Val's Story

After Val’s family bible was washed away in the 1978 Windsor floods, she believes her family is at least third generation Aussies, with a pinch of Irish in there somewhere. Twice married, then wised up, Val has been single for thirty years and has never had children of her own, preferring to love and nurture her friend’s children and be the cool aunt.

Val’s life has been colourful, from owning a pub in Pyrmont with a 6 a.m. licence, to nannying in outback NSW, Val finished her career in the mental health space working with youth impacted by drug and alcoholism. “It was a tough gig, but very rewarding.”

Val was living with the composer and music critic Peggy Glanville-Hicks in her home in Paddington when Peggy had a stroke and passed. Peggy had bequeathed her home to young composers so they could concentrate on their craft and not have to worry about rent, so Val had to move. “I rented in Balgownie, then Figtree, but the rentals were sold and I had to move, it made me a bit panicky not having the housing stability I was used to’.

Val is an eclectic character, a formidable woman that loved to paint, sculpture in bronze, and has a deep love affair with food. Now at 82, Val loves to go for walks with her bestie Roxy, a lovely little black and white Bitza.

“When I was offered this place here at Central Gardens, I thought I couldn’t be more lucky. Shellharbour is beautiful, I love the beach, it’s close to everything I need, and most importantly, it is affordable. I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for this place. Up s*#t Creek probably”.