Mount Gambier’s Gayle Cowan has been remembered for her generous, humble and hard-working nature since her passing earlier this year.

Gayle’s three children, Jeremy, Leigh and Tiffanie spoke to The SE Voice to reflect on their mother’s life, including her love story with her husband Bob Cowan, her rich involvement with the community and love for travel and adventure.

Gayle met Bob in 1962 through a mutual friend at what was then the Mount Gambier Drive-In Theatre.

Bob was from Adelaide and, as a young forester, had been posted down to Mount Gambier to look after several of the local plantations.

At the time, Bob was very keen on Gayle, however, Gayle was not so keen initially, but he eventually won her over.

They were married on August 8, 1964 and three weeks after getting married they were on a boat to England because Bob won a one-year scholarship at Oxford linked to forestry.

The couple married in a decade when rock n’ roll was at its prime and saw infamous rock band The Beatles that year.

Gayle spent many years devoting her time to the Mount Gambier Bridge Club and the Riddoch Art Gallery along with film clubs and book clubs.

Gayle always donated her time in multiple official capacities to these organisations and in doing so, she created many long-lasting friendships.

Gayle’s youngest son, Jeremy, said Gayle had an absolute love and passion for art and the card game Bridge.

“Over many years, she had multiple attempts at trying to get any of her seven grandchildren passionate about Bridge, but this was without success,” he said.

Gayle was always busy with Forestry Wives lunches, Friends of the Art Gallery events, tennis days and various work and efforts linked to the Cowan Grant.

Gayle and Bob ran the Cowan Grant for more than 20 years, which has given more than $3m to help students in need through their tertiary education.

“This is something Gayle and Bob have built themselves and had incredible pride and humility in what they have been able to achieve,” Jeremy said.

Gayle and Bob were awarded Fellows of the University of South Australia in 2022, which acknowledged their outstanding contribution to the growth and development of UniSA.

They also both received Order of Australia Medals in this year’s Australia Day honours.

Jeremy said his mother was generally a quiet and private person and a quote from Gayle herself was, “well, stop thinking and talking about it – just do it.”

“She enjoyed anyone’s company but would always be slightly guarded and protective of her family and of her personal details,” he said.

“She had a great sense of humour and would share her unbridled laughter with cherished friends and family.

“She felt no need to ever boast or gloat or complain – rather, she was a no-nonsense, driven and caring lady who ‘just got on with things’ with minimal fuss or drama.

“She was the eldest daughter of the local butcher, she came from the land and learned hard work at a very young age.

“Gayle was always the rock from a home life point of view.

“She was full-time mum during some periods, then part-time and full-time worker during other periods when some more money was needed to help make ends meet.

“She would do whatever needed to be done and would always be ensuring that we were living within our means and were able to access any opportunities we wanted to.”

Jeremy said his parents instilled great values into their family and were always encouraging the three children and others to make the most of every educational opportunity.

“Life is all about learning and growing and they were constantly encouraging us all to get out there and do things,” Jeremy said.

Jeremy said he has lost count of how many overseas trips his parents ventured on and their zest for life meant they always lived life to the fullest together.

“Even as a 60-year-old Gayle was intentionally plunging into large freshwater lakes, off the side of a moving yacht in Guatemala, then trying to grab hold of a trailing rope in the water to then pull herself back on board,” he said.

“She was practicing how she would re-board should she fall off!”

The children take after their parents as each member of the Cowan family of five has lived and worked overseas at different times, sailed around the world, dog sledded through Canada/Alaska, ridden bikes across the Nullarbor and more.

“Life is for living, take it on and have as many adventures as you can,” Jeremy said.

Despite all their travels and adventures, Gayle and Bob had particular passion for Robe, where they visited many times over many decades and their favourite activity was walking along West Beach.