The Australian harness racing industry was saddened today to hear of the passing on the weekend of Beulah Manea, widow of past HRA President, Dr Ern Manea, AO (1984-2000), and a notable person in her own right.
Beulah "Snookie" Manea was born Claudine Beulah Snook in 1929.
Her childhood was spent in the Perth Hills suburb of Roleystone and she later trained as a nurse during which time she also performed in some musical theatre. Clearly her social life didn’t impinge on her nursing studies as in 1950 she finished second in the final examination for general nurses.
On 18th August 1949 she shared a kiss with one Ernest Cosmo Manea, who was serving an internship at Royal Perth Hospital where she worked, and the rest as they say is history.
Years later Ern Manea admitted that the only person who could make him change his mind was Beulah and they were very much a team.
They moved to Bunbury in 1952 and not only developed a major medical practice but threw themselves into their new community in a broad range of areas.
She was a very good public speaker, and her contribution to the Bunbury community was significant with her involvement in a huge number of community groups. Her service was recognised nationally when she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in June 2006 for service to the community of Bunbury through conservation, health, welfare and sporting organisations.
She had earlier been awarded with the Centenary Medal in 2001 for long and voluntary service to the development of the Bunbury community and saving its heritage. The Bunbury City Council made her a Freeman of the City.
The contribution of Beulah and Ern Manea was also acknowledged in the naming of the Manea Senior College in 2008.
Her list of community work was extensive:
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President, Bunbury Timber Jetty Environment and Conservation Society since 1996; Member since 1990.
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Chair, Collections Committee, Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, 1980-1991; involved with the establishment and opening of the Gallery in 1987; Life Member. Member, Bunbury Regional Hospital, 1994-1998; involved in the collocation of the St John of God Hospital with the Bunbury Regional Hospital.
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Involved in establishment of Bunbury Meals on Wheels 1966; volunteer, for many years; Life Member.
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Lady Mayoress (spouse Mayor 1966-1972 and 1988-1997); supported her husband during his two terms as Mayor; 'Freeman of the City', 1997.
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Instigator; Member, Cemetery Board, since 1990.
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Supporter, South Bunbury Football Club, 1969-1972; fundraising and catering.
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Founder, Senior Citizens Craft Group (Group operated 1968-1977), Bunbury Senior Citizens Association; Life Member.
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Involved, collaboration on and publishing of Reminiscences of a Rural Practice: Dr Foster and Associates 1947-1999, 2000.
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Assisted spouse (in his role as Director, of the former South West Development Authority, 1982-1988) as an advocate for the South West region of WA.
As well as being mother to her own children, Mark and Denis, Beulah and Ern accepted a young Aboriginal footballer, Syd Jackson, in to their family home for a period, and he too became a part of their family.
On behalf of the harness racing community we extend our deepest sympathies to the extended Manea family.
Please note: The celebration of the life of Beulah Manea will be held at St Boniface Cathedral, Bunbury, commencing 11am on Friday 20/01/2017. For further information, please click here.
