PHIL AND JUDY HOLDEN first visited Montville, together in 2001 and decided that they would look for a home in the area. They moved from Wavell Heights, Brisbane, in 2002 and settled into Benecke Road where they were warmly welcomed by their new neighbours.
During 2003 the company they worked for was taken over and they opted to ditch the daily commuting lifestyle.
Phil and Judy purchased Montville Village News on the 15th of December 2003. They quickly learnt that this may not have been the best time to take over, with them struggling to learn the myriad of new tasks required, meeting the locals and being inundated with the Christmas visitors to Montville. One job Phil found particularly gruelling was his first solo paper run. He managed to turn a 2 hour job into 5 hours. Looking back now it’s quite amusing but the words used on that day were certainly not that.
As they settled fully into the business they got to know the “Locals”. They have had the pleasure of watching babies grow, going through School and on to teenagers and teenagers progress to adulthood and share their many adventures with sometimes anxious but mostly proud parents. Enjoyed the wonderful anecdotes across the counter, such as the singing cowboy who could not ride a horse and the home handyman who destroyed the septic, these stories could easily fill a book.
Unfortunately there have been many who have left the range due to changed circumstances and those who have lost loved ones that are dearly missed.
They have met many of the wonderful artisans that are proud to call the range home. Phil and Judy’s own home has been filled with many of the items produced by these talented people. They have been invited into homes for gatherings, shared many a social gathering in the local restaurants and attended community events like the “Carols” in Montville. This has allowed them to appreciate what a truly wonderful caring community they have been fortunate enough to have been able to serve and to be allowed to spend their future in.
Phil and Judy feel privileged to have been associated with the wonderful people they have met and become friends with, and are both looking forward to continuing these friendships into their future on the Range.
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