Ballarat legend Barbara Wilson dies at 86

Ballarat’s beloved grocer Barbara Wilson has died at the age of 86. 

Her family has paid tribute to her many years of hard work and kindness at Wilson’s Fruit and Vegetables alongside her husband Arthur, who died in 2010. 

Granddaughter Melanie Fulcher said her nan – known to all as Mrs Wilson – had left a brilliant legacy. 

“She’s always been a generous lady, always had a smile for people,” she said. 

Mr and Mrs Wilson’s business grew from the orchard to the Ballarat fruit and vegetable shop and then the new outlet at Lucas. 

The placement of the new shop meant a lot to Mrs Wilson, who worked at the Lucas factory before marrying. 

"At the age of 15, she started at Lucas. She was well known with the Lucas ladies, so she’s got that legacy as well,” said Mrs Fulcher. 

“She cut patterns, things like that, and worked her way up. She had a couple of ladies working under her.”

Mrs Wilson was still a fixture at Wilson’s until only a few months ago. 

Mrs Fulcher said it was testament to her passion for the business. 

“Up until a couple of months ago, she would still go in every Sunday morning,” she said. 

“The tomatoes were hers, that was her job.” 

Her greatest legacy was undoubtedly her family. 

Mr and Mrs Wilson had seen two generations through their business, which son Trevor now runs, Mrs Fulcher said. 

“All her kids and all her grandkids had worked alongside her at some point. Everyone started their apprenticeship there,” she said. 

“She was generous, but wanted you to work for everything you had, it wasn’t just given to you.” 

Tributes to Mrs Wilson streamed in once Wilson’s announced she had passed away, with many people happily remembering family visits to the Warrenheip orchard. 

Mrs Wilson is survived by her three children, Trevor, Kaylene and Pam, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. 

Wilson’s will close at 1pm on Thursday in respect for Mrs Wilson. 

A memorial service will be held at 2pm at York Street Church of Christ on Thursday.