Vale

John McConaghie

9 April 1940 – 30 May 2022

John McConaghie was no more and no less remarkable than the next man—or so he thought. He considered himself an ordinary bloke. But there were times when, from his son’s point of view, he was just a bit more than that, times when he was extraordinary. As it should be.

I think that most people who knew him would consider John, (Johnny Mack, JB, or Macka), an interesting fellow. The eldest of five children born to Joe and Marion McConaghie, he left school at 14 to become an apprentice plumber, rising to plumbing works foreman before leaving to start his own business in the late 1960s.

John joined Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) in April 1991. Bob Kimlin said that when he first met him, John had said that MPAQ was a great support to him in his business life. He was coerced into joining by the late Bob Gospher, of Gospher Gophers, and he was ever so grateful in taking up Mr Gospher.

“When I was on a President’s tour with the then MPAQ Executive Director, Adrian Hart, John was Chairman of the Cairns division. He was such a particular and caring guy that he wouldn’t leave us in the Cairns area until we were safely back at our hotel as he was the driver. Then John had to drive an hour and a half back to his home in Atherton at some late time of the night. That’s just the way John was: always looking after everybody,” Bob Kimlin said.

It’s fair to say, John was no entrepreneur, but he ran his business for forty years his way, and the range of work coming out of that little shed on Herberton Road was pretty impressive. He was also generous with his equally impressive knowledge, which he would pass on to anyone who was interested.

Everything from repaired kettles to full scale irrigation and mining plants rolled out of that workshop and those jobs remain as his legacy across north Queensland and beyond. Everything had to be neat but not gaudy and engineered beyond the point of basic requirement.

If the job demanded four bolts, well you got six. Perhaps this was in keeping with his Irish heritage – to be sure, to be sure. I think it was because John was simply a perfectionist.

Whilst not a great businessman, John was a great tradesman with great principles. He came from a time when a man’s word was his bond and lifetime relationships were sealed on a handshake. John loved his wife and family, and they certainly look back on times together with great fondness.

In the end, John was just a red dirt boy, who married a red dirt girl, and made a life in the red dirt town.

The Association extends sympathy to John’s family.

Eunice Joy Wyllie

Eunice and Jim

December 1922 – July 2022

Only more senior MPAQ members would be aware of JR Wyllie & Sons Pty Ltd of the Brisbane suburb of Albion. In their heyday they were the largest plumbing contractors in the southern hemisphere employing up to 350 staff with branches and depots throughout Queensland, Northern Territory and New Guinea.

James Ross Wyllie began his plumbing career as an apprentice in 1875 to Hiram Wakefield, our Founding President. In 1897 he commenced his own business that would continue to grow and flourish for three generations until it sadly became victim to an unsolicited takeover of by a linked public company in 1979.

Jim Wyllie commenced his apprenticeship with the firm in 1941 then served with the RAAF No 51 Squadron in England in World War 2. It was when he was serving his country, he met Eunice Joy North of Buckinghamshire. It was “love at first sight” and they were engaged six weeks later, knowing she would have to leave her family behind. She had to then spend three years waiting in line behind the returning Australian troops before boarding a ship to Australia.

In 1948 Eunice arrived in Sydney on a Saturday then married Jim on the Wednesday, commencing a long and harmonious life together.

Jim was a solid contributor to this Association serving nineteen years on our State Council including President (1959-60), Trustee for thirteen years (1976-88) and honored with Life Membership in 1978. Eunice supported Jim in his MPAQ, church and community activities.

She had a strong interest in the arts, music, theatre, books and poetry. On the practical side, she delved into ceramics, china painting, copperwork and some carpentry. Once she even received a lathe from her husband for a wedding anniversary present.

After Jim’s passing in 2002, Eunice kept in touch with MPAQ until entering her nursing home.

President Kent Vickers and I represented the Association at her funeral.

Eunice Wyllie was one of the most gracious ladies I have ever met.

The Association passes on its condolences to son, Freeman James Ross, and daughter, Linda Elizabeth and their extended families.

Written by Bruce Wallace, MPAQ Honorary Historian.