Slow Food Gnowangerup Great Southern convivium inaugural leader Jenny Shepherdson died recently following a courageous fight with cancer. This is an extract of the eulogy given by her daughter Chelsey at the service of celebration for her life, which was held in Fremantle in March 2008.
JENNY was adamant that her life was to be celebrated. So today is definitely one to reflect, rejoice and pay homage to my mother’s motto: ‘Eat, drink and be merry!’
My story begins at the moment when my father met my mother. After Jenny conquered Europe in a mini skirt fit for a tea cosy, she came to visit the Buttroses in Gnowangerup. Jenny went along to the Apex ‘Around the town biker event’. It was in front of the original pharmacy, later re-birthed as the Blue Baa, that Geoff first saw Jenny in a pink mini dress. He thought: ‘Hey, that’s pretty smart for a biker chick!’
Things could only grow from that pivotal moment and as a result Mum and Dad married in 1971. Thus, life began in Gnowangerup where Mum had a full-time and part-time nursing position at Gnowangerup hospital until 1985. It was during this time between shifts and frozen casseroles that the family became four (with daughters Amber and Chelsey).
Gnowangerup life was a doozey – in particular, the seventies and eighties, where most weekends consisted of cabarets, balls, golf, gatherings at the Stirling Ranges, shoulder pads and dinner parties. Mum and Dad’s frequent socialising enabled us to be the free-range kids of the eighties (and yes we know who we are!).
Mum moved on from the hospital corridors to the school canteen as a community health school nurse and later as the senior community nurse for the Great Southern. Here she implemented Giant Fruit Salad Day, attempting to nourish a child’s lunch box way before her cooking idol Jamie Oliver ever did.
After 11 years, Jenny’s classroom was the back paddock and the yabbies became the pupils as Mum became the official yabbie farmer of Anglesey (the Shepherdson family farm). Still not content, she pumped out preserves and made a mean rosemary jelly to boot.
But the dream lingered and was certain when the old pharmacy was restored and the Blue Baa was born – a reality that formed a culinary partnership with (her great friend) Duffy for five years. I believe that the Blue Baa was not only soul food but was a testament to Mum’s creativity, strength and sheer determination.
Jenny, like so many country people, was always involved with the community and derived much satisfaction in doing so. She enjoyed working with the capable and effective group that put the Gnowangerup centenary celebrations together in 2004 and latterly as convenor of the Slow Food convivium with Bronwyn Gaze, which kept her passion for food alive. In her community work she made a difference.
Another part of Jenny’s extended family has been the Marcus Oldham Farm & Agricultural College men who have worked at Anglesey, not only on the football field but off, with frequent AFL banter being the topic of conversation over a lamb shank or five.
Jenny as a mother was always right but she was also always there and ever so generous. Mum taught me about nifty nurses’ corners, pride in the home, family, friendship and laughter but, above all, that the way to a Shepherdson’s heart was through their stomach! Food was her canvas. During my last phone conversation with Mum I was requesting a recipe for flourless gravy. Her response was: ‘Veal stock. It’s a stunner!’
