Albert Lambert SMITH
The sad passing of longtime farmer Mr Albert Lambert Smith, aged 88 years, of Cecil Plains Road, Millmerran, has left a gap in the ranks of the old-timers of the Millmerran district. Albert passed away peacefully at the Millmerran District Hospital on Monday, February 15 and was buried on Wednesday in the Millmerran Cemetery. Albert originally came from the Clarence River district of northern New South Wales and the Smith family were original selectors of the Bonalbo district near Casino.
He lived near Pretty Gully, which was a one-time flourishing gold mine centre late last century, and that is how Albert developed his love of gold prospecting. He moved to Millmerran with his wife Joice and young family, Pamela (in 0akey) and Valma (in Toowoomba), in the 1950s, and carried on grain and dairy farming. I first met Albert when as a rookie farmer I took up graingrowing at Captains Mountain. Being practically ignorant of the myriad of things a farmer needs to know of 'the' land, it was only Albert's good nature and generosity of spirit that allowed me to survive. He took me under his wing and taught me from scratch, the rudiments of farming - how to cultivate, build fences and stockyards and how to manage cattle. His bush knowledge was prodigious and when I finally departed the district in the 1980s I went away a far better informed person than when I had arrived. As an old-time Australian bushman, he kept me enthralled with tales of the early exploits of the pioneers. He became a bullock drover at 16. Always kind to animals, ever ready to assist friends and people in need, he will be sorely missed. His former place on the "seat of knowledge" adjacent to the newsagency in Campbell Street, where he and his mates held court on current matters, will be a sad vacancy. Vale Albert Smith.
Obituary supplied by Mr Warren Keats. Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 9 March 1999.
David (Dave) Staines
Golfers formed a guard of honour following the funeral service for David Staines and RSL members paid tribute at the graveside service at Bell Cemetery. Dave, who died suddenly on June 27, aged 73, was born on January 10, 1919 at Taringa; Brisbane to Harry and Flo Staines, the sixth child of a family of seven boys and one girl. Alf, Harold, Wilf and Eric predeceased him but he is survived by Eddie, Bert and Grace. After attending school at Coopers Plains and Moorooka, Brisbane, he moved to Bell with his eldest brother Alf at the age of 14. When Alf left to go to Tara, Dave stayed in the Bell district, working on several properties.
During World War 11 he served in the Army for four years, from April 1942 until April 1946. After the war he returned to Bell to work on the property of Tib Bellingham, where he lived with the family for 20 years until they moved to Hervey Bay in 1966. Dave was regarded as one of the family and was kind, thoughtful, helpful, completely trustworthy and highly respected. When the Bellinghams left he continued to work some of the land they had owned. In 1967 he married Joan Edwards at St John's Anglican Church, Dalby, and their only daughter, Joy, was born the following year. Dave began work with Wambo Shire Council in 1974, remaining with the council until he retired four years later. He is survived by his wife Joan and daughter Joy.
Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 25 July 1992
Tmba mourns a business son
Ron Smith
1922 - 2000
The founder of Toowoomba's TFD Joinery, Mr Ron Smith, died at the weekend. Eldest son Mr David Smith said yesterday his father was a quiet, gentle and hardworking man whose dedication to the city would be remembered. Born in Tamworth in 1922, Ron left school at 14 and lowered his age to enlist in the Aus-tralian Army at 16. He transferred to the RAAF and saw service as an armament fitter in Borneo.
In 1952 he and his wife, Ruth, established TFD (Toowoomba Flush Doors) in Kenilworth Street with one apprentice. After three months it was decided interior doors alone were not viable so the business added "Joinery" to its production achievements. Over the next 45 years, TFD Joinery products were installed in the region's schools and larger buildings such as St Vincent's, St Andrew's and Toowoomba hospitals. The business expanded and at one stage there were also companies in Tamworth, Wagga and on the Gold Coast. A Darling Downs Aero Club member for many years, Ron loved flying Cessnas, Tiger Moths and Victas to meet clients across the Darling Downs, north to Longreach and in far western Queensland. Rotary made him a Paul Harris Fellow and he was also an active member of the RSL. Ron is survived by his wife and sons David, Richard (managing director of the joinery), Garry and Christopher, and 13 grandchildren. His funeral will be held at St James's Anglican Church at 10am on Thursday.
Printed in "the Chronicle", Toowoomba 23 May 2000
Violet Sander
Violet Mavis Flodina Sander (nee Hess) was born on July 2, 1906, at Djuan, via Haden, the youngest daughter of George Hess and his wife Augusta (nee Weis). Her childhood was spent at Oakey, where her father worked on the railways. Violet was educated at Oakey State School and attended Salvation Army meetings with her family, which often had "Salvos" as guests in the Hess home. On leaving school she went into domestic service, washing, ironing, scrubbing and polishing floors, helping her mother, who also did this to provide for the family.
In 1923, Violet met Friederich Sander (Fred or Sandy as he became known)and they were married on September 14 by Pastor Gutekunst in St Paul's Lutheran Church, Toowoomba. They lived at Haden until 1929, when they purchased a farm at Geham. When they married they were given two Jersey heifers in calf and two pigs - the start of their dairy farm. Their marriage was blessed with eight sons and four daughters and in the early days they attended Highfields Lutheran Church, going by horse and sulky. The eldest children were baptised there. Later, when a Church of England was built at Geham, they attended this church, where Fred became a church warden. Their eldest daughter was the first to be married in the new church, in June 1949, just two weeks before the family moved to a farm at Clontarf, Millmerran. Fred and Violet retired to Millmerran in 1960 and Fred passed away on November 2, 1963. Violet took up bowls and played for many years, and when the Help a Friend Club was formed in Toowoomba she became its first Grandmother of the Year in 1982. She also entered cakes, lollies and other items in show sections for many years. Although not very mobile, she still did ironing and mending until admitted to hospital in the last week of June, one week before her 86th birthday. Violet loved reading, playing Scrabble and cards. On many week-end nights, friends and family would arrive to play cards at her home. A loving, caring wife, mother and grandmother, she was called home on January 26 and laid to rest beside Fred at Millmerran.
She is survived by brother Albert (Rockhampton), daughters Hazel, Lyla, Coral and Elvie, sons Ron, Joe, Artie, Irven, Mick, Hec, Neville and Trevor, 41 grandchildren, 100 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. One grandchild and four great-grandchildren predeceased her.
Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 13 March 1993.
A man of nature the bush and music
Ellis Smith
Toowoomba. resident Ellis Smith died recently at the age of 90 years, following a heart attack one week earlier. Ellis's family association with the Toowoomba district can be traced back to the mid 1800 when his great-great-great uncle Archdeacon Benjamin Glennie presided over his Anglican parishioners of the Darling Downs.
The eldest son and second child of Robert William and Gwendoline Mabel Smith, Ellis was born in Toowong in 1910. Following his schooling at Toowong and the Brisbane Boys Grammar School, Ellis at age 16 joined the Union Bank in Brisbane where he trained until his first country posting to Bundaberg. As a handsome young bachelor, he came to the attention of many a Bundaberg belle but he eventually courted and married Cecile Faulkner from the Burnett Heads. Ellis and Cecile were married in 1936 at Kangaroo Point Brisbane, and soon after moved to Pittsworth. In 1942, he enlisted in the Air Force training as a pilot and communications officer before seeing service in New Guinea, New Britain and Borneo. On demobilisation, the Union Bank appointed him accountant at the Bundaberg branch, and soon after, manager of the bank at Kilkivan, followed by postings to Warwick, Caboolture, Toogoolawah and Oakey. On retirement in1972, Ellis and Cecile moved to Toowoomba where they built a new home and created a beautiful native garden. He was a man of nature and the bush, and belonged to the Society for Growing Australian Plants, the Field Naturalists, and the Organic Growers Group.
Following Cecile's death in 1985, Ellis married Ida Joyce and became involved in Ida's land and cattle interests in the Theodore area. The bush continually beckoned resulting in numerous trips criss-crossing the continent, fulfilling his passion for native plants and bringing him great joy and many friendships across the country. He was a man of service to his community. As the local bank manager, he was the logical choice as treasurer or president of numerous community organisations, roles he willingly accepted. Last year he completed 50 years' service as a Justice of the Peace in Queensland. He was a man of music. Blessed with a beautiful bass baritone voice, he was active in the music scene wherever he lived, singing at eisteddfods and performing in musicals. Home was forever filled with either his singing, the sounds of his harmonica or his hi-fi set playing his favourite classical music. As a member of the Toowoomba Chamber Music Society, he looked forward each year to the annual festival in Townsville. Ellis believed in maintaining an active body and mind into old age and was a member of the West Toowoomba Bowls Club, the Toowoomba RSL, the Toowoomba Probus Club and the University of the Third Age. He is survived by his wife Ida, three sisters and a brother, three children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Printed in "The Chronicle", 27 June 2000.
Art world loses talented painter
Phillip Silcox
1955-2000
Well-known Toowoomba artist, prize-winner and national portraitist Phillip Silcox died suddenly on June 3, 2000. He was aged 44. Silcox was born and educated in Toowoomba, and later studied at the Julian Ashton School in Sydney and in the United States. He was in high demand as a portrait artist who owed something of his inspiration and technique to the example and encouragement of the Australian war artists and portraitists Sir Ivor Hele and Sir William Dargie. Another strong influence was that of the English artist Sir Alfred Munnings, whose early 20th century sporting and equestrian paintings were much admired and studied by Silcox. He earned many commendations, twice winning Brisbane RNA's Jack Arablet Portrait Prize and in 1999 became a member of the Stockmen Artists of Australia. The late artist was equally at home in the various traditional media, including oils, watercolour, pastel and drawings. His talent emerged early and his technique had been refined by constant study and practice of his art. He amassed a notable collection of authoritative books on art in traditional styles. He also executed the framing of all his own works to a very high standard of craftsmanship, embodying taste and finish. His work was lively and done with great felicity as well as a sure sense of colour. He was thoroughly grounded in the technical side of painting and always took special care over the quality and preparation of his painting surfaces and materials. The portraits and landscapes are outstanding but he also made many fine still-life studies, particularly over recent years. His passing at such a relatively young age is a loss for art and for his fellow artists in Queensland. His remarkable facility in the difficult medium of watercolour was a source of inspiration to many younger and developing artists in southern Queensland, for whom he always gave of his time, as well as practical encouragement. His untimely death was noted with regret in the Toowoomba Art Society's newsletter and journal, which referred to his quiet, unassuming manner combined with professional skill as an artist. Phillip Silcox is survived by his wife Helen, the daughter of Mr F.H. Mackie and the late Theresa Mackie of Toowoomba, and by his parents, Mr and Mrs John Silcox, of Toowoomba. Helen shared her late husband's enthusiasm for art and she accompanied him on his study travels overseas. Major works by Phil Silcox hang in the National Portrait Gallery in Old Parliament House at Canberra (portrait of R.M. Williams), in many private art collections in Queensland and in other collections interstate.
His most recent portraits were of cricketer Rod Marsh (WACA Collection, Perth) and footballer Tim Horan (Quarterback Association Collection, Brisbane) and he was about to portray in oils former parliamentarian Sir James Killen. The late Most Rev Monsignor Patrick Doyle, Domestic Prelate to Pope John Paul II and formerly administrator of St Patrick's Cathedral Toowoomba, offered prayers at the artist's funeral, attended by so many friends, patrons and admirers of his works. Phil had also painted the superb oil portrait of Monsignor Doyle. A memorial Retrospective Exhibition of Phillip Silcox's works will be held at the Downs Club in Toowoomba on November.
- Dr Douglas Hassall, Australian National University.
Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 17 October 2000
Ronald Charles SPILLING
Ronald Charles Spilling was born in Dalby on April 7, 1922, and was the second child and only son of Albert and Lily Spilling. He was educated at the Dalby State School and Toowoomba North Boy's School. After leaving school, Ron gained employment as a message boy at Duncan Thompson's Sports Store in May, 1936. He retired in 1983 as manager of that business. This exceptional service of 47 years was broken only in 1941 when he enlisted for service in the Australian Imperial Forces and attained the rank of Warrant Officer. He was discharged in 1947 after serving in the Torres Strait Islands, Dutch New Guinea, Rabaul, Morotai and Japan with the occupational forces. Ron married Peg Gordon on November 13, 1948, and she gave birth to their daughter Margaret in September, 1949. His return from active service saw the commencement of a long and very distinguished career in sport and its administration. He played A Grade cricket, tennis, squash, rugby league (for Valleys) and golf and served in administrative positions of a number of these sporting organisations, particularly in the junior levels. For his dedication to sport he was awarded a number of Life Memberships. These include: Diggers Cricket Club (founding member); Toowoomba Junior Cricket Association (founding member); Toowoomba Cricket Association; Darling Downs and South West Junior Cricket Association (founding member); Queensland Country Junior Cricket Association; and Toowoomba Squash Racquets Association. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge; Toowoomba Tennis Association (secretary for many years); Toowoomba Tennis Veteran's Association; Darling Downs Sportsmen's Association; Toowoomba RSL; and the Toowoomba Garden City Probus Club. He was also member of St Stephen's Presbyterian Church. Ron received an Australia Day Sporting Medallion in 1986 for his commitment to junior cricket and squash. His dedication to sporting and other organisations was never surpassed by his dedication to his entire family, who held him in the highest respect, through the fine example he set in his private and business lives. He was always seen by the next generation as the essence of everything good and as a role model for them to set a standard to base their lives upon. Toowoomba Cricket Association (TCA) president Ivan Walls said Ron was responsible for the establishment of junior Zone cricket on the Darling Downs. "Ron will be sorely missed because he was certainly a cricketing icon around Toowoomba," Mr Walls said. "Anyone who has played cricket in Toowoomba would have known Ron and would all speak very highly of him. He was a modest and amiable man." Mr Walls said his involvement with Ron culminated in Toowoomba's hosting of the international matches at the Heritage Oval. "Ron co-ordinated a volunteer workforce of about 40 people who attended the gates and sold tickets. "The games' success was undoubtedly due to his involvement and it was typical of his commitment to many sports throughout Toowoomba." Ron passed away at Mater Private Hospital, Brisbane, on December 19, 1998. He was 76. He is survived by his wife Peg, daughter Margaret, son-in-law Chris, his five grandchildren, Anna, Meg, Steven, Sarah and Elizabeth, and his four sisters, Billie, Marj, Enid and Freda and their families who all loved him dearly.
Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 19 January 1999.
Lorna Schneider
1938 - 1993
A woman who led an active life in many community-based organisations, yet always managed to open her home for those in need, died last month, aged 54. Mrs Lorna Schneider was born at Dimboolah on November 20, 1938, the third daughter of Bert and Ivy Argall, and went to primary school at Gerang-gerung, and later the Dimboolah High School. She married Ian Schneider at Gerang-gerung on February 2, 1960, and they had three children, Nicholas, Paul and Michele. When they arrived at Wandoan she became very involved in organisations involving her children -- Wandoan State School, Guides and Brownies, the Uniting Church Sunday school and many of their sporting activities. She later became involved in Red Cross, the National Party, Garden Club, and taught religion at school. Described as having a quiet, caring nature, with a deep Christian faith, Lorna accepted eldership in the Uniting Church, and later, in 1985, when diagnosed as having cancer, she continued to reach out to others in the community. Although the last year of her life was hard physically, Lorna still put her family and friends first.
She is survived by her husband Ian, and her three children, and grandchildren Matthew and Daniel, her mother Mrs Argall, sisters and brothers.
Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba, 1st February, 1993.
A champion of rural education
Dr Percy SKERMAN
During my many years on this earth, I have met a few Australians whom I believe should have been allowed to live forever. For me, Dr Percival James Skerman, MBE. Dr Agr Sc, Hon D Sc BA, QDD, FAIAS, FASAP, who died recently in Melbourne at the age of 86 years, was such a person. Percy Skerman was respected, admired and loved by thousands of people all over the world, but none more so than by ex-students of Gatton Agricultural College (now the University of Queensland, Gatton College) and by people engaged in the rural industries across Queensland. Percy was one of six Skerman brothers who were reared on a dairy and grain farm at Kaimkillenbun. He attended Kaimkillenbun State School, Toowoomba Grammar School and Gatton College, graduating in 1928 with a first-class honours Diploma in Dairying. This achievement was followed by a Bachelors Degree with Honours in Agricultural Science from the University of Queensland in 1931, a Masters Degree in Agricultural Science in 1936, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1944, a Doctorate in Agricultural Science in 1957 and an Honorary Doctor of Science was bestowed on him by the University of Queensland in 1987. After graduating from the university in 1931, Percy worked as a research officer with the Fairymead Sugar Company, Bundaberg. In 1933, he accepted a position at Gatton College as agriculturalist, his duties including farm manager, lecturer in microbiology and resident master at Thynne House Dormitory. Hundreds of students of pre-war days will remember Percy doing his daily rounds of the approximately 2000-acre college farm on his horse Mystery. Because of a genetic hearing problem and the fact that he was in a "wartime reserved occupation", Percy did not qualify for military service during the 1939-45 war. This was of great concern to him, such that in many ways he expressed his gratitude and what he regarded as his indebtedness to those who served in the defence forces during those years.
In 1943, Percy transferred from Gatton College to its NSW counterpart, Hawkesbury Agricultural College, where staff numbers had been seriously depleted by enlistments for war service. In 1945 Percy returned to Queensland to head up the Queensland Bureau of Investigation for nine years, surveying and investigating such major engineering and agricultural projects as a defence railway, bulk handling of wheat, development of the Brigalow country, the Burdekin Basin Irrigation Scheme, Cooper Creek and aspects of the Bradfield Scheme. Percy was invited to join the staff of the University of Queensland in 1953 as senior lecturer in agriculture. Subsequently, he was Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and reader in agriculture until his retirement in 1976. During his 23 years at the university Percy's expertise was called upon to assist some 22 developing nations from all parts of the world including Sri Lanka, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand and Latin America, generally the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation and the World Bank.
Percy was the author of many science papers and books on pastures, crops, stock and land and water systems, many which are standard texts in Australia and overseas. For 15 years Percy was a member of the Queensland Education Department Rural Training Committee which largely responsible for the establishment of the Longreach, Emerald, Ayr and Dalby Rural Colleges. Throughout his adult life Percy Skerman was Gallon College's greatest stalwart advocate. He was indefatigable in his efforts on behalf of the college and its students long after they had left the college. He served on committees, too numerous to mention, associated with university colleges, institutes, governments, FAO World Bank and his church. In 1959, Queen Elizabeth II invested him with the MBE (Member of the British Empire). He was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science (FAIAS) and of the Australian Society of Animal Production (ASAP). In sport, Percy was an A Grade cricketer and tennis player. He represented the Lockyer Valley in A Grade cricket against Ipswich and other regional centres. In 1984, he was awarded Gatton College's first gold medal awarded to a past student of the college who has displayed outstanding ability and given outstanding service to industry and the community. Percy Skerman will be sadly missed but he will be long remembered. His many great contributions to rural education and the rural industries will continue to benefit people all over the world for generations to come. This, surely will his greatest monument.
Written by -- W.G. Robertson, DFC. BAg Sc, G FAIAS.
Published in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 26 February, 1998
Top journalist pioneer of sports broadcasting
Born: September 29, 1939
Died: May 1,2002
Jim Sweeney was a well-known media personality; a pioneer of sports broadcasting in Brisbane and across the Darling Downs, whose talents extended to writing, researching, and presenting, He was a non-conformist who fought the system all the way, his love of arguing and debating possibly what made him such an outstanding journalist. Born in Bundaberg, James Andrew was the youngest of three children to Jim (a highly regarded war correspondent) and Petronella Sweeney. Relatives cared for the children following the absence of Jim's father during the war, and the death of his mother when he was aged six. All three Sweeney children forged successful careers as adults, with Jim's older brother Brian becoming Procurator-general to the Holy See, and later a leading international authority on canon law. Jim attended local schools until he left to take up an apprenticeship as an electrician, a career decision which greatly amused his family. While undeniably clever, Jim was no handyman, and those who knew him regard it as nothing short of a miracle that his place of employment did not burn to the ground during these years.
In 1956, Jim became a panel operator at radio station 4BK, where his career in the media began. It only took three years for the beautiful radio voice of Jim Sweeney to be discovered, and in 1959 he began work as a cadet announcer with 4BH, doing newsreading, disc-jockeying, and talk programs. Jim's particular fortè was in sport however, and his expertise was put to good use commentating sporting events including the Davis Cup, rugby union test matches, world water-skiing titles, and cricket.
In the mid 1960s, Jim was appointed sports editor, and later program manager with 4BK, a role which opened the door to the world of television (Channel 7 being affiliated with the radio station at this time). He became one of the station's newsreaders, and initiated a sports show, which he also presented. During these years in Brisbane, Jim met many influential people, and earned himself a high profile in the sport of boxing, compering fights from Festival Hall. The following years were spent in regional Queensland, with Jim relocating his family to Mareeba to take up his first manager's position with radio station 4AM. Jim was appointed the first general manager of 4AK in Toowoomba in 1972, when it became autonomous from 4BK in Brisbane. Later he was a newsreader for television station 10/4/5A, presenting local stories and documentaries, and established Toowoomba's first rugby league newspapers Weekend Times and Junior Rugby League, publications for junior sport, were very popular, and were written, printed, and delivered by Jim and his family. Jim always managed to keep even those closest to him guessing what he would do next. Deciding one day in a fit of pique that he was fed up with the media, Jim announced to his wife Clare that he had bought a pub, and that running "Sweeney's" in Maryborough would be his next challenge. Twenty-four hours after moving the family into the pub, Jim then dropped another bombshell -- he was returning to work in the media. Leaving Clare to mind the hotel, Jim was back behind the microphone for both the ABC and 4MB, and writing a regular sports column for the Maryborough Chronicle. He also was a popular television host on the Channel 8 show Bird Talk, a Beauty and the Beast-style program which ran for three years. Returning to Toowoomba in the 80s, Jim did freelance work for the ABC, 4GR, and The Chronicle. He also wrote a game show w friend called Airwaves, and researched and presented news documentaries for television, one of which, Trail to the Burnett was well received locally.
Any free time Jim had was spent writing books, including the novel The Gentle Clydesdale (published in the 1970s) which focused on local football. A further six books are still to be published, including one which will no doubt prove to be quite contentious, titled What Flavour Are You?
Jim's services to the media were acknowledged in 1996 by both the National Film and Sound Archives, Canberra, and the John Oxley library, Brisbane, in displays representing the history of Australian commercial radio. Jim and Clare retired to Beachmere, but right up until the end of his life, Jim was always busy. He worked as a public relations consultant for several national companies, and even when ill, acted as a representative for the amputees and prosthesis groups. The couple returned to live in Toowoomba in 1999. Jim Sweeney died in Brisbane earlier this month aged 62. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Clare, his four sons, Jim, Mark, Stephen, and Paul, eight grandchildren, his sister Margaret, and brother Brian.
Published in “The Chronicle”, Toowoomba 11th May, 2002.
Douglas had a lifelong love of the land
Born: June 11,1918
Died: May 7, 2002
Douglas Seccombe had a deep and abiding love of the land, and throughout his life was never far from the rural outlook he preferred. He was also a war veteran from the battlefields of both the Middle East and New Guinea, who experienced some of the more horrific scenes from World War II. Born at Wee Waa, Douglas Norman Thorne was the youngest of four children to Hilda (nee Long) and Leslie Seccombe. He was raised on his family's property "Evesham" near Rowena, and received his early education from governesses.
During the years of the Great Depression, Douglas undertook four years of correspondence classes, with additional tutoring from his mother, before attending the Cranbrook School in Sydney for the final three years of formal education. While at Cranbrook, Douglas excelled on the cricket pitch, becoming vice-captain of the school's First XI cricket team. With the Depression making life tough for everyone, all four Seccombe children were called home from school to help out on the family's rural holdings west of Moree. Douglas never returned to school however, eventually meeting and falling in love with a girl from Bingara, Helen King, to whom he proposed upon hearing of the outbreak of war. The pair were married in Sydney in October 1940, and less than a month later, Douglas sailed to the Middle East with the 2/9th Artillery Field Regiment.
Rising to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant during the course of his first campaign, Douglas quickly made his mark on the battlefield. One of his clearest memories of this time was when he took his watch to a local jeweller in Cairo to be repaired. Full of sand from the desert fighting, the valuable heirloom was declared to be a lost cause, and Douglas brought it home after the war. It was only after consulting a jeweller in Moree that he was informed that the reason the watch no longer worked was because all the jewels had been stolen from it! Douglas and his regiment were transferred to New Guinea in 1942 after the war in the Pacific began to threaten Australian shores. He often recalled the horror of the battles.
Jacqulyn Helen, the only child of Douglas and Helen was born in November 1944, and following his discharge from the army, Douglas returned home to settle on "Waroonga", Rowena. In 1948, the family purchased the property "Bundah", and during the bountiful years of the 1950s and 60s, were able to run quality sheep and cattle. The whole Seccombe family shared a passion for horse sports, and Jackie proved to be an extremely talented rider at both pony club and show levels. Douglas enjoyed moderate success with his race horses, and was involved for many years on the local race club committee. He was also instrumental in establishing a strong foundation in New South Wales for the sport of polocrosse, while also demonstrating his expertise as a game announcer. When daughter Jackie married in 1964, Douglas lost his number one jillaroo, and after several years, he and Helen decided to sell up and retire to Port Stephens. While he enjoyed the fishing at his new home on the coast, eventually the need to be closer to family proved to be too strong a pull. In 1988, Douglas and Helen moved to Toowoomba, where they quickly found some kindred spirits in the local show society and turf club.
Douglas was always happiest when engaged in rural pursuits, and he loved the opportunities Toowoomba provided for that lifestyle. He also enjoyed a decent shot of whisky, and spending time with his family. Douglas died in Toowoomba aged 84, and is survived by older brother Leigh, wife of 61 years Helen, daughter Jacqulyn Roberts and son-in-law Geoff, and two grandsons, Angus and Campbell.
Published in "the Chronicle", Toowoomba, 29th May 2002.
War hero fought for veterans
Born: May 5, 1945
Died: May 12, 2002
Brian Sullivan was a decorated war hero and exceptional leader in the battlefields of Vietnam. After his tour of duty he became a key player in the fight for the improved conditions of war veterans in Queensland, especially Toowoomba.
Born in Binnaway, NSW, Brian John Sullivan was the second of four children to Leister and Nina. He worked hard on his chores while still a child, but found the time to develop his talents as a tennis player, footballer, and golfer. Before he was a teenager, he helped care for his ageing grandfather, and learned to drive early to assist his father on mail runs. Brian did summer work with his father as he got older, working on cotton fields, wheat harvests and silos.
Brian was academically strong, and topped the class during his years at Binnaway Central School. The final two years of his education were spent at Coonabarabran High, narrowly missing out on dux of the school. Upon winning a scholarship to Teachers' College, Brian spent two years studying at Armidale. He received his first posting to Tooraweenah Public School, teaching until called up for National Service, A ballot system determined who was conscripted for service in Vietnam, and when Brian's birthdate was selected he headed for Puckapunyal to begin training. He accepted this turn of fate with a spirit of adventure, and ended up being sent to Scheyville for officer training. Then it was off to Vietnam. Allotted to the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, Second Lieutenant Sullivan joined the C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment in South Vietnam in August 1968, and the B Squadron in February 1969. Brian was Mentioned in Dispatches in 1969 when in command of troops searching for a protected arms cache. Under heavy enemy attack, Brian displayed leadership and courage to allow evacuation of wounded and dead, prevention of greater casualties, and redeployment opportunities for the infantry. In June that same year, Brian was wounded in action while earning his second medal, the Military Cross. Fighting in Binh Ba, possibly the second largest battle involving Australian troops, Brian and his men took the brunt of the enemy fire, enabling eventual defeat of the North Vietnamese troops. The men who served with him during this period admired his cool leadership and bravery under fire as a tank Troop Commander.
Back in Australia, Brian trained as a helicopter pilot at Amberley. The young Lieutenant began his first flying posting at Oakey with the 16th Aviation Squadron in 1971, and later that year was awarded the Vietnamese Campaign Medal. While in Oakey, Brian met and married Diane Richards, a local teacher, and they became parents to two children, Kristina Anne born in Toowoomba in 1977, and David John, born in Brisbane in 1982. In 1972, Brian was posted as a pilot to 162 Reconnaissance Squadron, Townsville, and a year later, moved to Portsea, Victoria, to become an instructor at the Officer Cadet School. Promoted to captain in 1974, he moved back to Oakey as a pilot, becoming the second in charge of the Aviation Base Support Squadron in 1976. Further Army postings involved moves to Melbourne and Brisbane. In 1979, Brian was promoted to the rank of Major, and in 1981 was awarded the National Medal. Other decorations followed, with the Defence Force Service Medal in 1984, and the Australian Active Service Medal in 1998. Also in 1998, Brian was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for actions in Vietnam, and in March this year, received the Anniversary of National Service Medal.
Brian retired from the Army in 1983, settling in Toowoomba with his family and working for the Returned Servicemen's League. He was passionate about issues impacting upon war veterans. Joining the Toowoomba sub-branch of the RSL in 1976, Brian was elected to the committee in 1988, and became a Special Welfare Assistance coordinator. He was also elected as a Western District councillor in 1988, representing the Warwick sub-branch, and became the Western District member on the Administration and Finance Committee. He served as the district junior vice-president for two years. Brian's involvement with the RSL grew. He represented the district on the State Council of the RSL, and was elected to the position of State vice-president in 1992. In this role, he was a member of both the Special Projects Committee and a representative on the RSL and Ex-Services Clubs Association Committee for five years. He also served as a State councillor for the Far North Queensland District. Brian's professional and conscientious input into the RSL Appeals Committee, in particular the Girl In A Million Quest, was tremendous, given it was such a large and difficult organisational feat. In 1991, Brian was elected the War Veterans Homes Company director. In this role, he had free rein to use his talents to provide welfare for ex-servicemen and the wider community. Brian lobbied hard for the establishment of a war veterans home in Toowoomba, and was delighted when the Westhaven complex was finally completed to his high standards, maintaining an ongoing interest in the Home.
Brian was awarded RSL Life Membership in the year 2000. A re-organisation of the War Veterans Homes necessitated a Lifestyles Committee, and Brian became its chairman. In this capacity, he concerned himself personally with the interests of the residents in the complexes. Brian Sullivan was aged 57 when he died in Toowoomba. He is survived by his wife, and two children.
Published in “The Chronicle”, Toowoomba, 13th July, 2002.
Family and humour the key to Joe's life
Born: March 31, 1916
Died: January 1, 2003
Joe Sheehan was a hard-working man who gave generously of his time to his family, the community, and during wartime, to his country. He will be remembered by those who knew him for his humour, his love of learning and his infectious enthusiasm for music.
Born on the goldfields of Kalgoorlie in a little place called Ora Banda, Joseph Patrick Sheehan was the younger of two children to Jeremiah and Alice. His mother died when he was very young, and he and his sister Dorothy were raised by the Sisters of Mercy, with their father visiting them every week for a picnic. He attended the convent school in Kalgoorlie until Grade 10. Joe rejoined his father when he was old enough and took his first job as an apprentice butcher.
In 1941, he volunteered for the Navy, where he served on various ships for five years. These years had a tremendous impact on Joe, and he maintained a proud involvement with the Naval Association throughout his life, even taking on the role of secretary for the group. After the war, Joe lived in Melbourne for many years working in a laminex factory. It was here that he met Min Steele, who was on a working holiday from Scotland, and the pair married in May 1954. Travelling up the east coast of Australia, Joe and Min decided to settle in Toowoomba, where they have lived for the past 48 years, raising their five children. Joe held several jobs in Toowoomba, including work at Defiance Mill, Goodyear, and 12 years as an advertising salesman for The Chronicle until his retirement aged 68. Community work was important to Joe, and he was heavily involved in the St Anthony's parish, the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Scout movement and school working bees.
Joe loved people, and his wit, cooking skills and generosity of spirit endeared him to those he met. His family was the most important thing in his life, and he welcomed the extended family living arrangement in his home. Joe made people laugh -- once asking for a drop of VB in his drip -- and loved music, frequently breaking out in song in the middle of the night. He also had a thirst for knowledge and was eager to learn anything new, be it art, Esperanto, golf or the mouth organ. Horse racing was something of a passion, having worked at the Toowoomba Turf Club for many years, and he even had a race named after him in honour of his lengthy involvement with the Racing Club.
Joe suffered a stroke two years ago, and was cared for at home by his wife Min and his family. He died following a heart attack on New Year's Day aged 86, and after a requiem Mass at St Anthony's Church, Joe's funeral left for the Toowoomba Crematorium.
Joe Sheehan is survived by Min, his five children Dorothy, Rick, Valerie, Barry and Michael, 11 grandchildren, and his sister Dorothy.
Published in “The Chronicle”, Toowoomba March 7th, 2003.
Les STEINBERG
Born: May 28, 1927
Died: November 2, 2002
LES Steinberg was a true Cawdor local, having lived and worked in that area for nearly all of his 75 years, becoming a respected member of the community. Born in Toowoomba, Leslie was the eighth of nine children to August and Elizabeth (nee Hundt) Steinberg. He attended the Cawdor State School before leaving to work on the family farm in dairying then moving into stud beef cattle. His stud, which he began in 1986 was called Cawdor Valley, and focused on producing quality cattle. He was very gentle and kind to his animals, and the horses and cattle would come to him when he called. Les won many ribbons with his animals at district shows and the Brisbane Exhibition, and he particularly enjoyed attending the Gympie Show where he had many mates.
Until he was in his 30s, Les ploughed his farm with a team of draught horses, claiming he grew better crops with this method than by using a tractor. The Highfields Lutheran Church where he was baptised and confirmed played a big role in his life, and for many years he was a member of the Lutheran Youth group. Sport, too, was a constant, and Les enjoyed playing soccer and cricket while young, and watching cricket and football (especially the Broncos) as he got older.
In 1953, Les married Merle Hauritz from Tiaro, with whom he had been penpals for many years. The pair shared more than 49 years of marriage, and had five children: Patricia, Dennis, Gail, Donald and Desmond. Sadly, Donald was killed in a car accident at the age of 18. Spending time with his family and sharing a drink with friends on occasion were his greatest pleasures in life. Diagnosed with cancer in 1998, Les battled on until late last year, when he died aged 75. The young people from his church, with whom he enjoyed spending time, formed a guard of honour at his gravesite as a mark of respect to his involvement in the community. Les is survived by his wife, four children, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Published in “The Chronicle”, Toowoomba August 14th, 2003.
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Toowoomba Dead Persons Society
