You may have seen her busking outside of Lismore Central on Keen Street - Margaret the busker has become a well known face on the streets of Lismore. This week's Sunday Profile comes from the Humans of Lismore Facebook page and was written by Denise Alison, who interviewed Margaret and found out more about her life.

Margaret: “I was born in 1952. We were living at Bowraville near Nambucca Heads. Mum was 42 when she had me by Caesarian which meant she had to go to Kempsey Hospital.

We lived on a dairy farm. When I was 8 years old my father had an accident. I remember it was Christmas time and he walked in between 2 parked cars. One rolled back into his back. After the accident he couldn’t do the work on the farm so he got compensation and we moved to Coffs Harbour.

"Spotted downtown - Margaret, one of Lismore's regular buskers regularly seen through Winter in her beanie and scarf - Densie Alison"

I went to St Augustine's Catholic School in Coffs right through to Year 6. I was a very conscientious student. At the end of Year 6 I got a scholarship to go to St Scholasticas College in Glebe which I think still exists. It was a boarding college.

I went on to do the school certificate and the higher school certificate. I was still a high achiever so instead of 6 subjects which was normal for the school certificate I did 7 subjects. I learnt the piano at school so because I had the interest in music I did 7 subjects along with English, Maths, Science, History, French and Latin. I got 7 advanced level passes in the school certificate. I really applied myself, maybe too much.

After I completed my HSC I was admitted to the University in New England to do a degree in Mathematics. I only stayed there for 18 months and transferred to Newcastle College of Advanced Education where I completed my Diploma of secondary education in Mathematics.

I started teaching at Evans High in Blacktown and finally got a teaching position in Kempsey. Fortunately I was given a position in Macksville which was only a 10 minute drive from where I was living in Nambucca.

I don’t know what happened and I don’t know if it was because I was so conscientious, always doing the best I possible could, but, I got a stress problem. I don’t know what caused it but for 6 months nothing seemed real in my mind.

I could read signs and not understand them. Nothing seemed real or made sense. It lasted 6 months. I couldn’t leave the house. Consequently I left my work which then made it worse because I thought maybe shame was making it happen. Nothing was real. It didn’t make sense. I aimed high, always had my head in a book, always worked to get the high marks and then this.

I was 26 and I still don’t know what happened. I never did drugs or drink but maybe I just tried too hard, I don’t know. My next door neighbour at the time put me onto a group called GROW in Nambucca Heads which we also have here in Lismore. I went there and it helped.

I left teaching and started tutoring. In my hometown there were two motels - the Blue Dolphin and the Nirvana where I did reception and cleaning.

I married in 1974 and finished my Diploma. My first son was born in 1979. 13 months later I had a daughter and 13 years later I had another son.

I’d never really been away but I went on a trip to South Australia and Western Australia. I recall travelling through Kalgoorlie, etc. The whole time we had a guitar in the car and I never attempted to pick it up and try to play it.

When we got back something made me pick up a guitar. Everything I play, I figured out myself. I only know the basic chords. I remember writing down the songs at the time like ‘Hey Jude’ Slim Dusty stuff and all that. I wrote down the words and the chords where you put your finger dots in the little blocks and that’s how I taught myself.

When we were in Casino I used to sit outside shops, mainly Coles and I got invited to a music function at the Gardens. I mainly did old style songs like from the 60’s. When I got to the function there was a mixture of guitarists, ukulele, mandolin and banjo players.

I bought a music book with 40 songs that day off a lady. Sitting outside the supermarket people would give me little tips how to do chord progressions.

I meet so many people and 99.9% of people are really nice. So many people have commented on my new hat today. I bought this top, hat and brand new shoes from an op shop and because I’ve got a big head this is the only one that fitted me. All winter I had to rug up as my son was worried about me getting Covid so it was nice to get a Spring outfit.

My busking license works out about 50c a week which is so cheap. Lismore is my favourite town to busk.

I lost my husband 2 years ago to chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia and cancer of the Oesophagus. We still have a property in Nambucca.

I’m staying with my son who lives in Kyogle but my oldest son, my daughter and myself keep the property going. I have 11 grandchildren so I’m very lucky.”

Read the original story on Facebook here