Merle Carr’s ninety-five years were a master-class in generous living.
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She was able to fold extra hours into each day: supporting local causes, lending a steady hand wherever it was needed, and doing it all with an effortless grace that inspired those around her.
Her tireless service earned her the OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia), a recognition she accepted with characteristic humility.
Merle passed away on June 10 at the Rochester Yalukang Aged Care centre.
Merle is remembered as a devoted wife to Geoff, a loving mother, a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and as the matriarch and steady heart of her family.
She stood tall, regal, strong — and was endlessly nurturing.
Merle was a loving and much-loved mum and mother-in-law of Colin and Jenny, Peter and Sherrill, Stephen and Ruth and an adored gran, nan and big nan to 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Merle Henderson was born on January 6, 1930 in Deniliquin, the only child of William and Emily Henderson.
Merle’s mother passed away when she was just two years old.
From that moment, the course of her life took a new direction, as she went to live with her Aunt Daisy and Uncle Reuben in Bamawm. There, she joined a new family and gained two older cousins, Doug and Cyril, who took her in as their baby sister.
That little family eventually moved to Nanneella and later into Rochester. Merle attended Rochester Primary School and completed her education at Rochester Higher Elementary School, earning her merit certificate before entering the workforce at Deney’s Drapery.
Around this time, at a local dance, she caught the eye of a dapper young man named Geoff Carr. The two began courting and were married in 1950.
Together, they took on the challenge of running their own 500-acre farm, and expanded through the years across cropping, sheep, pigs, hand-milked cows and 500 chickens — which meant 500 eggs to collect every single day.
It was during these busy years that Merle and Geoff welcomed their three sons: Colin, Peter and Stephen. The boys recall those days with great fondness, if not some sensitivity, as the mischief-makers had to run from their mum, in hot pursuit with a wooden spoon in hand.
In fact, they confessed to hiding those spoons under the dining table frame whenever they got the chance and when the table was eventually moved, seven wooden spoons were discovered stashed away.
As her boys grew, Merle took on multiple tasks, including crafting warm work jumpers by hand.
At the age of 95, she was still passing on her skills, teaching another resident at the nursing home how to knit, a beautiful symbol of her lifelong generosity and her joy in giving.
She was generous with her cooking skills, whether it was for family, friends, neighbours or community groups, she poured her heart into everything she made.
Her lemon meringue pies were famous. Her coffee kisses were irresistible. Her lemon cordial was sweeter than any other. And of course, her beloved fruit cakes. One year, her fruit cake made it all the way to the Melbourne Show after winning local and regional competitions.
After many hard-working years on the farm, Geoff and Merle eventually moved into town. It was not an easy shift, leaving behind the land and lifestyle they had poured themselves into, but Geoff made sure to mark the moment with his signature charm, carrying Merle over the threshold of their new home in Northcote St.
This next chapter in their life allowed Merle to engage in an even wider community role.
Merle’s list of community commitments is as impressive as it is inspiring. She served on the committees of the Country Women’s Association, Meals on Wheels, the Presbyterian Church, the nursing home, the Rochester Show Committee for 31 years, the Red Cross, the Rochester Garden Club, Probus, Rochester Bowls, Campaspe Golf Club and the Rochester Hospital (where Merle was appointed a ‘life governor’ in 1960).
It’s no surprise that in 1984 she was named Rochester’s Citizen of the Year, and later, awarded the prestigious OAM.
Geoff and Merle were instrumental in the establishment of the Campaspe Golf Club, and they played a key role in establishing Neighbourhood Watch.
And somehow, in the midst of all that, Merle still found time for the things that brought her joy: playing bowls, tending to her 110 roses in full bloom, and creating jams, pickles, tomato sauce and chutney from the bounty of her fruit trees and vegetable garden.
Another love of Merle’s was shopping, particularly when it came to clothes and shoes. She was always impeccably dressed, her hair perfectly styled, make-up just so, and somehow, no-one quite knows how, she managed to look at least 20 years younger than her age.
Merle took pride in her appearance, and at 5 foot 9, it was no surprise that she once modelled in the Parsons Fashion Parades.
Family and friends farewelled Merle at a memorial service in Rochester on June 18, after she was laid to rest with her husband of 67 years.