Although faced with the harsh, unforgiving Kimberley outback, Betty made a life for herself and her family when they moved to Derby in 1966.  Along the way, she made countless loyal friends and contributed greatly to the life of the town. She worked at the Elders-GM store, Storey's shoe shop, Shirley Cain's dress shop, and filled in for whoever needed a hand. She was a member of the Derby Golf Club (see more on the Golf page), and participated in many of the festive and fund raising events in the town. She also worked for Aboriginal Welfare, and did volunteer work at the Derby Leprosarium.

The friends made in Derby were the lifetime kind - Parties were often held around Betty's piano, even if (as happened once) the piano had to be carried across town late at night on the front of Ken and Noddy's forklift to get to the party!

Betty counted her years in Derby as among the happiest of her life. Birthdays at The Boab Inn, Kimberley Kapers at the Derby Civic Centre, Race Days, The Boab Festival, Trips to Broome and The Islands... All these things were part of her life on the far North West.

Below: The night of the infamous forklift ride.