Vice-regal medallion for Margie

Margie Miller with a personal vice-regal medallion presented to her by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove. 166631

By Sue Keong

Sir Peter Cosgrove waited for one special lady after officially opening the 150th Warwick Show last Friday night.
Long-time catering volunteer Margie Miller did not have a clue what was in store for her as part of the visit to Warwick by the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove – in the form of the presentation of a personal vice-regal medallion recognising her years of devoted service.
“They were talking about the Governor-General coming, but I didn’t want to get into any of the fanfare – I said leave me out of it,” Margie laughed.
“That’s why they said they didn’t tell me because ‘you might have bolted’.”
Show chairman John Wilson told Margie to stay with her husband Peter down in Margie’s Tea House, which has catered for the volunteers at both the show and the Warwick Rodeo events for many years.
“I couldn’t see why – they told me some cock and bull story – anyway, we stayed down here until the ring show started and then I wandered off to join the ladies on the verandah to watch the ring show via Dr John’s Fish and Chip Shop.”
It was at this point that the Governor-General was coming to visit Margie at her Tea House, only to find she wasn’t there.
John Wilson reportedly laughed and said, “Three months’ worth of work and she’s not here.”
Margie said they “sent out people all over the countryside trying to find me.”
“Kelli Mullins tracked me down and said, ‘The Governor General is waiting for you at his car and he wants to meet you and no buts – you have 10 minutes’.”
“The only thing I could do was my hair, and I thought ‘this is me’.
“So I went to meet him, expecting a shake of the hand and ‘good on you’ sort of thing but he reached in his pocket and presented me with the Governor- General’s personal medallion.
“It was very special, and I thanked him on behalf of all the volunteers.”
See photos from the 150th Warwick Show on page 8 …