Books, the Bombers and Betty

Approaching her 94^th birthday, Betty is one of the livewire residents of Baptcare Northaven Community.

“They’re not staff in here – they’re friends,” says Betty Murphy. 

Betty is a voracious reader. Her all-time favourite author is the quirky Terry Pratchett, but she also loves the crime novels of PD James and the sagas of Georgette Heyer.

Betty’s other passion is sport. “I’ve got one red eye and one black eye,” she chuckles. She loved seeing Dick Reynolds and John Coleman at Windy Hill, Don Bradman at bat at the MCG, and is already looking forward to the next Olympics.

“I grew up in Essendon and worked as a secretary at BSA Motorbikes. When I met my husband I moved to Kooloonong (140km north-west of Kerang) to a wheat and sheep farm. We were married for 65-and-a-half years, had two children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

“But I’m at Northaven now, and I’m glad to be here.” Our community is glad you’re here too, Betty!

After the worst days of the pandemic were over, Betty penned the following poem which is on proud display in the central office at Northaven:

With a cough and a sneeze

A sniff and a wheeze

Covid showed his ugly face

Yes, even in this quiet place.

Just stay in your room

We’ll take care of you

No place here for gloom

So smile and we will get through.

Covered in plastic from head to toe

In and out of the rooms they go

Carrying a very heavy tray

They fed us like royalty every day.

Half the staff have gone to bed

Forget sore feet and aching head

You are heroes you know

And we are here to tell you so.

With all that work

You didn’t shirk

So thank you again friends

And that’s how this poem ends.