A farewell tribute to Gwendolyn Gage Longtime member of The Graduate Union

by Mary Kelleher, Councillor of The Graduate Union.

My name is Mary Kelleher, a friend of Gwendolyn’s. I am a Councillor of the Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne, and currently President of the Australian Asian Association (AAA) of Victoria, two organisations to which Gwendolyn belonged.

Gwendolyn Joan Gage was born in Sydney, to Henry and Emma Gage. She was the third child in the family, having a sister who died as a child, before Gwendolyn was born and a brother, Harold, several years her senior, to whom she was very attached, and he likewise was very supportive of his little sister. Harold became a doctor and at one stage worked as a Flying Doctor, which meant Gwendolyn continued to remember this organisation.

Gwendolyn attended a private girls' school and later studied Art. She also became a Dental Nurse. As her father had senior management positions in the Public Service, she decided to follow him and join the Public Service. Gwendolyn graduated from The University of Melbourne and did studies at Deakin and La Trobe Universities. She worked in Foreign Affairs and spent 14 years overseas in England and Ireland.

I met Gwendolyn in the 1990’s when we were both on the Committee of the Australian Asian Association of Victoria, at the time Neville Blyton was the President. At her death, Gwendolyn was the longest serving and active Member of the AAA. I believe she was involved during the time of Sir Edward (Weary) Dunlop's Presidency. Gwendolyn did not take on committee membership lightly. She was totally reliable, regular in her attendance at meetings, volunteered to assist with Fund Raising, and supported all committee functions. She was still attending meetings this year. The Saturday before she died, she had agreed to be reelected to the Committee of the Malvern View Club, which raises money to support needy students to attend school. She was the Treasurer until a year before her death when she retired from the role. She was a great cake maker, having learnt professionally, and made and decorated a Christmas cake for the Club only last year.

She was a member of the Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne and really loved this association. She attended all their social functions and really enjoyed last year’s Christmas Party. She was already talking about this year’s Christmas functions. When she attended an evening function at Graduate House, she would stay there overnight. The Staff all knew her and gave her a warm welcome, as she was a “fun” person. Gwendolyn was a member of the Royal St George Club, an English patriotic organization, established in 1894, to encourage interest in the English way of Life, Customs and Traditions. Gwendolyn’s father was English although her Surname is French. I live opposite the Carmelite Monastery in Kew and although Gwendolyn was a Baptist, she was very supportive of the Nuns Social Functions. She recently asked me if their Annual November Luncheon and Fashion Parade at Leonda was being held this year, as Covid had meant last year’s Theatre Night and Luncheon had been cancelled. An Ecumenical Service is held each year at Carmel, with afternoon tea prepared by the Nuns and served in the Monastery Gardens. Entertainment is presented by children from the local schools in Kew. Gwendolyn always enjoyed these functions, but especially the year when the Kew Baptist Pastor gave the homily, and she met him in person.

Condolences have been sent by Dino de Marchi of the Order of St John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaler of which Gwendolyn was a member and which supports mothers and babies. Gwendolyn was also a long time Member of the English-Speaking Union and served on its Council from 2010 to 2017. Further condolences have been sent to Gwendolyn’s family and friends from this organisation.

Gwendolyn lived in Park Street South Yarra for 30 years and this year moved to Canterbury Road, Toorak. She had often mentioned moving to Toorak, as her friends were there, she shopped there, and her medical facilities were also there. She used to meet a small group of friends there each Thursday. Two of the names I remember were Jean who also lived in Canterbury Road and a French gentleman called Eric. When the decision was made to find a new flat in Toorak, her friends Annette, James, and myself