Mike Murphy has returned to Perth after 16 years living in Crystal Springs.
In 1995 the Perth-based journalist bought land at Crystal Springs. He and his wife Penney were regular visitors until 1999 when Mike retired and they moved to the area. With a rammed earth house completed on their property Mike began breeding chickens and raising orphan kangaroos.
Keen to become part of our community, Mike attended meetings and served on several committees including Silver Chain, the Telecentre (CRC), the Townscape Development Group (Manjimup Shire), the Walpole Nornalup National Parks Association (WNNPA) and the Walpole, Nornalup & Districts Historical Society (WNDHS). He was also a founding member of the Men’s Shed.
(L-R) Elizabeth Shaw, Mike Murphy, and Lee Hunter upon presenting Mr Murphy with his Walpole, Nornalup & Districts Historical Society Award for Outstanding Contribution.
Mike worked at Burton Realty for a time before becoming Editor of the Walpole Weekly, covering many meetings and social functions.
With Penney nursing full-time at Silver Chain, Mike devoted time to WNNPA projects such as surveys of the hooded plover and ground parrot populations.
An avid musician and writer, Mike appeared on ‘Red Faces’ with his guitar, composed the ‘Walpole Waltz’, performed in Pioneer Park, entered short story competitions, and ran a course at the CRC on ‘How to Write a Novel’.
Being interested in history, Mike joined the WNDHS in 2000. Over the years he has been President, Treasurer, Accessions Officer in charge of documents and photographs, Editor of the Walpolian, and organiser of displays and activities.
Who could forget the ‘Ghost Walk’ held in 2000 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Walpole Land Settlement Scheme?
Mike also instigated the lunch time ‘Hour of History’, researched material for the ‘Horses Honour Board’ in Pioneer Park, and gathered material for the ‘Cars in Tingle Trees Project’.
On Sunday, March 1, 2015 WNDHS Committee members had a morning tea with Mike at Crystal Springs. WNDHS President Elizabeth Shaw presented him with an ‘Outstanding Contribution Award’ in recognition of his 14 years of involvement with the Society.
We wish him all the very best for his return to Perth.
By Lee Hunter on behalf of the Walpole Nornalup & District Historical Society. This article first appeared in the March 11, 2015 edition of the Walpole Weekly.
