General News
23 February, 2023
Pam Redgwell 29/01/1941-14/02/2023
I am writing as the very proud nephew of Pam Redgewell, representing her family to thank the town of Camperdown for the wonderful life you have given our beloved Pam.
I am writing as the very proud nephew of Pam Redgewell, representing her family to thank the town of Camperdown for the wonderful life you have given our beloved Pam.
A town that we can very happily say was as much if not more of Pam’s family than ourselves, because you were all very much in her blood.
Pam was born January 1941 in Devon UK after being evacuated from London during the start of World War 2.
She was the oldest of five children, three sisters (Lesley, Janet and Margaret) and a brother, Derek.
After finishing high school she moved to Gloucester, UK attending Gloucester Teacher’s Training College where she studied domestic science (home economics).
After qualifying she took these skills and migrated to Melbourne and taught at McRobertson Girls High School. Her next move would be her last, securing what she described as her dream job at Camperdown High School (CHS) in the mid 1970’s.
She stayed with CHS until retiring. “Why would I want to leave?”
There are very few people in the town of Camperdown who don’t have a one or two degree of separation to Pam through CHS – either as one of her former students, the son or daughter of a student, a charity she has worked with or provided for, or simply someone she has read to in the library.
You will have eaten some of her teachings (Home Ecoomics) in your home, have a piece of art somewhere she may have encouraged a student in painting, watched a theatre production that Pam wrote, directed or helped build, or have a child who’s love of English or reading has come from Pam’s encouragement.
You may even have a Jack Russell that she bred running around in your home. And if lucky you could have eaten a wedding cake that she baked as she made many (including mine and other family members) for several of her former students, as well as fully catered for a number of community events.
Camperdown was as much Pam, as Pam was Camperdown.
Pam never married, spending all her time in the Camperdown community which became her family.
Her passion and mission was always to ensure everyone could be their best self, often to the exclusion of herself.
And to do this she wanted to be a part of anything and any group that had a voice in Camperdown.
And often the loudest was Pam’s, either as a member, member of the board, president, secretary, mentor or teacher, or on the stage or behind the scenes of a local production.
She was very involved in everything.
I asked several groups for a couple of lines who all tongue-in-cheek complained this was too hard a task to capture Pam in so few words.
The church community of course know Pam through her many roles and commitment to the church over the years including her final position as a Licensed Lay Assistant, a role she took very seriously and performed up until the day it was no longer possible to continue.
And she was so grateful to Father Matthew for taking the time out of his day to have reflection with her the day before her passing; this gave her much peace.
We reflect somewhat light-heartedly that it is fitting Pam passed peacefully on St Valentine’s Day as she spent the day with her other great love in God.
Past president of Rotary Camperdown and former District Governor, Pat Robertson told me that Pam joined the Rotary Club of Camperdown in 1997 and was an active member for 25 years until she resigned due to her declining health in 2022.
During her time as a member she held the position of president on three occasions and took an active role as Youth Director, and was a counsellor for at least three Youth Exchange students.
She was always willing to help with any project the club ran and was responsible for organising catering for many years.
Her commitment went beyond the club and district and she generously donated to Rotary overseas programs such as The Rotary Foundation and Shelterbox.
In recognition for her work in Rotary, Pam was recognised with a Paul Harris Fellow Award, recognition granted by Rotary’s International executive.
Her community service will be greatly missed by all of these organisations and the Camperdown community is richer for the life she made here.
Camperdown College acting principal Vicki Angus reflected on Pam as a long serving teacher and mainstay of Camperdown College.
Since arriving in 1976 thousands of students have passed through her interesting classes.
She was a most highly regarded teacher of home economics, French, geography, English, textiles and drama, clearly impacting almost all students who have been at the school.
For many years she was the year 12 advisor, work placement co-ordinator for year 10 and senior classes teacher for HSC and VCE.
Another of her great loves were Jack Russell Terriers (JRT) and her passion for the JRT Club of Australia.
I am advised by the club that in a lot of ways Pam was the backbone of the club.
She started when Sara and Gary Taylor gave her, her first Australian bred jack russell in 1976, named Earlam Trumpet Major from which she eventually bred under the stud prefix Eden Jack Russells, Eden being the name of the family run retirement lodge in the UK.
Her very active roles included treasurer 1979-1983, Studbook secretary 1997-2005, president 2007-2012 and magazine editor 2008-2022.
Current executive told me she was such a good organiser holding a very successful show in conjunction with the Camperdown show as well as helping with running field days and lurer racing in the western district.
No shrinking violet Pam loved theatre and being a part of the Camperdown Theatre Company. She was a very active member until it was no longer possible.
Having written, directed, performed or built sets for a number of productions, as well as many a Christmas Carols festival, we recall her last show believed to have been in Annie.
She was also a strong supporter and mentor of the Junior Players.
Thank you to all the medical staff in Camperdown and surrounds, at the Camperdown hospital and Merindah Lodge who made me most welcome over the past month and who ensured Pam had the most dignified and restful last month in town.
As much as our family is feeling the loss of Pam, we know too that many in Camperdown share this loss.
While Pam requested a very private burial there will be a public memorial service for Saturday, March 25 at St Paul’s with more details around timings to follow.
Pam’s whole life centred around Camperdown and the wonderful people of the town, and it will be where she rests at the Kurweeton Road Public Cemetery so she can keep her view of Mt Elephant, a view that has given her great peace for her time in your town.Written by
Pam Redgewell’s nephew Chris White