A COMMUNITY stalwart of Mount Gambier and the wider South East, Elizabeth “Beth” McKay was always there to lend a helping hand and will be remembered for her strength, kindness and compassion.
Beth was the second daughter of Arthur Thomas and Myra Goodes, born on July 8, 1931.
Growing up on family farm ‘Munkswood’ at Glencoe, Beth attended Glencoe West Primary School before moving on to Mount Gambier High school.
While at high school Beth participated in the first school exchange with Glossop High.
Beth was first employed in office duties with Louis Hobba.
She married Stanley George McKay on May 2, 1953 at the Saint Andrews Presbyterian church on Elizabeth Street.
Beth stopped work because she was married, as this was the practice at the time.
Her first son Ronald was born on September 12, 1956, followed by the birth of Graham on September 7, 1958 and Susan on July 28, 1961.
Beth was employed by Mount Gambier High School around 1975, working in the book room and later became the bursar/finance officer until her retirement in 1999.
Beth was a loving grandmother to Aaron, Kerri, Georgia, Kienan, Jessica and Mitchell and great grandmother to Blake, Mickey, Jasper and Elsie.
Over the years whatever her family was involved in, she would become part of and took on many different roles.
She was an elder of the Scotts Presbyterian Church and later transferred to the Mount Gambier East Uniting Church where she played the organ for decades.
She was on the church council and remained the treasurer until her death, as well as being an active member of a worship team.
Beth had a strong faith.
Her involvement in the church showed this, something passed down from her parents, but she allowed her children to find their own paths – her strongest faith was her love of family and friends.
Beth always believed in the good in people, showed compassion and always helped out whenever there was a need.
That was evident in her commitment to a number of community organisations.
She was an inaugural member of the Limestone Coast Choral and Vocal Showcase Committee in 2004 and served as secretary and treasurer over the years.
Beth served as president, secretary, treasurer on the Women’s Auxiliary Naval Association, which led to her being awarded life membership.
Sport also had a place in Beth’s life and she was awarded life membership by the Mount Gambier Volleyball Association.
She chaperoned several association volleyball team trips across the country and there were many times when her home was littered with volleyball players who were visiting for a tournament.
Beth served on a number other committees including Uniting Care Mount Gambier, the Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group, the Mount Gambier Choral Society, the South Australian Public Servant Association, Mount Gambier Ladies Probus Club and the Uniting Church Southern Pastorate.
Her community became her passion.
This saw her awarded with Mount Gambier senior citizen of the year in 2002 and twice nominated for Australian citizen of the year.
Although she never received this award, she received a letter of commendation and recognition for her contribution to the community of Mount Gambier.
Beth’s nature was to care and to support others.
She was strong yet compassionate and she believed in offering a hand to anyone with a need, not just those closest to her.
Many lives have been enriched, just by knowing her and if everyone took a little bit of Beth with them every day, the world could only be a better place.
