Eulogy For Lorraine Fisher BEM
St Mary’s Church, Redcliffe
28th May, 2013
My grandmother Lorraine Fisher was a remarkable woman. Her 95-year life was a wonderful
example of selfless devotion to family and community.
Lorraine Fisher was born in Wylong , New South Wales on the 13th June 1917 to her mother Myrtle Louise Pollock (Nee Becker) and father Percy William Pollock. She grew up with her brother Valentine on the family sheep and wheat property in Rainbow Victoria. 7 years later in 1925, her father died and her mother Myrtle and the children moved to Monto to be closer to her brother Ern. It was in Monto that Myrtle met and later married, Charles Allan Webb. He had 4 children so Lorraine’s family became quite large. Her stepfather Charles may have instilled the first seeds of community life and service as he was on many local committees and council and was Chairman of the Shire. He also operated the only ambulance in the district.
Lorraine was sent to Maryborough Girls Grammar School for her senior education and was in fact Dux of her year. Returning to Monto, she started her nursing career and met her husband to be, Kelvin Carlaw Martin Fisher who was working in the National Bank. They were married in 1938.
Their Honeymoon was particularly exciting. The happy couple were on a boat cruise in the Whitsundays when the vessel hit a reef, Spitfire Rock and they were marooned on Linderman Island, before being picked up by another vessel some time later. During the war years Kel was transferred to Charters Towers whilst Lorraine remained in Monto for the birth of their first child, Marge in 1940. 2 years later Barbara was born. Kel was then enlisted into the RAAF until 1946.
In 1943 Lorraine’s parents Mrytle (Gunga) and Charles (Farvy) moved to Redcliffe purchasing a large parcel of land at Oyster Point, Scarborough that is the home at 3 Thurecht Parade. This will become such an important home for the family. Carmel joined the extended family in 1948 following the death of her mother Ida Cluff (Nee Becker). Charles returned to public life becoming deputy mayor and eventually forming the Redcliffe Show Society in 1949 with Mayor Bob Bradley. He was the president until his death in 1955.
Lorraine and Kel bought a home in Wylie Street Redcliffe, before being transferred to Gympie with the National Bank in 1953. David was born there the following year. The Fisher family returned to Redcliffe in 1955 and following Charles’s death amalgamated the entire family at the Scarborough Home cementing it as the landmark residence for generations to come and a nidas for community activity. Lorraine became guardian for Carmel and not long after that that became a foster mum to Sandra and Malcolm Lane following the passing of their mother, Norma Lane (Nee Becker).
As with any family the numbers start to grow as children get married and have children. Marge married Jim Stack, Barbara married Paul Mapp, David married Pam Reichel and later Eva Constantino and Carmel married Brad McGowan. For Lorraine, these unions resulted in 9 grandchildren; Peter, Colleen, Brian, Graham, Debbie and Jeniene, Drew, Trent and Liam, and 10 great grandchildren; Emily, Adam, Kate, Rachelle, Tamika, Emma, Lachlan, Benjamin, Hannah, and Siara. The birth of the grandchildren resulted in a name change for Lorraine and Kelvin to Noona and Da, the timing of which is a source of family debate.
I have so many wonderful memories of Noona and Da at the Scarborough house most of them surrounding family get togethers. Whether it was for a Saturday night dinner or a Sunday Lunch, the table would be set, and an amazing array of food would be presented including special deserts and treats cooked to perfection. I had a particular passion for cornflake biscuits! The grounds of the house were a fantastic place to play, with fruit trees, gardens of flowers, huge areas of grass, and a particularly dusty shed with an amazing array of old tools, bits of cars and objects that would fascinate any inquisitive boy! Taking the boat out across the road and a days fishing was always a treat and usually ended in a feast of fish.
Christmas Eve was always a special event in the Fisher house. Nobody would miss it. Friends of the family were always welcome and it was always a great gathering and Noona was always in charge!
The house was also the hub of Noona’s vast community activities and passions. She was involved with so many community organisations; I only hope that I don’t miss one. Following in her father’s footsteps of course is the Redcliffe Show Society, as an original foundation member in 1949; she served in various capacities right up until last year including senior vice president and Head Steward of the Art section. She helped established the Peninsular Floral Art Society, who have done a wonderful Casket Spray for Noona. This group was formed so that people could learn to do floral art. She was a patron this Society and foundation member. She had other roles within the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies. These included her roles as cooking judge and judging for garden competitions. Lorraine was the inaugural recipient of the Meritorious Show Service Award in 1999 and one which would not be awarded again for 3 years. She was also a foundation member of the Redcliffe Art Society, and The Peninsula Camera Club. I also remember Noona’s involvement with ANZAC Day commemoration parades, Warana Celebrations and decorating the National Bank with large floral pieces often involving Kel’s mechanical designs.
Her second great passion was for the Red Cross and the Blood Bank. We will hear more about this service from Red Cross Queensland Deputy Chair, Win Smith shortly. I remember seeing my grandmother sitting beside her phone at a small filing cabinet that contained all of the names of the donors, most of Redcliffe I believe. She would phone them the night before to ensure that they would be attending! They would not refuse! She worked for the people. From her home she would take medical equipment such as beds and wheelchairs to people who needed them of course with Kel and members of the family helping out. Lorraine was on the first Redcliffe hospital board from 1977 a position she held for 12 years. Her devotion to the Red Cross was honoured in 1995 as an honorary life member, and the Rosetter Medal in 1999 for 60 years of service.
Her humanity also stemmed from her faith. She was a strong supporter of the St Anne’s Church Guild and St Mary’s. She loved doing the flowers and had an amazing network of friends. Both Father Pearson and more recently Father Graham played key roles in my grandmother’s spiritual life, though I think there was a very special bond with Father Pearson and his wife. Lorraine was also a member of the Redcliffe Historical Society and had an amazing recall of local knowledge. Noona also told me she was quite good at golf and was involved in several golf clubs in her youth, a passion that I share but a skill that I didn’t inherit!
With over 60 years in the Redcliffe community she gave a lot of herself. She never expected any awards, but she achieved several along the way. In 1965 she was honoured with the Quota Business Women of the Year award. In 1981, she was honoured with the British Empire Medal, for services to the community by the Governor, Sir James Ramsay. In 1993 Lorraine was Redcliffe Citizen of the Year. In 2000, Lorraine celebrated 25 years as a Justice of the Peace. 2001 she received a Lions Club Distinguished Service Award, and in 2006, she received the Heroes Award from the Quest Community Newspapers.
At Noona’s 90th Birthday celebration she received letters of congratulations from Prime Minister John Howard, Premier Peter Beattie and Local Member Theresa Gambaro and Mayor Allan Sutherland. It was wonderful celebration of Noona’s life and attended by an amazing array of friends and family representing her long life and endeavours.
Her beloved husband Kel passed away in August of 1992 at the age of 81. For 54 years he supported Noona and his passing was an immense loss to her and the family. They loved the community but they also loved to travel into the country to paint and photograph its beautiful landscapes and explore the wild flowers. They were seasoned explorers ready with a kettle and a little gas stove to make a cup of tea by the side of the road when the mood struck them. I have fond memories of travelling to Tennant Creek to visit Marge and Jim and seeing the sites of the red centre with them and my cousins. There were also many family holidays in their caravan to Dicky Beach. Well now it is time for Noona and Da to travel together again.
My Grandmother was the rock of a family, a pillar of the community and an inspiration to us all. She touched so many lives. Helped so many people. She told me just before she passed that she had had a happy and full life. Her children have always fully supported her, especially this past year when her health deteriorated. Marge, Barbara, David, Carmel supported by Lorraine’s GP Karen Flegg really made it possible for her to remain in her home until her last day when she passed peacefully. It’s time to rest in peace Noona. You will always be remembered; you will be always in our hearts.
Dr Graham Mapp