A Perfect Day in Flinders
It was in the heart of Flinders, on a perfect bluebird day, that Barbara Mountain took a trip down Memory Lane.
As a young woman, Barbara’s fondest memories were of Flinders, a charming seaside village on the Mornington Peninsula.
She could remember holidays at her uncle’s holiday houses just down the road in Somers and Balnarring Beach. Picnics by the bay, and her husband Robin’s favourite fishing spot.
If Barbara and Robin ever found themselves with a day up their sleeve, they’d pack up the family and head to Flinders’ sandy shores – picking up their favourite sourdough loaves from the local bakery along the way.
But as life went on, and Barbara’s health began to deteriorate, their trips to the seaside became less and less frequent.
And then late in life, Barbara became seriously unwell. Ultimately being diagnosed with late stage cancer. And that’s when our Memory Lane service came into her life.
Memory Lane is a free service that supports patients in end-of-life care, to visit a place that holds meaning for them. The service is entirely funded by generous people like you and staffed by medically trained health care professionals who volunteer their time.
It seemed fitting, that as a generous supporter of the RFDS for many years, Barbara’s last trip to Flinders was through a service she had helped make possible for others.
A special day
Her loving husband Robin remembers the day well.
“I got them to reverse down the driveway, and we loaded Barb onto the stretcher. She was very comfortable, and the drive over brought back plenty of memories.”
Barbara, Robin and their son Glenn, who were together in the Memory Lane van for the trip to Flinders, were then joined by Glenn’s wife Angie, and their lovely greyhound Slater. Their first stop was the local lookout, and after taking in the view, it was time to head down to the pier.
“I really can’t emphasize the perfectness of the day. It was perfect weather, clear blue skies, sunny, and not a breath of air moving. We spent a lot of time strolling on the pier. Barbara recognised the new boats since her last visit and Slater was a great source of attention for the group.” remembers Robin.
A picnic lunch with Barbara’s favourites followed for everyone but Slater (the dog), who’d already helped himself to a fisherman’s bait bucket!
“I was simply overwhelmed by everything that day,” says Robin. “It’s a day which is so special to me and holds all my memories.”
A lifetime of Flying Doctor connections
For Barbara and Robin, it was a bookend to a long history with the RFDS. Just 12 months into their marriage, they visited the Flying Doctor’s founder John Flynn’s church in the Flinders Rangers and helped to archive images of those early years.
It’s fitting then, that the photos of Barbara’s special Memory Lane visit, are now treasured keepsakes for Robin’s family.
Just two weeks after that perfect day, Barbara passed away peacefully in her sleep.
Vale Barbara Mountain 1942 - 2024
If you would like to learn more about the Memory Lane service, please visit flyingdoctormemorylane.org.au or phone 1300 017 337.
