General News
16 December, 2021
Joanne Jackson remembered
THE legacy stalwart Margaret ‘Joanne’ Jackson left behind following her death earlier this month has earned widespread grief and admiration from the communities she so selflessly dedicated her life to enhancing.
THE legacy stalwart Margaret ‘Joanne’ Jackson left behind following her death earlier this month has earned widespread grief and admiration from the communities she so selflessly dedicated her life to enhancing.
The diverse litany of community groups she served over the years are difficult to track. Her fingerprints are all over the region, with very few ventures she was not either directly or indirectly involved with.
Ms Jackson was a dedicated member of the Country Women’s Association (CWA), the Mortlake and District Historical Society, Women’s Auxiliary of the Darlington-Dundonnell sub branch and secretary of the Darlington Cemetery Trust.
In 2003 her efforts were recognised as she was a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her dedication to the Mortlake and Darlington areas.
She was a wife, a sister, a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother.
Sue Long, a friend of Joanne’s for more than 40 years, said it was the ability to achieve results which truly set her apart.
“Her whole persona was a lady who just got things done,” she said.
“Joanne didn’t just say she would do something but went about getting things done in all the organisation she was involved in,” she said.
“She came up with ideas, followed them through, and worked to improve the community all the time.
“Her commitment, drive and involvement were beyond selfless.
“She was truly wonderful.”
Ms Long said her friendship had blossomed while Joanne was a driving force behind the establishment of Abbeyfield aged care facility and her subsequent decades of volunteering.
“Her involvement in Abbeyfield was huge along with a number of other ladies,” she said.
“She was instrumental in getting it off the ground and you can see what kind of facility it is for Mortlake now.
“It was through that drive and hard work that came to fruition.”
While the impact Ms Jackson had on local institutions was long-lasting, so too was her impact on the individuals she encountered along the way.
“That’s the person she was. She just knew how to bring out the strengths in people and help them grow,” Ms Long said.
“Everyone who met her liked her.
“She was remarkable. Generous, open-hearted and a doer.”
Joanne Jackson had also served as a member of the Mortlake Shire Council from 1983 to 1991.
On the day of her funeral, Monday December 13, Moyne Shire Council lowered the flags at its Mortlake-based offices to half-mast in a show of respect.
Moyne Shire mayor Ian Smith, who had known Joanne Jackson all his life, said the tribute was a touching one for someone who had given “so much to not only the shire but the community”.
“Ever since I can remember Joanne has been in the Darlington district,” he said.
“She is a great loss to the community, especially the groups which she was still heavily involved in with.
“She was a great person who always had a sensible word to say.
“If you ever wanted some guidance on something, Joanne was always someone you went to for a well-balanced answer.”
Ms Jackson was also an artist, a writer, researcher and a passionate advocate for recognising the rich history of the region.
She was a strong supporter of the Mortlake Art Show from its inception and a long-term contributor, and was a long-serving member of the Darlington Art Group.
The spritely 90-year old had remained an active member of a number of community groups, with a dedication to enriching the region she called home matched only by her warm presence and an intellect as sharp as her wit.
Her efforts to nurture the development of the town will continue to reverberate for years to come.
Ms Long said Joanne was heavily involved in planning for what the Mortlake CWA could do for the town as part of its centenary celebration, which is still eight years away.
“We will move mountains to make sure that is followed through,” she said.