In Loving Memory of

Elaine Duyvestyn

25th May 1950 - 14th June 2026

Elaine Joy Duyvestyn’s story starts on May 25, 1950, when she was born in Australia to parents Harry and Betty Howson. When Elaine was 23, she married her husband, Arnoldus Jozef Duyvestyn. Elaine became a mother to Wayne, Paul, and Neil. She went on to work as an administrator and made her home in Cranbourne, Victoria. Elaine is loved by family and friends alike. She will be missed and always remembered. We encourage you to help keep her story alive by sharing a memory or reflection.

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Elaine's Story

1950

Born to Betty and Harry Howson

25 May 1950

Photo:
Betty with baby Elaine
Harry with baby Elaine
Harry, Betty with baby Elaine
Auntie Joan with Elaine (Betty’s sister)

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Katja Everaerts
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Family dinners

Thankful for the many family dinners i was made part of. You and your family made my life in Australia so much better.
I will miss you, forever my Aussie Mum 💖

Not to sure when these photos where taken.

67

Family photo

10 December 67

1951

Elaine at 9mths

February 1951

1952

Elaine around the year of 2.

1952

1954

Elaine at the School of Dancing

1954

1957

Family Santa Photo at Myers

1957

1962

Christmas with the family

1962

1965

P.V.C.S.S Speech Night

11 November 1965

1966

Family trip

June 1966

1967

Easter family holiday at Philip Island

1967

1967

Family photo

10 December 1967

1968

Elaine and Nol meet.

1968

Elaine and Nol meet through "Ron and Marie's Dancing School" in Tyabb. Nol had decided to take a refreshed class while Elaine had not long started taking classes.

1968

Elaine’s 18th gift from her grandparents

May 1968

1969

Family photo Christmas

1969

1969

Elaine working at Bank

September 1969

Nol remembers that Elaine worked at the Bank as her first job out of school. Nol remembers parking outside the Frankton Branch and needing to wait for Elaine some nights as she would work later.

1971

Elaine and Nol got Engaged

May 1971

At Elaine's 21st Birthday Party, Elaine & Nol announced to the families their Engagement after 3 years of dating.

1972

Wedding Day

5 August 1972

On an overcast day, I married the love of my life. I remember sitting at home playing cards with my brothers until about 10 minutes before leaving for the church.

We were lucky to be in the church when the heavens opened up and started bucketing but stop when we were ready to start taking photos.

We were surrounded by family and friends on both sides. This year would have been our 54th wedding anniversary.

1974

Elaine and Nol

1974

1975

New Year’s at the beach

1975

1976

Christmas gathering

1976

1976

Wayne is born

6 November 1976

1978

Elaine and Nol build their home in Cranbourne

1978

After 6 months of construction, Elaine and Nol moved into their new home with Toddler Wayne.

1980

Paul is born

20 August 1980

1984

Work Christmas party

1984

1984

Neil is born

18 June 1984

1985

Paul’s Birthday

1985

1986
EJ
Elinor Jack
1986
Elaine in her playing days

1986

Duyvestyn extended family party

30 June 1986

1989

Family photo

1989

1990
EJ
Elinor Jack
1990
Volunteering in the Canteen

1992
TB
Tabatha Barley
1992
Softball & Family ❤️ The Barleys

By creating the Cranbourne Softball Club, her legacy has brought families and communities together both on and off the diamond.
Thankyou for all the memories we have shared, your commitment to Softball and creating a place for families to come together.
Memories always cherished.
The Barley's...

1995
MC
Moo Clunes
1995
Cranbourne Softball Club

Today, we honour the memory of Elaine, a true pioneer and the driving force behind Cranbourne Softball Club. When the club first started, Elaine had a dream to bring our local softball community together. Through her hard work, selflessness, and love for the game, she turned that vision into a reality. Elaine taught us how to be great teammates, leaders, and players. The bases she laid will always be part of this club's story. May Elaine be at peace, forever watching over the diamond.

2007

Paul & Renae’s Engagement Party

2007

2008

Elaine received award for her volunteer work within the community.

2008

2010
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2010
Elaine - Melbourne Softball Assocation

Elaine at (beautiful) Fawkner Park where she spents immeasurable Sunday's in service of softball and the Melbourne Softball Association

2010

Kerri-Anne and Neil’s engagement party

9 August 2010

2012
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2012
Elaine showing the 'kids' how it's done

Elaine at (beautiful) Fawkner Park where she spent immeasurable Sunday's in service of softball and the Melbourne Softball Association

2012

Kerri-Anne & Neil’s Wedding

9 June 2012

Creating beautiful memories of Elaine helping Neil get ready, family photos and dancing to end the night.

2014

Elaine holding Grandson

6 December 2014

Elaine visited in the hospital to meet grandson Ethan for the first time. Photo of Elaine holding Ethan in hospital and Elaine with Ethan at first home visit.

2015
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2015
Ruling the canteen with an iron fist and a ready smile

Elaine at (beautiful) Fawkner Park where she spent immeasurable Sunday's in service of softball and the Melbourne Softball Association

2015

Ethan having a Day with Nanna & Grandpa

3 September 2015

2016

Special day out for one of Jorja’s calisthenics competitions

2016

2016

Ethan’s first trip to the Melbourne Zoo

16 March 2016

Nanna and Grandpa (with mummy & daddy) spent the day with Ethan at the Melbourne Zoo.

This was Ethan first time to the Zoo, so Nanna and Grandpa enjoyed showing him their favourite animals while Ethan tried to call out to each of them.

2017

Christmas Carols

2017

2017
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2017
Grand Final Day 2017

Elaine at (beautiful) Fawkner Park where she spent immeasurable Sunday's in service of softball and the Melbourne Softball Association

2017
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2017
2016/2017 Slowpitch Great Grand Final Day

Elaine at (beautiful) Fawkner Park where she spent immeasurable Sunday's in service of softball and the Melbourne Softball Association

2017
EJ
Elinor Jack
18 January 2017
Victorian Sports Awards

2017

Michelle and Darrin Wedding

December 2017

2018

Christmas hugs with the two smallest grandchildren

2018

2018

Family photos at Lynbrook Lake

November 2018

2019

Elaine and Nanna Betty Celebrating their birthdays together

2019

2019
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Elinor Jack
2019
50 years of celebration

2019

Ethan’s 5th Birthday Party

2019

2019
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Elinor Jack
2019
Victorian Sports Awards

2019
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Elinor Jack
2019
Two lovely ladies

2020

Alexander’s First Christmas at Nanna and Grandpa’s house.

2020

2020

Howson Boxing Day Family lunch

2020

2020

Elaines 70th

May 2020

Enjoying a special dinner and cake at Paul & Renae’s for Elaine’s 70th.

2021

Elaine and Nanna Betty’s birthday Lunch

2021

2021

Family Christmas- Boxing day lunch

2021

2022
EJ
Elinor Jack
13 June 2022
Elaine for her service to softball and early child education

Cranbourne's Elaine Duyvestyn has been award an OAM for her service to softball and early childhood education. Photo: Eleanor Wilson.

But not for Cranbourne local Elaine Duyvestyn, whose service to softball, along with early childhood education, has awarded her a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Mrs Duyvestyn discovered softball at school and quickly fell in love with the sport, she says.

She started as a player for Wingers Softball Club at Fawkner Park in South Yarra in 1968, before venturing into coaching, mentoring, administration and treasury roles with various softball associations.

A life member of Cranbourne Softball Club, Casey Softball Association, Wingers Softball Club, Melbourne Softball Association and Softball Victoria, it is not hard to understand Mrs Duyvestyn, her husband and three children, have long lived in a world consumed by softball.

“It’s just a great community sport. The environment is always competitive but friendly…there’s some amazing people and it’s nice to have that camaraderie-ship,” Mrs Duyvestyn said.

General Manager of the Melbourne Softball Association from 1990-1997 and Vice President of Softball Victoria from 1998-2003 are just a couple of examples of her involvement with the sport, which earned her a coveted Australian Sports Medal and Softball Australia Service Award among many other accolades.

But her service to the community far surpasses the sporting world.

In 1984, as a committee member at her sons’ kindergarten centre in Cranbourne, Mrs Duyvestyn was asked to take on a role to develop a not-for-profit early childhood education centre next door.

As part of a working committee, she was involved in everything from working with the building plans, to fitting the centre with equipment and furnishings, through to employing staff.

Thirty eight years later, she is the last standing foundation volunteer manager for Clarendon Street Community Child Care Centre, an effort she owes to the kids that attend the centre.

“The demographic tells us that there’s lots of kids with issues and we know that when they come here, they’re safe,” she said.

“It’s just generally knowing that when the kids are at home, they’re not always so well cared for and not so safe, but here, we know we can give them as much care as we can in the 12 hours they’re here.”

In speaking to Mrs Duyvestyn about the highlights of her long service to the community, it becomes clear that it is all about community connection for her.

“It’s just the participation and being involved and working with lots of good people,” she said.

“All coming together for the same cause – the joy of getting together. They’re the sorts of things that leave a big impression on me.”

Her honour roll award sits at the top of an extensive list of accolades, including Australian Volunteer of the Year in 2001, City of Casey Community Volunteer Award in 2008, Community Sport and Active Recreation Award from VicSport in 2018 and Melbourne Softball Association’s Lorraine Ireland Award of Excellence in 2014.

Yet she maintains that receiving recognition from the community never gets old.

“[The awards] always amaze me, I’m really stoked by all of them. Just to have what you do recognized is really special,” she said.

“It just means somebody cares enough to go to the trouble [to nominate me] and that’s a big thing.”

2022
EJ
Elinor Jack
18 June 2022
Elaine Gifts from Melbourne Softball Association for her Order of Australia Member

Such a beautiful gesture from the Monash Softball Club today, who presented Elaine with this lovely gift in honour of her recent OAM. It’s moments like these that make this association incredibly special. Well done all

2022

50th Wedding Anniversary Party.

6 August 2022

Small family gathering to celebrate Elaine and Nol’s 50th Wedding anniversary.

2023

Family lunch Boxing Day

2023

2024
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Elinor Jack
2024
Teachers Games

2024
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Elinor Jack
18 February 2024
2024 Melbourne Softball Association Reunion

2024

Day trip into the city.

25 May 2024

A family adventure into the city for a walking tour/ treasure hunt.

Nanna had found a “Wizard of OZ” walking treasure hunt through the city. Ethan, Jennifer and Alexander enjoyed founding each of the different points from the clues they were given.

2024

Celebrating Ethan’s First Communion

8 September 2024

Enjoying a family lunch post Ethan 1st Communion.

Nanna was proud of Ethan and the work he had done in the lead up to service.

2024
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Elinor Jack
17 November 2024
Elaine at Softball Victoria Awards 2024 - Awards And Recognition Committee

A huge thank you to the Awards and Recognition Committee for their passion and dedication in honoring the volunteers who make such a difference each year. This committee is Chaired by Margo Koskelainen OAM who is joined by Helen Edwards, Angela Broadbent, Jose Loton, Jenny Miles, Cheryl Waye OAM & Elaine Duyvestyn OAM.

2025

Meeting and washing Elephants in Thailand

13 February 2025

Nanna’s life long love of elephants, hit an all time high when in Thailand for Paul & Renea’s wedding.

We visited an elephant sanctuary where Nanna was able to feed, touch and help bath some of the elephants.

2025

Paul and Renea’ Wedding

18 February 2025

Special day in Thailand for Paul and Renea’s Wedding.

2025

Nanna Birthday

May 2025

2026
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2 May 2026
Softball Victoria - Awards and Recognition 2026

This was the last time I spoke to Elaine. wish I'd known that then so I could have let her know once more how much I cherished her friendship.

2026

Mother’s Day Breakfast

8 May 2026

Ethan and Nanna spending a special mother’s Day/ Nanna’s Day breakfast together at school.

2026

Nanna’s Birthday dinner

25 May 2026

Nanna’s enjoyed a family dinner at home with Nol, all her children and grandchildren.

2026

Passed Away

14 June 2026

Guestbook

My condolences to all of Elaine’s family and friends. Elaine was a kind and loving lady. I’m sure everyone will have a lifetime of beautiful memories to get through the hard days that will come.
Love to you all.
Jane, John and family. xoxo

JV
Jane Vanderhorst Jul 01, 2026 04:46 PM

What an amazing woman. I have such fond memories of her. There will be a piece of heart broken for all who knew her. Sending much love and strength to all her family. ❤️

DC
Debbie Clunes Jul 01, 2026 11:56 AM

Dear Nol, Wayne, Paul and Neil and partners and family, my sincere condolences on the passing of your mum. She and I have spent time together at various stages in our adult life. She and I met when we were protesting and arguing with Cranbourne Council to build the Clarendon Street Kindergarten. Wayne and Bronwyn attended kinder together there. She was strong, fierce and determined and I appreciated her so very much. Then we joined forces somewhat when myself and Bronwyn and Steven started playing softball at Cranbourne and then again with Mlebourne Wingers and again with Vicsens. I am sad she has gone but that is nothing compared to how you all feel. The service for her today told her story beautifully. kindest regards Jenny Cole

JC
Jenny Cole Jul 01, 2026 11:34 AM

My deepest condolences to Elaine's family & friends.
Elaine was a bright light in the world for all she met, may she rest in peace.

CH
Callie Hayward Jul 01, 2026 10:38 AM

Thanks for the softball community you created at Fawkner Park. It was great fun to be part of. Rest well Elaine.
Condolences to the Duyvestyn family - thanks for sharing Elaine and your lives with the community.

KF
Khay Fong Jul 01, 2026 10:26 AM

Memorial Service

Venue: Mornington Green
Date: Jul 01, 2026 10:00 AM
Service details:

Memorial Service will be held at 10am at Mornington Green followed by the wake at Trios at 12pm.

For those unable to attend in person, the link to the live streaming of the service is below.