The late Valerie (‘Val’) Flynn is to be honoured by the Old Paradians’ Association as the 2019 recipient of its Woman of Distinction Award.

Val will be posthumously honoured at the Association’s monthly Luncheon at the RACV City Club next Wednesday (May 8). A tribute to her will be paid by her great friend Diane Vear, and Val’s husband Mike will be in attendance to accept the award.

A mother to five sons also schooled at Parade, Val was universally respected as a wonderful contributor to the College community. As President of the Mothers’ Auxiliary through the 1980s, she was much admired by her loyal group of dedicated women who continue to gather on a regular basis in a spirit of friendship.

To quote Marea Way: “It was the Mothers’ Auxiliary which cooked and presented meals for end-of-year staff gatherings with very limited facilities at that time. That is probably why we are still so close as friends as ‘we did it tough’ but enjoyed being involved nevertheless”.

At the age of 72, and after a brief battle with cancer, Val died in Michael’s arms on April 28, 2017 – the day before they were to celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary with family and friends.

A number of nominations were received by the Old Paradians’ Association committee which, after deliberation at its most recent meeting on April 15, adjudged Val this year’s winner.

The Woman of Distinction Award was established by the Old Paradians’ Association in 2014 to honour the outstanding contributions of women to Parade College and Association life.

The award, one of a number instituted by the OPA, serves to honour those women who for a significant period of time have given much to the many who make up the vast Parade community.

Women eligible for this award include;

those involved with Parade College, whether board member, administrator, teacher, support staffer, Ladies’ Auxiliary member, volunteer and mother; and

those involved with the OPA through its member entities and associated activities.

The OPA Committee is empowered to nominate a worthy recipient on an annual basis, but also encourages members of the Parade and Old Paradians network to volunteer the names of potential candidates whether living or deceased.

Previous winners are the late Gizella Vermont (2014), together with Shirley O’Rourke (2015), Elizabeth Stella (2016), and Barbara Bibby and Patricia Joss (2017).

Shirley, Elizabeth, Barbara and Patricia are expected to be in attendance when Val’s award is presented on Wednesday.