Margaret Fargie (1930-1982) MOC 1945-1948
M. Fargie, 1947
Margaret Fargie, contracted poliomyelitis at age seven, which confined her to bed during her primary school years, however, she didn’t let this hold her back from achieving her goals or becoming an active member of Morongo as a student or being involved in the arts and life in Geelong from 1945-1982.
Born at Windarra private hospital, in Toorak, on the 11th July 1930, she was the daughter of Dr Eric Ian Fargie and Edna Swallow Wood M.Sc. Margaret’s family lived in Wycheproof during the time of her confinement with polio.
Margaret started at Morongo as a boarder in 1945 for her Intermediate year (Form 4); however, due to her illness she was still wearing an upper body splint. According to Margaret’s sister she received “a wonderful level of care and support at Morongo”, which enabled her to accomplish the transition to boarding and continue her good academic record.
In 1946, Margaret’s family moved to Geelong and she became a daygirl. She was soon able to manage without splints; however, she was still handicapped in her movements.
At Morongo Margaret excelled, undertaking in 1947 the role of co Editoress of the Lucernian and was involved in the School Library Committee. In 1948, Margaret fulfilled the roles of Prefect, Editoress of the Lucernian and Librarian. She finished her final year as Dux of the school equally with Patricia Cassidy (1945-1948).
Margaret’s preference was to study Law, but she was advised that it was not a suitable career for a woman. Instead she undertook a Bachelor of Arts degree at Melbourne University.
After her studies, she worked as a Librarian at the CSIRO in Geelong, then as a Governess on a property near Lara, before becoming a Law Clerk at Wighton and McDonald in Geelong. In 1967, she followed her dream and became a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives, Victoria. Margaret decided she should become legally qualified studying by correspondence, and later took long service leave to attend full-time study at Melbourne University. She was awarded the Supreme Court Exhibition in the Law of Conveyancing in 1974 and graduated with Honours becoming one of the first females to practice law in Geelong. She was admitted as a partner in Wighton and McDonald (now Wighton Lawyers).
In another first Margaret was appointed Chairman of the Barwon Permanent Building Society, the first woman chair in Victoria to hold such a position.
Margaret was an active member of her community, especially being involved in Geelong Music & Theatre. She was a member of the Geelong Repertory Society for twenty five years, serving as Secretary and President and was awarded a Life Membership.
Margaret was also involved in the following organisations:
The Board of the Geelong Association of Music and Art,
Member of the Regional Council for Technical Education,
Member of the Council of Matthew Flinders Girls School,
President of the Geelong Branch of Soroptimist International, and
Treasurer of the Barwon Region Girl Guides Association.
Margaret engaged in all these academic, professional, social and community activities while never being really strong, she could not lift her arms above her head without support and her lung capacity was limited but she never let her disability hold her back.
Margaret Fargie died in Geelong, on the 1st of September, 1982 age 52.
Margaret’s uncle
FARGIE, Arthur James McKenzie MC (1884-1939), was a former student of Geelong College.
Margaret was a Life Member of Morongo Old Collegians.
Sources:DR. E. I. FARGIE TO MISS EDNA SWALLOW WOOD. (1929, July 5).
The Prahran Telegraph (Vic. : 1889 - 1930), p. 3. Retrieved May 15, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165011632
Family Notices (1930, July 19).
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 13. Retrieved May 15, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4100550
SCHOOLCHILDREN UNSETTLED, SAYS HEADMISTRESS "BAD FILMS FACTOR IN CAUSING UNREST" (1948, December 11). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 6. Retrieved May 15, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22698763
First female lawyer practices in Geelong: 1974 - Tuesday, 13 March 2012. Retrieved from https://geelongherstory.blogspot.com/2012/03/first-female-lawyer-practicesin.html
Biography of Margaret’s life achievements by her sister Jocelyn (Jonnie), who was also a Morongo student (1946-1951); as was their sister Barbara (1946-1954).