The Local Paper - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - Page 17
www.LocalPaper.com.au
Local People
John Hamilton, ‘True Blue’ ■ An air-brushed Local Paper photograph of Yea excavation specialist John Hamilton was projected onto the Shire Hall stage screen, when a memorial service was held on Friday, January 6. Almost all of the district’s major families were in attendance when more than 400 people gathered to pay their respects after the 71-yearold Homewood identity passed suddenly. Celebrant Ann McCormack led proceedings after Michelle Mussett piped a lament. Wife Marjorie recited a poetry piece by W.H. Auden, which included the lines: He was our North, our South, our East and West, Our working week, and our Sunday rest, Our noon, our midnight, our talk, our song; We thought that love would last forever: I was wrong. A eulogy prepared by the family includingBronwen, Anna and Robert - was delivered by long-time friend Les Hall of ‘Glendalloch’, Yea. Tony Scicluna, Country Fire Authority Wildfire Instructor for Region 12, delivered a firefrighter’s tribute. ★ “A remarkable man has now gone,” said Mrs McCormack. She joked that the photograph, showing John with a jumper showing the evidence of some of that day’s earth work, had been airbrushed ... but the re-touching had not been able to also include a shave! Mrs McCormack said the memorial service attendance - including mourners who stood around the perimeter of the hall, as well as its entrance - was testament to the level of esteem in which John and his family was held. She pointed to the pair of dirty boots that were on display on a memorabilia table, alongside an impressive flora tribute on stage prepared by David Ralph. Mrs McCormack explained that a private family service had been held on the previous day at ‘Waimarie’, with John’s ashes to be scattered later on the property, to be “at one with the land”. Grandchildren had performed a guard-of-honour. John’s coffin had sat on a Red Box slab, milled from a tree on the property. John Hamilton had been a humble man, with few personal material needs. He had, however, been connected with many.
● John Dawson Hamilton: Aug. 11, 1945 - Dec. 28, 2016 Photo by: Ash Long, The Local Paper Les Hall spoke of John Hamil- ing a Willys jeep, which negotiated ton’s birth on August 11, 1945. For the Mount Jimmy paddocks - from his first six months, home was the neighbour Dougal Drysdale. Buckland family’s Glendore Park, John fulfilled his obligation to whilst parents Norm and Marion Australia’s conscription program prepared the home at ‘Waimarie’, a through six years’ service with the Kiwi name meaning “by the water’. Citzien Military Forces. Marion had immigrated from John was involved as a member New Zealand in the late 1930s. and President of the Alexandra The family had a long associa- Young Farmers, and he had been tion with the district - including connected with the Homewood RuDoogallook and Mount Charlotte - ral Fire Brigade since his teenage dating back to the 1860s. years. With elder brother Bruce, now of John Hamilton was an integral Kilmore, it was a close and loving volunteer, particularly in the 1969, family life, seeing much self-reli- 1983 and 2009 fires: he refused to ance with the production of veg- leave his dozer when involved with etables, milk, meat and eggs, along- firefighting at Murrindindi in the side livestock including cross-bred Black Saturday blaze, eight years ewes, Southdown sheep and Angus ago. “He had a prodiguous capacity for cows. John attended the Yea State work,” said Mr Hall, who listed School (at today’s ‘Pioneer Park’), John’s qualities as including honand the Yea Elementary High esty, capability and invention. In the early days, John suppleSchool (at today’s primary school). Some summer holidays had been mented his earthmoving work by on the Peninsula; one vacation was transporting stock to Newmarket with sometimes up to three return trips in to New Zealand by ‘flying boat’. “All his life he loved his farm.” a night. John Hamilton was described as Mr Hall spoke of John purchas-
a natural engineer: “an artist with a bulldozer”. Mr Hall complimented the farm’s move from sheep to Angus beef production. Similarly, John had been committed to his family’s endeavours: Bronwyn and Ben, at Dairy Creek; Robert and Sharna, with their own earthmoving business; and Anna’s property on the Whittlesea Road. John’s work had been precise. He was a quiet contributor to the greater Yea community: supporting Rotary and Apex on civic projects; helping establish the John Cummins Reserve; and being a Committee Member of the Garden Expo. John and Marjorie had met at 18; and married at 23. Their partnership of half-a-century operated “like a well-oiled machine”. Family time was high on the agenda, as was providing educational opportunities for the children. John’s pride was their grand-children, five girls and three boys: Sarah, Bridget and Harriet; Thea, George and Tom; Grace and Johnny. “He is gone before his time is really up,” said Mr Hall. ★ Mr Scicluna said John had officially joined the CFA on November 8, 1960, serving as the Homewood Captain between 1984-1991. John had been the recipient of a 50-Year Service Medal, and his total of 56 years as an active firefighter was regarded as something of a record. John’s service had spanned a time from when the Austin tankers were the pride of the fleet, and the Hamilton family’s earthmoving equipment did the heavy lifting. Mr Scicluna said John’s volunteer work had strong community foundation, and his calm approach led to work being conducted in a measured way. He recalled that some of John’s firefighting work was in some of the toughest country imaginable. Some of that firefrighting included duty at Powelltown during the Ash Wednesday fires; and at Strath Creek-Reedy Creek during the Black Saturday blaze. “He was a quiet man but a tough bloke.” Mr Scicluna told how John had to use bushman’s skills to survive a fire in the Marginal Rd area towards Toolangi. Mr Scicluna described John’s firefighting skills as “brave and selfless”. He expressed appreciation for the dedicated service.
The memorial service included tributes provided by the Hamilton grandchildren, as read by daughters Bronwen and Anna. John had a great love of nature, and the children (and their children) were always included in the essential farm work. But there was always time to make an observation about a tree or a bird. “Our childhood was pretty magic,” said Bronwen. Farm tasks were mixed with riding horses and motor bikes. John lined up for duty for the girls (and their friends) for Pony Club. John was quietly proud of the community, and the rich history of the area. He had an understated way of taking a leadership role. Mention was made of John’s interest in land regeneration. Prominent amongst the mourners were his associates from the Landcare groups including Dairy Creek and Yellow Creek. Family comments included tributes to John’s devotion to supporting his children: examples given were of Anna with her agricultural studies; Bronwen, with landscape and spatial planning; Rob with his own business. Bronwen told of being a country girl, who became a “city slicker”, who then returned to the bush, all the time supported by her father and mother. A collection of photographic snapshots of ‘John’s Life and Loves’ was exhibited, accompanied by Carolan’s Farewell. Remembrances included John’s time courting Marjorie at the Bell family residence at Brighton; dances at Murrindindi; and socialising at Young Farmers’ functions. He was recalled for always giving to community projects unfalteringly, especially with his time. Most importantly, the partnership of Marjorie and John was based on traditional roles, the service was told. Husband and wife were complementary. John was dedicated to Marj, and the family. He had lived every day as if it were his last. Mrs McCormack urged mourners to surround the Hamilton family members with love and comfort. The Shire Hall gathering stood at the conclusion of the service to join in the singing of True Blue by John Williamson. A farewell to one of Yea’s finest sons. - Ash Long