Myrene Edmunds (nee Monk), 84, has deep roots in Tamworth.
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Roots that she has spent a decent amount of time, money and energy nurturing.
Over a decade ago, Ms Edmunds and her family buried a time capsule in Calala's Monk Park. They opened it last month to find baby keepsakes, copies of the Northern Daily Leader and video footage from the day.
The family enjoyed a day of reminiscing and nostalgia - but digging deep is hardly required to discover the history of this family.
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Ms Edmunds' father, Jack Monk, "always had land," according to his daughter - and at one point that land was on Calala Lane up around Panorama Road. Land which is now called Monk Park, Darrell Rd and Myrene Ave.
Her father named the streets after his children. Ms Edmunds said it would have had to pass by what was then called Peel Shire Council, as well as passing by her father.
"He was always at meetings in town and with the mayor and God knows who, he was quite well known," she said.
Mr Monk retired and decided to subdivide his land. Ms Edmunds recalls a ruling at the time meant recreation area had to be provided when dividing a certain amount of space - five of her father's acres became Monk Park.
Ms Edmunds moved to Brisbane in 1959 with her new husband, John, and it wasn't until 1986 that the couple visited Calala. Ms Edmunds saw there was no sign in Monk Park and put the idea of one to her family and the council. With no council funds available, the family chipped in for the first original Monk Park sign.
And so began a labour of love for Ms Edmunds.
Mr Monk's assets were passed down to his daughter. She bought units in Queensland which she said gave her enough money "to keep Monk Park going," and survive. She thinks she's put about $20,000 into the park over the years.
Since the sign, she has donated lighting, barbecues, playground equipment, leapfrogs with plaques, the netball court and cricket pitch. She and her husband examined parks while travelling for inspiration.
That was how Ms Edmunds got the idea to bury a time capsule in the park. The council offered to cover the cost of it since she had contributed so much to the park.
The time capsule was buried on Ms Edmunds' mother's birthday, June 12, 2010. The family had planned to open it a decade later on Ms Edmunds' birthday. Due to the difficulty of wrangling a family together during a pandemic, it was put off.
The time capsule was opened on March 19.
"I'm not crying over spilt milk, we got it done, we all got there and we all were home safe," she said.
Ms Edmunds hopes to put a new time capsule in the ground before the end of the year, while the parents still have control of the kids.
Ms Edmunds husband passed away, but she still gets down to Tamworth as much as she can.
"It's really and truly been a labour of love, but I've loved every bit of it and God willing, I can still keep on popping around doing a bit more to keep the name alive," she said.
"If you ever go out there, you'll see why, it slants up beautifully right up to the top of the hill and then you walk into Panorama Road at the back or you can come down and walk down the gravel track right to the front of Myrene Ave right at the front of the park.
"There's still a tug on good old Tamworth.
"My heart just still goes to Tamworth."
The families are now gathering items to place back into the time capsule to be reopened in the year 2032 and wanted to thank Tamworth Regional Council for the upkeep of Monk Park and a special mention to Hugh Leckie - Horticulture & Arboriculture Specialist for making this experience a memorable one, and for the ongoing support.
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