Vale Elaine Pugh: 20/09/1928 - 12/09/2021

Elaine Pugh, aged 92, died at home on September 12th at 6.10am, surrounded by her family.

Elaine and her husband moved to Stanwell Park as a young married couple with two children in the early 1950s. It was a shock for Elaine to move from a Sydney suburb to a place with only tank water and an outdoor dunny. They rented a flat in Seaview Crescent while their house was built in The Drive.

Elaine joined the Country Women’s Association soon after moving to Stanwell Park and always said the CWA was a ‘lifesaver’ for her. She had left extended family and good friends to come to a place where she knew no one. The CWA enabled her to meet people and get involved with the community. This developed into a lifelong commitment to the organisation. Elaine held a number of roles but in total spent 34 years as President. Many people remember her walking up and down steep driveways to collect money for the ‘200 Club’, which helped fund the building of the hall, then provided funds for running costs. She could often be seen climbing ladders to erect signs for various CWA events – even into her 70s and 80s. She supported many groups that were held at the hall and played a part in establishing them in the community – Baby Health Centre, Playgroup, SPAT (she was in the first production) and TAFE sewing classes, to name just a few. She was also involved with the extensions to the hall that saw the building of the stage with money from the Joint Coal Board and other fundraising efforts.

Elaine was involved in many other community activities. She delivered Meals on Wheels for many years, enjoying her contact with older local identities. She initiated the Landcare Group that re-established bushland around Hargrave Creek after the Gabion baskets were used to stabilise the road. Elaine was very much into environmental issues – some would say even before it became fashionable! As an avid reader she joined a local book club, enjoying the company and discussion at the dinners usually held at the kiosk. She is still remembered fondly by them.

In her life in Stanwell Park, Elaine made such an impact that she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2011 for services to CWA and the local community.

She is survived by four children and their partners, six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

The family would like to thank the staff of Kennett Home for caring for Elaine for the past five years. We know many staff had a special place in their hearts for her. We’d also like to thank Dr Annette Beaufils for her compassion and support and Sandra Tillyard (Baggie) for her care of Elaine in her last few days. The family are hoping to be able to hold a celebration of her life at Stanwell Park CWA hall once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.