OBITUARY
Pauline Saunders
Born: 5 October 1931
Died: 9 February 2014
PAULINE Saunders had Hallam running through her veins.
A fierce advocate for the suburb since moving there over half a century ago, Pauline was resolutely passionate about the area until her passing on 9 February this year.
In the 1950s Pauline moved with her husband Ken from a small rental farm in Narre Warren East to a relatively new suburb called Hallam.
Theirs was the third house built in Princes Domain Drive and there wasn’t much else.
It was a blank canvas which Pauline, with her community spirit, turned into an independent suburb to stand alone from its neighbours.
Tragedy struck soon after Pauline’s first child, Kenneth, was born when another young boy from the area was killed crossing the Princes Highway as he made his way to school.
The tragic event became a catalyst for Pauline’s community involvement.
After many public meetings, countless number of fundraising events, and garnering much support from the media and local council, Pauline was instrumental in setting up Hallam Primary School which still remains in the same position today.
Pauline stayed on the school committee for another 12 years.
She continued in her quest to make things happen in Hallam with the creation of an all-boys school – Doveton North Technical School.
It began as two portable buildings sitting in a flood zoned area.
Pauline ran the canteen for many years once the school was up and running.
With her daughter Debra soon to start secondary school, Pauline was concerned that her only local options for an education were at Pakenham or Doveton High School.
Pauline soon led a large group of community followers in a fundraising effort that started the ball rolling on the construction of Hallam High School.
At this time Pauline’s youngest child, Paul, was nearing kindergarten age and she quickly gathered a group of young mums together with children of a similar age.
She organised classes for the kids in a garage until a new kindergarten was built in Spring Square.
Pauline worked tirelessly, ensuring that every opportunity was made available for all children of any age in Hallam.
She was a volunteer with the Red Cross Blood Bank and also helped out as a Red Cross member with the Ash Wednesday bushfires by organizing food for all the firefighters in the field.
Over the years Pauline worked at the local Hallam Post Office, sorting and delivering the mail until she became the Hallam Primary School crossing supervisor.
It was a role she relished and her 30 years service saw her awarded with a certificate of recognition.
She was also crowned Citizen of the Year for the City of Berwick, a recognition for her outstanding contribution to the community.
In 1989 she also received the Paul Harris Rotary Award in recognition of her community service.
Pauline’s final quest was to work beside George Chudliegh for the seniors of Hallam, leading to the start of the Hallam Senior Citizens Club in Spring Square where she celebrated her 80th birthday in 2011.
Pauline passed away peacefully on Sunday 9 February with family by her side at the age of 82.
She was caring, loving and respected member of the Hallam community and a mentor of strength, knowledge and a will to never give in until the job was done.
Pauline is now reunited with her husband, Ken, and her son Kenneth.
She is survived by her daughter, Pauline, and son Paul.
