Category: Obituary

Attached are reminiscences of Les Hyland, written by a lifelong friend, Adele Hallows.

Forwarded by Linda Venn

MEMORIES! I first met Leslie through canoeing followed by some years of canoeing, hiking, sightseeing around Ireland with friends, notably June Howard.

Leslie worked in a travel agency and liked nothing better than someone coming in with a challenging itinerary to places a lot of people had never heard of. Because of the Irish climate most people just wanted to head for the Mediterranean sun. We went on skiing holidays to Scotland and Norway but of course there was also a fair amount of time devoted to railway interests. I remember being on a steam train in Scotland and Leslie chasing it in his Morris Minor careening around the narrow roads. Memories of going to Irish Railway Records Society Christmas dinners and being the only female …

But then our good friends, the Stronachs, Jean and Peter with teenagers Steve and Ken emigrated to Australia and in time glowing reports would come from the land Down Under. Let’s emigrate to Australia! And so in 1974 we set off on the SS Australis and, the Suez Canal being closed at the time, sailed for five weeks via the Canaries, Cape Town, Freemantle, Melbourne and disembarking in Sydney. Coming up on deck and seeing the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge was like walking into a movie set. Train to Townsville and off by ferry to Magnetic Island and a big welcome from the Stronachs. I remember the next day the boys driving us around the island and telling us all the things that could kill you in Australia! All our friends in Ireland were envious of us living on a tropical island and commuting to work by ferry, Leslie to Townsville Tour Coaches and me to Arthur James, Accountant. We eventually moved to the mainland. I always remember Leslie’s comments after being away on one of the TTC tours “the youngsters play up all night and sleep all day; the oldies play up all night AND all day!”

A trip to India in 1975 travelling with my schoolfriend Ruth who was working in India at the time. Much to Leslie’s delight she had managed to procure a copy of the All India Timetable but which sadly was stolen later in the trip. We travelled from the Himalayas (toy train to Darjeeling etc) to Ooty in the south. On return from India I headed south to Melbourne and, the best thing that could have happened, Leslie met his soulmate Lynn, in the Townsville Bushwalkers and the rest is history.

I had many happy holidays with them over the years and one time June was visiting and up in Paluma pointed out a house that was for sale – hence Barr na Coille came into being. Les and Lynn had such happy and fulfilling lives together that my heart now goes out to Lynn having to carry on alone but I know she will have great support from family and friends. They fitted in a lot of travel over the years and did many good works with the Lions.

The world is a better place because of them. Their friendship knew no bounds and they were always in the thick of things giving their support. In Paluma they will not be forgotten as they have a walking trail named after them. People have written such lovely condolences I always think its a shame that the person in question cannot read them! Sadly that Irish accent will no longer be heard …

Adele Hallows

It is with profound regret that we note that Glen Parker died unexpectedly last Sunday at home in Paluma. On behalf of the PDCA and the entire Paluma community, we offer our deepest condolences to Bobbi Parker and Glen’s extended family. A more detailed tribute to Glen will follow in due course.

Patricia Mary Jackson (1947 – 2023)

Trisha was born Patty McGahan on May 26^th 1947 in GawlaSA. She was estranged from her father at a very early age and was raised in her Mum’s family clan Ramsay around Naracoorte and Kingstone in southeast SA. After leaving school Trish became a Medical Receptionist/Typist working in Doctor’s surgeries in Adelaide and sharing an apartment with two friends who she kept in touch with throughout her life.

Trisha was married at twenty-one and they spent the next seventeen years moving regularly. From Adelaide to Peterborough and on to Ballarat. Their two boys were born in that time. Trish owned and operated a Fashion Studio, a Photographic Studio and an Antique Store some of these at the same time. She was heavily pregnant when an errant antique wardrobe fell off a truck and pinned her to the ground. In true Trisha fashion she got up, dusted herself off and finished unloading the truck.

From Ballarat the family moved into Queensland buying a property at Laidley. From there on to Emerald and then Innisfail.

Trish arrived in Townsville in 1985 and was employed as an Admin Officer/PA at the same company as James where they met. Trish moved on and was employed by Commonwealth Pathology Laboratory where she met Doc (Ron) and Sue Rimmington. When Doc discovered that Trish and James spent most weekends camping around Paluma and PalumaDam he offered the Rimmington house at any time it was not being used.

Trish and James were married in 1989 when they both resigned from their respective positions and embarked on a shared but personal journey of self-discovery. With that out of the way and a stint at running a pub under their belt they moved to Paluma permanently, living in the Tubman/Jackson Family house that had been built of the site of the old Willowdean cottage. Trish worked around the village in different part time and full-time positions that her knowledge, experience and flexibility allowed. Her last trick before leaving Paluma was a multiple resignation and return from and to PEEC. I can remember Baz saying, ‘no more retirement cards for you’ They had a beautiful working relationship.

The Paluma community was very welcoming, and Trish made many ‘forever’ friends that she loved and kept in contact with. Cooking had always been a passion, no doubt inherited fromher Mum. Cooking for kids at the two Centers were some of the happiest times. Trish contributed to the community she loved, she worked hard for the Community Association, Mount Spec State Emergency Service and Paluma Rural Fire Brigade, earning a Australian National Service Medal and a QFES Diligent and Ethical Service Medal. She was humbled by the awards and would say ‘all I ever did was make the sandwiches. Mind you when you’ve been on the fire ground for six hours ad someone turns up with a sanga and a cold can of coke you’d bloody well give them a VC.

Trish and James moved on from Paluma after twenty-five or so years to build a retirement home and lifestyle at the foot of the Cardwell Range near Ingham. The family house changed hands and Tracy put the finishing touches to it that we had never gotten around to. (Looks fabulous Trace).

The owner-built house in Bemerside was completed in 2019 and by 2022 Trish had started her Hoogle Culture beds off with their first seedlings when she received the diagnosis. Trish and James left immediately for the Gold Coast where a specialist team (not available in North Queensland) began treatment. Unfortunately, a combination of factors including the fact that there is no early diagnosis currently available for Ovarian Cancer, hence most are not diagnosed until stage three or four, there are very few unusual or noteworthy symptoms and treatment options are very limited when compared with more common cancers. Trish passed away at home in Bemerside after a year of intense treatment, but she was wrapped in a cocoon of love by family, friends and even Doctors for that whole period. Trish was pretty easy to love.

James Jackson

Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation – Donate to Patricia Mary Jackson (ocrf.com.au)

Ross Wells Eberle passed away after a long illness on Friday, June 9th with his family by his side. He was a loving husband, Father, Father-in-Law and Pop as well as a great mate to those who knew him here on the mountain.

Ross and Denise purchased their property on Hussey Road about 20 years ago. They both became well known in the community and Ross was an active member of the Paluma Rural Fire Brigade. Ross worked at the Townsville General Hospital as an orderly and was very active in motor sports. He drove rally cars and enjoyed the thrill of trail bike riding.

A keen fisherman, he loved travelling and camping. He has left his loving wife, Denise, with many fond memories of their adventures together.

Ross’s life was celebrated at Woongarra Crematorium Chapel on June 19th. Our thoughts and hearts go out to Denise, Ross’s family and friends.

Len Cook and J. Poletto