The Margaret Young Place

Ockerby Gardens, Launceston, Tasmania

A Remarkable Place for a Remarkable Woman

Who was Margaret Young?

Margaret was known to thousands of Tasmanians as the person who gave Tasmanians Yoga and Tai Chi. Both are systems that are now endorsed by medical authorities and practised by tens of millions people around the globe.

Margaret's life was devoted to the promotion of well-being, peace and harmony through the teaching of Yoga and Tai Chi. She assisted a wide range of people. They included: the aged, the disadvantaged, the arthritic, new citizens and the community in general. She sponsored and introduced new citizens to Australia and assisted them financially and emotionally to become productive members of Australia.

Margaret excelled in contributing to her community well beyond what would be reasonably expected. Her life exemplified our national aspiration of ‘having a go’. The spirit in which she interacted with everyone encouraged tolerance and an appreciation for cultural diversity.

Margaret taught extensively for community groups, such as: Cosgrove Park Aged Care Facility, Launceston School for Seniors, Arthritis Tasmania, Glenara Lakes Retirement Village, and Emmanuel Centre Launceston. She also had her own Tai Chi Australia school and was a tutor with Adult Education in Northern Tasmania for 20 years. Her time was often given free of charge.

The Margaret Young Place - what Is It?

Margaret Young Place is an outdoor rest and exercise area at Ockerby Gardens adjoining Launceston General Hospital. It will be a great place for rehabilitation patients, other inpatients and their visitors at the hospital to sit and get some fresh air. It will feature a low mesh screen with beautiful curving lines and plantings of vegetation. Seating for passers-by will complete this lovely exercise and rest area.

Will it make an impact?

The Launceston General Hospital is built in the vicinity of the first Chinese market gardens in Tasmania, and as part of the Tin Dragon tourist trail of North East Tasmania, it can be visited by tourists and Tai Chi devotees from around the world.

Its main effect however will be its daily use by patients seeking some peace, and perhaps some exercise out of the air conditioning and enclosed spaces of the hospital building.

Hundreds of people come and go through the area each day, and as part of the move to establish more seating throughout Launceston for older people to rest and the younger to slow down for a while, the seating there will be well used. Furthermore, the sculptures and plaque be a source of interest, thoughtfulness, and real inspiration about the life of a great woman - Margaret Eileen Young.

Steve Biddulph

Who’s behind it?

An incredible group of people who benefited enormously from Margaret Young’s presence either as teacher or mentor got together to form the Margaret Young Memorial Group (MYMG) with the aim of honouring this remarkable woman.

The current MYMG Office Bearers are:

• President and Project Coordinator - Iris Johnstone (03) 6391 8899
• Treasurer - Sue Armes (03) 6395 1130
• Secretary - Lynne O’Reilly (03) 6395 4283
• Patron - Rod Braithwaite (03) 6327 1119

While the Margaret Young Place developments are continuing, the MYMG are still trying to raise funds for additional seating, lighting and paving to the area.

Donations can be sent to the MYMG Bank account at:
B&E Brisbane Street, 87 Brisbane St, Launceston Tasmania,
Name of account: 'Margaret Young Memorial Group'
Account number: 100106667 EASI SAVER
BSB for electronic banking 632001

For more information please contact the MYMG on:
Tel. (03) 6395 1130, (03) 6334 6754, (03) 6327 4080

Back to top