Tributes paid to Port Hedland community stalwart Pamela Gangell-Hardinge

The life of a Port Hedland community stalwart, and former deputy mayor — described as one of the town’s “shining lights” — has been celebrated after her death last month. More than 100 people attended the service to commemorate Pamela Gangell-Hardinge who died on August 12, aged 85, at St John of God Hospital in Midland. Ms Gangell-Hardinge, who served on the town council for 10 years, was a beloved member of the Hedland community. Her son, Mick Hopkinson said his mother was an incredibly compassionate person. “She was an exceptionally strong human being. She loved to see people succeed,” he said. “She believed in personal responsibility but was always there to pick someone up when they fell. “The only prerequisite for getting help and support from Pam was not how you ended up in that position, it was only that you needed help.” Known for her commitment to the town, Ms Gangell-Hardinge won the Rotary Citizen of the Year award in 1994, the Town of Port Hedland Citizen of the Year award in 1999, and was awarded life membership to the Port Hedland Speedway Club. Originally from Victoria, she served as chair of the Port Hedland Aged Person’s Home Trust, managed Jupps Carpet Store and the Hedland Emporium, and was a pit marshall at the Speedway Club. Ms Gangell-Hardinge moved to Port Hedland in 1966 after her husband Rick took up a new job in Dampier. Mr Hopkinson said leaving Victoria for the Pilbara was initially very hard for the family as they moved into a caravan park with no water, toilet, or power. “From the loving arms of her family in Victoria to the sweltering summer of WA she went and had to try to keep two children safe on her own while Rick worked away,” he said. “There was no fridge, no toilet paper, which seems irrelevant as there was no toilet anyway, we had very little to no food, because you couldn’t keep food without a fridge or power. “There was one shop 200 kilometres away in Dampier that could only be accessed on a Sunday if a vehicle was available.” However, Mr Hopkinson said the Port Hedland community and his mum very quickly became beautifully intertwined. “Little did Mum know what impact she and the little town of Port Hedland would have on each other,” he said. “Mum worked at the taxi base, and she would rent out our spare room on occasion to make money. “She made time to petition for individuals who had suffered harm in some way . . . and she fought hard for the rights of those that resided within Wedgefield as well as others.” Wayne Ness had known Ms Gangell-Hardinge since the 1970s after she became best friends with his mum. Mr Ness said growing up Ms Gangell-Hardinge provided him constant support and had been like an extended family member to him. “Pam has always been like a second mum, and my mum and my siblings spent lots of time together over the years like an extended family,” he said. Ms Gangell-Hardinge was known to love gardening, reading, and the Speedway Club. She was married twice and had two other de facto partners. Ms Gangell-Hardinge had three children — Mick Hopkinson, Jodi Higgins and Ben Hardinge.