RICHARDSON Ronald Bruce “Ron” Late of Penrith, formerly of Kimbriki.
Passed away peacefully after his brave fight against cancer on Friday 28th August 2015.
AGED 69 YEARS
Dearly loved Husband of Jan. Much loved Dad of David & Blanche, Andy & Wendy. Adored Pa of Georgia and Sophie.
Will be sadly missed by all his extended family and friends.
Ron’s Funeral Service will be held in the Nabiac Uniting Church, commencing at 10.00am on Friday 4th September, prior to his interment in the Failford Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations to The Nepean Cancer Care Centre would be gratefully appreciated.
Tuesday, 1 September 2015
Our sincere condolences to Jan & Family at the sad loss of our dear friend Ron. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you all.
~
Sandy & John Tuininga,
Melbourne, Victoria
Published in The Manning River Times on Sept. 2, 2015
August 29th, 1985, Police Officer Lyncon Robert Dix Williams from Holden Hill police was murdered at Blair Athol. First Class Constable Lyncon (Lync.) Williams Aged 30 years, of Holden Hill Patrol Base, died in his patrol car after he responded with his junior partner to reports of gunfire at Ross Avenue Blair Athol. A 17-year-old shot him as he arrived on the scene. He had not even had the chance to step out of his car ahead of the fatal shot.
Police arrested and charged the shooter with murder. He was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment at the Governor’s pleasure. A non-parole period was later fixed at 13-and-a-half years.
Police Association President Peter Alexander reflected on William’s death as he laid a wreath at a Police Remembrance Day memorial service. “I didn’t know Lync Williams personally but, I’ll always remember the circumstances of that murder”, he said.
’I remember the shock of it and the grief for his family and workmates. It was a tragedy that was reflected right across the job.’
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Jack WILKINSON
| 02/09/2015
Jack WILKINSON
( late of Coffs Harbour )
New South Wales Police Force
Father of Mark WILKINSON – NSWPF – Regd # ?????
Regd. # 7513
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 19 January 1953
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 April 1968
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 30 March 1976
Final Rank: Sergeant 2nd Class – Acting Inspector – retired
Stations: ?, Western District, Camp MacKay – Kurrajong
Service: From pre January 1953 ? to 1 December 1986 = 32 years Service
Awards: ? TBA. There are a couple of Jack’s on the Australian Honours and I can’t distinguish which is ‘our’ Jack at this time.
Born: Thursday 2 December 1926
Died on: Wednesday 26 August 2015
Death location: a Queensland Hospital
Cause: Heart attack
Age: 88
Funeral date: Thursday 3 September 2015 @ 1pm
Funeral location: Chapel, Hogbin Drive Crematorium and Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, COFFS HARBOUR
Buried at: ? TBA
[alert_blue]JACK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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Funeral location:
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Jack is the father of Mark WILKINSON who is also a retired NSW Policeman who was stationed at Sutherland.
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Peter THOMAS
| 02/09/2015
Peter THOMAS
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 14028
Redfern Academy Class: 122 – February 1970
Rank: Detective Sergeant – Resigned
Stations: ?, Glenn Innes HWP, Taree Detectives
Service: From ? February 1970 to ?
Awards: ? There are a few ‘Peter THOMAS’s who have received the National Medal, 1st & 2nd Clasp but I am unable to distinguish who the individuals are
Born: 8 January 1949
Died on: 25 August 2014
Died at: Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Qld
Cause: Prostrate Cancer
Age: 65
Funeral date: Friday 29 August 2014 @ 2.30pm
Funeral location: Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens, Nursery Rd, Holland Park, Qld – East Chapel
Buried at: Cremated. Ashes taken
PETER is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
THOMAS, Peter
THOMAS, Peter
08.01.1949 ~ 25.08.2014
Beloved Husband of Gale, and Father of Emma, Peta and Kate.
Peter’s Funeral will be held at 2.30pm on Friday 29th August, 2014 in the East Chapel Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens, Nursery Rd. , Holland Park.
[alert_blue]BILL is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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Bill did NOT have a Police funeral.
15 September 2015:
John Elfes: I did Bills eulogy, he did not have a Police funeral, Denise did not want any one in authority at the funeral due to the way he was treated at Armidaleby the boss there. The only officers that attended were old workmates, I know who they are. He was cremated and his ashes are sprinkled on the graves of his daughter and son at Botany Cemetery.
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Keith Stanley HOLSTEIN
| 02/09/2015
Keith Stanley HOLSTEIN
Father of John HOLSTEIN – Regd # 16195
( late of Gloucester )
New South Wales Police Force
NSW Penrith Police Academy Class # 9
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 7130[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 22 October 1951
Eighteen years ago Class 9 /1951 from the Penrith Police College held the final get together with my father Keith Holstein as he was too sick to travel to a reunion. The group changed their plans and visited dad at home. He passed away 18 years ago today. Sadly missed.
Keith HOLSTEIN: Class 9 /1951 from the Penrith College held the final get together with my father Keith Holstein as he was too sick to travel to a reunion. The group changed their plans and visited dad at home.
( L-R at rear ) ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Eric MAURER # 7134
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Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 21 June 1968 (No.76), page 2537
Department of Mines, Sydney, 21st June, 1968.
APPOINTMENT
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, and in pursuance of the provisions of section 6, Mining Act, 1906, as amended, has approved of the appointment of Sgt 3rd Class Keith Stanley Holstein, Officer-in-Charge of Police, Nundle, as Warden’s Clerk, Mining Registrar and Officer authorized to issue Miner’s Rights and Business Licenses at that place, such appointment to take effect on and from 12th February, 1968, vice Senior Constable Victor John Feltis.
SERGEANT KEITH BEAN – KISSING HIS DAUGHTER – MELINDA.
James Keith Swanton BEAN aka Keith, Duke Husband to Mary SCHNEIDER OAM ( for 35 years ) and Father to Melinda SCHNEIDER ( Country singer )
KEITH is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
Finding Melinda Schneider
…….
So just how is Melinda planning on touring with a 16 month-old and remaining sane? “I don’t know yet!” she exclaims. “We will probably just go out for weekends or for a few days at a time. Mark will come out with me and help out. It’s not going to be easy and I’m sure it will have its challenges. However Sully [Sullivan] loves new adventures, they [children] need such stimulation anyway. I’ll just take one day at a time.”
Listening to Melinda chatting about going on tour with her family reminded me that her own upbringing was not dissimilar. Melinda is the only child of yodelling great, Mary Schneider, and her policeman father, Keith Bean, was also from a musical family. Melinda spent many a night backstage whilst her mother performed, sometimes sleeping in her mother’s fur coat. I touch on this subject with Melinda and ask if having famous parents will impact the way she raises her son.
“It was interesting writing this show – when you have a child you look at your own upbringing – as much as your parents did the best they could you don’t want to make some of the same mistakes they made. It takes you a while to figure out who you are with famous parents. I recall Chaz Bono [offspring of Sonny and Cher Bono] saying that it’s difficult to know where you belong when your parents are famous. It’s not a normal family situation – the attention is on the parents the whole time rather than the children. I talk about that in the show.
“With Sully I want to keep a good balance of making sure he is number one focus and it’s not all about me – I want him to have a good sense of self. Growing up, my mum had taught me dancing, juggling, yodelling … and I didn’t really have a great interest in it myself. I want to see who he is – what’s in his heart. I’m fascinated to know who he is.”
Continuing on the subject, Melinda adds, “When I was three I recorded on Mum’s albums, I had a show by age of eight. People would come up to me after the show and say ‘You’re not as good as your mother’. That used to really upset me – no one wants to hear that. Growing up I was quite confused about what I wanted to do musically and what was my truth. I just didn’t know who I was.”
Most people don’t realise that Melinda didn’t become a recording artist in her own right until her late 20’s. In fact, Melinda left school young and went and studied fashion. She remembers, “I had my own fashion label working out of Mum and Dad’s garage – I made stage costumes and all sorts for loads of people. Mum’s grandma was an amazing seamstress – perhaps that is where I got the talent from. It was funny, during my early 20s I would be in the garage running the business and always singing at top of my lungs to Top 40 hits and Michael Bolton songs. Mum used to come in and ask ‘Are you sure you don’t want to be a singer?!’ I think I was denying myself. Then I realised, deep down, I really did want to be a singer.”
DAVE’S DIARY – 23/1/13 – PREVIEW OF EPISODE 7 – SERIES 19
Elizabeth collaborated with former Nu Country TV host and recording stage star Melinda Schneider, now 40, to write the title track of her fourth album Balls.
They both recorded their co-writes Some Times It Takes Balls To Be A Woman and Rest Your Weary Mind on recent albums.
Elizabeth and Melinda co-wrote more than a dozen songs including I Like Men in Trucks on Melinda’s fourth album Stronger.
Melinda also wrote songs about late father – Sgt Keith Bean – a policeman.
Keith and Tom didn’t meet at a still but Melinda’s mum – famed yodeller Mary Schneider – sang with Tom and Joyce backstage at the Grand Ole Opry during one of Cook’s many dates there.
“I used to sing The Black Hills Of Dakota with my mum (yodelling icon Mary) and my Aunt Rita when I was a little girl,” Melinda revealed as she romped through one of many songs from 1953 movie Calamity Jane and its successors.
“We’d do the three-part harmony at family get-togethers.”
She accentuated the family flavour with a shout out to her duet partner at ground zero who responded with a yodel – her unique GPS beacon.
“I could never lose mum in the dark,” she joked.
Melinda also tickled the family tree when she revealed how her late sire – Sgt Keith Bean – greeted her decision to revert to her mama’s name after cruel Kogarah schoolyard taunts ranging from “string been to les been.”
Melinda Schneider long ago mastered cross genre pollination with music and dance.
But she made a huge leap to the mainstream with her writing, narrating and performing in this energised Doris Day tribute show.
And the dynamic diva also disproved the adage about dangers of working with animals.
Schneider’s rapport with her teenage Labrador-Kelpie crosses Rosie and Daisy was also a stroke of magic.
They were all ears and eyes when she serenaded them on the stage front couch with Your Eyes Don’t Lie.
It was fitting that she returned to the scene of the rhyme – Mike Walsh’s Melbourne mecca Her Majesty’s – to premiere her show.
Seven years ago in the Yarra city the seeds for the show were sown when the singer was a guest artist on a Doris tribute concert.
So it was no surprise there was a capacity crowd for the premiere of a fast paced trip through the back pages of the octogenarian Hollywood legend.
When Schneider bumped Canadian balladeer Michael Buble from ARIA chart tops with her 12-song disc Melinda Does Doris she was thawing out that metaphorical iceberg.
This time, in collaboration with co-writer David Mitchell, Melinda tapped a deep well.
“I used to sing The Black Hills Of Dakota with my mum (yodelling icon Mary) and my Aunt Rita when I was a little girl,” Melinda revealed as she romped through one of many songs from 1953 movie Calamity Jane and its successors.
“We’d do the three-part harmony at family get-togethers.”
She accentuated the family flavour with a shout out to her duet partner at ground zero who responded with a yodel – her unique GPS beacon.
“I could never lose mum in the dark,” she joked.
Melinda also tickled the family tree when she revealed how her late sire – Sgt Keith Bean – greeted her decision to revert to her mama’s name after cruel Kogarah schoolyard taunts ranging from “string been to les been.”
“Dad said I was now a has-been,” she joked.
This was a winner with the ageing audience, daubed with dowagers and duchesses from the demographic that 3AW and Magic leg-ropes to the wireless.
Despite the acrid aroma of mothballs from stoles and furs liberated from suburban closets (not those that once housed much younger opening night au pair boys) the wearers knew most of 26 songs from a Golden era when lyrics reigned supreme.
Just like roots country – the genre banished from commercial radio here.
Not for these Day devotees grunge or techno trash that energises ecstasy bunnies down on King, Queen and William Streets.
This was a gramophone-generated posse waltzing down memory lane to the refined refrains of his or her majesty’s voice.
You know the songs – Everybody Loves A Lover, Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps, Sentimental Journey, I’ll See You In My Dreams, Secret Love and Teacher’s Pet before the latter two became a trigger for the Victorian court name suppression industry.
Schneider, enhanced by her 14-piece orchestra, also revived romance in Love Somebody, Put Em In A Box, The Deadwood Stage and It’s Magic.
Funeral location: Eastern Suburbs Memorial Gardens, South Chapel, 12 Military Road, Matraville
Buried at: TBA
the Thin Blue Line Rose
[alert_yellow]LES is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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BURROUGHS, Leslie John, APM
August 22 2015, after a short illness. Late of Vaucluse. Beloved husband of Pam, dear brother of Lorraine and Peter and fond uncle to their families.
Former Sergeant, NSW Police Force, serving the community for 40 years.
Aged 64 Years
Loved & missed by all
who knew him
Les’ family and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Service in the South Chapel, Eastern Suburbs Crematorium on Friday, August 28, 2015 at 3:15pm.
In lieu of flowers, donation envelopes for Pancreatic Cancer Research will be available at Service.
VALUE FUNERALS
1300 669 722
A.F.D.A. Member
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Aug. 26, 2015
Retired Sergeant Leslie John Burroughs APM, Born 2/2/51 passed away today ( Saturday 22 August 2015 ). Les had the distinction of being the longest serving officer to work in 10 Division serving there from 1971 until his retirement in 2010. I had the honour of working with Les at Vaucluse in 1973.
Les had been suffering from pancreatic cancer for some time and passed away peacefully about 5.25pm today. He is survived by his wife Pam.
I know that some of you will remember Les who was a larger than life character variously describing himself as Bogabilla Burroughs or Les from Lightning Ridge who called everyone Digger. I remember in early 1973 at Vaucluse an elderly gentleman came into the station to report some stolen property and Les who was playing a round of cards with a colleague said, ‘ hang on digger I’ll be with you in a sec’. The old gentleman was okay with that and soon after when Les took his details for a CIR ( Criminal Information Report ), he gave his surname and when Les asked for his christian name he replied ‘ Sir Theo’ Quick as a flash Les said that’s a funny name and the gent replied ‘no I am Sir Theo’, a knight of the realm, who happened to be the CEO of Woolworths at the time. They both had a good laugh and the knight left happy with the service he had been given, that was Les, a cop for all people.
Rest in peace friend. I am sure funeral details will be posted soon.
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THURSDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2006 WAVERLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL
Police Report: Sergeant Les Burroughs, Waverley Police, reported that the in the summer months there is increased crime, more break and enters, beach stealing, breaking into cars. Younger people are responsible. Do not take valuables to the beach or leave valuables in your car. A beach safe exercise has begun in conjunction with eastern beaches patrols on all beaches. Leaving front doors open in summer also makes it easier for thieves. Regarding skateboarding late at night, under 15’s cannot be prosecuted or fined despite skateboards being under the vehicles act.
Awards: Distinguished Conduct Medal – granted 6 September 1915 – ‘For great gallantry on the 25th April, 1915, and throughout the landing operations near Gaba Tepe (Dardanelles). In attending to the wounded under a heavy fire, he showed the greatest zeal and disregard of danger, and at all times gave a fine exhibition of coolness and devotion to duty.’
Source: ‘London Gazette’ No. 8844
Date: 6 September 1915
Military Medal – granted on 7 October 1918 – ‘In the operations against the enemy positions at MONT DE MERRIS near STRAZEELE on night 2nd/3rd June, 1918 Corporal FARNHAM displayed great gallantry and initiative. When a gun close by which was firing on a very strong enemy machine gun position on the flank was put out of action, Corporal FARNHAM, regardless of his personal safety, carried the ammunition through the enemy’s barrage to his own gun position and expended both his own and the disabled gun crews’ quota. By great skill he was able to fire alternate shots at his own and the disabled gun crews’ targets, thereby saving casualties from flanking machine gun fire. He set a splendid example of gallantry and initiative.’
Source: ‘Commonwealth Gazette’ No.
1914 – 15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Born: 18 June 1888 at Cessnock, NSW
Died on: Friday 28 January 1921
Place of death: Wagga Wagga, NSW
Cause: Food poisoning
Age: 32
Funeral date: Friday 28 January 1921
Funeral location: Wagga Wagga
Buried at: Methodist portion of the Cessnock cemetery
Memorial at: ?
Gordon Charles FARNHAM
[alert_blue]GORDON is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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The Cessnock Eagle & South Maitland Recorder Friday 28 January 1921 page 5 of 6
DEATH OF MR. GORDON FARNHAM A CESSNOCK DISTINGUISHED SOLDIER.
The relatives of Mr. Gordon Farnham D.C.M., M.M. were shocked to receive word this morning of his death at Wagga Wagga. The sad information came as a great shock as it was not even known by his relatives that he was ill. The deceased was a native of Cessnock, being born in the premises now occupied by Mr. Dennis Kenny, in Main Street. The deceased was 30 years of age and was an Anzac, being one of the first Australians to enlist. He enlisted from Broken Hill, where he was a member of the police force.
The late Mr Farnham secured the Distinguished Conduct medal at Gallipoli and the Military medal in France.
He returned on furlough in the early part of 1919 and during his stay at his home town the Armistice was signed.
His remains will be brought to Cessnock and will be interred in the Church of England cemetery on Sunday afternoon.
Daily Advertiser ( Wagga Wagga ) Saturday 29 January 1921 page 6 of 8
OBITUARY.
MR. GORDON C. FARNHAM.
The death of Mr. Gordon C. Farnham, licensee of the Club House Hotel, Wagga, caused great regret, as the deceased was well-known throughout the district. Mr. Farnham was present at the boxing contests in the Riverina Hall on Wednesday night, and after returning to his hotel ate a supper which included cucumber, and had an iced drink. Later not feeling too well he had a glass of brandy, but during the night he suffered considerably from internal pains. In the morning his condition was such that Dr. Martin was called in, and he diagnosed the case as one of gastritis and enteritis. The sufferer was removed to a private hospital, but although everything possible was done for him he passed away about 3 o’clock on Friday morning. Dr. Martin certified that death was due to food poisoning, and this was endorsed by the deputy coroner after a formal inquiry.
The deceased, who was an ‘Anzac,’ rose to the rank of sergeant-major in the 1st Divisional Engineers, and earned the coveted awards of the D.C.M. and the M.M. At the time of his death he was on the committee of the Returned Soldiers’ League.
Prior to enlisting he was a member of the police force, attached to the Wagga station, and he rejoined the force on April 15, 1919, on his return from the front, and resigned on March 10, 1920, to take over the Club House Hotel.
He leaves a wife, five brothers, and two sisters.
The funeral left Traill-street for the Wagga railway station at 4.30pm on Friday, from where the remains were conveyed by rail to Cessnock for interment in the Methodist portion of the Cessnock cemetery. The chief mourners were the wife of the deceased, Mrs. W. Ball, and Messrs. D. Harris and N. J. Richards. A large number of members of the Returned Soldiers’ League marched behind the hearse, including the president, Ald. Gissing, the pall bearers being Messrs. V. Charker, T. A. Plummer, J. S. Wild, L. H. Shaw, T. A. Smith, and A. Stephenson. Sister Proctor, and members of the Red Cross League were also present, while Senior-sergeant Gallaher, Sergeant O’Brien, Senior-constable Cooper, Constables Brownlee and Waugh, and Tracker McLean represented the Wagga police. There were many beautiful floral tributes.
The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Messrs. McIntosh Bros.
Lance-Corporal Farnham, who came to Adelaide from Broken Hill to enlist, has won the Distinguished Conduct Medal for “showing the greatest zeal and disregard for danger during the landing at Gabi Tepe.” Lance-Corporal Farnham is a native of Cessnock (N.S.W.), and is 27 years of age. Like all the country recruits from the Cessnock district, he had a varied experience in rural pursuits in his native State, and was also for a time in New Zealand, and for 18 months prior to enlisting had been in the New South Wales police force, being stationed at Broken Hill. At the historic landing on April 25 he was for 10 hours under fire, “during which time,” says the official report, “he attended the wounded continuously, and made a fine exhibition of coolness and devotion to duty.” Lance-Corporal Farnham was in the trenches from April to the end of August, and is now on police patrol duty guarding prisoners. His parents are very old residents of Cessnock.” – from the Adelaide Advertiser 06 Oct 1915 (trove.nla.gov.au)
“D.C.M. FOR CESSNOCK.
The distinguished conduct medal has been won by Lance-corporal GordonFarnham, a former resident of Cessnock, for “showing the greatest zeal and disregard for danger during the landing at Gaba Tepe.” The D.C.M. hero, who is a native of Cessnock, is 27 years of age, and previously was employed at the Aberdare Colliery and blacksmith. He is a fine example of Australian manhood, and has many friends in Cessnock who are naturally proud of him. His parents also live in Cessnock. After leaving his native town, Farnham journeyed to New Zealand, from whence he went to Broken Hill, where for eighteen months previous to his enlistment he was a member of the police force. The call of war was too strong, however, and he enlisted in Adelaide with the Third Field Ambulance Corps. He subsequently took part in the famous landing of the 25th April, and was for ten hours under fire, “during which time,” says the official report, “he attended the wounded continuously, and made a fine exhibition of coolness and devotion to duty.” – from the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate 08 Oct 1915 (nla.gov.au)
“OBITUARY. MR. GORDON C. FARNHAM.
The death of Mr. Gordon C. Farnham, licensee of the Club House Hotel, Wagga, caused great regret, as the deceased was well-known through out the district. Mr. Farnham was present at the boxing contests in the Riverina Hall on Wednesday night, and after returning to his hotel ate a supper which included cucumber, and had an iced drink. Later not feeling too well he had a glass of brandy, but during the night he suffered considerably from intenial pains. In the morning his condition was such that Dr. Martin was called in, and he diagnosed the case as one of gastritis and enteritis. The sufferer was removed to a private hospital, but although everything possible was done for him he passed away about 3 o’clock on Friday morning. Dr. Martin certified that death was due to food poisoning, and this was endorsed by the deputy coroner after a formal inquiry.
The deceased, who was an ‘Anzac,’ rose to the rank of sergeant-major in the 1st Divisional Engineers, and earned the coveted awards of the D.C.M. and the M.M. At the time of his death he was on the committee of the Returned Soldiers’ League. Prior to enlisting he was a member of the police force, attached to the Wagga station, and he rejoined the force on April 15, 1919, on his return from the front, and resigned on March 10, 1920, to take over the Club House Hotel. He leaves a wife, five brothers, and two sisters. The funeral left Traill-street for the Wagga railway station at 4.30 p.m. on Friday, from where the remains were conveyed by rail to Cessnock for interment in the Methodist portion of the Cessnock cemetery. The chief mourners were the wife of the deceased, Mrs. W. Ball, and Messrs. D. Harris and N. J. Richards. A large number of members of the Returned Soldiers’ League marched behind the hearse, including the president, Ald. Gissing, the pall bearers being Messrs. V. Charker, T. A. Plummer, J. S. Wild, L. H. Shaw, T. A. Smith, and A. Stephenson. Sister Proctor, and members of the Red Cross League were also present, while Senior-sergeant Gallaher, Sergeant O’Brien, Senior-constable Cooper, Constables Brownlee and Waugh, and Tracker McLean represented the Wagga police. There were many beautiful floral tributes. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Messrs. McIntosh Bros.” – from the Wagga Daily Advertiser 29 Jan 1921 (nla.gov.au)
Funeral location: Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle
Buried at: ?
[alert_blue]FRANK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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Funeral location: ?
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OBITUARY: Frank Narvo,1933-2015
By ANITA BEAUMONT
Frank Narvo: ‘‘Tough as nails and soft as a prayer’’.
MANY will remember Frank Narvo for his prowess on the rugby league field.
Others will remember him as a firm but fair cop, or the highly regarded publican of the Northumberland Hotel in Lambton.
But his family will remember him as their superhero. A hero who could draw a crowd better than any modern day promotion.
One who would have everyone in stitches with his wickedly dry sense of humour.
A brave fighter. Scared of nothing.
‘‘My dad was a giant of a man, both in stature and character,’’ Frank’s son Tony said in his eulogy.
‘‘He was larger than life.
‘‘He was a good man – a hardworking man, an honest man, a man of integrity, a faithful man, a stubborn man, a staunch ally.
Above, Frank Narvo’s funeral. He was surrounded by the things he loved. Picture: Wanagi Zable Andrews
‘‘He was a strong man, a brave man, a formidable man.’’
But he had also been a loving, sensitive man.
Frank loved his family, his friends, and his footy, and he was partial to a beer or two.
‘‘Tough as nails and soft as a prayer,’’ Tony said.
Frank was born on April 24, 1933, at his family home at 1 Henry Street, Wickham, to Irene and Herb Narvo.
He died on Wednesday, July 22, surrounded by his family at his New Lambton home.
He was 82.
Sporting prowess was in his genes.
Herb had played four Tests for Australia, was named in the Newcastle Rugby League team of the century in 2008, and was also an Australian heavyweight boxing champion. Frank boxed too, although mostly just for fun and fitness.
But he shone on the rugby league field.
The tough-as-teak forward was a North Newcastle junior who went on to play nine seasons in the Sydney-based NSW Rugby League premiership for St George and Newtown in the 1950s.
He scored a try in Newtown’s 23-15 loss to South Sydney in the 1954 grand final at the SCG.
‘‘That was a time when there were many hard, tough men running around the paddock, and there were no $10million contracts,’’ son Gary said in his eulogy.
‘‘Back then you had to have a full-time job, and Dad was a policeman in the hard old days.’’
Frank eventually retired from the force to move into the pub game.
‘‘He was feared as a footballer, he was feared as a policeman, and if you played up in his pub you had good reason to fear Dad,’’ Gary said.
Frank first met his late wife Maureen in Camden when he was 15 and she was 17. They married several years later on July 26, 1952.
They had five children – Gail, Gary, Tony, Cathy and Amanda, and 20 grandchildren. Frank’s funeral service was held at Newcastle’s Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, July 26.
His ‘‘last shout’’ was held at the Duke of Wellington afterwards.
The date was particularly significant for the family, as it would have been Frank and Maureen’s 63rd wedding anniversary.
Frank’s daughter Amanda said she had recently compiled a book of personalised advice from close family and friends as an 18th birthday gift for her daughter – Frank’s granddaughter.
‘‘Dad’s advice to Georgia was, ‘Your word is your bond’,’’ she said.
‘‘Dad was a very honourable man.
‘‘He also advised, ‘Treat others as you wish to be treated’.
‘‘Dad was a very soft, loving and generous man.
‘‘Whether that be ‘$20 ’til payday’ or $100 for a children’s charity or thousands to sponsor the local rugby league, soccer or cricket club.’’
Amanda said it has been an honour to take care of her father until the end.
About three weeks ago, she had asked him whether he had any last wishes. Frank said he would love to see one more family Christmas.
‘‘But I don’t think I will,’’ he’d said.
For the past 25 years, over a weekend in December, the whole extended Narvo clan would get together to celebrate Christmas.
The family threw Frank a surprise Christmas in July party on July 18.
‘‘It was wonderful,’’ Amanda said.
With only 48 hours’ notice, more than 40 Narvos arrived from all over Australia to celebrate Frank’s last family Christmas.
Despite his four-year battle with bladder and prostate cancer, Frank kept his sense of humour to the end.
He had a line for every occasion.
‘‘I remember as a young bloke, when I got drunk he would look at me, shake his head and say, ‘Even a pig knows when it’s had enough, son’,’’ Gary said.
‘‘Talking about legalising same-sex marriage, he would say he didn’t care if they legalised it, as long as they didn’t make it compulsory.’’
He’d always told Tony he was too light for heavy work, and too heavy for light work.
‘‘One day my sister Gail was telling her friend how she had been staying at Dad’s one night a week for quite a while,’’ Tony said.
‘‘‘Does he like that?’ her friend asked.
“‘Well of course he does, he loves it’.’’
But it made her think.
‘‘So the next time she stayed at Dad’s she said, ‘Do you like me staying here once a week?’
‘‘‘I love it Gail. But once a fortnight would be better’.”
In his eulogy, Tony recalled some of his last moments with his father.
Frank wasn’t afraid of death.
“I can’t wait,’’ he’d told Tony. He said, ‘‘I went to a funeral last week and wanted to jump in the bloody coffin.’’
He had been looking forward to joining Maureen, the love of his life.
‘‘I asked him if he had any regrets in life and he said ‘not a one’,’’ Tony said.
‘‘I told him how much I loved him, I told him how proud I was to be his son.
‘‘I told him he was my hero. At that point we just sat there crying. A lovely winter’s afternoon.
‘‘Then I told him I was sorry.
“‘Sorry for what?’
“I don’t know, sorry if I ever disappointed you I guess.”
“‘Well,’ he said, ‘You were a bit slow to start … but you got there in the end’.’’
BRETT KEEBLE: Narvo clan gather to support league great
By BRETT KEEBLE
Surprise Christmas party for Frank Narvo. Picture: Supplied
FAMILY and friends of Frank Narvo threw a surprise Christmas party, on Saturday for the Newcastle rugby league and boxing stalwart, who is gravely ill.
Narvo, 82, has battled bladder and prostate cancer for several years.
His health deteriorated last week and his five children have spent the past week by his side in hospital.
‘‘It was a lovely family Christmas. We had 40 or so Narvos there on 48 hours’ notice from the four corners of the country,’’ daughter Amanda said.
A tough-as-teak forward, Narvo began his career at North Newcastle and went on to play nine seasons with St George and Newtown during the 1950s. He scored a try in Newtown’s 23-15 loss to South Sydney in the 1954 grand final at the SCG.
Narvo’s father, Herb, was a former Australian heavyweight boxing champion, played four Tests for Australia in the 1930s, and in 2008 was named in the Newcastle Rugby League team of the century.
Newtown RLFC 1954 First Grade Grand Final team – Back row standing: Col Geelan (Coach), Bobby Whitton, Ray Preston, Kevin Considine, Don Stait, Henry Holloway, Gordon Clifford. Front row sitting: Frank Narvo, Brian Clay, Peter Ryan, Jim Evans (Capt), Dick Poole, Ray Kelly, Frank Johnson.
Newtown RLFC regrets to announce the recent passing of two former Newtown Bluebags first graders, Frank Narvo and Reg Hatton.
Frank Narvo joined Newtown in 1954 after playing for two seasons with St George. He stayed with Newtown until 1960 and was a tough and capable second-rower in Newtown’s two First Grade Grand Final appearances against South Sydney in 1954 and 1955. He made his own reputation in Rugby League, but he is also remembered as being the son of the great Herb Narvo, who was named in Newtown’s Team of the Century in 2008 and in Australia’s top 100 players between 1908 and 2007. Frank became a successful publican in Newcastle and was a popular figure at Newtown RLFC Reunion Days at Henson Park up until recently.
Reg Hatton was a Newtown junior who was originally graded as a halfback but soon found his niche on the wing. Reg played with Newtown from 1963 to 1968 and was regarded as one of the fastest men in Rugby League, in an era when there were other world-class fliers like Ken Irvine, Mike Cleary, Arch Brown, Dudley Towers and others. Reg had his fair share of success on the professional running circuit, and he transferred to Penrith for three seasons after playing with Newtown.
Newtown RLFC extends sincere condolences to the Narvo and Hatton families.
All statistics shown in this section are based only on data available in the RLP database, and are not necessarily a complete and/or 100% accurate representation of a player’s career. This information should be used as a guide only. If you see a question mark (?), it denotes that the figure is not available.
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FRANK NARVO the Vice President and long serving Life Member of the Newcastle Past And Present Boxers Association passed away on
Wednesday 22-7=2015,Frank played league with Northern Suburbs in Newcastle and then with St. George and Newtown where he played in two grand finals, Herb Narvo was Frank,s dad ,boxing was Franks second love, he was also a popular local publican until he decided to retire in 2000,Frank will be sadly missed, Funeral details are in Saturdays Newcastle Herald, the service is at Christ Church Cathedral Newcastle at 2pm on Sunday 26-7-2015. ALL THE BEST
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