Cochrane, Christina Mary (1904 - )

In her early years, Mary lived at Yarrowitch Station, near Walcha, where her mother worked as cook after her father died. She had one brother. Her mother married Thomas May and they moved to Glencraig, where May had selected 600 acres. Here they kept the post office and a boarding house and Mary milked the cows and worked in the dairy as well as the house.

Mary kept the post office after her parents retired, rarely taking a holiday. She kept a single-barrelled shotgun for shooting snakes and for protection.

She was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community. Both her legs were amputated in later life and she spent her last years in the Elizabeth Cross Wing of the Walcha and District Hospital.

[Brief Biography compiled by Robin Hammond, January/February 2004]