It is with much sadness that we say goodbye to Judy Spence, who passed away peacefully yesterday.

Physie was Judy’s life and, for many decades, we can say that the “life” of physie was Judy.

Among her many innovations, the most notable were the introduction of leotards, acquiring the Opera House as the venue for the senior nationals in the year it was built and orchestrating the 1992 BJP Centenary event at the Entertainment Centre.

Judy began her association with BJP in 1946 and became a full time employee in 1972 as Office Manager. She joined the board in 1982, became Managing Director in 1984 and Chairman in 2005, retiring in 2010, after 64 dedicated years with “the firm” as it was always known.

Fellow director Mr Kim Allen recently spoke about Judy in an interview saying, “she is the most diplomatic person I’ve ever worked with and there’s no doubt in my mind that’s the reason she was able to bring the business back into a very positive position.  She was wonderful to work with.”

Known as “Mrs Spence” by some and “Judy” by others, she was respected, loved and sometimes a little feared.  Teacher, friend, colleague, mother and grandmother – she will be treasured forever and missed by all.

The family will hold a private funeral and a memorial service will be announced in due course.