The late Pat Blay was overwhelmed when presented with the Premier’s Award for services to the community in 1991.
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“I had no idea I had done so many things,” she told then Burrinjuck MP Alby Schultz.
“Anything I’ve ever done, I’ve done it lovingly and willingly.”
The response typified Mrs Blay, who was devoted to the Taralga community but was also well known for her contribution to Goulburn. She was a familiar face at the Big Merino, where she worked for 25 years up until a bad car accident in 2013.
Mrs Blay died from cancer in Canberra Hospital on April 5, aged 74.
She was born in Goulburn in 1942, the second daughter of Aub and Mary Chapman of Inverness, Chatsbury. Her family described it as a “humble and happy childhood” with sisters Maureen and June.
Pat was educated by correspondence and then at the little Myrtleville school, near Taralga. Later she attended Taralga’s Sacred Heart School, where she boarded at the convent.
She was a talented and self-taught piano accordion player and with her band, The Chapman Trio, entertained at many district functions. During this time she met Bobby Blay of Myrtleville and a relationship blossomed. They married in 1963, a union that lasted nearly 54 years.
Together they had five children – Rodney (dec), Shaun, who died at birth, Natalie, Trenton (dec) and Brad.
The couple tragically lost three sons but endured and was widely respected for their resilience.
Mrs Blay never lost her passion for the community.
“She was such a goer and had her finger in everything,” her daughter, Natalie told The Post.
She helped found the Taralga Historical Society, was president for 10 years, a foundation member of and fundraiser for aged care facility, Sunset Lodge, a CWA and Garden Club member and served on the Mulwaree Shire and Taralga Bicentenary committees.
Pat helped initiate a playgroup in Taralga, was a judge for the Mulwaree Tidy Schools committee and held various positions on P&C committees.
She wrote two books – one on the history of Myrtleville, where the Blays lived, and the other on Taralga’s Christ the King Catholic Church.
At the Historical Society she oversaw construction of the settlers cottage and assumed responsibility for the commemorative rose garden within the grounds. Pat also organised catering for events and planned bus trips way. She was awarded life membership of the Society for her service.
On the hockey front, she was awarded a club trophy for her volunteer work with the local club.
While raising her family Pat was involved in a shooting accident when fox hunting and severely injured her right arm. She underwent several bone and skin graft procedures but still managed to keep the full use of her arm.
It was just as well because she was a hard worker on the farm and throughout her working life, firstly at Allens from age 16 and later, the Big Merino. She had taken Natalie for an interview at the Viennaworld restaurant but was offered a job herself. Pat worked at the ‘big sheep’ for 25 years, loved meeting new people and spruiking the area’s tourist attractions.
In 2000 she was excited to have the opportunity to work at the Sydney Olympics and was honoured with an award for her involvement.
But she was also deeply involved in family life and proud of her children’s successes. She also doted on and supported her grandchildren.
In between, she found time to indulge her interests, whether it be tennis, hockey, table tennis ten-pin bowling and gardening. The family farm was brimming with life, from the extensive gardens to ducks, chickens, peacocks, lambs and cows. It inspired many happy memories for her grandchildren, the family said.
In 2013, while travelling to Goulburn, Pat was involved in a car accident, breaking her neck and several bones.
“This ended her working career much to her disappointment,” the family said.
“She was very grateful to the SouthCare helicopter for their services and later visited their base in Canberra to express her gratitude. Pat realised that she had been given another chance at fulfilling her dreams.”
In January she was diagnosed with stage four bladder cancer. It was one of many challenges in her life but again, she fought it with a positive mindset. As ever, Pat appreciated the medical care she received and a wellspring of support from family, friends and the community.
One of her parting messages was for people to seek a second diagnosis if they were uncertain about the initial one.
“The courage Pat displayed was a true testament of her character and she will always be an inspiration to us all,” the family said.
As expected, hundreds packed into Sts Peters and Paul’s Cathedral for her funeral service on April 12, officiated by Father Dermid McDermott.
She was laid to rest at Goulburn General cemetery.
Pat is survived by Bob, Natalie and husband, Michael, Brad and wife, Michelle, her grandchildren and great grandchildren and sisters Maureen and June. – With thanks to the Blay family for assistance with this obituary.