General News
4 July, 2025
Win Crawley reaches 90th birthday
On the walls of the Crawley’s home, among bright flowers received at her recent birthday, is a local time capsule and snapshot of all sorts.
When Win Crawley sees a familiar face or feel-good story in The Addy, she keeps it.
“Those are my girls from the bank, I know them all, they are lovely,” she said, pointing to a framed newspaper clipping.
Ms Crawley was born on June 19, 1935, in Yarraville. Her grandparents chose to immigrate to Melbourne instead of heading to the USA and taking passage on the Titanic.
When her children began school at St Albans North Primary in 1964, she met her lifelong friend, Gwen Longmuir.
The pair are still best friends and used to live next door to each other on Laidman Street.
Ms Crawley’s daughter, Janine D’Angelo said her parent’s love for Maryborough began in the early 80s, when her father was previously an underwater detector at Half Moon Bay and Brighton.
He later wanted to change his findings of buttons and pipes, to gold.
“As my father had developed a love of gold prospecting, they travelled here with their caravan. They made their base in the caravan park which is still down the road from their current home and my father would do day trips detecting out in the bush,” Ms D’Angelo said.
In the late 90s, the pair decided to call Maryborough home.
Ms Crawley quickly became involved in many community events and groups, including belly dancing, the Benevolent Society, and knitting for the homeless.
“A lifelong love of community service meant she soon became involved with the Benevolent Society as a committee member,” Ms D’Angelo said.
Ms Crawley recalls the many walks with other residents and attending past events with local arts societies.
“We had lovely afternoons, nobody wanted to go home,” she said.
Ms D’Angelo said the community connection has been profound.
“I’ve lived in so many towns in the centre of Melbourne and spent a considerable amount of time in Italy. To be honest, I couldn’t understand why my parents had an attraction, actually more than this, a love, of Maryborough,” she said.
“However having spent months living with them here, accompanying them around town, I understand why this town has become a beloved place for them.
“Like any small village, there is a great sense of community, of safety and the ability to form long meaningful relationships.”
Ms Crawley recently celebrated her 90th birthday at the Maryborough Railway Station surrounded by family.
“Mum had a lovely day celebrating with family. My sisters and I hope that we can someday return the great favour this town has given to our parents,” Ms D’Angelo said.
For Ms Crawley, the milestone has been a moment for the family to reflect on their many years living in Maryborough.
“I don’t know that I want to be living anywhere else. I’m not sure of what our future is. That worries me a bit because the past has been lovely,” Ms Crawley said.
As Ms Crawley is no longer able to attend her much-loved groups and committees, saving pieces of the local paper is a way of staying close to her community.
She still keeps Maryborough’s story close — framing it, treasuring it, and honouring the people who make the town what it is.