Welcome.
When I sat down to chat with Jenny Houlihan, I’d just sent last week’s story to the office — and here was Jenny, talking about her seven-year secondment to DECA! I mentioned last week that she had written the little books for the Careful Cobbers students, but I didn’t know that she had created the entire program. Or that the program was taken up by schools across the state, who believed — as did Jenny — that traffic safety education was vital.
She said children were fascinated by the Careful Cobber cars, but there were several stages to the program, and it wasn’t until Year 6 that they were permitted to drive one. It was a ‘graduation gift’, so to speak.
Some reluctance
A few months ago, I mentioned to one of Jenny’s friends that I planned to have a chat with her. The lady said, “Oh! Jenny won’t do that. She doesn’t like to talk about herself.” I didn’t want to make things awkward, so I didn’t call Jenny. It was only when we were chatting about another matter that I impulsively asked her to have a coffee, and she agreed. But her friend was right. Jenny wasn’t readily forthcoming about her achievements.
She graduated from Bendigo Teacher’s College in 1964 and was dux of her year. (I have my sources!) Qualified to teach both primary and secondary, she taught originally at Echuca High School, not much older than her students.
When Jenny and her husband, Leo, first moved to Shepparton, she had been a home mum to her two children for some years. She was ready for challenges. Many of us can relate to this. I remember thinking that I ‘used to have a good brain’. (I frequently have the same thought these days!)
Anyway, she says she was desperate for work and ‘begged’ for a job at South Tech. I doubt she had to do much pleading because she was offered a position immediately. She was taking classes with students for whom English was not their first language, helping them with the written and spoken words. Some evenings, she worked with the adults. Following this appointment, she taught at Guthrie St and St George’s Road schools.
In 1981, this was followed by DECA – until 1988
Jenny then opened a décor and gift store in Centrepoint, on Maude St. This was a change of pace. She enjoyed the people she met. And, she didn’t say this, but I imagine choosing attractive décor items and gift lines was fun. As any honest retailer will tell you, there were good times, and there were difficult periods. However, the store was successful until its owner was far too busy to bother with it. ‘The Living Room’ closed in 2013.
The Botanic Gardens and other matters
By chance, Jenny attended a meeting of the Botanic Gardens Committee in 2001. Her sister had just relocated to Shepparton and wanted to meet a few people. She told Jenny about a meeting of the botanic gardens group and was interested. Jenny went along to keep her company. It turned out to be a life-changing event, propelling her on to Greater Shepparton City Council for 10 years. This resulted in her fulfilling the mayoral role for four of those years.
Originally, as many of you know, the Botanic Gardens Committee wanted to share the International Village site. The committee members believed the combination of the two attractions would be a real winner for Shepparton.
However, as sites in the village were being destroyed, Jenny took action to protect the Bangerang Keeping Place. She contacted Heritage Victoria, which inspected the site and felt it was well worth preserving. Heritage Victoria contacted the council and was ignored. But Heritage Victoria wasn’t about to give up, so it handed the matter to the Heritage Council. Once again, there were inspections and reports, and this group had some power. The keeping place was unique and of cultural value and could not be destroyed.
Council and mayoral duties
If Jenny had once been looking for challenges, this had been one – and the next wasn’t far away. Two members of the Botanic Gardens Committee suggested that she stand for council, saying they would offer support. Perhaps she could help get the gardens Shepparton needed.
At the end of 2005, Jenny stood for council and was successful. At that time, there were seven councillors, and four new members had been elected. Jenny was elected mayor in 2006 and again in 2007. She was re-elected to council in 2008 and 2012 — and again accepted the mayoral position for 2013/14.
I asked for highlights, and she mentioned the restoration of the lake. Council had received more than 800 letters from Shepparton citizens complaining about the appearance of the lake and making suggestions about changes. They told her why the lake mattered to them and how they wanted to use it. Most of all, they wanted to be proud of it. This was an extraordinary number of people. Jenny saw it as something that had to happen and strongly supported the renewal of Victoria Park Lake. It took two years of planning, and then the work had to be done.
I could tell that she is proud of this
Jenny had had reports from the tourist information people that visitors frequently asked where the botanic gardens was — and had to be told that there wasn’t one. She is more than proud that the Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton finally exists — looking great and getting better all the time.
She said the local Chinese community members devastated when their site at the International Village was destroyed. She is delighted that they now have their special place in Monash Park.
At this point, she once again emphasised that none of the achievements were hers alone. Everything was a team effort.
The birth of an art museum
In 2013, the director of the existing art gallery, Kirsten Paisley, attended a function in Melbourne. Here, she met Carrillo Gantner. Carrillo, though he’s not keen on the term, is a philanthropist; his generosity and service to the arts are second to none.
Kirsten and Carrillo had a chat, during which he mentioned his substantial collection of Indigenous art. He had offered it to one regional gallery, but it didn’t have enough space. Kirsten asked if he’d be interested in Shepparton.
This was brave because we didn’t have space either
Kirsten reported the conversation to our mayor, who then arranged a chat with Kirsten, council chief executive Gavin Cator, Carrillo and herself. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a building that could include the Tourist Information Centre, Kaiela Arts, some public space and a decent art museum for the city – large enough to comfortably include Carrillo’s collection. Carrillo had been putting this collection together for around 30 years. He was willing to donate this remarkable collection to Shepparton if it could be kept together.
This concept then went to council and, after considerable discussion, it decided to take the idea to the community. However, before this could happen, council would need to put together a business case for the project and then find an appropriate site.
Eventually, the concept went to the people and received a mixed response. It was certainly controversial — but the rest is history.
Take a walk
Jenny pointed out to me that interested walkers could now stroll from the lake, follow the river past SAM, and go to the botanic gardens. It would be nice to take visitors for this pleasant stroll.
Having a chat
I like people, and I still enjoy learning; as a result, I always enjoy my chats. However, I particularly like talking to strong, determined women such as Jenny. (Not that I think there is anyone quite like Jen.) We grew up in the same era, aware that women were treated as second-class citizens. I remained timid and shy for some years; I remember three different situations during which I didn’t open my mouth in response but stupidly accepted mankind as it was. Whereas, I sense something different in Jenny and suspect that no man on the planet would have succeeded in intimidating her.
By the way, I asked her why she had agreed to something she really didn’t want to do. She replied that she did it for Town Talk and for me. I thought that was incredibly kind.
Jennifer Houlihan’s achievements are notable, and I thank her for her service to our city and for the time she has given Town Talk.
Forgive me
I think I’ve broken a promise. I said I’d respond to the people who had something to say about the republic debate, and now the DECA respondents are added to the list. I’ll have overwritten (yet again) if I try to fit it in now. Next week, for what it is worth, I promise.
But for those interested in The Way of Kings books — that is a quick response. I have finished all 1500 pages and still don’t have the answer I was looking for. I can’t talk to my grandson because he is overseas for a few weeks. I’ll contact you individually if anything interesting develops.
Keep well — and stay warm.
May it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Letter: Town Talk. The News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.
Phone: Send a text to 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back if you wish.)