MILLS Margery  

Compiled by Gordon Freegard based on research by Merilyn Stewart

Margery parents were Albert "Toby" Victor and Emily Carpenter, who came from England. After her parents arrived in Australia, Toby worked in the sawmill‘s in the Yarloop area for time.
Then he went to Ongerup and selected a farm property before returning  back to work on the mills a little longer.
Later returned to his farm to eventually settle, but a fire had burnt all the timber leaving the burnt dead trees standing so he had a lot of difficulty he clearing it.
He finally left that farm and went on to an abandoned farm for a while before settling back on the original one.
He bought an old steam traction engine and drove it across country from Broomehill. You could see the track he carved on the journey for years afterwards and everyone called the steam engine "Toby Carpenter" after him as his nickname was Toby.
He use the old engine for years and lent it to people for clearing, until eventually the boiler packed up.

He could push all the heavy timber with it, which the smaller roller couldn’t move. This machine has been restored and has pride of place on show next to the Shire offices on Yougenup Road, Gnowangerup.

MARGERY MILLS (nee Carpenter)            #1
 

   ARTHUR"TOD" MILLS, son NORMAN & MARGERY MILLS  1960s        #2
 

Margery W.Carpenter was born in Gnowangerup on the  1st December 1914 and lived in the Ongerup and Gnowangerup areas for most of her life. When she married Arthur G. (Tod) Mills I 1942, two of Ongerup's pioneer families were united. Marg was a valued member of the Ongerup CWA for 30 years and held office several times. When she was well enough, she enjoyed a game of golf and was also an active member of the Methodist Church Guild several years ago.
Margery and Tod sold their farm and moved to Perth in later years, largely because of Marg's health and also to be nearer to their son Norman, daughter in law Mary Jo and three lovely grandchildren, Amber, Katie and Toby.
Sadly Margery passed away on the 4th January 1979. A large attendance of relatives, friends, and neighbours attended the service in the Uniting Church in Gnowangerup, testament to the high regard in which Marg was held.

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.