Lurline Audrey Shepherd was born in Parkes on 14 July 1923.

She moved to Eugowra to work at the Post Office and some time later met John Barnes. They fell madly in love, got married on 12 December 1949 and had three children - Paul, Jack and me.

Between us we managed to give her five grandchildren and they gave her five great-grandchildren.

Like most people who live in small country towns, Mum helped out wherever she could in the community – she manned the stalls at fundraising events; even though she couldn’t swim, she was a volunteer at Eugowra’s swimming pool; she was the ladies handicapper at the golf club; regularly visited the elderly people at the Willawa Centre and so much more.

Her two great charity passions were the Red Cross and the Hospital Auxiliary.

For a great many years, she organised the blood bank to come to Eugowra. She was Patron of the Eugowra Red Cross.

She was part of the Hospital Auxiliary for pretty much all her adult life. She was a volunteer, then the President, then the Patron and was made a Life Member of the NSW Hospitals Auxiliary at a luncheon in Parliament House. What a proud day that was for her, especially as she was able to share it with her family.

For all of this, and much more, she was once named Eugowra Citizen of the Year.

When Mum died last Tuesday, she was 2 months short of her 95th birthday. How do you sum up such a life in just a few minutes?

She saw horse drawn vehicles, went from radio to television, watched a man land on the moon, witnessed the rise of the Internet and learnt how to use an iPad.

I have a few stories to share: Falling in love with my father meant you also got to be part of the Barnes family. Five sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, their partners and a mother-in-law - who would be living with you.

Mum was an only child and didn’t drink. The Barnes’ were party people, big gatherings of big drinkers.

This could have been difficult. She was lucky that one of the family was Doreen, who has been her great friend for 70 years, 61 of them as sister-in-law. Together they survived and thrived in that extended family.

I recall fabulous family days at Omeo whether Christmas, a birthday or just a gathering. Lots of food, drink and laughter. All the ladies pitched in, with Mum quietly efficient ensuring everything was just right.

Mum resisted drinking, although she was happy to try. She just didn’t like the taste. At some point, someone made the very clever mistake of introducing her to French champagne. At last! She’d finally found a drink she liked!

She told me one day Dad asked her to buy some wine for a dinner party. Naturally, the wine she bought was French champagne.

When Dad said that was way too expensive, Mum just smiled and said “Well, I knew you’d want the best for our guests!”

Mum’s wonderful sense of humour flowed through into her parenting. Raising three boys could no doubt be a challenge, but she managed to keep us under control with love and laughter.

She told me one day the three of us had been misbehaving. Unlikely, but possible. She came out and, in her best authoritarian voice, told us to “cut it out” or “stop it” or something like that.

As she walked away she heard me say “I think she’s serious this time.” All she could do was laugh.

It’s not possible to talk of Lurline without mentioning her love of gardening. All you had to do to put a smile on her face was give her a plant, preferably a small one so she could nurture and watch it grow. 

I remember hearing her talk to the plants. “Oh look at you” she said, “aren’t you just beautiful, you cheeky little thing.” I think this last story describes Lurline Audrey Barnes perfectly.

After Dad died, Chris, Steven, Jessica and I chose to take Mum on several holidays with us. One of the first was to Hamilton Island. She was 82.

We thought we’d wow her with a great holiday – scenic helicopter flight to a lunch on Whitehaven Beach, champagne flowing every night, everything a bit over the top.

One day, we went out to a floating pontoon over the Great Barrier Reef. Plan was we would do some scuba diving while Mum had a lovely day on the pontoon.

Before we went diving, we went snorkelling and it was great – fish, coral, turtles, sharks - everything you want to see on the reef. We told Mum how great it was and said, mostly jokingly, she should try it.

This 82-year-old woman, who can’t swim, then wowed us by saying “Why not!” So, whilst we went diving, she went snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

We asked how it was and she got that twinkle in her eye, that little smile that lit up her face and made it clear something mischievous was going through her head.

She said she was in her snorkelling gear, probably not looking her best, waiting for the guide to take her out.

This young fellow walked up and called out to his workmates “Looks like I win today. I’m taking some old lady who can’t swim out snorkelling. Where is she?”

Mum said: “I’m that old lady – and that’s enough of the old.”

She never failed to impress me, always exceeded my expectations. 

I want to thank everyone at the MPS for looking after Lurline these past few years. Every time I asked how it was going, she said everyone was wonderful and she couldn’t be happier.

I’d also like to thank the Red Cross and Hospital Auxiliary for the guard of honour they’ve given her today.

That photo is from her 80th birthday party. It’s how I’ll remember her.

When someone lives as long as Mum, whilst their passing is sad we should be celebrating. How lucky are we to have shared those decades, years, months and days with her?

I like the English football custom of dealing with death. When the person dies young, they have a moment of silence, when they die old they applaud their life. Would you join with me in applauding Lurline’s life?

On behalf of Jack, Debbie and Amanda, thank you all for being here to remember a great lady.