VALMA Ashton was a daughter, sister, sister-in-law, friend, associate, committee member, volunteer, manager, wife, worker, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Born on January 13, 1938, to Basil and Irene Forsyth, she was the eldest of seven children – Les, Don, Bevan, Jean, Bev and Rhonda, who lived on Dolomite Road (now Forsyth’s Road) Limestone Ridges outside Peak Crossing.
Val attended Limestone Ridges school and spent her younger life working alongside her siblings on the family market garden.
She also worked on a farm ploughing with a horse and implements, hand planting, and harvesting fruit and vegetables to be sold to local residents, before she branched out to work at the Regal Café in Ipswich.
At the age of 18, Val contracted rheumatic fever and was diagnosed with Epstein’s Anomaly, which is a life-long uncommon heart condition.
This was the beginning of a life of heart related health issues with six pacemakers, open heart surgery and a prognosis of a life expectancy of 44 years.
Val’s sheer determination took her through many challenges in her lifetime.
She also worked at a café in Aratula and was involved with the Queensland Country Women’s Association rest home in Ipswich, where she cooked for the residents.
Throughout her 60 years of involvement with the CWA, Val held many executive and committee positions. She enjoyed the international days with several schools in the district.
On November 18, 1961, Val married Victor Ashton at the Central Congregational Church in Ipswich. They enjoyed 61-and-a-half years together.
The couple enjoyed regular dances and attended the Royal Australian Air Force balls, which were the highlight of their social calendar.
As a family they enjoyed holidays at the Gold Coast and when they could they also travelled overseas and in their motorhome around Australia.
Val and Victor also took on roles with the Amberley Congregational Church, the church youth group, cricket associations, various dairy organisations. Val began volunteering for organisations as early as 1962.
Known as a hard worker, Val was awarded with Australia Day medal for community work and she provided an annual bursary for the Amberley District State School where she continued to be a representative at the school’s Anzac Day ceremonies.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, she took an interest in her heritage and became involved in Clan Forsyth along with her siblings and she was present at the very first, and future gatherings of Clan Forsyth of Australia, Queensland branch before it was officially formed.
During her association with Clan Forsyth, Val witnessed many changes. She held positions in both executive and committee roles and participated in events not only by monetary and goods donations, but also by manual contribution for over 40 years.
Val’s leadership has been congratulated by many Clan Forsyth of Australia dignitaries, including Clan Chief Alistair Forsyth and Clan Commissioner of Australia, for what she and the committee achieved.
She also won many accolades in cooking and sewing competitions and in agricultural show entries.
While life was always busy with farm work and contributing to the community, Val would always find time for her family.
Above all, Val loved and lived for her family, her five children Debbie, Allan, Glenys, Lynette and Stewart, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren and all their partners.
