Honouring Betty Goody

In memory of someone special

Betty Goody’s life was characterised by a love of family and of service to others. Originally from Monto, from the late 1960s Betty farmed at Mt Tyson with her husband Bill and children.  In addition to her involvement with the local QCWA branch and other community activities, Betty travelled to Toowoomba weekly to volunteer at the Kath Dickson Centre, a respite centre for disabled children.  Following Bill’s untimely death, Betty moved into Toowoomba in 1981, living just up the street from the Endeavour Enterprises workshop on Ramsey Street. She began volunteering there and after two weeks was offered a full-time paid position which she held for more than 13 years.  Betty loved the work and engaging with, in her own words, “these wonderful lovable people who became very special to me”.  Her work at Endeavour went beyond just being a job. Some of those people and her fellow co-workers, maintained contact after her retirement and until her death.

During her time at Endeavour she was awarded the Ron Martin Award* for her dedication and exemplary service to people with a disability and clients of Endeavour. While still working at Endeavour, Betty began volunteering at Camp Quality which she continued for almost 20 years until her health restricted her involvement.  Betty’s work and service at Endeavour and Camp Quality resulted in her being named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International “in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world”.

*  Ron Martin was a dedicated Rotarian and long-time supporter of the Endeavour Foundation.