Theebine pays tribute to Kathy Dakin

From Theebine to Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach, people have paid tribute to the amazing woman who died just days after the Gympie council unanimously voted to name a bridge in honour of her late husband.

Theebine has paid tribute to Kathy Dakin, a beloved community member who died as a result of multiple myeloma on Saturday, September 24, 2022, aged 73.

Mrs Dakin was married in 1969 to her childhood sweetheart Warren Dakin, who died six months before her, on April 1, 2022.

The two would have celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on Tuesday.

The pair had two sons, Brett and Scott Dakin, 52 and 48 respectively. They also had several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Scott Dakin said he would most remember his mother for her caring, optimistic attitude.

“She was always cheerful. I don’t remember her ever being upset about things,” he said.

His brother Brett shared the same sentiment, noting his beloved mum’s passionate community involvement.

“She was there for the community; there for us,” he said.

“We got this far!”

Kathy and Warren Dakin in their Sunday best.

A fifth generation Theebine local, Mrs Dakin was a devoted and passionate volunteer for multiple community organisations, including the Theebine Memorial Hall and Masonic Lodge.

She worked tirelessly as secretary of the Theebine Memorial Hall until her resignation at August’s Annual General Meeting.

Hall committee president and friend Graeme Jensen said the community was devastated by the loss of Mrs Dakin.

“We’re a very close-knit community,” he said.

“Both [Kathy and Warren] are sadly missed. It’s a time of adjustment for all of the community.”

Mrs Dakin’s death came just days after Gympie Regional Council’s unanimous vote to name a bridge on Sandy Creek road after her late husband, Warren.

Division 2 councillor Dolly Jensen said a petition in support of naming the bridge had garnered more than 300 signatures, testifying to the community’s respect and admiration for the Dakin family.

Brett and Scott said they were thankful to be able to show Mrs Dakin the livestream of the council’s vote before she died.

Gympie Choral Group (back) Kathy Dakin, Denise Stanton, Jan Thorne, Richard Thorne and Ross Forward, (middle) Margaret Mason, Helen Bartlett, Mary Devlin, Lynn Forward, (front) George Van Cooten, Melodie Zylstra, Sue Williams, Betty Collins and Margaret Gartrell.

A natural creative, Mrs Dakin was a talented singer, writer, baker and seamstress.

She also worked in several administrative roles throughout her lifetime, including at James Nash State High School in Gympie while her son Scott was studying there.

Scott has fond memories of not being able to act up in class, knowing his mother would hear of it within minutes.

In her final days, Mrs Dakin showcased her writing skills, as she began to document her life story. This was later completed by her son Brett.

She details her life in the Gympie region, starting in Theebine before moving to Tin Can Bay and later Rainbow Beach.

After a short stint in the Northern Territory, the Dakin family returned home to Theebine in 1980.

Kathy and Warren Dakin on one of their many holidays. Picture: Dakin Family.

In his recount, Brett described his mother’s final days as optimistically as the rest of her life.

“After seven years of battling, the myeloma had won,” he wrote.

“She had plenty of visits from family and friends during those weeks and always had one of us boys or our wives stopping in to keep her company.”

A memorial service will be held for Mrs Dakin on Wednesday, October 5, at 10am.