Betty loved farming and politics

While they discussed agri-politics Betty listened intently and was enthralled by the machinations and issues.

As she grew up she extended her interest into joining the National Party and remained a member for 74 years.

Betty Ann Thornton died on June 10, 2023 and her funeral service was conducted on June 19, at Kittle Bros.

Her funeral was attended by two former Victorian ministers, Bill Baxter and Jeanette Powell.

Betty was born at Numurkah on the November 8, 1927. She was the daughter of Thomas and Matilda Thornton of Bunbartha.

Betty’s brother, Warren, was born two years later in 1929. They lived on the family property ‘Roseneath’ on the Goulburn River at Bunbartha.

In her early days, Betty attended the Bunbartha State School and, along with her brother, Warren, rode to school on a horse named Toby. They were accompanied by a neighbour, Godffrey Medland.

In 1941 Betty attended a Geelong private school and remained there until 1945 achieving high results.

Betty excelled in athletics, she learnt to play the piano, and was instrumental in establishing the camera club. Betty also attended a finishing school, Invergowrie, in Melbourne for 12 months.

Betty then returned to ‘Roseneath’ and settled back into farm life helping her mother in the house.

She also enjoyed spending time with her father milking the cows and doing other chores. She became interested in playing basketball at the local Bunbartha club and joined the local CWA who met in a school bus shelter shed.

Betty became a member of the Shepparton Agricultural Ladies Committee becoming a needlework steward and continued her association until recently where she was awarded life membership for her dedication.

Betty and Warren established a Ryeland sheep stud which they displayed at agricultural shows in the district, winning many awards.

Betty became involved with the women’s section of the Country Party and later the National Party for more than 70 years.

Over the years she got to know Victorian National Party Leader Peter Ross-Edwards, Deputy Prime Minister John McEwen, and eventually had contact with Federal Member for Murray Bruce Lloyd, who lived only a short distance away at Bunbartha.

Betty was awarded life membership of the party because of her consistent service with the Bunbartha Ladies Committee and later the Tallygaroopna branch.

She also hosted several Guide and Scout camps on her Bunbartha property and was presented with an award for her generosity.

Betty loved being with her father on the farm and would often accompany him to many stock sales selling and buying cattle and sheep. In 1964, accompanied by two friends, Betty travelled to Alice Springs to volunteer at St Phillips College workcamp, accommodation for children of the outback, to enable them to have schooling.

In 1968 Betty’s father, Thomas, passed away, and four years later Tilly succumbed to a short illness also.

After her parents passed away, Betty ventured overseas to England and Europe to visit family and friends for two months. She had other trips to New Zealand and Norfolk Island.

In 1985, Betty became interested in bird watching and joined a bird observers club, travelling all over the state.

In 2007, Betty sold her farm and moved into Shepparton. Enjoying her new lifestyle, Betty became interested in touring around Australia.

Betty had frequent trips to Tasmania to visit her mother’s family.

For the last few years, it became too much for her, so she was content with staying at home and being visited by her many family and friends.

In 2022, Betty moved into Banksia Aged Care Home and remained there until her passing on June 10.

Betty’s kindness and generosity towards many charities is unparalleled and will be remembered for years to come. She had a dairy scholarship established in memory of her brother, Warren, with the University of Melbourne.

It has helped many young dairy farmers from the Goulburn Valley with the training and skills required in this field.

Betty was cremated and her ashes will be placed in a memorial wall at the Shepparton General Cemetery near her brother, Warren.