Pauline Rootes was educated at Sydney Church of England Girls' Grammar School in Darlinghurst, NSW. An envelope labelled "Pauline first school report" was found empty, so we don't really know what sort of student she was - however the family will remember her as a well-educated young lady, easy going, with a good sense of humour, someone who could get along with anyone.

Her sense of adventure and love of travel began early as she travelled to India with her parents as a young girl and at a time when India was truly an adventure. At the age of 23 she travelled again to India and Europe and spent a year living in England. Her adventures were well-documented including the original travel tickets, on-board menus and invitations to dine with the captain of the ship on which she was travelling.

After leaving school she had worked as a stenographer and secretary in various businesses in Sydney, NSW. In 1954 she moved to Darwin NT to be a "Ground Hostess" with QANTAS until 1956. Maybe it was the heat of Darwin that had her looking at cooler climates, landing a job in Cooma with the Snowy Mountains Authority (SMA), as an "Information Officer". She was based in that very modern building for the times as you approach Cooma from Canberra which still exists today as the Snowy Mountains Authority Visitors' Centre.

While working at the SMA, Pauline met Peter Rootes, who was working as a photographer for the SMA, and they were married in Canberra in November 1963. They continued to live in Cooma until 1970 when Pauline was retrenched from the SMA. Her love for the region and association with SMA continue for many years as one of the organisers of the SMA reunions.

To continue her their careers Pauline and Peter then moved to Canberra. Pauline worked for many government departments with her last department being ACT Electricity, Water and Sewerage Company when she retired in 1989.

Retirement didn't slow them down, it allowed them the time to do what they loved to do most, travel. They travelled extensively both around Australia and overseas. Even after the loss of her beloved Peter, Pauline continued to travel. There would not be a place that she or Peter had not visited during their lifetime.

From a very early age Pauline knew the gift that her parents had given her by way of an education and the wonderful opportunities that provided both professional and personally. It was their love of the Snowy Mountains region and the belief in the gift of education that the "Peter James and Pauline Diana Rootes Memorial Fund" was created.

Peter and Pauline's legacy will benefit disabled and disadvantaged youth in the Snowy Mountain Region providing educational services and opportunities that will live on into perpetuity and will support the region they truly loved.