BRAGGE

Bragge, Kathleen Nell (nee Dempster)

18.06.1943 – 20.07. 2020

Formerly of Melbourne and Yackandandah, Kath passed away unexpectedly on July 20th, 2020, with her daughter Marianne by her side. Beloved mother and mother-in-law of Lily & Gregory, Marianne & Michael (son out-of-law), Conor & Ariyana. Adored grandmother, “Ma” to Rudi, Maya, Miki and Koa. Longtime partner of John McIntyre. Besotted with Nellie, her Great Dane (the feeling was mutual). Lifelong lover of literature, music, nature, walking, birding, and gardening. Brilliant English teacher, educator, and mentor to many, Kath will be sorely missed.

Rest in Peace KB. We love you.

Due to restrictions on social gathering a private funeral will be held at the Yackandandah Cemetery as well as online at 2pm on Thursday, July 30th, 2020.

To view the service please visit wmedia.com.au/bragge

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  1. kay toniolo  July 25, 2020

    Fond memories of Working with Kath at Wodonga West Secondary College
    and listening to lots of stories on her bush walking adventures.
    Yackandandah will always be Peaceful.

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  2. Rico  July 26, 2020

    – When the times ends – starts eternity –

    With my deepest sympathy

    Rico
    (Friend from Germany)

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  3. Thomas Gant  July 27, 2020

    Our Deepest Condolences For Your Loss

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  4. Nola Henderson  July 27, 2020

    My deepest condolonces to all Kath was one of the favourite people I ever had the pleasure to spend time with in my life, I know that she will be sorely missed by so many people. Hugs to all xx

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  5. Di Cahill  July 28, 2020

    Kath was a very much loved, deeply respected and valued volunteer for the Office of the Public Advocate. She was tenacious in upholding the rights of the marginalised and was extremely passionate about giving a voice to those who were unable to advocate for themselves. Kath was also a fabulous mentor and leader to her fellow volunteers. She left a great and lasting impact and will be very missed by us all. A life well lived. Rest in peace, Dear Kath.

    Di Cahill
    OPA Volunteer Coordinator
    Office of the Public Advocate

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  6. Roger & Jeanette Findlay  July 29, 2020

    Since hearing of Kath’s departure my wife, Jeanette, and I have been struggling to find words to match the sad occasion.
    Both of us have known Kath for around three years and reported to her directly in our volunteer roles as OPA Community Visitors (Disability).
    Kath was a wonderful listener and had the ability to take on board what she heard. She was organised, compassionate, proactive and a firm negotiator; all essentials in her voluntary roles.
    The knowledge she had aquired over the years and her rapport with OPA staff and independent agencies will be missed but I can hear Kath saying “I was never indispensable and I know that I can rely on you all to give it your best shot”.
    Tough With A Heart Of Gold.

    Condolences to family and friends from Roger & Jeanette Findlay (Gerogery West, NSW).

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  7. Glenys and Eileen Brereton  July 29, 2020

    So sad to hear the news of Kathy’s passing. I have so many wonderful memories of great times spent with you all. She was a wonderful inspirational teacher, great mother and wonderful friend to all. Through the sadness remember all the wonderful times you had together with your mum . RIP Kathy.

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  8. Jeremy Stanford  July 30, 2020

    Sending all my love to the Bragge clan at this sad time. I will always remember Kath making her appearances when I was flatting with one of the Bragge daughters, Lily or Marianne. She always presented with a fierce intelligence and clever wit. I looked forward to her visits. I also discovered never to get between her and her dogs. She’ll be missed. With Love, Jeremy Stanford

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  9. Neil Michael  July 30, 2020

    My condolences to all of Kath’s family. I knew Kath as my Regional Convener at OPA and know that she will be missed by all house residents, who she continually advocated for, and all her Community Visitors.A job well done and Vale Kath.
    Neil Michael

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  10. Brenda McMinn  July 30, 2020

    So sad to hear, many memories of Kathy at our R.C. meetings always with useful contribution to make very dedicated

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  11. Kevan and Leslie Porter  July 30, 2020

    I don’t have exact dates or do I know all the schools that Kath was at.
    I was very keen to have Kath on the staff at the Wodonga School Support Centre as our aim was to recruit the best teachers in the district so that they could share their knowledge and experience with teachers throughout the district , many in remote locations. Alan Cracknell had great respect for Kath’s intellect and suggested that we might be able to cajole her away from Wodonga High School for at least a short time. This was a brilliant idea. She was a wise mentor to many of the district’s teachers and also the staff at the SSC. One ex principal was very saddened when told of Kath’s death and described her as having a “formidable intellect and excellent knowledge of education”.
    Kath and I often travelled together to schools and to Education Department functions, and on these trips we had the chance to talk about many things. I discovered that she lived not far from me in the 1940s in Alphington and that we attended the same primary school – Fairfield Primary School. She was an outstanding student at University High School and entered Melbourne University to study Arts at the age of 16. She was musically talented, fell in love with another musically talented person, left university, got married and did not return to complete her studies until some years later. These studies were successfully completed while raising a young family. When she was well enough qualified to enter teaching she taught at Reservoir and possibly other metropolitan schools. The marriage became very strained so Kath made the brave decision to take her small children to the remote Murrayville High School just near the South Australian border. Here she worked with young Vern Hilditch who was to become principal of Wodonga Senior College many years later.
    She later moved to Wodonga High School, served at the Wodonga School Support Centre in the mid 1980s, and in the late 1980s was appointed principal of Wodonga West Secondary College.
    Kath was a keen walker and loved being part of a group that frequently explored the high country. It was hard to keep her from leading even in the most remote country. Sometimes her enthusiasm exceeded her navigational skills. This led to a strung-out line of walkers and the possibility of Kath getting lost or the last in the group getting lost. Despite a few anxious moments we all managed to unite around the camp fire at the end of the day.
    Our daughter Jenny was taught by Kath at Wodonga High School in the 1980s and has enormous respect for her knowledge and teaching skills. Jenny found her quite inspiring and now at 50, she still maintains a great love of literature expressed through reading and occasional writing.
    Teaching is a rare profession where we have the opportunity to influence minds and shape the lives of thousands of humans. Kath seized and derived great satisfaction from this opportunity and did not waste a moment. Her influence will be felt for many many years.

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