In 1944, Althaea married Donald McTaggart of South Australia, and she left her comfortable city life to move to Oakden Hills Station, north-west of Port Augusta, with her new husband. There they lived in a basic two-room ‘house’ while building additions to the homestead were completed. Her first child, Donald, was born within the year. It was 120 kilometers to the nearest town and the only source of information or help for the new mother was to get on the pedal radio.

The McTaggart family spread their interests to Western Australia and Althaea and Don moved to Bidgemia Station on the Gascoyne River and later to Gunwarrie Station at Frankland River, building homesteads on these remote properties and welcoming four more children, Ruth, Althaea, Fiona and Robert.

It is therefore not surprising that Althaea would always want more help for mothers and babies during her life and would later give so much time and energy to Ngala – the main support agency for young mothers in the Western Australian community.

In 1975, Althaea became a member of the Friends Management Committee of Ngala and worked tirelessly for the organisation for more than 40 years. She served as its President from 1990 to 1996 and Vice-Chairman of the Board from 1992 to 1996. In 2003, she became a life member of Ngala.

Althaea also became involved in politics. She served as National President of the Women’s Organisation of the Liberal Party and was a founding member of the Women’s Electoral Lobby, encouraging other women to be part of the political process.

From 1973 to 1982, Althaea was a member of the Senate of Murdoch University; the first woman to serve on its governing body. She served as a member of the Board of the Hospital Benefit Fund of Western Australia from 1979 to 1991. Althaea was also Secretary and Vice-President of the Dyslexia Society over this time, and President of the Karrakatta Club, a women’s club in Perth, for many years.

In 1982, Althea was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for service to women and the community.

During her time helping others, Althaea found time to travel, paint and fish. She was very proud of her five children, 13 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

Althaea passed away in 2019, aged 98.

July 2026