GAULKE, Delphine Elaine ‘Del’ (née Graham)

Dear Mrs g thank you for the memories over the years we had to together thank you for teaching us how to ride horses best weekends ever. Rest in peace mrs g love Mark and Katie 💗

Grateful families . Del helped many kids in Irymple learn to ride and grow in self confidence . A life well lived.

I hold warm memories of Del – mainly as my piano teacher (through the Sunraysia School of Music) – and also through a brief stint at horse-riding (when we considered the purchase of Shilo, but Del was astute enough to discourage us from a pony that would have been unsuitable in this case). A kind, generous, honest and perceptive lady: certainly special and esteemed by many. Deepest sympathy to all members of Del’s family; may you draw comfort from knowing that Del’s legacy is kept fondly in the hearts of many.

Dear Mrs G, when I think back on the happiest, most formative parts of my childhood, I always come back to the days we spent riding together. The little bay pony Fly and the jet-black horse Bubbles were my primary steeds, but there was also Kiren, Cutie, Sammy (the nice Shetland), and your trusted bay mare Dolly. Riding alongside the grapevines of Irymple, along the dusty tracks to the river at Bruce’s Bend, out to Psyche Pump, Kings Billabong and even as far as Cardross — those memories are stitched into who I am.

We travelled as a little herd of our own, and you were always the calm, steady leader at the front — guiding the less experienced riders, teaching us without ever making it feel like a lesson. When we reached the offshoot to the river, we’d tether the horses to the big gum trees (some were allowed to roam free because you knew you could trust them not to leave). We’d unsaddle the horses and swim them bareback, laughing as we tried to stay balanced or jumping from their backs into the brown river water. Afterwards, we’d follow the winding tracks through the golf course, carefully steering our horses around the greens. Somehow the horses knew the greens were precious, and they would try to be a little cheeky — sneaking a step onto the pristine grass. That’s where control and skill were taught the most, though it all felt so natural.

Lunch was always part of the adventure — a meat pie and an ice-cream at the old Bruce’s Bend kiosk (long gone now), or tying the horses out the front of Woodies Gem Shop for chips and a soft drink. We never had time to run through the maze… the horses were waiting.

Those weekends felt endless. We played in paddocks that are now housing estates, though the old pine trees still stand like quiet witnesses. We’d run and flop into the fresh lucerne paddocks — the same ones the horses adored and would eagerly join us in. At your home, we’d hold our own little gymkhanas so we could learn the rules and etiquette, making up our own ribbons, then ride to real gymkhanas, compete, and ride home again. We learned how to groom properly and make the horses sparkle.

And then there were the older girls — Jane, Georgia, and Renee. Riding with them felt like riding with big sisters. They were confident, capable, and such strong influences on us, showing us what good horsemanship looked like and giving us someone to look up to. Their presence shaped the way we learned, behaved, and matured around horses.

Some of my favourite memories were the couple of midnight rides we snuck out for — something you would have told us off for if you’d known. (So I’m assuming you didn’t — and if we kept you up with worry, I’m sorry!) All those rides were only possible because your ponies were the safest, bravest companions a kid could ever hope for — and because of your kindness in sharing your ponies, your time, and your love for horses, giving us some of the best childhood memories imaginable.

There were other simple joys too — squeezing fresh orange juice picked straight from your trees, and riding alongside your grandchildren Beth and Aaron (Heidi was never keen), who became part of the magic.

You gave me more than just childhood adventures. You shaped my love of horses, my confidence, my sense of freedom, and my understanding of responsibility. You showed me what it means to guide others with patience, and how to create a world where kids feel safe and brave at the same time.

Thank you — for every ride, every lesson, every memory. They are part of me, and always will be.

Thank you so much for all your heartfelt tributes for my mum. Mrs G /Del loved to share her knowledge and passion for music horses, dogs, animals. She would have loved to read your lovely memories and kind messages. Especially Sharon it was touching to read this before the funeral today. Kind regards to you all.