‘Our mum, our hero, our idol’ Family and friends celebrate, farewell Sonya Irwin at Seymour College
Friends and family were asked to wear ‘a touch of Sonya’ to farewell the beloved Riverland local.
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A prominent wool producer, wife, mother and “hero” has been farewelled by loved ones in an emotional funeral service in Adelaide on Wednesday.
Friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of Sonya Campbell Irwin at Seymour College, which she attended as a boarder from 1976 to 1980.
Mrs Irwin was remembered for her passion and dedication to her family, friends and the land.
Her children Skye and Jamo described her as “our mum, our hero, our idol”.
Their words were read out by Hugh Rischbieth, who officiated the service on Wednesday.
“You’ve instilled in us great values, work ethic, compassion, independence, confidence and courage,” they said.
“It takes a special person to live on the land and to love the land and stock like you did. There was no harder worker than you.
“Your love, passion and determination will forever stay with us.”
Mr Rischbieth, who was among a number of people to share treasured memories of Mrs Irwin, described her as “a fearless, fun woman, who embraced life with enthusiasm, confidence and a wonderful sense of humour”.
The 62-year-old’s life was tragically cut short when a routine farm job went wrong earlier this month and police had to recover her body from a dam.
It is believed Mrs Irwin went to the dam to start a pump and water the livestock.
Remembered for her nurturing love for family, dedication to the land and love of golf, one friend said Mrs Irwin had always been determined to succeed “in whatever she had turned her hand to”.
Born to the now late Don and Janine in 1963, Mrs Irwin was raised at Balah station, where she grew up with sisters Rebecca, Louise and Jane.
In 1976, she followed her two older sisters to Seymour College where, friends say, her “work hard, play hard” policy was instilled.
“With senior school came parties and boys, and Sonya, according to her friends, was no shrinking violet,” said one friend.
Mrs Irwin met her husband James, known widely as “Oigle”, at Sandblasters Ball in Keith and the pair married in 1986 — celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary just days before her death.
The couple ran Balah Station for four decades, taking over from Mrs Irwin’s parents after they decided to retire and sell the homestead to the couple.“Sonya was passionate about her family and fiercely proud of her pastoral heritage. As a wool grower, she was highly respected by our industry for her work ethic, knowledge of the bush and commerce,” said a friend and fellow pastoralist.
Another friend, who came to know Mrs Irwin in the early 80s – in the “era of 18th and 21st birthdays” — said back then there would be a black tie party to attend most weekends and Mrs Irwin would be dressed to nines, a habit she never lost.
“Sonya was so stylish, perfectly executed with all the right accessories, a stunning dress and of course that famous pink lipstick,” she said.
Those attending her service on Wednesday were asked to wear “a touch of Sonya”.
Her family delivered an Irish blessing during the service and, afterwards, loved ones paid their respects to Mrs Irwin by placing a staple of wool on her casket.
“You may be gone from this earth but you will never be gone from our hearts and memories,” said a friend.
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Originally published as ‘Our mum, our hero, our idol’ Family and friends celebrate, farewell Sonya Irwin at Seymour College
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