Chapter 09 - Accounts

When we came to Mulfra Farm we soon realised that we would need to employ an accountant. Previously I had managed to do our own books, but with the farm things would be different. Depreciation, goods own use, valuation of stock, I didn’t have a clue.

How does one go about finding an accountant? The best way of course is by recommendation. On discussing this problem with a group of friends, Nora Pengelly was suggested. We had known Nora for years and I hadn’t a clue that she prepared the accounts and passes them on to Kelvin. Nora came up to see us and discussed what I would have to do with regard to keeping records etc and asked me to take down all my papers to her at the end of our financial year. Even though our year ended in March it was always a last minute panic at the end of the year to get them in. I could go and see Nora and her colleague Colleen at Heamoor on a Thursday between 10 and 3.

I really enjoyed those visits. The first half an hour was taken up with drinking coffee, chatting about families, catching up on all the news and having a laugh. Nora had a very witty sense of humour. When our first grandson was born I told them he was called William Alexander Olds … “Oh that’s nice, Willy Ally Olds!” … was her reply, and she gave me a pound for his money box. The final ten minutes of my visit was spent discussing what I had actually gone there for.

As the years went on Nora knew more about the business side of Mulfra Farm than we did. She just knew how we “ticked” and when the B&B had to be included she was a great help. When she retired a few years ago I really missed her but Colleen took over and she has been more than helpful, things have gone on just the same.

Recently I was very sorry to hear that Nora had died, she had helped us so much over the years. Roy represented me at her funeral.

When I collected my accounts at the end of the year, Colleen told me she was retiring in the New Year. I hoped this meant that if I could get my accounts in early she would be able to do them before she finished. Sophie, our granddaughter, helped by sorting and listing receipts and we managed to get them done on time, but alas too late, she had retired. A phone call to Kelvin confirmed he would do them and he has with great efficiency. Another sigh of relief! !!!!!

Monica Olds