Glen Innes legend Jean Morton grew up surrounded by the sound of bagpipes
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Born Jean Fergusson in 1923, music was always close by at at the family house on Church Street, a signal that the Fergusson clan was gearing up for another Scottish event in the New England Highlands.
Mrs Morton, who passed away in Brisbane December last year, has been remembered as a scion of one of Glen Innes' most notable families.
Father Albert Fergusson followed his own dad John into the tinsmith trade around Toowoomba and Inverell before moving into plumbing in Glen Innes after his marriage to Ethal (known as Margaret) McLane in 1919.
READ MORE:
The business was based in the town centre alongside Stock's Garage in Grey Street where it operated until Albert's retirement in the early 1960s.
Their son Jock Fergusson proudly continued the plumbing tradition for many decades before his death in 1995 while grandson Rohan still carries on the family tradition in Glen Innes today.
Jean left school and started work at Kwong Sings' department store, before marrying Queenslander Noel Morton during World War Two.
The couple moved to Noel's home town Brisbane, but Jean always maintained fond memories of Glen Innes, the people and her heritage. Her chance meeting with Noel at a local dance during the war years was one she cherished in particular.
Jean's recollection of household and family names from her Glen Innes days remained strong until the end and it was with some sadness that she learnt of the death of school friend and well known cooking guru Margaret Fulton earlier this year.
Albert and Jock Fergusson were heavily involved in the Glen Innes Pipe Band serving as Pipe Majors and committed to the strong Scottish values which prevailed at that time. Participation in and attendance at Highland Gatherings throughout the region was the norm and Jean's involvement revolved around her love of highland dancing.
Jean's recent death in Brisbane at the age of 96 years completes an amazing chapter in both the Fergusson family history and that of the Glen Innes community.
While today the Fergusson family reside in various locations throughout the New England area, the Mortons including Jean's sons Graham and Ian and their extended families reside in south-east Queensland. The Fergusson name and the family's collective contribution to the Glen Innes community is one which stands tall.
