The following messages of condolence and symbols
have been added in memory of Margaret Moorhouse.

My Aunty Peggy, it was so nice to catch up with you recently in Melbourne. You loved the strawberry goats milk and mandarins and talked so passionately about Hinchinbrook. I have just been reading about you and OMG what an amazing woman. Although I've heard some of your stories, there are so many more that have been shared since your passing. So many people who loved you and appreciated you. I'm going to find a coy of "Pookie Puts the World Right" for my grandchildren, and tell them about you and your incredible achievements. Looking forward to meeting your brothers and their families next week. I am a granddaughter of Oswold Higginbothom RIP Vale Aunty Peggy

I first met Margaret through the Hinchinbrook campaign in the mid-late 1990s and was immediately impressed with her extensive knowledge - not just of the facts and background of the issues, but of how to be most effective - what questions to ask, what points to hammer home, who were the key people and how to approach them. She was almost a walking, talking encyclopaedia and with an energy (both mental and physical) to match. She also seemed almost fearless and I think this really raised everyone else's courage. Her strength of character and purpose was hugely impressive but all of these "fighting qualities" were balanced by great personal charm, a wide smile, a wicked laugh and a great sense of humour. And she NEVER GAVE UP ..... just NEVER!! There were several redoubtable women involved in that campaign (and others closely related) who have also left us and we are the poorer. I like to think (fancifully, I guess) that their spirits are sailing Hinchinbrook's waters under a fair wind, sharing stories, hugs, laughter and unbreakable friendship. Sail on, Margaret.

Carolyn and I met Margaret when we first volunteered for the North Qld Conservation Council 1995
I can remember her quite clearly welcoming us with open arms when she heard we wanted to assist in fighting the proposed Port Hinchinbrook project
It didn't take long to realise that Margaret played a key role in a dedicated group within NQCC
Our common interests with Margaret were protecting the environment and our shared love of sailing, as a result we spent plenty of time together both at NQCC and also at the Breakwater marina Townsville
When first meeting Margaret it's quite obvious she is a strong person, but only with time you realise she was also independent, dedicated and sincere. A person who put her heart and soul into all she undertook
She was ahead of her time
I will always remember her strength, determination and her smile .
She will certainly be remember ed in both the sailing and environment circles and I dare say in the motor cycling groups

Rest in peace Margaret

Love Tony and Carolyn

It is hard to believe that Margaret, a voice so important to her friends and colleagues will not be heard again.
Margaret was a 'once in a lifetime' special person, her warmth and humour, comprehensive knowledge and acute observations will not be matched, and all her friends in the conservation world are poorer for her passing.
I consider myself so lucky to have spent time with Margaret over the past fifteen years, I will miss her wicked sense of humour, her infectious laugh and her trove of stories. Vale Margaret

I first met Peg (and Solway) when I started school at MLC at the beginning of second term in Grade Six, in 1954. We became life-long friends until lately, when Peg and I resorted to long phone calls. She was strong, yet gentle and supportive, we shared many of our struggles, even back in school days. She will always be part of my life-story, I will miss our long talks and laughter. Vale Peg

I first met Peggy at Phillip Island at the Island Classic - we chatted and I was intrigued by this amazing and dynamic person and immediately we connected. Peggy was intelligent and passionate and such a dynamic person - you couldn't meet her and stay the same! I was fortunate to catch up with her on numerous occasions and discussed everything from her early life, racing career, living on her yacht environmental issues, politics and moving back to Castlemaine. Peggy was influential and determined to continue living a life of purpose even as she struggled with the physical challenges. Peggy you will never be forgotten- dear friend.

Recent picture from Margaret's friend Neale. At the time she was in Lynden Aged Care May 2024- Feb 2026.

More squirting. Margaret with her brothers John and David (circa 1950)

Our sister Margaret squirting mum (Jean) with hose. We this was SE suburbs eg Beaumaris/Cheltenham - I recall it being close to the beach.

This is lovely picture of a young Margaret taken by our father (Oswald) - around 1950? - in our garden at our home at 52 Foley St Kew.

Our father was a keen photographer and was taken with his Kodak (manually focussed) bellows camera using large format roll film.

Our father died in 1952 and we subsequently moved to North Ringwood.

Peg (also known as Peggy, Margaret, Higgin) and I have had a friendship that spans 70 years.
It was always exciting to share or hear her stories of her adventures and observations: singing in choirs, playing flute and piano together, hearing her play the organ, breeding budgies, goats, cattle dogs, receiving a kitten as a wedding present, staying on her dairy goat farm, riding pillion on one of her early bikes, reading her letters from a fishing trawler, sailing on yacht Starlight, admiring her career as a psychologist, supporting the struggle to keep Hinchinbrook Island pristine and parks for peaceful users, and lastly sharing my home with her when we became “old”.
To all who knew and loved her, I share your sorrow. Let us not regret what we did or didn't do, but may we all be grateful that we knew and were known by the unique person Peg.

My sister Margaret (Peg) - then aged 79 standing proudly in front of her yacht SV Starlight at Breakwater Marina Townsville (Aug 2022).

This had been her mobile home for about 40 years since departing her farm at Maroota, NSW near the Hawkesbury River. She departed Townsville in September 2023 to live with her old friend Solway in Castlemaine, Victoria.

After reluctantly selling Starlight (July 2023) she travelled all the way to Castlemaine via a carefully constructed circuitous route avoiding the major highways and including stopovers with friends and family along the way. I estimated my sister drove about 3,000km with many long days at the wheel over several weeks. Amazingly, she carried virtually all her belongings in her Tardis like Nissan X-Trail STL with its special storage drawers and compartments (a bit like Starlight's)

Peg on Starlight, circa 2006

Margaret (Peg) at Palmetum (17-Hectare Botanic Garden, Townsville Qld)