Henty historian, community champion and philanthropist Yvonne Booth, 81, has a list of accomplishments and accolades a mile long but says her greatest achievement is her family. Photo: Supplied.
Yvonne Booth is one of Henty’s living treasures.
The 81-year-old’s service and commitment to her community – and beyond – has been recognised with an OAM and her work immortalised in three books meticulously detailing the town’s heritage, pioneers, and military veterans.
From piecing together the secrets of Henty’s cemetery and helping to identify the occupants of 250 unmarked graves, to spending her COVID-19 lockdown time finalising a landmark book on the 167 local soldiers who fought in WWI, Yvonne has ensured the town’s historical sacrifices will never be forgotten.
She’s been on Tidy Towns, Girl Guides and church committees and marvellously mobilised a network of knitters across the country to contribute hundreds of beanies to the Henty Beanie Festival.
Funds raised from the festival have helped support the Mission to Seafarers Sydney, an organisation that assists the welfare of (often low-paid) visiting crew members, and her initiative has seen bundles of woollen wonders sent to warm seafarers’ heads – and hearts!
Such is the legacy of her contribution, Yvonne will be an “honoured guest” at the annual Mission to Seafarers NSW Parliamentary Luncheon in Sydney at Parliament House on 19 June.
Her life’s work truly bridges the past and present … and her commitment to pioneering positive change for her community continues to this day.
Earlier this month, Yvonne made a sizeable donation to support the ongoing work of the Henty Respite Trust’s further expansion of community-led respite facility Avondale Place.
“When I die, I was going to leave the money to Avondale Place but then I thought, why not give it to them now,” she explained.
Yvonne and her (late) husband Graham have been active champions for the small town they came to love after moving here for work from the big smoke.
They were a team – in life, love and business. They moved to Henty in 1967 as school teachers, before buying the local haberdashery and building a thriving menswear franchise that would span 40 years.
Region caught up with Yvonne as part of our Life Lessons series, where she reflected on her love for community, her family and why she’s learned to accept people for exactly who they are:
How did you meet your husband?
We were childhood sweethearts – we met in Miss Hill’s Sunday school class at Punchbowl Methodist, Sydney.
What’s the key to a successful marriage?
Graham and I were married for 50 years – we just made it. We married in the August of 1967 and he died in November, 2017 (at the age of 72) from stomach cancer. We were best friends before we were married and we always listened to each other.
What’s one character trait that’s most important to you?
Being honest. That and having real friends you can turn to at any time.
What is something that’s changed over your lifetime?
Discipline – from parents. I used to teach a class of 45 kids in one room and they just did what they were told. We didn’t have the behaviour problems because they were disciplined at home. These days parents just don’t say no.
What’s one of life’s greatest lessons?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
What are your thoughts on feminism?
I don’t think I want to answer that. I think it’s all gone too far. My husband and I had three children under the age of three – we didn’t have any relatives in Henty and wanted to have them quickly. It was many years before I went to work full-time (I used to go in and decorate the windows of the shop out of hours). We were very committed to doing the right thing by the kids.
Thoughts on modern technology?
I’m afraid technology has passed me by – it’s beyond me and I’m really not sure about all this AI. I have grave concerns about people losing their jobs. But, truly, I have enough trouble just operating my mobile phone!
Henty history buff Yvonne Booth, 81, finished her landmark book, Henty’s Heroes, during the COVID-19 lockdown. The book charts the lives of all 167 local soldiers who fought in World War I. Photo: Yvonne Booth.
What does Australia need most at the moment?
Our country is in such a mess – as is the rest of the world! I really don’t have an answer but again, I think it comes down to honesty. Politicians all tell lies and until we get honest politicians, then I don’t think things can change.
Have you got a pet hate?
I’m so at ease about things these days that I’ve learned to just accept people for who they are, because you can’t change them.
How are you spending your 80s?
My mind is 110 per cent but my body can’t keep up with it. I read a lot of books, I enjoy spending time with great friends and in this incredible community of Henty.
My friend, who’s 76, and I recently went out to Narrabri and worked with the bush chaplain visiting people who were isolated, sick or troubled. I came home so exhausted that I slept for two days.
How will you spend your 90s?
(Laughs) Oh, I’ll probably sit at home and keep knitting.
What’s a life achievement you’re proud of?
Getting an OAM (in 2015) was such a thrill and a great honour, but my greatest life achievement has been raising a family of three successful kids (and it isn’t always about money). Murray is now 55, Kylie is 54 and Bradley is 53.
I’m a pretty ordinary person in an ordinary house … but I suppose some things are extraordinary!
