Though a fitting tribute to the thousands of war widows, the ceremony was tinged with sadness as the driving influence behind the event, Bankstown War Widows Guild President Norma Holdorf, or Pat, as she was known to many, passed away only days before playing a key role in the event.
Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said: “She was a fierce advocate for war widows in our community.”
The event was attended by councillors, Bankstown RSL sub-branch and the Bankstown War Widows Guild, including Chair of the War Widows head office, Jennifer Collins, who also addressed the crowd.
Mrs Holdorf’s daughters Gail Marshall and Roby Batson said the day was an important one for their mother.
“Even from her hospital bed last week, she was making sure that Robyn and I had been in contact with the Mayor, we had arranged that the garden here was swept, and she was getting us to ensure that people who were invited were coming … even though I guess she knew she probably wasn’t going to make it herself,” Gail said.
“It’s a credit to her they decided to name it after her, she would have been very pleased.”
Robyn added: “She got involved in Bankstown War Widows in the late 90s and organised a lot of trips and outings for the ladies. She was a kind and thoughtful woman.”
Bankstown War Widows Guild Treasurer Myra Lucas said they were all saddened she had missed the first official War Widows Day to be held annually on October 19.
“Pat never got to see the plaque dedication but the rain held off and it was a nice afternoon spent later at Bankstown RSL enjoying the club’s complimentary refreshments,” she said.
