Betty Corradi: Tribute to late Giru businesswoman, community stalwart

The close-knit community of Giru is farewelling one of its brightest lights with the passing of beloved local icon Elizabeth “Betty” Corradi, aged 91. Read how this ‘nan’ to all helped shape her town.

Giru community stalwart Elizabeth “Betty” Corradi receiving her life membership of the Giru Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Society, known as the Giru Show, in 2021. Picture: Supplied

A linchpin of the rural Giru township and highly respected member of the wider Burdekin and North Queensland communities has been remembered as a loving and selfless woman adored by all who knew her.

Well-known businesswoman and multiple award-winning community volunteer Elizabeth “Betty” Corradi passed surrounded by adoring friends and family at Regis Aged Care on Sunday.

She turned 91 in January.

“She was beautiful, everyone called her ‘nan’, she just loved to mother and look after everybody,” daughter Doris Griggs said on Tuesday.

She remembered her mother as a strongly independent woman who had lived on her own till the age of 89, almost 20 years since the passing of her husband Lou, a local builder.

She said that in addition to the building company, responsible for many of the local farm houses and homes in Giru, the couple also owned and operated the local hardware store, Corradi’s Building Supplies, as well as fuel and fertiliser businesses.

Betty Corradi, late of Giru, the Burdekin, pictured in 1999. Picture: Ned Kelly

In 2022, Mrs Corradi was bestowed a Gold Award for 40 years of voluntary contributions to her community at the Australia Awards in the Burdekin.

“She was very proud of that award.”

Among her achievements and accolades were lengthy voluntary service awards for a host of local community groups and committees, including the Local Ambulance Committee (LAC), Giru Bowls and Recreation Club, Catholic Church, Giru School of Arts, St Joseph’s Parish Council, Giru RSL, CWA and Giru Lions.

“She was an organiser, she was with the LAC for over 25 years … she used to do fundraising all the time like Mother’s Day luncheons, selling tickets in the hotel, and she was secretary of the Ladies Bowls Club.”

Ms Griggs said her mother was particularly well known for decades of service to the Giru Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Society.

“She ran the Giru Show for over 50 years, she’s got a life membership at the society and a life membership at the Giru Bowls Club.”

She said her mother only gave up her role as secretary of the Giru Show at the age of 88.

Mrs Corradi is survived by four children, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service is being planned for St Joseph’s before her interment next to Lou at the cemetery in Ayr.

Originally published as Betty Corradi: Tribute to late Giru businesswoman, community stalwart