MARGARET Emilie Brown Alker is being remembered as a compassionate and generous woman, who shaped the longstanding legacy of the Wean Amateur Picnic Race Club.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mrs Alker, who alongside her husband John helped organise the iconic races for more than three decades, passed away surrounded by family and friends, aged 87.
Mrs Alker was born on April 1, 1930, growing up on “Carramundra”, a property on the Manilla Boggabri Road. In her early days, she’d ride horses to the local school, before finishing off her education at The Presbyterian Ladies' College in Armidale.
Mrs Alker then went to Sydney to become a Karitane nurse, specialising in post-natal care.
In 1956, she married John Leslie Alker, signalling the start of an unwavering association with the Wean Amateur Picnic Race Club.
In a statement posted on the Wean Facebook page, the club announced of Mrs Alker that she “established an atmosphere of graciousness, good will and welcome to all, which became the hallmark of the event”.
Since her husband stepped down from the presidency more than 20 years ago, neither of them have missed attending a single race day.
After their honeymoon, the couple settled down on “Flixton”, a block that was part of the original “Wean” property.
The couple had three children in Mary, Bina and Les, all of whom Mrs Alker home-schooled.
John became president of the club in 1966.
“In those days it was picnic racing and you had to go to other picnic clubs and convince people to come and nominate their horses,” son Les said.
“She used to invite a lot of people to Wean. It was very social and they were a great team.
"Mum used to start cooking in February for everyone. She'd cook the lunch, and cook for people going home after the races. She'd invite them home, give them a good meal so they could drive home.
“After the clean up at the club, she'd make sure she had a bit left over, invite everyone back and feed everyone again.”
The club’s tribute to Mrs Alker has since garnered dozens of comments remembering the much-loved woman.
There will be a public funeral service for Mrs Alker at 11am on Tuesday at the Gunnedah Crematorium.