Member Profile: Heather Ruhl

Heather the fifth child of Jim and Thelma Crowe commenced her working life at the age of 15. When 'Evermore' the family farm was sold and the Crowe family moved to Young, Heather went to the Young District as a domestic under the guidance of Bernice Carter.

Heather then decided to follow her sister Barbara's footsteps and go to St Joseph's Hospital at Auburn in Sydney to nurse.

After a time Heather had a change of heart and took up a position at Fairfield childcare centre, returning home to Young the year the men landed on the moon. Her next move was to St Anne's School as an untrained teacher. The little ones loved her. Down town you would hear little ones calling out HELLO MISS CROWE.

But the funniest thing ever a man about town only told me this week, that when he was in infants school at St Anne's, he loved Heather so much, he stole his Mother's wedding ring and took it to school for Heather.

After some time the travel bug hit, so with friend, Beryl Imber and with a work visa, they set out obtained work in Scotland on a large estate called 'Inverihort', where people (the rich) visited from different countries to hunt and fish. By chance this is were Heather met a butcher from Rose Bay in Sydney who was also on a working visa, can you guess his name was Tony. They both returned to Young, married, had three Ruhl boys, and eight grandchildren and as you guessed they made Young their home.

As Heather set about raising her young family, it was then Heather opened a childcare in her home. After many years she could really see the demand for expansion so she took on two friends purchased the house on the corner of Berthong and Thornhill St and developed the very successful Stepping Stones. After 11 years they sold to a Sydney interest, the name is now, Milestones and it is still there in the same spot.

Now I must fast forward to Heather's retirement. This is where I, her sister, became really lost, so I went underground to source information. Thank you to Maree Myhill for your help.

Maree wrote: "Heather Ruhl has made a contribution to the community of Young for over 50 years. Her interest, forethought and dedication has seen the success of many new ventures in the fields of education and the arts. She gives 100 percent plus to everything that she undertakes.

"Heather has been a driving force in the Young Society of Artists for over 40 years. Heather and Hilltops Arts Inc have been working together for a number of years on various projects. Our latest collaboration is the Hilltops Off the Beaten Track Arts and Cultural Trail (HOBTRACK), now in our third year. Heather's amazing knowledge of all things art and community are second to none. She is the driving force of HOBTRACK, which is growing in leaps and bounds each year.

"Heather's quiet determination and her ability to motivate other has lead to greater community harmony, awareness and the success of the above-mentioned ventures. In these she has always been a positive role model and an enabler who takes people up with her.

"Heather has held many committee positions, including workshop and exhibition committees, organising adult and children's workshops and visiting lecturers. She worked towards the provision of a 'workplace for artists' and Studio One Gallery, helps with regular exhibitions at Burrangong Gallery, Young Town Hall, other venues and she is also a talented artist.

"Heather was instrumental in getting the Southern Cross Cinema and Arts complex established and is a regular volunteer at the cinema, a valuable town asset. She was keenly involved in the new Hilltops Library and arts precinct and is an active member of Young Croquet Club, Tai Chi and Seniors Exercise Groups.

"Heather was on the committee of the first Neighbourhood Centre, initiator for the establishment of the Special Needs Assistance Group providing support and interaction for families, supported the establishment of Young's Early Intervention Program and conducted a Baby Bounce program at the Young Library. Her unwavering commitment to the Hilltops is never ending."

Regarding the croquet club, this is Heather's relaxation. She has become a strong player, has even mastered jump shots and has gathered quite a collection of trophies. She always appears, does what needs too be done, plays her game and off to another project and walks everywhere. S CLOSE