Greta Savill
Background
Greta was born in 1913 in Maryborough (QLD) and grew up on a cattle property, 'Jingeri', near Wondai. After school, she studied piano at Sydney's Conservatorium and painting under Will Ashton, then did several years of nursing training, but was unable to complete this due to illness. Returning to 'Jingeri', she helped with station activities, including mustering and cooking for the men.
In 1938, Greta and her sister Sybel went to London where Greta did modelling and dressmaking courses and gained employment in both disciplines. Returning to London in 1940 after visiting a friend in Argentina, she met Jim Traill. Greta joined the Women's Auxilliary Air Force as an ambulance driver, and Jim became a Royal Air Force pilot. They married in 1941 but, within a year of their marriage, Jim was killed when his plane was shot down over the North Sea. Greta returned to Australia in 1946 and lived at 'Jingeri' before moving to Buderim later that year.
Buderim - life and community
Greta had earlier bought a block of land on the north eastern slopes of Buderim, an area she'd known from childhood when family holidays brought her to the coast. With her post-war move to Buderim, Greta set about clearing the seven-acre block and organising the building of 'Little Croft'. She bought an old A-Model Ford truck and carted building materials to the building site. Once established, Greta was practically self-sufficient. She kept poultry and milking cows, tended her vegetable garden and also grew bananas for sale. In 1947, her parents left 'Jingeri' and built a house, 'Little Jingeri', at the base of Buderim Mountain on Old Maroochydore Road.
Greta's life centred on caring for her parents, her house and animals, providing a holiday home for nieces and nephews, and involving herself in the vibrant Buderim community. She worked in Dr Shaw's surgery and played a vital role in the ginger industry as a board member of the Buderim Ginger Growers Cooperative Association Limited for seven years. She was the Headland Golf Club's first female president in1955 and an early committee member of the Buderim War Memorial Community Centre.
Greta married Miles Savill in1959. 'Little Croft' was sold and they moved to Nambour, then to a beef cattle property at Glenview on the Mooloolah River and later to 'Court-le-Roi', a cattle property in the Goomeri district. Greta returned to Buderim in 1984, after she and Miles divorced, and bought a home in Sage Street. She played bridge, owned pets, gardened, became involved with her neighbours and was always at home to family. Greta was hospitalised several times with broken bones during the final years before she moved to Tantulla Rise Community. Miles's visits during her times in hospital were a source of great comfort to her.
Greta never faltered in those things she thought were important - love and care of family, kindness to animals, scrupulous honesty and integrity in her dealings with others, and unfailingly adherence to standards she set herself in her early years. She had no children but had very close links with and greatly loved her 10 nieces and nephews. She died in February 2009. Her funeral service was held in the garden of her beloved 'Little Croft'.
Donor: Family and friends
