THE Upper Manning has been awash with tributes following the sudden loss of one of our most loved and dedicated citizens.
Wingham’s Joan Malpass – a tireless volunteer, nurturing mother figure, dutiful friend and helper to those in need - passed away suddenly at her Summerville Street home during the evening of February 2.
She was 76.
Joan’s death has sparked a huge outpouring from the community she served so generously since moving to the area with her husband Ken five decades ago.
Her contribution to the Manning region was truly evident through the 200-plus crowd that attended her funeral at Pampoolah last Friday.
Representatives of the Mount George Cricket Club, Wingham Junior Rugby League, Wingham RSL Sub-branch, Wingham Services Club and the Wingham Brush Day Club were among the crowd of family and friends who were there to bid farewell.
Joan and Ken first arrived in Mount George in the 1960s, running the Mount George General Store and Post Office from about 1965 to 1974.
During this time they also ran the local rural fire service and manned the telephone exchange – a 24 hour job – yet they still found time to volunteer.
Joan also involved herself heavily in the local junior sporting scene.
She was a life member of both the Wingham Junior Cricket and Rugby League clubs and a strong supporter of the Mount George Cricket Club.
It was no secret she was a mad supporter of the Manly Sea Eagles.
Though she was made a life member of Wingham Junior League in 1986, club spokesperson Tony Lowman believed she had done enough to earn the accolade four times over.
Away from the sporting arena, Joan gave her time generously to a number of community organisations.
She was heavily involved in the Wingham RSL women’s auxiliary and made history in becoming the first female board member of the Wingham RSL Sub-branch in 1996.
She helped out with Meals on Wheels, gave her time to the Smith Family and was also an integral part of the Wingham Brush RSL Day Club.
Joan’s tireless volunteering culminated in her being named the Myall Lakes Electorate Woman of the year in 2008.
Despite her award win, Joan was always modest and quite happy to work behind the scenes. She saw hersef as a quiet achiever.
“I’m an Indian, not a chief,” she said after accepting her award.
Joan’s sons Bruce and Ken Jr, and grandchildren Jessica, Thomas, Damian and Bryan were amazed at the turnout at the funeral at the Pampoolah memorial gardens.
“It was absolutely packed,” granddaughter Jessica said.
“The chapel was full and there were people lined up for rows outside.”
A similarly large crowd attended the Wingham Memorial Services Club on Friday evening for Joan’s wake.
Ken Malpass, OAM, and husband of 55 years, said he was touched by the community’s response to his wife’s passing.
“It is touching to hear all the nice things people have to say about Joan,” he said.
“It is a shame that it takes for someone to die before you realise how much they mean to you.”
The Manning’s junior cricketers were asked to wear black armbands during the weekend’s matches in Joan’s memory.
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