By Kath Gannaway
Can Millgrove keep a secret?
That was the big question when it came to a surprise 70th birthday presentation to local businesswoman and community worker, Maureen Halit.
The answer? “Yes we can … sort of!”
As the owner of the Millgrove Newsagency for the past 30 years, Maureen is definitely the person with her finger on the pulse of the community.
That means she is also the hardest person from which to keep anything a secret.
She is also president of the Millgrove Resident Action Group, putting her at the centre of many of the wonderful achievements and improvements to the town.
MRAG member Kate Baselier had the task of getting together a surprise birthday presentation on the big day, 17 October, but the top secret project started weeks earlier.
Kate and MRAG friends delivered a blank sheet of paper, in a plastic sleeve, to every household in Millgrove with the invitation to “write a memory you share with Maureen, draw, colour, paint, cut and paste pictures, photos, computer art.”
Kate said many people were aware of how much Maureen did for the Millgrove community, but being a quiet achiever she didn’t enjoy the spotlight.
It was something she couldn’t avoid on her landmark birthday, when her shop was invaded by MRAG friends, community members and the occasional, also surprised customer.
“I did think it was funny when my offer to distribute some leaflets got a ‘no thanks’ from Gordon, and wondered when I got a birthday greeting the next day,” said Maureen who admitted that after a few more premature birthday wishes she wondered whether she needed to check the mailboxes!
She was surprised, and delighted to be presented with a book of hundreds of heartfelt birthday wishes including intricate artworks and lots of sparkles.
Maureen has been 50 years serving the Millgrove community, initially in the general store and for the past 30 years in the newsagency, and it’s a connection with community that she loves.
“I guess I will have to stop one day,” she says when asked about plans for retirement.
“I have family I would like to spend more time with, but I’m happy to be working here in this community.
“It is a good community; I’ve seen it grow a lot, and change, and there are good things happening here, as you can see,” she said.
