Community & Business
4 June, 2026
Betty Denning OAM remembered for her serving heart
Last week, members of the community gathered at the Pittsworth Uniting Church to farewell Betty Merle Denning OAM, who died on May 13th, aged 95 years.
The service highlighted Betty as a lady generous in nature and humble by choice, qualities that remained with her throughout her life.
Her involvements in various clubs and organisations over the years were far too numerous to mention all by name, but it was because of her serving heart that she met and built respectful relationships with many people from many different backgrounds.
Her celebration of life service was held on 26th May and Rev. Willie Liebenberg officiated.
The opening hymn was Morning Has Broken.
Rev. Liebenberg thanked everyone for their attendance in coming to celebrate Betty’s life.
“Your presence truly is a gift,” he said.
“A sign of the love that has surrounded Betty for her life and to see it continue here today is absolutely heartwarming.”
Pamela McDermott, Chloe Denning and Ellie Denning read the Bible readings from John 14:1-6, 18, 19, 27 and Psalm 23.
Cecelia Krieg sang a touching tribute of Soft and Tenderly.
Rev. Liebenberg’s address touched on the hope of John 14 when Jesus comforts his disciples - ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?’
“What a reassurance that is, it means that Betty is not lost, she is known and she is welcome by her Saviour Jesus Christ,” Rev. Liebenberg said.
The eulogy was prepared by the Denning family and read by Charlie Uebergang.
Here’s some of what was shared:
Betty Merle Denning (nee Ruhle) OAM was born on 8th October 1930 in Pittsworth and grew up on the family farm at Springside.
From humble beginnings came a life marked by extraordinary service, dedication and achievement.
During the difficult years following the War, Betty was forced to leave school at age 10 to help on the farm.
In 1949 Betty married Tom Denning, and they built a life on the land at their first home ‘Dingle Dell’.
The marriage produced three children - Marilyn, Allan and Noel, which grew to seven grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren.
In 1966, Betty and Tom purchased “Avondale”, a family home that hosted many special events and family gatherings over the years.
After Tom’s death, Betty moved to Lillian Street in Pittsworth in 1998, before making her final move to Beauaraba Living in July 2022.
While raising a family and working on the farm, Betty dedicated herself wholeheartedly to volunteering within the community.
Her volunteer journey began in 1961 when Noel started school and it continued for more than 70 years.
Betty donated countless hours to schools, sporting organisations, hospitals, church, the R.S.L., Beauaraba Living and many other community groups.
The family would often jest that they would need to make an appointment to see her because serving others was simply her way of life.
One of her greatest passions was the Pittsworth Show Society.
She’d often said, “When I married Tom, I also married the Show Society”.
Her involvement spanned an incredible 73 years from 1949 to 2022.
She served as a committee member and horticultural steward for 40 years, Patron for eight years and was awarded Life Membership in 1986.
When the Pittsworth Hospital re-opened in 1979, Betty became a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
She helped make beds, arranged flowers in the rooms and raised money through street stalls, raffles and clothing sales.
Betty was always cooking to raise money for the purchase of linen, curtains and equipment for the hospital.
Many would remember her famous scones and cakes from a Saturday morning street stall.
Betty was deeply involved with Beauaraba Lodge from its inception in 1989.
She ran bingo and card games, cooked for fundraisers, volunteered her time at the Op Shop and supported countless events that raised funds to improve the facilities for the community.
She would collect residents from the Lodge and take them to do their shopping and banking, and for those who were unable to travel, she would take the orders and do the shopping for them.
Betty was a dedicated member of the Uniting Church congregation.
She would drive elderly friends to and from church every Sunday.
In June 2021, Betty received one of the nation’s highest honours, the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) from her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
This great honour was for service to the Pittsworth community.
In recent years, Betty suffered some setbacks with her health including the loss of her eyesight which was devastating for her, as she could not see her family as they grew.
Betty passed away peacefully on 13th May 2026 aged 95 years and seven months.
She was the heart of the Denning family and leaves behind a legacy of love that stretched over five generations.
The family sincerely thanked Dr Kate McEniery and Beauaraba Living for their care and support over the last four years.
A tribute from Pittsworth R.S.L. Sub-branch President, Allan Petersen OAM, followed, and he honoured Betty as a former member of the Ladies Auxiliary who served the R.S.L. with distinction and faithfully observed the pledge undertaken at the time she joined.
“Betty was one of the original members of the Ladies Auxiliary which was formed in 1955,” Mr Petersen said.
“ANZAC Day was always a special day for Betty and her family.
“Her day would start at 3am at the R.S.L. rooms to prepare for the gunfire breakfast after the dawn service.
“At the 9 o’clock cemetery service, Betty and her family, who were always in attendance, would lay a poppy as a tribute to her late husband Tom,” Mr Petersen said.
In 1970, Betty was awarded Life Membership of the R.S.L. Ladies Auxiliary.
“We will remember Betty with love and affection,” Mr Petersen said.
She was also at the forefront of the R.S.L. card group, ensuring everyone had a great game of cards, some home cooked afternoon tea and camaraderie to follow.
In acknowledgment of Betty’s service, Mr Petersen placed a rose, the emblem of the Auxiliary, on her coffin.
A moment of silence was observed as a tribute to her.
The interment took place after the service at Pittsworth Cemetery.
The pallbearers were Allan Denning, Noel Denning, Peter Thompson, Peter Denning, Daniel Denning and Jonathon Denning.
