July 13, 1929 – October 12, 2023
Elizabeth Mary Walpole (affectionately known as Beth) was the second of three children born to Bert (Albert Augustus) Walpole and Nancy Walpole (nee McIndoe). She enjoyed growing up with both an older and younger brother (Roy dec.2003 and Donald dec.2019), enjoying a wonderful childhood on the family farm in Whorouly.
Beth was schooled at Whorouly South primary prior to attending boarding school in Melbourne where she completed her schooling to the 12th standard. As Beth then decided to attend university to study psychology, she was to complete a further subject, a language which she was permitted to study French at Wangaratta High.
Beth returned home to the family farm for holidays during her boarding and university days which had then moved from mixed farming, sheep farming mostly, to dairy farming. Beth spent her days assisting the hand milking in the bark covered sheds, the family employed a sharefarmer who worked in the farms main milking shed.
Beth trained at Rolland House Deaconess and Missionary Training College and was commissioned to the Order of Deaconess.
On completion of her studies she was to travel to Sholinghur India where she worked with the Presbyterian missionaries for 35 years mainly auditing accounts as the missionaries were trusted with finances.
Beth spent her holidays visiting many different missions owned as part of the Church of South India, each year Beth was to enjoy up to a months break in the hills of India in one of the many complexes owned by the missions.
When Beth was to return home to Australia every 5 years she was given a years leave where she would spend six months as deputation, which was raising support for the missions by way of public speaking and then spending six months on leave, again spending her time catching up with family and friends. After some time the government intervened making it harder to continue to return home for a twelve month period, changing this to 3 months.
Beth published ‘Venture of Faith: a brief historical background of the Church of South India‘ (1993).
Following her work with the mission ,Beth was to return home to Australia to retire in Wangaratta prior to coming to live at Myrtleford Lodge.
Passed away peacefully at Myrtleford Lodge after a short illness, aged 94.
The funeral service booklet can be downloaded here. A recording of the memorial service can be viewed here.
