Community
17 July, 2026
Vale Catherine O’Flynn
TRIBUTES are flowing following the passing of Robert Burns Celtic Festival coordinator and Camperdown stalwart Catherine O’Flynn.
Mrs O’Flynn died on Tuesday, June 30 at age 70, with her funeral held last Thursday.
Husband of 35 years Andrew O’Flynn said she had been strongly involved in the Camperdown community, having worked as an integration aide at one of the primary schools before becoming a part time employee of the shire.
She began working for the shire in 1990, seeing the Town of Camperdown amalgamate with the shires of Hampden and Heytesbury to form the Corangamite Shire as part of her 26 years of work with council.
“She was involved in the shire’s school holiday program, an end of year function for Years Nine to 12 which ran for around 10 years, the seniors and the Arts Cultural Strategy,” Mr O’Flynn said.
“She formed a walking group with the seniors, and they got an award for a camping program which included staying at the National Fitness Camp in Anglesea and going surfing.
“She was also involved with the Robert Burns Celtic Festival – after she retired from the shire, she remained as a volunteer with the Robert Burns Celtic Festival committee.
“She was very active in scouts with committee work, especially in the Brucknell Park Scout Camp.
“She was also a member of Rotary in Cobden.”
Mrs O’Flynn was also previously involved with the Camperdown Pastoral and Agricultural Society.
After her retirement from Corangamite Shire Council in 2016, Mrs O’Flynn continued her work with the Robert Burns Celtic Festival, which was one of her biggest passions.
Mr O’Flynn said Mrs O’Flynn was also passionate about her family, having four children from her previous marriage to Brian Body and two more with Mr O’Flynn.
“That was part of her generosity – she could share herself among family and the community,” he said.
“Her sons say that she’s the best mum ever.
“At her funeral we had more than 240 people come – I feel that says she was a good communicator, took a genuine interest in people and remembered things about them.
“As a younger woman, she was very fashionable and, as an older person, she had a graceful presence.
“If she was at a social function, she’d often meet up with someone and have a really good, meaningful conversation.”
Mr O’Flynn said his wife’s ability to form meaningful connections quickly was part of what made her work with the Robert Burns festival so enjoyable.
“Dr John Menzies OAM has been our family doctor, but Catherine often spoke about the festivals which were held on his property in the 1990s,” he said.
“The Robert Burns Celtic Festival committee provided a focus for her to continue her community work, especially among the good friends on that committee.
“Friends on the committee included Dr Menzies OAM, Maree Belyea, Stewart McArthur, Emma Drake, Peter Daffy and many others.
“Catherine formed very personal connections with all of the performers – as she would anybody – and it was her instinct and pleasure to be mindful of people and get to know them at a level beyond the task they had to perform.”
Mr O’Flynn said it was her warmth which made him think of Mrs O’Flynn’s parents.
“Some of these characteristic, I feel, were aspects of her parents coming through,” he said.
“Her father, Don Taylor, was a very warm and welcoming person, and her mother, Nancy, was a highly organised and community-focused person.”
Mr O’Flynn recalled a small gift Mrs O’Flynn had given days before her passing, which he said highlighted her generous nature.
“On the Saturday night performance, part of the Raglans duo – who go to many festivals – said the Robert Burns festival was the most welcoming,” he said.
“She would go to the ops shops of the towns she visited and buy a cup.
“Catherine took the trouble to buy a nice porcelain cup and saucer as a gift for her – it wasn’t part of any contract, it was Catherine’s pleasure to enjoy that creativity in the relationship.
“It was her pleasure to go the next step in significant friendships.”
Mrs O’Flynn is survived by children Emma and Jake, Simon and Andrea, Jayne, Sarah, Samuel and Naomi and Zachary, 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Read More: Camperdown