Football stalwart remembered
Pakenham lost one of its most devoted residents with the passing of Thelma Young who is remembered as a tireless worker.
Ms Young died on Saturday 6 July at 99-years-old.
It’s hard to separate the Pakenham Football Club from Ms Young who served the club for a large chunk of its history – service that earned her a life membership.
She lived in Pakenham ever since she was eight-years-old when she resided within the old police station with her siblings, as their father Jim Marshall was the sole police officer for the town at the time.
She married Percy Young and would have three children Stanley, Rhonda and Daryl.
Her age never seemed to falter her sharpness and persistence, she was also an avid member of St James Anglican Church Guild – always up for the early Saturday morning bake sales.
In 1993, she received an award of appreciation from the Rotary Club of Pakenham for service to the community.
Her final birthday earlier this year was celebrated at The Railway Hotel, in the function room named after her son – the Stan Young Room.
Thelma Young is survived by children Rhonda, Stanley and Daryl. She has nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Her burial service will be held on Thursday 18 July from 10am at Pakenham Cemetery.
Reflecting on a Pakenham pioneer
Much of what modern Pakenham is now would not exist in the same way without Meryl Waterhouse, as her influence on the area can be seen far and wide.
The community has lost one of its greatest pioneers with the recent passing of Meryl at the age of 77.
Many people from across the area and members of her family have reflected on her tenacity and passion for volunteering and supporting others.
Meryl Waterhouse was born on 12 September 1946 in Bairnsdale.
Despite living next to each other for years in Pakenham, Meryl and Keith first met on a blind date before marrying in June 1967.
However, her life changed with the birth of her first child Bradley in 1971, then again with her daughter Jodie in 1974.
Meryl was also a key committee member with the Yakkerboo Festival from 1977 to 1990, even being named as ‘Mrs Yakkerboo’ one year.
Meryl was one of the foundation members of the Pakenham Garden Club, as well as a convenor of the Cardinia Diabetes Awareness Group, a member of the Berwick-Pakenham Historical Society, president of the Deep Creek Landcare group from 2001 to 2011, and a member of the Cardinia Environmental Coalition.
She passed away peacefully after a long illness on Thursday 4 July.
She is survived by her loving husband Keith, daughter Jodie and her four grandchildren, Joshua, Bethany, Hannah and Matilda.
Mourning a sporting legend
The community is remembering the contribution of a local stalwart after the recent passing of Ian Bell.
Mr Bell died at the age of 71 in Barnawartha on Friday 5 July, near Wodonga where he and his wife Theresa retired several years ago.
Formerly of Pakenham, he is being remembered as a stalwart of Pakenham Football Club and Pakenham Bowls Club.
Even though he was known for loathing the cold, he and his wife had many early weekend rises and weekday evenings spent for the winter sport.
His son Ryan Bell remembers him having the title of ‘King of the Barbecue’ for his mean egg and bacon sandwiches, something he was ‘pretty chuffed’ about.
He also coached some of the junior sides, bringing the under 14s to a premiership in 1999.
Easy to befriend, Mr Bell was always outgoing and social. His children tended to dislike going to shops as their father or mother would always bump into people that would inevitably extend to long chats.
When Mr Bell was 65 he would retire and move to Barnawartha with Theresa.
Ian Bell is survived by wife Theresa and children Ryan, Scott, Carly and Aaron.
