Death of passionate community worker

Isabell Weir (Ough) of Warragul, who died late last month, could never be accused of letting the grass grow under her feet.
After moving to Warragul from the Bairnsdale district with her first husband Clarrie Weir, she soon made her mark in numerous community organisations.
She did nothing by halves throwing her energy into all the groups and bodies she joined and even served a term on Baw Baw Shire Council.

Mrs Weir (Ough), who was aged 93, was a member of the board of Fairview Homes for the Aged at her death and had lived there for 22 years, all but the last few months in an independent living unit.
Her early years were at Mount Taylor, just north of Bairnsdale, where her parents Joseph and Irene Norman lived, attending the local primary school until moving to school in Bairnsdale for the final two years of primary school.
At 14 years of age she accepted a job offer with a Bairnsdale tailor to make men's suits.
Her brother Arthur did some match-making introducing her to Clarrie Weir who she married in 1948, starting married life at Lucknow ahead of the move to Warragul 11 years later.
They had five children, four born at Bairnsdale - Chris, now of Warragul; Lynette (Blaby) of Warragul; Barrie who lives at Merriden in West Australia, and Alan of Warragul - with the youngest Peter, who was born at Warragul, now in Darwin.
When Clarrie Weir decided to join the Lions Club at Warragul it wasn't long before his wife was a Lioness, chalking up more than 30 years membership and gaining life membership.
After Mr Weir's death in 1987 she met and married Les Ough, a union that lasted only six years until Mr Ough died.
Before living at Fairview Mrs Weir (Ough) spent from 1975-1999 on the committee of the village, a period that included four years as chair during which she played key roles in fundraising for major refurbishments and planning extensions and new wings as well as construction of the independent units 1989-1992.
Her efforts earned her life governorship.
Even the setbacks of losing two husbands and keeping an eye on the interests of her extended family that had grown by 13 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren did not cause any slowing of Mrs Weir (Ough's) community work across many other organisations in addition to Lionesses and Fairview.
Those included Red Cross, which awarded her long service (with three bars), distinguished service and national emergency medals; the Spastic Society's Grace Berglund Centre in Warragul (life governor), Vision Australia (life governor), Warragul North Primary School (outstanding service medal), Anti-Cancer Council, Warragul Technical School, Meals on Wheels, Relay for Life, the Warragul Scout Group, National Heart Foundation and supporting children with a disability to exercise at the Warragul indoor pool.
Her outstanding contributions were further acknowledged with being named Warragul Jaycees Citizen of the Year in 1981 and Warragul Citizen of the Year in 1987.