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Erowal Residents receive monument to honour their ex-servicemen and women |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 28 November 2005 |
In the wake of Remembrance Day on November 11 the residents of the
Erowal Retirement Village have been presented with a special monument,
in commemoration of all its ex-servicemen and women. The monument
also gives special recognition to Norman Lesley "Tiger" Thompson, a
World War II veteran who passed away last year in the village at the
grand old age of 95. The monument was the idea of Hank Drent, a
long-time friend and helper of the Erowal community. He?d seen this
type of tribute before and thought the retirement village had the
perfect spot for one.
"I wanted to do something for the people that fought for this country," Hank said. "Now the place has something to focus on for future Remembrance and Anzac Days."
Hank was helped in this venture by his two faithful collaborators Ray Sommersby and Alan Lawley, who between them all have championed many fundraising events on behalf of the residents of Erowal.
"Hank did most of the work," Alan said. "We just helped him out in every way we could." The monument is particularly sentimental, being constructed from a natural slab of granite that Norm Thompson had previously owned during his latest business venture. At the age of 80 he had decided to mine slate in Yarraman!
According to Norm's grandson, Hilton Thompson, present with several generations of Thompsons for the unveiling ceremony, his grandfather was a bit of a character ... "I got to know him helping him prospect during 
| | BELOW: Hank, Alan (seated) and Ray by the memorial they helped create. |
my school holidays on land he bought down in Glen Innes, which was supposed to have gold, sapphire and tin deposits," he said.
"It was frustrating for me at the time because I never got anything but he was an old bachelor, a hawker always a bit mad!? "My family and I are very grateful; this tribute is very touching for us."
During a touching ceremony conducted by Alan, Erowal's director of nursing Jenny Tyrell gave a welcome speech to the assembled residents. Then ex-service man Mervyn Degn and service woman Louise Barbour unveiled a plaque on the monument engraved in tribute to the retirement village's ex-service men and women and to Norm.
"Happy to meet, sorry to part, hope to meet again," read an inscription on the monument. It's a popular saying taken from Masonic tradition which Alan, himself a member of the Maleny Masonic movement, thought appropriate.
Then Return Service League president Helen Gilmore-Walsh laid a commemorative wreath and called for a moments silence in respect for the departed before Erowal's chaplain Pam Batson concluded the ceremony with a blessing.
Right: The monument stands against a background of the Southern Cross, stretching out in the afternoon breeze.
ABOVE TOP OF PAGE: The generations of the Thompson family who were all proud to be at the unveiling.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 September 2006 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
