BARBARA MASON

1931-2026

BARBARA Mason (née Waugh), of “Hillview”, McIntyre passed away peacefully on August 20, aged 95, at Havilah Hostel Maryborough.

She is survived by her five sons Greg, Peter, John, Bud and Frank; two daughters Christina (Harriott) and Mary (Gill); 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was the daughter of the late Cedric and Peggy Waugh and her siblings were Patricia and Adrian (twin brother) both now deceased.

She was born in Toorak on May 14, 1931 and grew up during the depression and World War Two.

Her childhood years in Mt Martha were shaped by the large military presence in the area, and she carried vivid memories of American soldiers, wartime activity, and a treasured moment presenting flowers to Eleanor Roosevelt during the USA First Lady’s visit.

Barbara trained as a nurse at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne completing both her general and midwifery training to become a double certificate nurse.

She had planned to travel to London with friends, but her life changed course when she met her future husband, farmer Mervyn Mason, while nursing him in hospital.

They married on August 20, 1955, and Barbara began a new life at McIntyre, where they raised seven children. In the early 1970s, during difficult years for farming, Barbara returned to nursing, working for many years at Dunolly Hospital.

Barbara contributed many years to her community, particularly to local health services.

She was a foundation member of the Inglewood and Districts Community Health Centre committee of management for 18 years including four years as president. She was also a member of the Inglewood Hospital board of management for 17 years including five years as president.

On January 1, 1996, the hospital and community health amalgamated to form the Inglewood and Districts Health Service where Barbara became a foundation member of the board of management and president. She served for 21 years on the IDHS board, including four years as president, until retiring in 2016.

During this time a need was identified for a hostel to care for the frail aged and disabled of the community of Inglewood and surrounding districts.

Barbara chaired the Inglewood Hospital Hostel Appeal Committee which raised almost $500,000 from the generous local community, culminating in the building of a 20-bed aged care hostel adjoining Inglewood Hospital which was officially opened on August 21, 1994.

During the almost 70 years that she lived in the district Mrs Mason was actively involved in helping in the conduct of the Rheola Charity Carnival held each year on Easter Monday, and her service was recognised by her appointment as a life governor of both the Inglewood and Dunolly Hospitals. She was an active member of Inglewood Hospital Ladies’ Auxiliary, Rheola Ladies’ Committee and Rheola Rural Fire Brigade Ladies’ Auxiliary.

In 1993 Barbara was named Shire of Korong Citizen of the Year, and in the Australia Day Honours List in 1996 was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health organisations.

Due to failing health. in 2022 Barbara moved to Havilah Hostel in Maryborough to be close to her daughter Christina who supported her during her last four years.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated by Rev Fr Stephen Bolling, assisted by Rev Fr John Monaghan, at St Mary’s Church, Inglewood, on August 28. The funeral cortege then proceeded to Rheola

Cemetery, where many people paid their last respects.

Coffin bearers were grandsons Patrick, Daniel, Lachlan, Sam and Devlin Mason, and James Harriott.