Principle Eulogy by Ashton Barkla, Pam's husband

Bookkeeping, typewriting and shorthand were subjects in which she excelled and after graduation Pam helped out in her fathers office. Later she was to join the staff of one of Queensland’s larger Pastoral Houses in Charleville where her proficiency was most appreciated.

It was at this time in her life that Pam’s passion for music began to flourish. She loved to play the piano and often encouraged family members and friends to join her around the piano for sing songs at every opportunity. Pam’s musical talent’s were sought after in the community as she was often called upon to play the organ in her Church. Pam’s zest for life, the love of the bush and wide open spaces saw her visiting friends on properties in the district on many weekends.

We first met in 1949 and were married in Charleville on the 12^th of April 1950. 

After the honeymoon in New Zealand we came home to Rosscoe Downs. As the homestead was still under construction we lived in the shearer’s quarters for several months. Pam remained positive during this time and made the best of the primitive conditions, kerosene lamps, kerosene refrigerator that may or may not be working properly, no hot water system and poor radio reception. We relied on a weekly mail service to provide us with life’s essentials such as bread, fresh eggs, stores etc. Pam suggested we raise our own fresh produce rather than rely on the weekly service and it wasn’t too long before a dozen laying pullets arrived on the mail run. Pam’s isolation was somewhat relieved by the friends and neighbours in the area. They could be contacted on the party line which had nine subscribers. It was a recognized practice for the women folk to give themselves the use of the line for an hour or so in the afternoon when all who wished to would get on the line to have a chat. The men folk respected this ritual and only used the line at that time for emergency calls.

However progress was at hand, we moved into the newly completed home equipped with a 32 volt lighting plant, a coke fuelled Aga stove, hot and cold running water, a piano, and my promise to establish a garden and fruit trees as soon as possible.

Geraldine (better known as Gerry) was the first born of our five children. She was born on the 20^th of February 1951 in the Charleville Base Hospital.

As a new Mother Pam was ultra cautious in the care of her children. There was never any compromise with methods that bore any risk to their health or safety. 

On the journey after Gerry’s birth from Charleville to Rosscoe a distance of 220 miles we had to stop at regular intervals to boil the water for the baby’s bottles, this was instead of carrying boiled water in a thermos which would have cut out all these delays. Pam followed the instructions to the letter as she had been advised to use ‘freshly” boiled water for the baby’s bottle.

Our two sons Stuart and Simon were also born at the Charleville Hospital while we were living at Rosscoe Downs. On Pam's insistence health care for the children was in the hands of their family Doctor, this meant many trips were made to Charleville for regular checkups and vaccinations etc.

I remember on one such trip approaching a creek crossing where I had previously needed to use chains on the rear wheels of the car, I was delighted this time however to find that the council had gravelled the crossing which in my mind meant there was no need for chains on this occasion. Pam however queried my judgment as she felt it might be safer to put them on. A minute later we were hopelessly bogged. “ I was right wasn’t I” with a smile, was the response I got. After a four mile walk to get help I returned to find the family in high spirits. Pam ever resourceful had revived her paper boat making skills and with the children had created a fleet  of small boats from the pages of the Queensland Country Life. These boats were launched from the open car door into the gently flowing water.

From what could have been a boring couple hours for the children, Pam had created a picnic atmosphere and the children were having the time of their lives.

Time to consider the education of our children. Pam and I had agreed that we would prefer a situation where the children could live at home with us during schooling. To do this we could buy a farm on the Downs where we would make our home. In May 1957 we paid a visit to Toowoomba and were lucky enough to find Craigmore. Pam was delighted with the prospect of being within seven miles of the schools that would meet our needs. Our family increased to five after coming to the Downs with the arrival of Cathy and then Joanne. Over the next twenty  three years Pam found herself “doing the school run”, to the Glennie School, Toowoomba Prep and Toowoomba Grammar School, and of course she was always involved in the children’s extra -curricula activities. There was always something to do at one or the other of these schools at weekends involving sports. I could only provide minimal assistance because I spent time on the property at Cunnamulla. Pam was not only getting the boys to their Rugby games on time but was able to offer them some valuable advice such as “enjoy yourselves, have a good game, but stay away from the ball”.

Pam became actively involved as a member of the Parents and Friends Association at each of these schools. Apart from these commitments and meeting the children’s needs Pam was able to find time to pursue her own interests. One of her great pleasures was the involvement in her tennis group, she always looked forward to her “Tuesday tennis with the girls”

She also enjoyed her long term association with the Town and Country Club. Another interest that she pursued with enthusiasm was spinning and weaving, Stuart was called on to supply the raw material. Pam also learnt to dye the wool with natural dyes and to scour the wool. However a knowledgeable friend advised her not to scour the wool because the finished article would be much warmer and more water proof. It was Gerry’s good luck to receive one of these trial garments. Gerry took it with her on a university sponsored trip to China. She found it most useful, yes it was waterproof, yes it was extremely warm but the people around her did not take kindly to the aroma.

Although very happy to live in the west and overcome the hazards as they cropped up, Pam enjoyed being able to make her home on the Downs with her family, which over the later years has extended to her grand children and great grand child.

 Pam’s strength and courage, her positive outlook on life, her lovely sense of humour were never more evident than during the last ten years or so, when her health was failing. Despite any challenges she faced along the way, she always remained cheerful.

The care and devotion of a loving wife and mother that was bestowed upon us will be in our hearts and memory forever.

To View other Eulogies select the link below....

Eulogy by Geraldine Doumany on behalf of Stuart, Simon, Cathy and Jo

Eulogy by Marcus Doumany on behalf of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren