Pat Longworth was the first Camden Haven Citizen of the Year in 1983. Her volunteer work for the community earned Pat admiration from those in historical, craft, arts and religious circles.

The 68 years Pat lived in the Camden Haven were filled with family, friends, sharing her marvellous cakes and unsurpassed baked dinners and giving many hours to over 20 community organisations.

Pat was born Lola Patricia Shumack on April 9, 1930 to Herbert and Elsie Shumack. Herbert was a grazier and stock and station agent in Bathurst.

Pat was the second child in the family. Her older brother Russell died before Pat was born, so she grew up an only child.

They lived in Bathurst until Pat was nine years old, then moved to a property, Allambie, 20kms out of the town.

Pat’s daughter read the eulogy at her funeral on May 9 this year. Excerpts are below:

“Mum was a shy, reserved child. The lifestyle she found on the farm with only her parents and Jim the farmhand during the war years would have exacerbated this and she remained a quiet and reserved person all her life.”

Pat was educated at home then joined Blackfriar’s Correspondence School, completing a three-year course in drafting, design, dress making and tailoring. 

“I remember that this was very handy when I was young and wanted mum to make clothes for my dolls. She spent hours making tiny little outfits for them.

“She made all our clothes as children. Pat also took formal lessons and because certified as a pianist.”

Herbert, Elsie and Pat left Bathurst for Laurieton in 1948. Herbert suffered badly with bronchitis and the move to Laurieton improved his health.

Pat was in a boating accident just months after their arrival. Her shoelace became caught in a drive shaft screw. Her foot was dragged into the motor. A Sydney surgeon had retired to Port Macquarie and treated the injury, saving the foot, but Pat endured mobility issues for the rest of her life.

Pat met her future husband Jack Longworth in the early 1950s. 

“Jack was helding to build his uncle’s boat on the Camden Haven River, just up the road from Pat’s parents’ home in Wharf St.”

Pat began working at the Post Master General as a telephonist at the age of 20 and worked at the Laurieton Post Office then at Taree where Janece, Jack’s sister, came to share accommodation with her.

Jack and Pat were married in December 1953 at the Holy Trinity Church. 

The church, which stands today in Longworth Park on Bold Street Laurieton, saw generations of the Longworth family married and christened there.

“In those days, when a lady married, she was no longer able to work, so mum had to leave the PMG and became a housewife.”

Pat and Jack set up home in the Lorne area for a short time, before coming back to Laurieton.

Jack worked at the family timber mill at Herons Creek.

“Lack of money was always an issue. Mum did her best with what she had and we never went hungry. She was a fantastic baker and we often enjoyed her lovely cakes.”

Pat raised four children Wendy, Sue, Peter and Neil.

Jack left the mill in 1963 and worked for the department of agriculture which meant travelling to farms all over the region.

“He was away for periods of time, sometimes over a week and with him went the family’s only means of transport.”

While raising a family, Pat was active on various committees and undertook extensive historical research.

Pat joined the Women’s Church of England Guild in 1960 and was still serving when she won the inaugural Camden Haven Citizen of the Year Award in 1983. She also served on the Vestry Committee of the Holy Trinity, Parochial Council of the Camden Haven and represented the church to the synod of Newcastle.

When the children were in school Pat joined the P&C at Laurieton Public School.

For 44 years she was on the committee for the Laurieton School of Arts.

Pat was a volunteer at the Laurieton Library for many years before gaining employment in 1972. She remained working at the library until her retirement in 1984.

In 1980 Pat became the welfare officer for the Camden Haven SES and helped out until 1990.

In 1982 Pat was the first woman on the Camden Haven Community Health Advisory Committee and later represented the committee to Area Health.

In the Bicentennial year Pat’s community service was recognised in the local Citizenship Achievement Awards.

In 2000, Pat was awarded for her work with the Port Macquarie Family History Society.

Pat was the research officer for the Camden Haven Historical Society between 1978 and 2001. The historical society made her a life member in 2012.

Her work saw the publishing of a number of historical booklets including ‘Early History of the Camden Haven’ and ‘A History of the Laurieton School of Arts’.

Working with Ray Cooper and others, Pat helped gather material on over 850 ships known to have worked from the Macleay to the Manning.

Pat was bestowed with a Distinguished Service Award from the then Hastings Council for her service to the School of Arts (1962-2001), Camden Haven Health advisory Committee (1982-2001) and Camden Haven Historical Society (1986-2001).

“She was also the guru and go-to person for the Longworth family history and all the families connected to them.”

Pat loved quilting with the Laurieton United Services Club Friendship Quilters. She was active in her garden and loved books.

“She also demonstrated unsurpassed expertise on putting together a beautiful baked dinner for the family most Sundays until her health failed.”

Pat was widowed on October 24, 1999 when Jack died.

In 2005 Pat had heart surgery and developed further heart and health issues.

Pat moved into the Laurieton Lakeside Nursing Home in late 2012, where she still dabbled in family history, used her computer and did card making. She always took a keen interest in her four children, 11 grandchildren and two great grandsons.

“Pat lived longer at the nursing home than any of us could have imagined which speaks highly of the care she received there.

“Eventually she was just worn out.”

Pat passed away on April 17, 2016.