So long to a local legend

By Jonathon Howard

KOREAN WAR veteran and lifelong local Kevin George (Dordy) Graham of Dungay passed away on Tuesday, February 16, aged 95.

Kevin led an extraordinary life having survived the Korean War from 1950 to 1951 and then went on to help shape the Tweed Valley.

Kevin helped build the original Murwillumbah RSL on Queen Street, where Tweed Valley Weekly is based today, and was wellknown for his bull riding and work in livestock and agriculture. He would often say, “I know every blade of grass in Tweed Shire” with a smile.

Kevin featured in the Tweed Daily News in 2010 after he travelled back to South Korea that year accompanied by his niece Donna Cameron to receive a Purple Heart.

“They came to my place to clean and when they finished I decided to jump in with them and help them clean other people’s homes.”

After cleaning up around Fingal and Chinderah, Louise joined Leweena and her team at Mullumbimby before moving down to help in Lismore.

They were just some of the thousands of volunteers who came together to help out shocked and traumatised residents across the Tweed Shire and beyond in that terrible time.

Lives were saved on that first day, and the selfless acts, kindness and support of so many in the community will never be forgotten.

Sadly though, one year on, hundreds of locals are still without a home, many living in flood hubs, caravans and motels, as they wait for repairs to their homes or scarce rental properties to become available.

Whilst in Korea, Kevin was able to visit the graves of his cousin John Gill from Murwillumbah and George Bullock from Chillingham.

During a dinner and ceremony Kevin was presented with a glass plaque and a certificate of appreciation from the Korean Government which he presented to the Murwillumbah branch of the RSL.

He was also presented with a Purple Heart from the head of the American Marines.