Gwenyth Joan Sharpe was the first child of Stanley and Edith Sharpe and was born at the family home of  “Bryn-y-mor” on  August 4, 1920. Two brothers, Neil and Colin followed  in 1922 and 1927 respectively.

The trio were to live their whole lives within kilometres of Gerringong township.

After attaining the Intermediate Certificate, it was back home with her dad running a dairy farm, family, church and social events.

She met Charles Hindmarsh when she and friends used to travel to the pictures in Kiama and they announced their engagement at her 21st birthday party at the Gerringong Golf Clubhouse.

“Rose, her mother-in-law-to-be, had ordered a n ice cream cake from Streets Ice Creams at Corrimal – coming by train in a heavy canvas, insulated and a dry-ice filled bag,” son David said.

“Not wanting the cake to melt, Rose insisted the cake stay on the ice until the required moment – however the ceremonial knife merely bounced off the rock-hard icing.”

Following a world-wide recession, the world and Gerringong was now at war.

Charles Hindmarsh and Gwenyth were married on April 11, 1942, followed by a honeymoon at Jenolan Caves. Charles joined the Royal Australian Air Force on May 12, 1942, training as an engine fitter at Melbourne then Cootamundra.

First child Michael was born in June 1943 and Charles was later stationed at Evans Head, Gwenyth  moving with him, then he went to New Britain Island in New Guinea and he was discharged from the RAAF in October 1945.

The family increased with the birth of David, in December 1945.

During the war years, Gwenyth moved between her parents and in-laws, still helping Stan with farming duties.

Following his return from the Air Force, Charles returned to the family farm, Alne Bank, with his family moving into the ‘front cottage’, called “Allyn” and following her father-in-law Charles’ death and health  problems with her mother-in-law, Rose, the family moved along the farm road  to the ‘Alne Bank’ homestead, the family house.

Tragedy followed with Charles sudden death in 1976 at just 59 years of age, followed 18 months later by Rose.

Gwenyth then moved to 85 Fern Street to care for her own elderly parents in their retirement cottage, having moved from “Bryn-y-mor”.

Following their deaths, Gwenyth, with no family to care for with both her boys now married, had her own life to live and she decided to get more involved in the community, something that became legendary.

When Mayflower Village was being built, she now found a roll caring for the aged in the community – feeding a room of four ladies, five nights a week for 30 years. She also helped with the Encouragers Group and Prayer and Care Group playing the piano.

“On another occasion Gwenyth made the comment that the ‘old people’ she fed were in fact a decade or more younger than her,” David said.

With failing health in 2012 she made the decision to move to Mayflower’s Pioneer Lodge.

“To her brothers and Aunty Teddy she was Sis, to her boys she was mum, to many local kids of my age she was Aunty Gwenyth. Through her years of Sunday School and Primary School Scripture lessons she was Aunty Gwenyth to all.

“Our first grandchild Emma, had trouble getting out ‘Great Nana’, so Gwenyth became just – ‘Great’, now used by countless family, friends, and extended family.

“Mum was, first and foremost, a caring person, this being her life’s work.

Red Cross, Rotary’s Inner Wheel, Kiama Show Society and Order of St Luke, to name a few. She was busy for the RSL and Primary School making wreaths, posies, often lavender, for church Baptisms, Mother’s Day and new Mayflower  residents.

There was also cooking shortbreads and loaves for stalls and cooking for the annual Dairy Co-op dinner.

Members of Community organisations sought to seek recognition for her voluntary work within the community. The local RSL awarded her ANZAC of the year award. Gerringong Sunrise Rotary Club rewarding her as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

Gerringong Congregational Church was her first love – teaching Sunday school for 45 years, school scripture for 30 years, a deacon, then elder, choir member and arranging flowers for Sundays and weddings.

Gwenyth was part of the formation group praying for the realisation of Mayflower Village.

To say Gwenyth will be missed would be an understatement, testament to around 300 people attending her funeral.

She died in mid-June.