Women of Warren Shire - Patricia Irving
01 October 2021
Patricia Irving has lived by her father’s advice of, “To those who are given, of much is expected”.
As the driving force behind implementing initiatives such as the Blood Bank Bus to Dubbo, recycling in the Shire and the Warren schools public speaking contests. Along with many years of advocating for rural women, Patricia’s life is full of stories of contribution to the community.
We spoke to Patricia to hear about her involvement in the Warren Shire community over the years.
A usual morning looks like?
I am somewhat elderly and live alone, and have never been a morning person, so mornings are fairly slow. I always listen to the morning radio as news and current affairs are a big interest, and I love the wild birds which come for a feed on the patio outside. Followed by answering emails, and phone calls from friends and family members.
I’m most proud about?
My wonderful family, all good citizens, contributing to their communities and so caring of me.
Favourite place in Warren Shire?
My home, on our land 15kms from Warren.
On the weekend you can find me?
At the local Presbyterian Church service, then playing scrabble with a friend.
3 words that sum up living in Warren Shire?
A lucky place.
Patricia’s dedication to the community…
Can you tell us a bit about your journey, some of the highlights of your life?
I trained in Sydney as a Mothercraft nurse, then met and married my marvellous husband, who always supported me wholeheartedly in anything I did. We moved to Warren Shire in 1956. I am passionate about living and working on the land, so I have always helped with the sheep and cattle, riding horses and being involved in everything. We were blessed with four healthy children and in the 80s, with only the youngest still at school, I was able to fulfil my dream of going to university as an external student, (no big deal now with technology but it was rare then) eventually graduating with two degrees, which was not common for a woman in those days. It filled me with great satisfaction and experience.
You are such a dedicated member of the community, what drives your passion and community spirit?
My late father always said, “To those who are given, of much is expected”. I believe that I have been very fortunate in my life and that ‘community’, in all its forms, should be encouraged and enhanced. Any skills that I have been given should be used to that end.
As a member of the Country Women’s Association (CWA), you started the public speaking contests between our local schools, can you share the idea behind this and some of the highlights over the time it’s been running?
I was a public speaking/debating adjudicator and in that role was involved in the local Lions Club Youth of the Year Program. I knew the value of being able to present ideas clearly and with confidence, so with the help of CWA members and the schools, a yearly competition was organised.
At this time there was also a public speaking competition for students being run by the Group CWAs in the wider Central West area, so eventually ours joined up with that. I am delighted to see that it is still being promoted enthusiastically in our local schools, with workshops and encouragement.
You were the driving force behind the Blood Bank Bus to Dubbo, and Recycling Committee as well as State Vice President of the CWA, among many other things, can you share more about the positive impact these played on the community?
I was a blood donor for many years and felt that there were many people in Warren who would be donors if they could get to the Blood Bank in Dubbo. So, after a lot of logistical problems, and support from folk who believed in the importance of this project, it finally came to fruition. It is still going and now run by other dedicated community members.
Believing that recycling was the way of the future, I teamed up with a member of the Shire Council to start a recycling program. We formed a roster of members from local groups and organisations who went around the streets on Saturdays, collecting chaff bags of bottles that were left out on the footpaths by householders. These were then deposited in large containers at the local garbage tip and eventually taken to a recycling deposit elsewhere in the State. Only bottles at that stage, but at least it was a start!
In my role as a State Vice President of the Country Women’s Association (CWA), I was the CWA representative on the advisory body of the Rural Women’s Network, which lobbied governments on behalf of rural women, and organised a yearly women’s gathering in towns State-wide. They were wonderful occasions, with guest speakers, workshops, displays and great camaraderie. I have attended many and even learnt belly dancing at one!
Ever since coming to Warren, I have been very involved with the Warren Show. In earlier years as a ring steward, pavilion steward and now proud to be a patron. My husband organised the Show Ball (no longer held, sadly!) and was chief ring steward. We were strong supporters of the whole event, believing that it was a wonderful community gathering, and insisting that all our family members put something in the pavilion.
The Multi-Purpose Health Service (MPHS) is currently playing an important role in the Shire’s response to COVID-19, what was your involvement in the MPHS and does a bring a sense of pride in the contribution it has to the community?
I was asked to join the MPHS committee when its forerunner, the Hospital Board, was planning the current structure and it was felt that some more women were needed. I was on the committee for 12 years and really enjoyed my time. I feel that we made a great contribution to setting up the important role which it plays in the community today.
What keeps you busy now?
Contacting friends and extended family, both around Warren and elsewhere, by phone and email. Walking, reading, and watching late-night TV. And I do enjoy proofreading the Warren Weekly each week before it goes to print.
What is a message you would love the Warren Shire community to hear?
Warren has so much to offer. Great sporting facilities, schools, so much for kids to be involved in like dance, art, music, so many different sports. It is a wonderful caring community. Enjoy it and contribute where you can. There is sure to be an organisation or group which would welcome your interest and help, even in a small way. Both you and it would benefit.
To nominate a Warren Shire woman to be featured in this series, email media@warren.nsw.gov.au