The late Gyneth Troy.MEMBERS of the Berwick/Upper Beaconsfield Red Cross Unit were saddened to hear Gyneth Troy passed away at her home at Fiddlers Green Berwick on 24 July. Gyneth joined the unit in 1985 and was a very effective and enthusiastic member.
Her great ability to handle finance saw her become the unit treasurer for many years and a great organiser of the annual Red Cross Calling doorknock appeal in the Berwick area. Gyneth approached schools in the Berwick area seeking the assistance of pupils to help with the collection.
For many years Gyneth was responsible for the sale of Red Cross Christmas merchandise before handing the job over to Barbara Jackson in 2006. Gyneth continued her interest by organising special days for the sale of Christmas cards, calendars and diaries at Fiddlers Green and the Old Colonialists villages, with Barbara very much her assistant!
Gyneth was always one of the first to volunteer to sell raffle tickets in either blustery High Street or the South Side shopping complex and helped with the trading table and raffle at each monthly meeting of the unit.
In May 2003 Gyneth was presented with the prestigious Australian Red Cross Service Award at Government House for her wonderful contribution to the work of Red Cross over many years. An award richly deserved.
Gyneth also received several awards for her volunteering in the general community, which included her dedication to serving Meals on Wheels, before a stroke prevented her from driving her car.
Gyneth’s week was divided into two. Weekdays in Berwick and the much-awaited weekends spent in East Bentleigh with her daughter Norma, son-in-law Greg and grandsons Stuart and Chris. She had great interest in the sporting achievements of Stuart and Chris and attended their hockey matches and cricket games each weekend. Her knowledge of the finer points of cricket and love of the game was a bit of a problem for the boys if they suffered an early dismissal! Gyneth was not adverse at giving her advice, or perhaps criticism.
At the hockey games Gyneth assisted Norma in the canteen. Her work was no doubt greatly appreciated during the winter months.
Gyneth and her husband Bill were married in Sydney and his work took them to all the eastern states including Tasmania. Gyneth returned to Victoria when Bill passed away and enjoyed her long residence at Fiddlers Green.
To Norma and her family and Gyneth’s three brothers all members extend their sincere sympathy on their loss of Gyneth – a dedicated Red Cross volunteer and friend to all. Vale Gyneth.
