by Mr. Bob Beehag (nephew)
Val Beehag was born on the March 14th 1924. Her biological mother, Nellie Christine Collins, gave birth to Val when she was only 16 years old. She put Val up for adoption, and she as adopted by Amy and Francis Barnes, however Francis died 4 years later. At that stage they were living in Bankstown, and Amy had one of the biggest and best Fruit and vegetable gardens there, so food was no problem.
Val attended Bankstown Girls School until they made a move to Bexley in the mid 1930’s. Val’s biological mother kept in touch, visiting them fairly regularly and Val thought of her as some distant Aunt.
Val didn’t like school and left to go to work when she was 14 years old.
Val met Noel Beehag on Rockdale Station, going into the city where they both worked, and they started going out together. They finally became engaged.
Noel eventually was called up for the army and was posted to Darwin. They decided to marry, and did so on Noel’s final leave on February 28th 1944.
When the War was finished, they both returned to their previous jobs and lived with Amy in Bexley. Amy was now 81 years old and in fairly good health. Noel and Val continued in their jobs until the time came when they decided to go into the Floristry business. They signed up at the East Sydney Technical College where they both graduated.
Originally they ran their business from home at Bexley, until they moved to Bankstown and opened a shop called “A-C-E Floral Service”. It was now 1955 and Amy had reached the age of 90.
Val was never blessed with children, having lost 3 babies at around the 6 month mark. Both Noel and Val developed a great love of animals, especially dogs and cats. They spent a great deal of time and money looking after sick and injured animals.
Noel and Val were both members of “The Bankstown Rotary Club” and both were recipients of the “Paul Harris Fellow Award for Outstanding Work”.
It is now February 19th 1961, and Val’s mother, Amy Elizabeth Barnes, has passed away at the ripe old age of 96.
Noel and Val were both members of “The St. George Historical Society” with Noel spending many years in the position of President, and Val in the position of Secretary. They both spent a lot of time assisting in the running of “Lydham Hall”. Sadly, Noel fell victim to cancer of the pancreas and passed away November 14th 1995.
Val was also a member of the “Bankstown Inner Wheel” (Womens Section of Rotary) where she served up until she could no longer do so due to a debilitating illness. She Held the positions of President, Past President, Secretary and Past Secretary, Inter-service and Correspondent. The ladies of Inner Wheel still miss her jovial and comical personality.
Val was presented with the title of “Woman of Achievement 1999” by “The Zonta Club of Western Sydney”. “Zonta International” has grown into a world-wide service organisation of executives in business and professions, working together to advance the Status of Women. There are more than 1200 clubs in 65 countries, all over the world.
Val became a member of “The Kogarah Rotary Club” where she remained until the time of her death on July 12th 2013.
This article was first published in the June 2013 edition of our magazine.
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