Murray Bridge Filipino community mourns multicultural leader Joy Goodridge, who died aged 70
Joy Goodridge, a Filipino-Australian community leader who chaired the Murraylands Multicultural Network in South Australia from 2015, died on 30 October aged 70; her funeral is on Thursday 19 November in Murray Bridge.
The Filipino-Australian community in South Australia's Murraylands region is mourning the death of longtime community leader Joy Goodridge, The Philippine Times reported on 11 November. Goodridge died on 30 October 2026, aged 70, according to a tribute published by Murray Bridge News.
Originally from the Philippines, she migrated to Australia about 46 years ago and became an Australian citizen in Perth in 1982. She came to work in Murray Bridge in 1990.
Work and community
Her first jobs in the Murraylands were pea-picking and milking cows, according to the Murray Bridge News tribute, which was contributed by John Scarvelis. She spent 17 years working at the Clipsal factory in Murray Bridge and Strathalbyn, and also worked in aged care at the Murraylands Retirement Village.
Goodridge was involved with the Murraylands Multicultural Network, which was formed in 2006, and took part in the activities and performances contributed by the Filipino community, including dancing, singing and food preparation. She became the network's chairperson in 2015 and stayed on its management group after Scarvelis became chairman in 2018.
She also contributed to the Murraylands Filipino-Australian Association and was involved with the Filipino Settlement Council and the Filipino Communities Council of Australia, attending monthly meetings in Adelaide, the tribute says.
Recognition
Goodridge received the Irene Krastev Award in 2022 on International Women's Day at the Adelaide Town Hall in recognition of her work. Scarvelis wrote that she felt happiest when she was able to help and support other migrants to settle in.
She was a bright light to all those around her.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Died | 30 October 2026, aged 70 |
| Funeral | Thursday, 19 November, 11am |
| Venue | Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Murray Bridge |
Key facts
- Joy Goodridge, a longtime Filipino-Australian community leader in Murray Bridge, South Australia, died on 30 October 2026, aged 70.
- She migrated to Australia about 46 years ago, became an Australian citizen in Perth in 1982 and moved to Murray Bridge in 1990.
- She became chairperson of the Murraylands Multicultural Network in 2015 and received the Irene Krastev Award in 2022.
- Her funeral is scheduled for Thursday, 19 November, at 11am at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Murray Bridge.
Official sources
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