Her kind nature has helped to raise many funds of the years for those in need, but it’s her fondness of Leeton that keeps her going. 

Mrs Murphy was born in Wagga before her family moved to Narrandera, which is where she spent her formative years. 

On June 2, 1962 she married the love of her life Jeff and the pair made their home in Leeton. 

Children soon followed and Mrs Murphy said the town provided the ideal place to raise a family. 

“Even today it’s the same … it’s a great place to raise a family,” she said. 

“There’s so many opportunities for the children whether it’s sport or other interests. 

“I think we are very lucky here.”

Many Leeton shire residents would recognise Mrs Murphy for her community and charity work over the years. 

She was involved with the Spastic Council’s Miss Australia Quest, which helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for children with cerebral palsy. 

Mrs Murphy remains focused on helping that cause and has found herself in recent years doing more to help other sick children. 

She regularly fundraises for Country Hope, an organisation that provides much-needed help for regional children diagnosed with cancer and other chronic, life-threatening illnesses.

Mrs Murphy has been able to see first-hand how these funds help country children through her young grand daughter. 

She said being able to give back was something she greatly enjoyed. 

“You don’t do it for the recognition … you do it to help others and to give back,” Mrs Murphy said.

“I think that’s another special thing about Leeton. Everyone is so generous and wants to help in whatever way they can.

“Whether it’s a group or organisation donating big amounts of money or someone buying a raffle ticket, people do and give what they can.”

Mrs Murphy said Leeton’s location to health facilities and bigger cities meant she and her husband wouldn’t be heading off anywhere soon.

“We’ve got it all here and if it’s not, it’s not too far away,” she said. 

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