Margaret Crawley remembered as a ‘woman of excellence” Coffs Coast Coffs Coast - popup ad by News Of The Area - Modern Media - March 9, 2025 Margaret Crawley bags a record-breaking Black Marlin in Coffs Harbour in 1991. SATURDAY, 8 March is International Women’s Day, an opportunity to remember a tireless community volunteer whose unwavering influence on the community stems from the grace of kindness and selfless service. Margaret Crawley was a role model with this kind of legacy. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au She dedicated over 20 years to charity work in Melbourne before moving to Emerald Beach in 1988. Her birthdate, 7 March, closely coincides with the IWD celebrations. She would have been 82 had she not passed away two years ago. After her arrival in Coffs Harbour, Margaret continued her legacy of giving, fundraising and volunteering. She was a member of numerous community organisations including Quota, the Coffs Harbour Garden Club, and the Coffs Show Society. She was the society’s Chief Steward and Vice President, with her efforts raising over $40,000 for various charities. She was also hands-on, making hundreds of bags for Camp Quality, baking cakes for antique fairs, and coordinating North Coast fashion awards and leisure expos. In 2009, at the age of 66, Margaret made a remarkable decision to gift her kidney to her eldest daughter. “Thanks to her incredible bravery and strength, I am now able to live a full and healthy life with my amazing son, deeply indebted and blessed to carry a living piece of my mother within me,” Sandy Crawley told News Of The Area. Margaret’s appreciation of the courage of others motivated her to send hundreds of homemade cards to deployed Australian troops. She was mentioned in Parliament for her charity work and was awarded Citizen of the Year. Michelle Aubert told News Of The Area, “My mother’s words were always reassuring, calming my doubts and fears, instilling in me a self-belief. ‘‘’I have faith in whatever decision you make’ she would say in a way that gave me renewed confidence and unyielding determination.” Margaret Crawley ensured her life would not only be measured in the years she lived but by the numerous lives she touched and encouraged to live purposefully. By Kim SATCHELL A winning smile from a tenacious volunteer. The bonds of family were a great inspiration for her community efforts.
