Thread: Employment Opportunities

Originally Posted by BBC

Just received some photos taken during my recent stint of leave, during which my wife and I returned to my home town, Kyogle, on the FNC of NSW to pay respect to my parents and visit family. To do so, we flew to Brisbane, hired a car and drove south.

To me, there is always something special about heading home....makes me feel like putting John Denver's 'Country Roads' on the stereo as I drive into that country which will always be my home...it is spiritual.

Especially when I come down from the north because, invariably, it will always have me driving along the Lions Road. My Dad was in the Kyogle Lions Club and I grew up building the road. The Lions Road was the outcome of an inspired individual called Jack Hurley, a really great Australian who was a local businessman who was part owner of 'Brown & Hurley', a truck sales/repair company with branches up and down the east coast.

Jack could see there were some infrastructural benefits in building a road across the QLD/NSW border and thereby making a shorter link between the Summerland Way of NSW and the Mt Lindesay Hwy in QLD. Significantly shortening the route to Brisbane...and, despite he being a stalwart of the heavy truck industry...it was not intended for them.

Anyway, it was a very formative experience for me as it put me out in the bush on most weekends with some of the larrikin 'can do' bushmen that saw the benefits, and came and volunteered their skills, expertise, and equipments; a real community effort.

Between 1971-5 the road was constructed and I was out riding on bull-dozers, loaders, graders, felling trees, and holding onto a survey stick...it taught me that almost anything could be done.

On the drive down from Brisbane, I took the time to show and explain some of the significance of the road and the area to my wife. In doing so we drove down to the Border Loop Lookout and, to my surprise, there was a photo of an incident from 1971 when a Cat D6 got stuck in a gulley, and there was I front and centre of the photo, a 9 yr old, swinging on a shovel:



In 1976 I can remember my father in our back yard at home, chiselling away at what was to become the Lions Road signs, at both ends of the road. They are still lasting well:



I wonder if there are many of the Gold Coast LRO crew that know of the area?

Wow, what a read. I will 3rd, 4th, 5th, whatever, the call for you to get your story published.

GCLRO certainly know this road. I was lucky enough to accompany then on a leaf sprung trip into the Border Ranges NP via the Lions Road. It is also well known to many in this part of the world (SEQ, Northern NSW) as a great bypass to the traffic mess that is the Gold Coast and a great motor bike ride. It is a privilege to be able to say I have some knowledge of the personal history of the road now.

Keep safe.

Phill

Arrived home yesterday.

My father, a man who had lived an active life working to raise four kids in a rural town, passed away today. 7 Nov 1935 to 6 Sep 2010.

He had been sick and suffering Alzheimers since 2005 and, my feelings at this time, are of relief. Our love and concern for him had always been, even more so, as the ability to communicate meaningfully with him passed.

I am so glad his passing coincided with my return.

Vale Dad, rest in peace.

Hey BBC,

Condolances to you and the family. It's never easy, but I know what you mean re relief, when they've been suffering or struggling.
Celebrate his life and think fondly of the great things he did.
Cheers mate.

My condolences mate...

Best wishes to you an yours.


Andrew and Adriana.

He Lives In Me

He died in my hands,
but lives in my mind

I wish time wouldn't go forward,
then I would make it rewind

I try to have memories,
but my minds mostly blank

As for the man I've become today,
I have only one person to thank

I don't have the time to waste upon mourning,
He wanted me to live, love, and never to be boring

One day I'll see him again,
And I know he'll say aloud

I love you my son, you've made your Father proud.

(by Vincent M. VanderMaas)



BBC,
My condolences and in my opinion judging by this thread
any father would be bursting with pride..

Hope everything goes smoothly. Our thoughts are with you

digger and Clan

My condolences as well BBC.

Sounds like your Dad enjoyed a long, active and productive life. Good to hear that you were able to be with him at the end.

Our sincere condolences BBC. Your Dad had every reason to be so very proud of you and your wonderful memories of him will last forever.

Digger, as usual you have the gift of finding the most suitable verse for these testing times. Very apt indeed.

Our thoughts are with you and your family BBC.

Erich & Sheila

Sorry to hear about your dad BBC. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

I lost my grandfather (who also had Alzheimer's) last year - it was amazing, despite his memory just about gone and strongly medicated, he waited until my dad (the last member of the family) arrived back from PNG to die.