The Bugle would like to acknowledge the recent passing of some of our Kiama elders.

WINSOME BARKER

(Winsome Barker pictured above)

Winsome Barker, well-known citizen of Kiama passed away on Tuesday 5 September 2023.

After an eventful life, Winsome moved to Kiama in 1990.

Winsome was instrumental in the creation of Peace Park (noted for the wonderful rose garden) in Manning Street, and the Kiama Pelican statue down at harbour, which was moved to Kiama Library. Many locals have fond memories of Winsome’s many colourful hats. The Kiama Garden Club presented Winsome with her life membership in 2014. 

The gazebo at Kiama Peace Park, which Winsome was instrumental in creating, is named the Winsome Barker gazebo in her honour. The park was paid for by the innovative “Buy a Brick” scheme where bricks with names can be added to the walking paths, which has now has become a memorial itself. 

A less well-known fact is that Winsome worked for many years as a volunteer guide at Taronga Zoo, despite the long distance required to travel to and from Kiama. Winsome was a long-term member of the Kiama and District Historical Society.

As part of the Tidy Town Committee, Winsome arranged for the bronze mix statue of the Kiama Pelican. The statue by artist Tim Johnman was erected in 2002 as a warning to fishers and locals about the dangers of plastic bags to local wildlife after Winsome heard the story of a real pelican at Kiama that died eating plastic bags after mistaking them for jellyfish.

In 2014 Winsome Barker was presented with the Kiama Electorate Community Recognition Award by NSW Governor David Hurley.

The Bugle would like to thank Barry Wilson for supplying much of the above material. Barry, Winsome’s long-time neighbour, remembers Winsome “as a distinguished lady who maintained an aura and thoroughly enjoyed talking to people and doing as  much as possible for our community.”

Her legacy will be enjoyed by the community and visitors for many decades to come. Winnsome was just shy of 99 when she passed. 

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Winsome’s life at the Kiama Presbyterian Church on Thursday 21 September, 2023 from 11.30 am. 

DICK OKE

Dick Oke, who passed away on 30 August 2023 in Astonville, is fondly remembered by Kiama locals and former residents who have moved away for his extensive knowledge and photographic contributions to the local Facebook group, Kiama Remembers, a history of Kiama. 

(Dick Oke)

His mother Esme Campbell’s family were from Kiama, and Dick visited Kiama many times in his youth. Dick was in many ways the heart of the Kiama Historical Pages on Facebook, and his many posts were a joy to all.

Dick went to Macquarie Boys High and worked at Grace Bros in Sydney. He loved golf. 

His son, David Oke said: “Dad loved his Datsun 260z which he bought new and owned all his life.

He was a great fan of Star Trek and the Goons. He was heavily into music and was in a band which tried out on Bandstand with Brian Henderson.”

David told The Bugle that Dick had compiled a large document about Kiama with lots of photos that hopefully will be publicly available one day. As one contributor to the Kiama Remembers FB page said in tribute: “The photos that Dick put up on the page brought up so many great memories of Kiama’s past. He will definitely be missed.”

Both Winsome and Dick forged connections and memories which have helped make the Kiama community all that much stronger, and they will be remembered.

The Bugle shares with many locals the feeling that we are witnessing the passing of a generation as we in Kiama lose the wisdom of the elders who guided our great local community spirit for so long.