I was excited to meet Nancy Edmonstone, particularly as I’d been told the chance of an interview with this private lady was unlikely.
Nancy is an integral part of the running community in Echuca Moama as she is the wife of Laurie Edmondstone, a man who has influenced the achievements of many of the “Running Sisters” interviewed for this
Our community can be forever grateful that twenty years ago Laurie who worked for the railways at the time, visited Echuca for work and decided that he liked the weather! Despite having just built a beautiful home in Traralgon where Nancy and Laurie had spent thirty years of married life, they decided to make the move. Although Nancy said “Now we’re stuck” she also confessed she could never go back!
Laurie soon became involved with the running community, starting running groups and helping to establish the Echuca Moama Triathlon Club.
Nancy was keen to talk more about Laurie than herself, however from our conversation I managed to get insight into a very giving family.
Nancy is a mother to daughter Cheryl and son Tony and has 6 grandchildren. Her children have done well in their chosen careers and have healthy lifestyles, which is the most important thing to Nancy. Her grandchildren are, amongst other things, talented cricketers and dancers and much loved by Nancy.
Supporting her family keeps Nancy busy, with regular day trips to Melbourne for coffee with Cheryl and more lengthy visits to Darwin. She also enjoys an active lifestyle including twice weekly water aerobics, line dancing and Laurie’s exercise group at the Moama Sports Pavillion. She also enjoys catching up with friends at local cafes for coffee.
In the past Nancy played team sports, including A grade and Open Tennis and Squash and 50 years ago she was a life saver. She has a love of gymnastics and is an avid follower of this sport.
Prior to moving to Echuca Nancy designed wedding gowns. This funded her children’s education and their time at the Australian School of Ballet. It gave her great pleasure to make every bride look beautiful, and her customers came from all over Australia. Now in her spare time, she makes ballet costumes for students coached by Cheryl and sews for special occasions like her granddaughters formal. He current project is a ballet costume for a young boy. Unsurprisingly this is something she does for pleasure, not reward.
Although Nancy thinks her family is very ordinary, I came away from the interview with an insight into an extraordinary family. Both Nancy and Laurie are quiet achievers, who are very giving with their time and talents. This even includes opening up their garage remotely from Queensland during winter, so a local running group can continue their routine each Wednesday night.
Nancy gave me her phone to look at a few photos of her grandchildren. Being camera shy the only recent photo of herself was with someone she befriended at an airport. Nancy had noticed this young lady was upset, so Nancy lent an ear and no doubt made a difference that day. To me this summed up Nancy’s caring and generous nature.
Nancy is proud of the many young people that Laurie has coached with running and bike running. She loves watching their achievements locally and internationally. She spoke of the many local groups that Laurie’s involved in, which helps people of all ages and ability. I know from the women I’ve interviewed that Laurie and Nancy’s support is greatly appreciated. Thank you Nancy for all you do behind the scenes and for agreeing to come to Echuca Moama all those years ago!
Nancy declined having her photo taken but shared this beautiful photo of her granddaughter Bianca, wearing a costume she created.
