More than a decade after she first stepped foot in Albany’s historic Strawberry Hill at Barmup Gardens, Judy Williams is stepping down from her role as caretaker.
The veteran volunteer started at the grounds, considered WA’s oldest farm, as a gardener in 2013 after retiring from teaching and finding herself at a loss of where to spend her time.
“I thought, what am I interested in? I love history and I love gardens so it’s a no-brainer, really, to come here,” she said.
“I started off in the garden, and then gradually got involved in everything, really, and the head gardener at that time went off sick and so I ended up having to step up to a whole lot of things.
Camera IconStrawberry Hill at Barmup part of the National Trust WA. Credit: Laurie Benson
“It’s been a wonderful ride and, really, it’s been a new career, which is what I needed, because I wasn’t really ready to retire, even though I was quite old enough.”
Over 12 years she has dabbled in “almost everything”, eventually working up to being volunteer co-ordinator in 2017 and then moving into a paid position as caretaker.
It is in this role she deals with the rostering of up to 50 volunteers, banking, co-ordinating the day-to-day business and communicating with the National Trust of WA, which owns the property.
She has also been largely responsible for securing $3.7 million in State funding to repair two of its historic buildings, upgrading parking, build internal roads and fencing, create interpretation panels and add new universal access toilets.
“It’s really wonderful, because we’ve got all this money from the State Government and from Lotteries West, so we’re actually able to do some of the things we’ve been talking about for years,” she said.
She said there have been plenty of changes to the property in her tenure — including the building of the visitors hub and the opening of the main house building — that have improved the experience for both visitors and volunteers.
At 83-years-old, Ms Williams made the decision to step back, though is adamant she won’t be leaving Strawberry Hill entirely.
Camera IconJudy Williams helped secure the funding to repair the old buildings. Credit: Laurie Benson
“I’ll still do two days a week in the garden but I’m not doing all the other stuff,” she said.
“It’s going to be a new era, and it is time, even though I’m pretty fit I’m just getting older.
“We (her husband) both need to slow down and actually do a few touristy things that I never get around to doing, really enjoy Albany.”
National Trust of WA spokesperson Scott Dennis thanked the “hero of Strawberry Hill at Barmup” for her tireless decade and a bit of service.
“Judy has engaged hundreds of volunteers, thousands of visitors and has all kept the Great Southern community at the heart of this historic places,” he said.
“Her care of the gardens, detailed future planning and consistent drive has made her an invaluable leader in Albany.
“There’s no problem too big for Judy.”
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