The fourth star on the Ri-con Christmas tree is for life-time community volunteer Amy Payne and is sponsored by her sister Jean Evans and beloved friends.
Amy Winnifred Wilcken was born in Gympie on 17 April 1917.
She started school at Eumundi and finished her education at Eerwah Vale. Amy helped her parents on their dairy and banana farm until her marriage in 1937 to Les ‘Tiger’ Payne.
Amy moved to Cooroy and she and Les bought and sold farms, all the while also growing beans, until 1956 when they moved to Emerald Street and Amy’s community service began.
She served on the Queensland Red Cross for more than 50 years helping Dr Luck with the blood bank, was a member for the Cooroy CWA for 64, was on the steering committee to raise funds to build Kabara Care in Cooroy where she held the position of treasurer for 18 years until computers took over (and Amy being in her late 80s decided to let them take over), and delivered for Meals on Wheels until she broke her shoulder at 88 years.
Amy received many community awards including the 1982 Sunshine Coast Radio Station 4NA, 1995 Sunshine Coast 50 Years Anniversary World War II, 1998 Cooroy Rotary Club, 1998 Premier of Queensland Award, 2001 Commonwealth Seniors, 2001 Queensland Year of Volunteers, 2006 Australian Red Cross 50 Years’ Service, and 2006 Reg Bryant’s Cooroy Rotary Award.
Amy was also a keen bowler and life member of Cooroy Bowls Club where she held many positions over the decades, including president and treasurer many times. Amy also conducted Cards for Seniors for more than 35 years.
Amy was very humble about her service, preferring the joy of giving to that of receiving.
She was a resident of Kabara Care Cooroy for four years and passed away at Nambour Hospital on 4 May 2016.
She and Les did not have children. Les passed away 37 years ago.
Amy was laid to rest with Les in the Cooroy Cemetery.
She is survived by her sister Jean Evans and family of “Aveo” Albany Creek.
Amy is remembered as a uniquely kind and generous soul who gave freely of herself.
