Myrtle (nee Davis) was born in the old slab house at Woolla on the upper Deua River in 1930. Her early life was little different from the pioneers of a century earlier. There was no vehicle access to the property, only the old bridle track. Supplies had to be brought in on pack horses. The Davis family, headed by Hellena mostly known as Nelly, with sons Everid, Vernon, daughter Neta and her daughter, Myrtle worked hard clearing scrub, fencing, building yards, coping with floods and bush fires. They supplied many of their basic needs from the farm including meat, eggs, milk, vegetables and fruits. They ran cattle which they sold for cash to buy other necessary supplies and tried running sheep until the dingos beat them. Myrtle’s early life was dominated by hard work, but still she appreciated the natural beauty of Woolla with its crystal clear running water and steep mountains. 

Myrtle talked about the months she spent with her mother, Neta, living in huts up Woolla Creek and at Moodong trapping rabbits and selling their skins to earn a bit of money they could call their own. Otherwise, Neta’s mother (Myrtle’s grandmother) kept tight control of the Woolla finances. 

As a young lady Myrtle left Woolla and spent some time in Sydney, becoming aware of the outside world. It may have been then that Myrtle developed her excellent dress sense. In later life Myrtle always dressed very neatly with the style of a practical country woman.  After returning to Braidwood she married Harry Collett and in time they had a son, Don. Together they set up a cattle transport business with their depot in Monkittee Street, Braidwood.  

In 1990 Harry and Myrtle bought Canowie, a property on Neringla Road, south of Araluen. Unfortunately Harry died the following year and Myrtle had to struggle on alone. She met her debts by continuing to work the property with her special knack as an excellent cattle breeder. She was in good health and about to turn 85 when out of the blue, a few weeks ago, she was struck down by a stroke from which she never recovered.

Myrtle deserved her title. She was a pioneer- and she will be sorely missed.

Contributed by Peter Smith