the classroom\u2014crossing creeks, often with a helping hand from a local dad on horseback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rural upbringing fostered Margaret\u2019s resilience and strong work ethic, traits that stayed with her for life. After leaving school, she learned shorthand and typing and later worked in Toowoomba and Brisbane before settling in Whyalla with her husband, Peter, a Federal Police officer at the time. They raised two sons and built a life in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Margaret\u2019s contribution to Whyalla has spanned decades. She worked part-time while raising her family and volunteered with Meals on Wheels<\/strong>, two local Probus clubs<\/strong>, and HEARTBEAT<\/strong>. Her determination to remain active, involved, and connected is at the heart of her philosophy on ageing. \u201cSleeping in is no good,\u201d she often says with a glint in her eye. Even now, she\u2019s up before sunrise and out walking most mornings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her commitment has not gone unnoticed. In February 2021<\/strong>, Margaret was honoured as Whyalla\u2019s Senior Citizen of the Year<\/strong>, and in December 2023<\/strong>, she was awarded Life Membership of HEARTBEAT<\/strong> for her longstanding service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Margaret continues to live independently, travels to visit family in Queensland and New South Wales, and finds deep joy in volunteering. Her story is one of active ageing<\/strong>, lifelong purpose<\/strong>, and intergenerational service<\/strong>\u2014a testament to the value and vitality of rural Australians at every stage of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a time when the rural health system often grapples with ageing populations, Margaret reminds us what it means to age well\u2014not just in body, but in spirit. Her words echo with clarity: \u201cI still want to keep running.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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