SERVICE
SONG:
AMAZING GRACE
WELCOME
CONDOLENCES
PRAYER
READING
MEMORIES
OF MERVYN
GRAHAM
TUCKWELL
EULOGY
MERVYN
LAWRENCE WEBSTER
27th
October, 1930 – 17th
November,2006
THE
“CUNNAMULLA
FELLA”
Always
Mervyn to his beloved
Isabell but generally
Merv to others.
*Mervyn
Webster personified the
expression – “You
can take the boy out of
the bush but you can’t
take the bush out of the
boy”.
With
his laconic and relaxed
manner he remained the
country boy throughout
his life.He may have
lived in the city but he
was country at heart.
*This
is a yarn about his
life, in abreviated form
,for there is far too
much detail to address
in one sitting.
*Merv
appeared in this world
on 17th
October,1930 – one of
seven children in a
country working class
family living in
Cunnamulla.He grew up in
a necessarily frugal
household which had
survived the difficult
depression years of the
30’s.To quote Merv –
“things were tough
when there were more
dinner times than there
were dinners.” Whilst
luxuries were few, love
in the home was aplenty
and this set the tone
for the standards he was
to adopt in his life.
*His
junior years were spent
in Charleville where the
family moved when he was
5 years of age and he
grew up doing the
typical country boy
things of the day.
*He
did alright at school he
says as he “discovered
that there were THREE kinds of people in
this world – Those
that can count and those
that can’t.”
Consequently,with
those skills he
chose a banking career
and in 1947 at age 17
moved to Dalby to begin
service with The
Commonwealth Bank
of Australia –
all 5’3”
and 7st 7lbs of him.
He
retired from the CBA 44
years later and was
known to say that “had
I known the job was not
going to be permanent I
wouldn’t have started
with them.”
*He
spent 2 years in CMF
service whilst in Dalby
– “it was good fun
playing soldiers as no
one was shooting back at
you – they were good
days as everyone in CMF
volunteered.”
*He
first saw the Big Smoke
(Brisbane) and the sea
when he was 18.He has
told the story of this
visit when he travelled
by train from Dalby
(full of
trepidation)expecting to
be met by a relative at
the Roma Street
Station.However it was
some two hours after the
train arrived that his
escort
turned up and Merv,the
overawed country boy,
spent all that time
sitting on his little
suitcase on the platform
too scared to make a
move.
*From
Dalby he moved on to
Goondiwindi and it was
here that he met the
lovely Isabell Callaghan
who he courted and later
married in 1953.Their
courtship is another
story in itself.
And
so began a wonderful
partnership which bore
three children –
Mervyn Jnr and Sally
both born in Goondiwindi
and Sandra born in
Bowen.
*Over
the years the family
followed the nomadic
life which was the lot
of bank officers taking
the opportunities of
promotion and
management positions
offered to advance their
careers.
These
moves took them to many
and varied places for
varying lengths of time
in each town which had
its stories of
experiences to
remember.The moves took
them from Goondiwindi to
Gympie to Ayr to Bowen
to Stanthorpe to
Maryborough to Roma to
Toowoomba to Rabaul and
Port Moresby in Papua
New Guinea during the
period it was an
Australian
protectorate,then back
to Brisbane and finally
Chermside from where he
retired as manager in
1991.
*Merv
states that the move to
Rabaul was the best
thing that happened to
the family.It was an
experience where he and
Isabel were involved in
sport and community
activities and an
enjoyable lifestyle as
part of the expat
community which was
prevalent at that time
in the developing nation
of Papua New Guinea.The
family was in Rabaul on
Independence Day which
was a moving
experience.He was
honoured with an
Independence Medal in
recognition of his work
in training local people
to assimilate in the
bank and progress in a
developed society – he
was only one of five
people to be so
recognised.
The
families experiences
along the way were many
and varied and no doubt
will be the butt of
family laughter and
happiness in the years
ahead as they recount those
events.
*Merv
was given to community
service from a young age
– beginning in Dalby
when he was appointed
Treasurer of the Junior
Red Cross and since that
time he has not been off
a committee of some
sort.His role as a bank
manager put him in close
contact with the
community as a respected
member of the communities in which
he lived and he gave
community service
through Jacees and Lions
Clubs over many years.
In
these and his general
pursuits he allways gave
selflessly of himself in
his support of others.
*Merv
was a great teller of
tall tales – both
fictional and non
fictional -and it was
often difficult to
differentiate the two.
Not
only was he a skilled
story teller but he had
a love of and a skill
for Bush Poetry.Merv Jnr
professionalised his
great skills in this
area and big Merv
thrilled to travel far
and wide with him and to
share the stage with his
own recitations.He was a
very capable performer.
Scarborough
bowlers would be
familiar with Merv’s
impromptu and
entertaining clubhouse
recitations.
*He
had a quick wit and a
dry sense of humour and
many was the time when
his witicisms went over
the heads of those who
did not know him well.
His
many bowling friends
could no doubt attest to
the Webster sayings which would emanate
from his end of the
rink.Sayings such as:
*For
the wayward bowler
making a poor effort of
drawing to the jack it
was – “They don’t
make jacks like they
used to.”
*For
the opponent who removed
Mervs shot bowl it was
– “I’ll bet you
pulled the wings off
butterflies when you
were a kid.”
*At
the end of a losing game
it was
- “I’m a good
loser ‘cause I’ve
had a lot of
practice.”
*Sport
played a major part in
the life of Merv Webster
from an early age.In the
early days it was
swimming,athletics and
hockey;later on it
expanded to include
gymnastics and tennis
but it was the playing
and refereeing of rugby
league, in which he
participated for many
years, that gave him
much experience and
satisfaction.
He
tackled all sports with
vigour and a serious
competitive spirit and
achieved many awards for
all the sports in which
he participated.
*Not
all the sporting
facilities he
encountered were of a
high standard
–particularly in the
early years.In swimming
for example not all
towns had a swimming
pool.Goondiwindi was one
such town where swimming
competition was
conducted in the
McIntyre river.Pontoons
were constructed on each
side of the river and
rope lanes taken across
the river – even
though they would bow
with the river
current.To swim in a
50metre event the
competitor would first
swim over to the
starting line on the NSW
bank and
then race back to the
finishing line on the
Queensland bank.
*Whilst
all sports were played
in and between towns in
the South West it was
rugby league that took
him to most places ,from
the southwest to north
Queensland.Some 23 towns
from Townsville to
Charleville over a
period of 16 years
participation.
*It
was in Rabaul that Merv
was introduced to the
sport of Lawn Bowls, his
sport of choice for so
many years and it was in
this domain that so many
friends have been made.
He
will be remembered
fondly for his
competitive spirit,his
administratrive
input,his support and
commitment to coaching
and umpiring and above
all for his wonderful
comradeship.
*Merv’s
great pride was having
carried the torch for
both Olympic Games held
in Australia.
The
first was in 1956 when
in Gympie with the torch
relay on its way to
Melbourne.He
was instrumental
in organising the torch
bearers over the 52
miles from Gympie to
Nambour and ran his 1
mile leg near Pomona.
For
the 2000 Sydney Games he
carried the torch on The
Redcliffe Peninsular.
He
was eagerly awaiting the
reunion of torch bearers
to be held in
Rockhampton next month
but sadly that pleasure
was denied him by the
insideous disease which
claimed his life last
Friday.
*Mervyn
Webster was a devoted
and caring husband and a
loving father and
grandfather whose family
was at the core of his
being.
*To
me and his many friends he
was a great bloke
and it was allways a
pleasure to share his
company.
*I
am proud to have had him
as my friend.
*He
will be sadly missed by
us all, but never
forgotten.
*MAY HE REST
IN PEACE*
LOCKIE
McDONALD [SCARBOROUGHBOWLS
CLUB]
JOHN
BEST [NORTH PINE BUSH
POETS]
FAMILY
MEMBERS
[ISABELL,
MERVYN, SALLY &
SANDY]
REFLECTION
SONG: TOO
YOUNG
DEPARTURE
SONG: UNFORGETTABLE
GRAVSITE
FAREWELL
PALL
BEARERS
| Shane
Webster |
Norm
Wesner |
| Brendon
Stinson |
Brian
(Friday) Dwyer |
| Neil
Macklin |
Graham
Tuckwell |
| Merv
Webster |
Jayden
Macklin |
| Brodie
Thomas |
|
Thank
You Mervyn
I want
to apologise for any
problems
that I
may have caused you
on our
lifetime.
Sometimes
I wasn’t the easiest
person
to
live with
since
I was so independant and
strong
but
you can be sure
that
though it possibly didn’t
seem like it
your
values and ideals
did
pass on to me and I have
carried
them
forward
in
most things that I did.
You
were always someone
stable
strong,
giving and warm;
an
ideal person to look up
to.
This
gave me the strength to
lead
my own
life
according
to my own standards.
Your
leadership and love
had
enabled me to grow into
a
very
happy person
and I
tbink that this is what
made our life together
a
lasting one.
Thank
you - Isabell.
Our Sincere Thanks
Isabell and family wish to thank you for your presence here today, for
your kind thoughts, your love and support in our time of deep sadness.
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Dad
the Bowler |
Dad
the Bush Poet |
We extend to you all a warm invitation to join the family for fellowship
and refreshment at the Scarborough Bowls Club, Scarborough Road,
Scarborough after leaving the Caboolture Lawn cemetary.
|
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Dad
the Olympic Torch
Bearer |
Memories
A few
lingering memories from
family and friends
My
yarnspinning abilities I
attribute to my Dad who
was always willing to
share his vast knowledge
of the outback and as a
little tyke he told me
how the crows fly
backwards in Charleville
to keep the dust out of
their eyes. Proudly I
stood up at school the
next day and enlightened
the class with my new
found knowledge. Thank
you for a life time of
memories Dad and I look
forward to sharing many
more in God’s new
order. Rev 21:3,4 Psalms
37: 10,11,29
Son
Mervyn
My
dear father-in-law I
will miss you on our
trips away and it will
not be the same without
you. If one could
handpick one’s Dad I
would choose you first
everytime.
Daughter-in-law
Chris
My
dearest Poppy I always
remember that you made
time for me and I always
enjoyed being in your
presence because you
were loving, gentle and
kind. During the time we
spent together you
taught me humility. You
have made me a better
person and I loved and
admired you for that.
Your humility inspired
me to try to display the
same with others.
Granddaughter
Meagan
Dad
you always knew when I
needed you to talk to,
lean on and you were
always there for my
family, whether it was a
major event like Jadyn
arriving to just the
simple things, like
weeding the garden. I
remember one morning at
about 6.30.am. I pulled
out of my driveway,
ready to go to work, I
nearly ran over you.
There you were sitting
on your milk crate
weeding our drive way.
Thank you for always
being there.
Daughter
Sandy
Merv,
I’ll miss you in so
many ways. Our trivia
nights together, the
stories you told. The
true one and the
bullshit ones. The
tricks you used to show
us and the footy and
cricket talks we shared
along with the books we
used to share. But most
of all your company.
Son-in-law
Neil
I
say goodbye today to
my grandfather. It is
only a little goodbye
for he will always be
with me in my memories
and my name and I will
cherish his memory for
the rest of my life.
Grandson
Nathan
I
visit Poppy and we go
for walks with Nanna.
I went for a walk when
Poppy was sick, but
only a little walk
because Pop could not
go very far. We held
hands. I want to visit
him up in heaven. I
miss him and I don’t
want to miss him too
much because I love
him.
Grandson
Jayden
I
only just said hello
and now I have to say
goodbye. My
grandfather has the
face of happy man who
had a passion for life
and family. We say his
name with pride.
Mervyn Webster will
always hold a special
place in each of our
hearts. Psalm 37:11.
Grandson
Shane
You
were my mentor, my
strength, my guide, my
teacher, but most of
all my friend. You
were always there for
support, whether it
was hard times or fun
times and we had
plenty of fun times.
Daughter
Sally
I’ll
always remember Big
Pop as the most
intellegent and honest
man I ever knew.
Grandson
Brendon
Remember
when the 1st of
October rolled around
every year Pop. I
would call you and we
would start our
birthday countdowns.
You were always one
day older than me.
Granddaughter
Kelly.
My
Big Pop
My
pop’s life intrigued
me so much that I
wrote a biography
about him and it even
inspired my teacher to
know that one man
could achieve and be
great at so much.
Youngest
granddaughter Jodi
To
my dears Issy, Mervyn,
Sally and Sandy my
heartfelt prayers and
thoughts are with you
now with your sad
loss. I want to take
this opportunity
to
put into words how
deeply I felt for my
wonderful, tender,
loving son-in-law
Mervyn. I will never
forget all the great
things he did for me
without Any
Reservations at
all. The feelings we
shared come once in a
lifetime. One great
help to was when I
wanted to use the
phone. Mervyn had put
any numbers I needed
onto a tape with his
own voice and this
enabled me to contact
anyone I needed
myself. It gave me
more independance.
When I needed to go to
Brisbane for medical
help or holidays,
Mervyn would meet me
at Toowoomba, look
after my travel
comforts and deliver
me to his own home.
That wonderful person
cared not only for all
my needs but that of
his wife Isabell, who
needed care at the
same time. A complaint
was something that
never crossed his mind
or lips. He was one of
God’s merciful
Christians. He gave
all of himself in
every situation and
anyway needed. One of
his jokes was when the
power went out he
would say, "Where’s
Nanna Martyn?"
She is the one person
who will be able to
find anything. She
sure had it all over
us in the dark. One of
my comforts is my
talking watch given to
me by my wonderful
friend and that watch
has now been
Christened by the
Hospital staff where I
live, as Mervyn. They
say to me press the
button and Mervyn will
tell you the time.
This watch never
leaves my wrist, even
when I sleep. It’s
one of the greatest
treasures and it’s
my wish that it stays
with me forever. In my
heart I know that God
takes the good ones
early and he certainly
has a very special one
up there with him now.
God bless you my
wonderful friend.
Nanna
Martyn
When
you have so many
lovely memories it’s
hard to just express
one or two thoughts,
but Merv you were
always a pleasure to
be around with your
happy disposition and
your wonderful smile.
Thinking of your
family.
Sister-in-law
Iris
One
of my fondest memories
was how I loved when
Mervyn visited and
would always take us
kids for a drive in
the old car with the
windows down for air
conditioning and how I
loved the
sing-a-longs. I also
appreciated so very
much how Mervyn cared
for Mum in her later
years. You will always
have a special place
in my heart.
Sister-in-law
Beryl
One
memory comes to mind
from the time I lived
with Mervyn and
Isabell for a short
time in Gympie was
going to the Sunshine
coast for a holiday
with them and did not
know at the time it
was to be the place I
would end up living
and enjoying life. It
was always enjoyable
being with Mervyn as
he was a wonderful
brother-in-law to all
of us and a great
member of our extended
families. Many others
come to mind, but
memories are a
treasure that time
cannot take away. So
may you be surrounded
by happy ones today.
Many thanks for the
memories.
A
Memory from
Sister-in-law Margaret
Merv
you were a dear
brother-in-law and a
wonderful friend.
Trying to write fond
memories of you is
very difficult as
there were so many,
but the one thing we
do know about you, is
that you were the
Frank Spencer of
handyman. About the
time you attempted to
lay new lino in your
home in Roma. Despite
the tape measure,
ruler, pad, pen and
the blue prints you
took a week to draw,
they were all to no
avail as nothing
measured up right.
"Help
Friday!" The same
thing happened laying
contact in a cupboard.
You had more contact
on you than the
cupboard. Then to
Deception Bay to live.
The phone would ring
and I would shudder.
"Help Friday!
Bring your
tools." Then the
social visits.
"Have you got a
moment Friday as I
have a small job for
you - two or three
hours later - but they
were always good times
shared. Forever in our
hearts.
Sister-in-law
Lillian and
Brother-in-law Friday.
Memories
are life long
treasures and time
cannot steal them as
we carry them in our
hearts. For we have so
many, many, happy
memories of Merv to
look back on. Mervyn
was not a
brother-in-law, but
was more a brother to
me and was a wonderful
Uncle to the Burns
boys. We were always
as one big family
helping each other
through life’s ups
and downs. We only
hope that Merv will
now have peace,
tranquility and
serenity, just as John
does in that great big
place in the sky.
Close to our hearts he
will always stay.
Lovely remembered
every day.
Sister-in-law
Lorna, sons Raymond,
Darrel, Graham, Thomas
& families
When
I first went to Ayr to
work and stay with
Mervyn and Isabell,
Mervyn told me it was
custom to wear a
yellow tie when going
to the pub to show
that you were a new
comer to town when it
fact, at the time, it
was a colour that gay
blokes wore. Fond
memories Merv.
Brother-in-law
Les
Not
wearing shoes was a
part of my life as a
young girl growing up
in Ayr and when I met
my husband to be Les,
I often spent time
around at Mervyn and
Isabell’s. Merv must
of felt sorry for me
having no shoes and
always threatened to
go and buy me a pair.
Never could beat him
at Scrabble and Mervyn
thank you for always
being there for us. So
many memories.
Sister-in-law
Lyn
In
a family there are
those children who
look so much alike and
Mervyn and Bill were
certinly made from the
same mould. He was
very much loved.
Sister-in-law
Pat
M
any
happy hours playing
Canasta.
Ever
ready with jokes and
laughter.
Real
true friend.
Verse
teller
Young
at heart.
Never
without care for
others
Mervyn
will always be our
best man.
Norm
and Gwen (life long
friends)
Some
years ago, Merv,
Isabell, Max and
Madeline Hawes, Joy
and myself had a house
boat holiday on Myall
Lakes in N,S.W. After
a great week aboard
and some marine
lessons, Merv was at
the wheel of the House
boat in the river, on
a return to ‘Tee
Tree’. Merv, at the
wheel, who was worried
about a couple of
singlets on the bow
wire, let the wheel go
and went out to get
his singlets, thus,
with a cross wind in
the river, we hit the
biggest paper bark
tree one would wish to
see. No boat can steer
itself with a cross
wind. Many laughs and
a great trip. One of
many fond memories.
Lock
and Joy Mcdonald
The
guardian of our
Castle, the keeper of
the books, the curator
of our gardens and our
friend and neigbour
have moved away. He
has left us with many
memories of his dry
wit, delivered with a
straight face, but
with a twinckle in his
eye. We now realize
how much time he
devoted to keeping our
homes functioning in
peek condition. We
will pick up the reins
Merv and follow your
example and though you’ve
shown us the way you
have left us a hard
act to follow.
Your
friends and neighbours
Dave, Marie, Val,
Dominica, Rachel and
Sen.
Nothing
could phase Merv
whislt playing bowls
as I recall the time I
was playing him in the
B.N.D.B.A. Singleton
Singles. A car came
around the corner and
crashed over the fence
near the greens. Merv
took it all in his
stride and went on to
clean me up.
Bowler
Paddy Breslin
Poppy
thanks for all the
games of scrabble and
for letting me lean
over your shoulder and
help you with your
crossword. Thanks for
lending a helping hand
to a rather lost and
frightened young girl
as she set out on her
big adventure to
places unknown. Thanks
for allowing me to
teach you the ins and
outs of computers –
for those times we
spent in your office
huddled over your PC.
Thanks for the way you
lived your life, for
teaching me that you
can succeed in life
without having to
compromise your
honesty or integrity.
That you should listen
as much as you talk.
That you should always
face life’s
challenges with a
sense of humour. That
if you just take time
to look, you can find
beauty and goodness in
everyone and that
there is so much more
happiness in giving
than receiving. I will
miss your beautiful
smile and that twinkle
in your eye. I will
miss the fun and the
laughter. I love you
Pop.
Granddaughter
Amanda
How do you honour a
man with words. All I
can say is that I hope
I turn out to be half
the man that Mervyn
was.
Grandson-in-law
Marcus
Please
Remember Me
Now
that my earthly
journey’s through
from pain I’m now
set free.
I
say goodbye to all of
you but please
remember me.
I’ve
left the body I’ve
called home, I’ve
run my final race.
And
now I’m heading off
to meet my maker face
to face.
Good
bye my friends and
loved ones all. Please
hold me in your heart.
I’ve
done the best I can on
earth, but now it’s
time to part.
And
if you must, please
shed a tear then wipe
it, let it be.
And
say goodbye as home I
go, but please
remember me.
Poet
- John Pampling
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Dad’s
Father
Alfred
William
Webster |
Dad’s
Mother
Amy
Edith
Webster
[
Nee Newton] |
Dad's Uncles and Aunt
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Uncle
Harry |
Uncle
Bert |
Uncle
les |
Aunt
Annie |
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Dad's
Brothers
and
Sisters
[Twin]
Ted
Maureen
Dad
Peg Brian
Bill
Josie |
|
Son
Mervyn's
Family
Shane
Mervyn
Nathan
Amanda
Chris
Meagan |
Shane's
Daughter's
Danielle
and
Jamie |
Meagan's
Daughter
Sara and
Son Brodie
|
