Courtesy of The Chronicle Toowoomba
Former owner of Liberty's Tea and Coffee House in Duggan Street, Mrs Lyn Raftery, 54, lost an ongoing battle with cancer this week. Mrs Raftery and husband Barry for many years have been leading restaurateurs in Toowoomba haying previously owned Banjos and Champions restaurants. Mrs Raftery was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago, but the illness had been in remission until recent years. She is survived by Barry and children Rebecca, Josie, Lyla, Emma aand John and their families. A Mass celebrating the life of Mrs Raftery will be held in St Patrick's Cathedral from 11am tomorrow.
Published in "The Chronicle" Toowoomba, 22 August 2001.
Jimbour loses a link with the past
Hilary Maude Russell
The "matriarch" of historic Jimbour House, Mrs Hilary Maude Russell, OBE, has died at the age of 79. She was the wife of former State and Federal parliamentarian Mr Charles Russell, who died in 1977. In 1979, Mrs Russell (nee Newton) took her husband's place as patron of the Dalby Show Society and the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. Also that year she was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for her dedicated community service, and in 1985 was honoured with an Advance Australia award. She was also patron of the Dalby Girl Guides and the Dalby branch of the Queensland Arts Council. Mrs Russell received a silver badge for 30 years' loyal service to the Jimbour branch of the QCWA. Jimbour House was made available for charitable functions and was the venue for two Arts Council concerts annually. The Russell family connection with the house went back to around 1924, and Mrs Russell and her son ran the 4500-hectare property for a time. Her funeral will be held at the Mt Thompson Crematorium on Friday. A further memorial service will be held at the Jimbour Chapel on Sunday. Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba June 13th, 2001
Dorothy Routley
1905 - 1993
The QCWA choir sang one of Mrs Dorothy Routley's own compositions, "Hills of Toowoomba", at her funeral service at St David's Presbyterian Church, Toowoomba, on February 20. It was a tribute to her as a former choir member and for her contribution to Toowoomba's literature and music. In 1992 she was also honoured by the Toowoomba Historical Society. Mrs Routley was born in Richmond, Victoria, in 1905. Her parents sailed to Queensland in 1908 to take up land at Hannaford. After a meagre schooling she trained as a nurse, first at Mitchell and later at Dalby General Hospital. At Dalby she met and in 1929 married Colin Routley, moving with him to "Belvedere", Tipton, where they established themselves with sheep and wool. They followed the evolution of the Darling Downs from pastoral pursuits. through dairying, to its present agricultural usage. During the war Mrs Routley was an active member of the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) and a Red Cross worker and later became president of the local QCWA branch, at the same time raising three children. On her retirement to Toowoomba in 1960 she continued her QCWA work and became a choir member. She also was a member of the Victoria League and the Darling Downs Women's Club. It was at this time that she started writing and a series of poems was published under the title "Stuff and Nonsense". This went to two editions, and she was recorded by the National Library in Canberra. A children's learning book of nature was also published and a total of 16 songs were composed and published. One of her songs won the Bicentennial Song competition at Oakey in 1988 and her effort for a national anthem, "God Defend Australia", was sung by a mixed choir of QCWA members in the Brisbane City Hall during Expo 88. Her most rewarding work was "Hills of Toowoomba", dedicated to the city she loved. After the death of her husband in 1989 Mrs Routley lived at Salem Rest Home, then at Nubeena, and in later years at the Freemasons' Home in Sandgate. She was interred in the Garden of Remembrance with her beloved husband and is survived by Robin at Glasshouse Mountains, daughter Mrs Del Riner, of Brisbane and another son, Colin, of Kippa-Ring, and also by her only sister, Mrs J. Wighton, of Brisbane, five grandchildren and four great-grand-children. Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 13 March 1993.
Mechanic known for high standards
Shane Rice
1953 -2001
Born in Brisbane on October 31, 1953, Shane died aged 47 on January 22, 2001 in Sydney from a heart disease. About 800 people from all walks of life filled St Patrick's Cathedral; Toowoomba, to attest to the lives he had touched. In the small domain of his Shane Rice Mechanical Repairs workshop in Donation Lane, clergy and doctors and teachers, milkmen and mums and trades people, poor people and the unemployed, all met on common ground. Naked in their ignorance of things mechanical, they talked to each other as equals and received the same quality of service, the same respect and courtesy. In the mid-60s Shane's family moved to Dalby via a short stay in Miles. He completed his schooling in Dalby and was apprenticed at Johnson's Garage. Following his apprenticeship, he went to work with his father in the Ampol service station which he and his brother Peter eventually managed. Shane married Josephine Saide in 1974 and they moved to Toowoomba in late 1977. As an enemy of the short comer and a fierce proponent of fair trade, his loyal customers followed him to his many workplaces. His long-standing customers left with more than a repaired car -- they gained his friendship and he became part of their lives. His concern for safety was such he would make a repair for free or on the tab rather than let someone drive off in a suspect vehicle. His insistence on quality was evidenced by the many training courses he attended to maintain and update his knowledge and skills. Shane had a great respect for and was respected by the motor mechanical industry. He was chairman of the Toowoomba Automotive Industry Advisory Committee, an active member of LAME and an associate of the Toowoomba College of TAFE. Shane was able to do these things because he had the support of a strong and committed family whom he adored. His wife Josephine and his children Damien, Gemma and Joseph sustained him. His mother Hilde and father James (deceased) and his brothers Peter, Terry, Stephen, Ross and Adrian provided the invisible net that he knew would catch him if all else failed. Without exception he gained the love and respect of Josephine's family and the families of his brothers. Shane's leisure time was filled with many activities, particularly his love for the sea and the great outdoors. He was a competent sailor and navigator. He knew how to relax and he loved life to the full. Shane Rice will be remembered not only for the person he was but for the values his life expressed.
Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 1 May 2001
Brother dedicated to faith and education
Born: August 5, 1919
Died: June 7, 2002
Brother Francis Rodgers (or "Buck", "Roy" or "Jolly" as he was affectionately known) is best remembered locally for his long association with St Mary's College, and his six-year term as principal at the school.
Francis Eymard Rodgers was the son of Michael and Brigid (nee Hickey). He and his twin sister were the youngest in the family of nine children, which included three sets of twins.
As a schoolboy, Francis attended the Central State School, and Christian Brothers at St Mary's (today St Edmund's) Ipswich, where he furthered his secondary education. Inspired by the Christian Brothers who taught him, he opted to join them in 1935. Brother Francis entered the Training College in Strathfield and began his teaching mission in 1939. He missioned at Lewisham Catholic High School, Waverley College in 1941 and 1944 (where he taught Johnny O'Keefe of rock music fame), Geelong, and North Melbourne. Upon his return to St Pius X College, Chatswood, Brother Francis became secretary of the committee that set the Christian Brothers' exams for New South Wales. While in Sydney he completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree at the Sydney University, topping the year in latin and history. At any time he could quote latin phrases for the asking. In 1952, Brother Francis returned to Queensland, where he became a foundation member of the Shorncliffe College, the first of two stays. Subsequently, he was principal of Bundaberg, Abergowrie Agricultural College, Charters Towers and a staff member at Gregory Terrace, St Columban's Clayfield and Gympie. Brother Francis came to St Mary's College as principal in 1975, and held the position until 1981, identifying with every facet of college life.
He loved the challenge of being an administrator because he had a retentive memory for detail, a keen desire to initiate new ventures, and the application to see them through. A believer in discipline, his boundless energy encouraged his staff and students to give their best. In 1989, Brother Francis received the Kath Dickson Award in the Australian College of Education for Excellence in Teaching, for his contribution to Catholic education. Brother Francis saw the value of a manual arts department, and his initiative saw the complex completed in 1996. The Old Boys initiated the sporting fields on Hill Street, and with the help of the St Mary's community, Brother Francis witnessed the completion of the ovals that bear his name. The spiritual life of the college and its friendships were important to Brother Francis. He had a remarkable memory for students' names, and nothing gave Brother Francis greater joy than lively discussion, or mixing with the Old Boys at the Irish Club in Brisbane each quarter. Those who attended his farewell in the Nudgee College Chapel, recalled his devotion to his faith, leadership, loyalty and stand on principles.
Published in “The Chronicle”, Toowoomba, 29th June 2002.
Allora loses oldest parishioner
Born: October 5, 1908
Died: May 14, 2002
From a young age Mary Ryan was a determined woman who refused to let adversity affect her. A long-term resident of Allora, she is known for her involvement with her parish and the community. Mary McMahon was the second of eight children to Michael and Margaret (nee Canavan) of Sladeville, Warwick. She attended the local primary school at Sladeville, before high school at St Cecelia's Convent in Brisbane. Family commitments cut short her education.
As a young woman Mary, enjoyed tennis and dancing. Travel was by horse and sulky, and at times she would arrive home from a dance just hours before milking time. Mary and her family often visited relatives in Allora, where they frequently ended up around the piano for a sing-along. It was during one such visit that Mary met her future husband. In 1933, Mary married Denis Ryan in Warwick, and the pair settled on his parent's farm at Kital, Allora.
Denis was a successful breeder and owner of Clydesdale horses, and showed them locally as well as at the Sydney Royal Show. In 1941, however, Denis died suddenly, leaving Mary with four young children, twins aged 11 months, and two other children under five. Mary showed her determination to continue farming with the help of family members. She was always willing to help others, often seen in her 1927 Dodge delivering messages to neighbours without telephone access. After moving back to Sladeville for four years to help her sick mother, Mary returned to Allora with her family in 1948, continuing dairying and farming with the assistance of sharefarmers and family. The twins came home from boarding school in 1955 to take over the farm from the sharefarmers, leaving Mary with some time to help out her family when she could. She also took up lawn bowls, and proved to be talented in the sport. Mary was President of the Allora Ladies Bowls Club for some years, and its patroness until 2001, receiving her Super-super Veteran badge. Mary was a tireless worker for her church, decorating the Community Hall for the Debutante Ball for many years, and cooking for the annual church fete. She was a great fan of the Broncos, and loved watching football and tennis. Mary also liked playing Euchre, and over the past year while in the Clifton Nursing Home, she looked forward to her weekly game of Crib.
Mary Ryan died in Allora aged 93 years, the community's oldest parishioner. She is survived by her four children - Joan, Denise, Leo and Denis, and their families, 26 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and two sisters. Published in "The Chronicle', Toowoomba 28th September, 2002.
CECIL RYE
Music the joy of Cecil's life
Born: March 22, 1926
Died: September 11, 2002
Cecil Rye was a Toowoomba identity, serving the Darling Downs community tirelessly with his musical talents, and entertaining all he met with his gregarious and conversational manner.
Born in Toowoomba, Cecil Graves was the eldest of three children to Florence and Norman Rye, all of whom attended the Toowoomba East State School for their primary education. Cecil's talent as a musician was evident very early on and encouraged by his mother, and he played the piano at eisteddfods and the cornet in the school band. Cecil's involvement in bands continued when he moved on to the Toowoomba Grammar School for his secondary education. He played the piano in the orchestra, and his younger brother, the trombone. Cecil's musical association with brother Ralph, who also played piano and organ, continued until the 1980s, the pair playing in groups and bands together.
In 1942, Cecil left school to begin work at the Downs Dairy Co-operative, where he worked for 15 years, with the exception of the year he spent in the RAAF. During the war years, Cec purchased his double bass, and although he played other instruments, it was this one for which he became renowned for playing in bands and numerous Philharmonic and Choral Society productions throughout his life. Cec married Jean Wallis in 1950, and the pair had two daughters, sharing a long and happy marriage until Jean's death in 1993.
In 1957, Cec left the Dairy Co-op to take work as the secretary at the Toowoomba Associated Friendly Society Dispensary, where he worked until his retirement in 1991. Cec was a busy community worker, serving as a member of the Masonic Lodge, Grand Master and State Secretary of the Protestant Alliance Fellowship Society of Australia. His input as secretary of the Toowoomba State High School P and C was valued for many years, even after his children had left the school, and he played a significant role in the establishment of language laboratories on the campus. Cec was a keen advocate for the reopening of the Empire Theatre, and he was gratified when this event took place. In 1997, Cec received an Australia Day Award for his services to the community with music. Any spare time he had, Cec enjoyed playing golf and later lawn bowls, becoming treasurer of the North Toowoomba Bowls Club in more recent years. Cecil Rye was aged 76 when he died in Toowoomba after a long illness. He is survived by his second wife Faith, whom he married in 2001, daughters Lindy and Debbie, and five grandchildren, all of whom share their grandfather's love of music.
Published in “The Chronicle”, Toowoomba 19th December 2002.
Toowoomba Chronicle Obituaries
Toowoomba Dead Persons Society
