By Abbey Cannan
The Noosa community has paid tribute to a much loved teacher who died suddenly and unexpectedly after a short illness.
There was an outpouring of emotion from Wendy Machin’s former students, colleagues, and family at Peregian Beach College on Friday, displaying the magical mark she left in everyone that knew her.
Wendy’s husband Greg Barber said being married to her made him a better man.
“She was a woman who sought to bring out the best in herself and everybody else,” he said.
“She was an intrepid traveller, making lasting friendships around the world.“We used to call her general manager of the universe because she was just super organised. She wasn’t straight though, she was mischievous and adventurous.
“She would hike anywhere and jump off cliffs into the sea. She was brave and courageous.”
An original mosaic artwork was unveiled in her honour at a memorial ceremony in the school’s library.
“The mural ticks three boxes,” Greg said.
“Wendy loved mosaics, she loved the artist who created it, and she loved the library where it’s going to be.“
Mosaic artist and colleague Heather May said Wendy always approached life with meticulous precision.
“Her attention to detail was stratospheric. She was an amazing role model,“ Heather said.
“What has come apparent to me over the months since Wendy’s death is how her influence in my life continues to make me strive to be a better artist, and a better person.
“Wendy was well respected in the Noosa community having been a foundation teacher at Sunshine Beach High School in 1993.
“We must have taught thousands of kids at Sunshine Beach in the decade that she was there and I’ve been a teacher there for 26 years now,“ Greg said.
“A lot of those kids we taught are now adults. The investment she made in them has sealed dividends.“Four of the nurses that cared for her in her last days were former students of hers.
“Greg said Wendy’s unexpected death on January 25 crashed into plans for their eldest daughter, Simone’s wedding, and the birth of a daughter for their son Ross.
“Doctors feared for the well being of the baby, but the happy ending is that the bub was born the day after Wendy’s funeral healthy and whole. The wedding went to plan and was beautiful,“ Greg said.
A Peregian Beach College senior student said Wendy was the wisest teacher they knew.
“I think that in her own way she was able to show us how important we all were to her,“ she said.
“She was an extraordinary teacher with a strong passion to see her students succeed.
“It is once in a lifetime that you get to meet such an amazing teacher like her. I will forever cherish every piece of advice that she’s given me.”
Greg said he would like Wendy to be remembered for her kind heart.
“She would spend every day being kind to people. Kindness was key to her.”
