Vale Irene Hemsworth

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—Irene Hemsworth was a Maitland legend, taken too soon this week. At 17, Irene married Jimmy Hemsworth in 1957 they were inseparable. A Freeman of the City of Maitland Irene was one of the first computer operators in 1955 at Stuart's and Lloyds in Newcastle. Irene was however best known to all in the community for her unpaid work, Irene started volunteering at age 14 and never stopped. Irene was a swimming teacher, timekeeper and judge and also a diving judge. She was a P&C member at St Ethel's, Maitland Girls and Maitland Boys high schools and she was also a Girls' Friendly Society coordinator. President of Maitland RSL youth group, scripture teacher, organised Maitland debutante balls, a Maitland Netball Association member, Maitland RSL Womens' Auxillary member, Maitland Oval Board member, Hunter River Dragons Committee member, and a church warden at St Mary's Anglican Church. Irene was a life member of Maitland Netball Association, Maitland RSL Youth Club, Hunter River Dragons and Maitland Rotary. Irene was also a breast cancer survivor. Irene was a wonderful mother to five, grandmother to twelve and great grandmother to two. Vale Irene Hemsworth.