Joanne Kershaw, second row from top, third from right
Mark Thomas same row far right circa 1976
Above- Joanne Kershaw (Dec) aged about 15 years, at a Bacchus Marsh High School camp to the Grampian's at Lake Fyan, Victoria, Australia around 1977-8, she is pictured with her rear to us in Yellow singlet. Far left is Mandy Jongebloed, second left is Bernadette Cooper, far right is Tracey Hodgson (Dec), second right is history teacher, Miss Frampton & the other teacher on that trip was English teacher Mr. Wilhelm. I was at that camp- (Author).
Those of us who grew up in the mid-1970's and 80's, who attended Bacchus Marsh High School, will always remember those we shared time with at school, and those who died tragically and so very young.
Unfortunately, there is no mention on the internet of these people whatsoever and this article was written by me to help us remember these very important people that are no longer with us but played such an important role in our lives.
Bacchus Marsh High School, Form 3e, February 20th, 1976
Kim Chivers, middle row fourth from left. Gary Thibou, middle row
second from right. Trevor Dunen, (The Author of this article)
Front row, third from right & still alive so far!
Kim Chivers, middle row fourth from left. Gary Thibou, middle row
second from right. Trevor Dunen, (The Author of this article)
Front row, third from right & still alive so far!
All times are approximate from my memory so please feel free to post and correct me. Facebook has now made the memories of these people live again. So read on and feel the melancholy.
At this Grampians school camp that night in 1977, myself, Skeeter Adair, Tony Lewis & Graeme Corbett & a few devious others tied Miss Frampton to a tree. I have such fond memories of that camp, we slept two to a tent & went hiking in the Grampian's during the day. I lost my virginity on that trip while Skeeter (Graeme Adair) watched while we were both in a two man tent but I'm not saying anymore as most people are still living
The Author, Trevor Dunen, aged three, with Laurie Dunen,
his father, and Ashley Dunen, his brother in pram.
his father, and Ashley Dunen, his brother in pram.
My late father inspired this page.
Mum is still alive.
In the late 1960's Billy Hehir crashed his red EJ Holden Sedan on the Pentland hills road near Bacchus Marsh, his neck hit the steering wheel and he was cut badly and lost his life. He was with three mates. He was in his early twenties and was a good friend of Tommy McCormack who lived with Mark Lester in Dundas Street Darley. (Now Dec. see story below). Billy Hehir was the brother of Kathy Thacker (nee Hehir) listed below. Also in the late 1960's Howard Todd and Colin Campbell from Bacchus Marsh were killed in an accident on the Dayelsford Road. Bill Pickering was the lone survivor.
Gary Polglase above, aged 20 in Vietnam in 1968,
he was a tracker dog handler
Garry Polglase, above, as a young innocent man, killed in the Vietnam war accidentally, he was a friend of the Stewart & Dunen families
Len Riley above, riding his motorbike, picture from Debbie Anne Riley-Dole
Len Riley brother was the son of Jack and Claire Riley of Melton and his younger brothers and sisters were Deborah, Wendy, Peter, Anthony, Joanne, Belinda, Chris and Melanie. Len was tragically killed in 1971 in a car accident in Culcairn N.S.W. He was traveling home from NSW with Gordon McKechnie (dec.) after visiting Gordon's sister Sheree in Orange when the car they were traveling in crashed in Culcairn N.S.W. and Len died from a broken neck. Gordon was injured and spent time in the hospital. The McKechnies and Riley's are well known and well-liked families in both Bacchus Marsh and Melton. Sadly Len left 8 siblings who still miss him to this day. (See letters from Debbie Riley in comments below)
"Len had just left school had started his first job a week prior to his death with Mel Ainsley of Bacchus Marsh carting and stooking hay, a job he was very proud of .
Ray Longstaff above and at state school
Ray Longstaff was only in his early teens around 1975 when he was killed tragically at his home in a shooting accident in Maddingley. Ray was a promising young footballer for Maddingley and quite popular at the school and in the town, he has a brother Rodney who is now a successfull businessman and a sister, Sheryl, well known and popular in the Marsh.
Nick Antanasoff had it all, a wealthy orchard growing family who had a property in the avenue of honour. Nick was found hanging naked in an apple shed with his clothes folded neatly below him on the floor 2nd March, 1972 I believe, ironically he is buried right next to my father, Laurence Stanley Dunen in the Bacchus Marsh cemetery.
Vanda Kominski, a well liked and pretty girl from Comaida died of a drug overdose in the late 1970's, she was famous for having gone back to the hotel with the band AC/DC when they played in Bacchus Marsh in the mid-seventies
Junak Pilat of Bacchus Marsh committed suicide in the mid-1970's by shooting himself with a shotgun.
Mick Cahill, the boyfriend of Enid Dickson (Dale) died in the early seventies in a car accident in the avenue of honour
In the early hours of the morning on 15th January 1977, Peter "Jake" Jacobsen, aged around 20 was in a car driven by Irwin Gillespie heading west along the Lerderderg Gorge Road when their car failed to take a bend and took out a power pole. Jake was killed and Irwin Gillespie survived. They had all been Partying at the Gorge with Ian Lilburne, Malcolm Trask and Boze Goodrem. Irwin was drunk and speeding. Irwin was charged with manslaughter but was acquitted. His lawyer was Frank Galbally.
Allan Raymond Noye was killed out on the road near Timbrock, just under the railway bridge, after being hit head on by a kid driving a stolen car on the 4th February, 1978. Alan was a popular Maddingley Footballer and owned a milk run in Bacchus Marsh. He was around 25 when killed and has a brother, Ken & a sister Wendy.
Debbie Johns grew up at Lady Northcote Children's Farm. She had a mother, Bernice Davies and it is not known why she was in a home. She attended Bacchus Marsh High School and was a popular student. (this information comes from Kim Sumner sister of Nigel Sumner, both inmates of Northcote Children's home), it was standard practice to kick kids out of the farm once they turned 15 and this happened to Debbie Johns in 1979. Debbie Johns met six men in St. Kilda and was later was found raped and allegedly murdered (drowned) on Sandringham beach soon after leaving school on 13th February 1979. The six men were charged with her rape and murder. They were acquitted of murder but went down on the rape.
Mark Thomas Carni, one of the rapists responsible for the murder of Debbie Johns
They were Barry James Reardon of Hunter Street, Richmond, Bulent “Bill” Missoka of Lygon Street, East Brunswick, Glenn Geoffrey Dillon of Steele Street, Moonee Ponds, Harry John Efthimiadis of Burlington Street, Oakleigh, Mark Thomas Carni of Lygon Street, East Brunswick, now in Carlton, Zdrave “Steve" Misevski of Gerald Street, North Sunshine.
*Note: Mark Carni died suddenly of a heart attack on 16th March, 2013 and will not be missed by anyone I know. He threatened my life when I posted this article and I told him I might find him first and I didn't even have to hunt him down, he just died right on cue like the dog he was.
Kim Chivers, a tall, slim, attractive girl with long straight hair (this writer had a crush on her, she was in my class) was also an inmate of Northcote Children's Home. She left Northcote and Bacchus Marsh High School around 1978 aged around 15 to live with her Mum in Mildura. I have only recently learned that she died a short time after of a blood disease similar to Leukemia, she left her Mum and young sister. Kim had many friends at Bacchus Marsh High and many will be saddened to learn of her early passing. Friends of Kim Chivers were Julie Cock, Lyn Hitchener, Debbie Johns, Kim and Nigel Sumner, Robyn Barry and Steven (Daff) Davies.
A LETTER FROM A FRIEND OF KIM CHIVERS RECEIVED ON 7TH FEBRUARY 2011-
"Hi read with interest your story on Kim Chivers. I knew she'd died but never knew how. I flatted with her for a short time in Melbourne. She got quite sick with something then and was hospitalised, they thought it might have been meningitis but I don't think they found out. She was living with her boyfriend Greg and her brother Kerry, as well as myself. She was also friends with Sharyn Hadler whose dad lived at Pykes Creek I think (which is how I met Kim) and when they left school and moved to Melbourne they attended a hairdressing academy and became hairdressers. Sharyn was living with Lee Chivers at the time and my boyfriend, that's how I met Sharyn. The Chivers must have also spent a lot of time in Echuca which is where my boyfriend at the time was from. Sharyn owns Pure Sensations on Toorak Rd but I haven't seen her for many, many years. Kim then traveled around Australia around 1981 approx and lived in Darwin, Perth, Sydney. I caught up with her in Perth around 82 and in Sydney in December 83 perhaps. I learned of her death from someone that happened to know her that I met whilst living in London in 1989. She must have been around 26 or 28 when she died. I thought she'd had a baby and left a young child behind but I may be wrong.
An interesting read. Many thanks. SuzanneTucker"
My mate and next door neighbour, Mark Lester, aged around 16
(Photo supplied by Mark's younger brother, Matthew Lester)
Mandy Mullins (above)- Photos Courtesy of David Wells
of Bacchus Marsh
(Photo supplied by Mark's younger brother, Matthew Lester)
of Bacchus Marsh
Mark Lester, Mandy Mullins and Nodge (John) Trask, all aged around 19, were killed tragically in a car accident on the Pentland Hills Road about 5 kilometres east of Myrniong on February 10th 1980. A group were in a copper colored XY Falcon sedan driven by Mark Lester. Barry Watson survived with broken legs along with Brian (Bronc) Sullivan who had severe head injuries. Bronc has since had problems with a brain tumour although I believe he has recovered now. The car failed to take a bend, hit an earth embankment and then rolled several times down an embankment. Brian Sullivan was the boyfriend of Mandy Mullins. Mandy Mullins was from Geelong. Mark Lester lived in Dundas Street Darley and lived next door to Laurence Stanley Dunen, the father of Trevor (the author), Ashley and Martin Dunen who was killed in the exact same spot the same way, on Friday, June 14, 1968 along with Douglas Neill Bailey aged 25 from Sydney, while driving a 1968 Toyota Corolla, my father was then run over by a group of nurses travelling in a Studebaker, they too were returning from the Myrniong Hotel, my Dad was aged just 28. Both men were killed instantly.
Mark Lester- see separate story at link below-
The Mark Lester Tragedy
Mark Lester was a promising footballer with the Darley football Club and was extremely popular in the town. John Trask was also an extremely colorful and popular character in the town as he loved a drink and had frizzy red hair, he had a wicked sense of humor.
See separate story for Mark Lester at-
http://lester-mark.blogspot.com.au/
Katie Becker informs me that she had a friend named Christine Spicer at BMHS, that passed away many years ago from cancer, she was also friends with Dianne Matthews and Debbie Dickson, more details as they come to hand.
Phillip Wayne(Flip) Bourke was killed at the end of Masons Lane in his HG Holden Sedan when it rolled one night on 3rd November 1979, he was engaged to Vicki Tudball. His nickname was Flip He did have a motorcycle accident earlier and broke both his leg and was recovering from that. He was well known and a popular man in the town he was 20 years old.
Around this period Ricky Bourke, aged 39, a bit of a rebel raiser and quite a wild sort of bloke & extremely funny with a great sense of humour, grew up in Bacchus Marsh. He was a friend of mine and my brother Ash and hung around Screecher Meech. He had a wicked, twisted sense of humor. He ended up in Darwin. One day he fell asleep on a sandy beach. Somehow he drowned and was found dead on the beach. No trace of drugs was found in Ricky's body. He has a brother in Bacchus Marsh named Paul.
Marcus Arnold (Ernie) a few weeks before he died pictured after graduating as a police officer
In 1980, Marcus Arnold, aged about 19, a promising young Maddingley Footballer and a recently graduated Police Officer was riding his trail bike along the Werribee Gorge Road with another young off-duty police officer friend in a Westerly direction when both rounded a bend near the entrance to Underbank Stud. Both motorcycles struck a fully laden tip truck driven by local man Bobby Scott coming in the other direction and exploded on impact, both men were killed instantly. Craig Thiele of the Bacchus Marsh fire Brigade was first on the scene, he had ironically been talking to both men 20 minutes earlier and to this day tells of his families love of Marcus and his sorrow at what happened. Marcus Arnold was an extremely popular student at Bacchus Marsh High and was popular in the town.
Marion Ellis passed away about 1979, she was found murdered in the Flemington Flats. The killer has never been brought to justice. Marion left a beautiful 2 year old daughter.
Around 1982 Alan Blight, aged 20 of Lerderderg Gorge Road took his own life with a shotgun, Alan had kidney disease and was on a permanent dialysis regime, he was an extremely sick lad. I was in Alan's class at High school, he was a popular kid in the town and at school, his brother was Warren Blight and he had a sister Leonie.
1982- Raymond Stewart, aged 20, after leaving Peter Allitt's 21st birthday party at the Coach Houe near the Royal Hotel in August, 1982 was crossing Main Street, near the Old War Memorial in front of the Post Office when he was hit by a car driven by Robyn Vanstan, her boyfriend Dane Freeman. had pulled the steering wheel when he saw Ray, as a prank, Ray Stewart was killed instantly, Dane was charged and jailed. Craig Thiele again of the Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade was one of the first on the scene and still remembers the night with sadness. Ray died of a broken neck.
In the early 1980's Mark Thomas in his early 20's, brother to Mandy and Kim sadly took his own life with a shotgun. He was married to Michelle Hibberd and had young children. Mark grew up in Main Street, at the top of Stamford Hill, Mark and his best mate, Graeme (Skeeter) Adair (now in Coffs Harbour) were both motocross enthusiasts. Mark was well known and liked in the town and at school. Later in the 1990's Skeeter Adair's girlfriend and mother of his children, Jodie Harris, daughter of Joy Harris took her life by gassing herself in a car leaving Skeeter with 2 small kids to bring up. She was also known as Josie O'Hara. She lived in between Stonies and the Railway Hotel and had a sister, she was a popular and vibrant girl.
In the early 1980's Fesser Jones (uncle to David, Warren and Daryl Jones) took his life with a gun as did Bruce Stevenson who died on 15th November 1982, his mother was Barbara Stevenson. Bruce & I were good mates, ironically he had almost accidentally shot me on two occasions on shooting trips when his gum misfired. I knew Fesser well too.
The above photo of Angelo Toteri was given to me by
his devastated sister- Oriana.
Around 20 years ago Tony Dixon died at home with his parents suddenly, believed to be from asthma.
Joanne Kershaw who was married to Rino Bee was traveling along the Lerderderg Gorge Road in the late 1990's when she had a head-on with another car. The accident was not her fault, she was killed in the crash. Joanne went to school at Bacchus Marsh High around 1978/79. She was a popular girl and was friends with everyone. She lived in Darley and left a young family.
Picture of Wayne Salt and Robert Thompson (both dec.) taken in 3E class at BMHS, please take note, the rest in the picture are all still alive. They are Robyn Allit, Rodney Hillberg, Robert Whitlow, Nick Kikos, Wendy Ikin, Gary Kirby, Kerry Reale, Pascoe Mammolitti, Tony Barton, Leanne Miller and Peter Bolton. Photo Courtesy; Leanne McCabe- photo found in a book shop.
In the late 1980's Wayne Salt a popular student at Bacchus Marsh High School with the ladies was found dead in a caravan at the rear of his parents house in Maddingley from a drug overdose, he was in his early twenties.
Around 1983, Mark Thacker aged 12 who lived three doors from Mark Lester and next door to Laurie Dunen's house (both Dec. see above) in Dundas Street was digging in the sand at the Darley tip with members of the Stone family when the sand caved in and Mark was buried alive and killed instantly, Mark was an avid footballer at Darley Football Club and a Collingwood supporter and a popular kid in Bacchus Marsh as are his parents John and Kathy Thacker who again live next door to Laurie Dunen (Dec. Above).
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Winston Leslie Perry was a sergeant of police at the Bacchus Marsh police station in the early 1980's he died of bowel cancer. Born in Heathcote, Victoria, Australia on 13 FEB 1941 to William Arthur Perry and Emily Eva Rubeli. He passed away on 20 May 1984 in Bacchus Marsh. Winston Leslie Perry had one son, he was-
Carl Andrew Perry he died in 1990- He was killed in a car accident at the rail crossing in Maddingley He was born in 1970.
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In the 1990's we lost Greg Light the once President of the Darley Football Club to Bowel Cancer. Greg was an excellent footballer and was a huge contributor to the Darley Football Club. He died in his early forties still a fit and healthy man, apart from the cancer. He is well missed by his family, friends and the Darley Football Club.
Donald Duncan George Watson born 23/12/1951 died in Bathurst Hospital on 29/9/1994 after he crashed his race car at Bathurst Raceway during practice for the Bathurst 1000 on Conrod Straight at Caltex Chase at 250 kmh and hit a tyre wall, the car then flipped onto its roof and destroyed itself and it took medics 20 minutes to get an unconscious Watson out of the car. The car was built by his friend Larry Perkins, the crash occurred because one of the front brake rotors exploded and the car lost brakes and steering. Don Watson owned Don Watson Transport which was housed next to the Bacchus Marsh High School in Grant Street behind Comrie's garage.
Robert James Goodwin 1/1/2001 died from suicide.....born and lived in Bacchus Marsh. (from anonymous contributor below).
Left to right: Merrilyn Curran (dec), Bunsen Curran (dec),
Malcolm Stewart, Debbie Stewart
I certainly wouldn't tackle him. He was a good tough footballer and had a wicked sense of humour, I once saw him driving a car around without a steering wheel, he was using a shifting spanner! An unfortunate postscript to the story is that after Bunsen's death his house was burned to the ground leaving his wife Marylin and kids without a home. Several months later Bunens's son John was found dead in Footscray, he died as a result of accidently mixing prescription pills. A doctor was negligent in not giving correct instructions to John.
Gary Matthews above
A request from Vicki Matthews on Facebook on 23/6/2020- Can I get you to add my Husband Gary Matthews who passed away nearly 20 years ago from Lung Cancer. Gary passed on 3rd of November 2000 at the age of 46 leaving behind me and his 3 daughters. He was born and bred in Bacchus Marsh. It would greatly appreciated if you could, for future history for my girls and family. Gary left three loyal, loving daughters, Carly, Taryn and Lauren. Gary’s sisters were Anne now (DeBortoli) Sally now (Laffy) and Russell Matthews (From the author- I actually knew Gary and although he wasn't a personal mate I knew him to say gidday to and he was a good bloke well liked in the Marsh).
Laurie Wheelahan (pictured above) died on 15th February, 1997 aged 62. Laurie Wheelahan was my football coach at Darley for the under 14's. Mr. Wheelahan had this personal rule where every single player, no matter how good or bad, was valued just as much as every other player & was treated as such. As a result of the positivity and the inclusive nature of this policy we gelled well as a team & won many more games because of it. Laurie loved his players & it showed. He lived on Gisborne Road & was the father of Greg, Paul (Dec) & Brenda Wheelahan. Laurie died before Brenda got married so she kept his surname in tribute of her wonderful Dad. Laurie was well loved in the Marsh & a huge contributor to the town, a man of honor and principles.
Paul Bernard Wheelahan died on 7th November, 2000 only aged a young 38. He was a staunch champion Darley player & died at a friend's house in Darley from a heart attack. He was aged around 40, his father was my junior coach at Darley and his brothers also played for Darley in the 1980's. Paul was my team mate in the ruck and he was a handy stylish player to have around. Goodbye old mate.
Ronnie Digman passed away on 20th March, 2001 aged 46 years of cancer of the moutrh. He was a good mate of Ricky Bourkes (Dec). Thankyou Phillip Trask for letting me know he had passed away. Ronnie was a good bloke with a great sense of humour but a hard man, not to be trifled with, he was well liked in the Marsh.
Yvonne and Caroline Davies were both heroin addicts in St Kilda in their early years and heavy drinkers in later years, Caroline died in her late 30's in the early 90's from kidney failure and Yvonne around 2004 in her early 40's from pneumonia. Their Parents were Ray and Joyce Davies (dec) and their brothers are Steven and Wayne.
Robert Dickson of Bacchus Marsh, brother of Stephen died after being hit in the head with a can of beer at a brawl at a VFL football match, details not known. Tim Burn of Melton died after his car hit a tree in the avenue of honour, details not known.
Robert Goodwin of Bacchus Marsh took his own life on the 1/1/2001
Ronnie Digman passed away on 20th March, 2001 aged 46 years of cancer of the moutrh. He was a good mate of Ricky Bourkes (Dec). Thankyou Phillip Trask for letting me know he had passed away. Ronnie was a good bloke with a great sense of humour but a hard man, not to be trifled with, he was well liked in the Marsh.
Yvonne and Caroline Davies were both heroin addicts in St Kilda in their early years and heavy drinkers in later years, Caroline died in her late 30's in the early 90's from kidney failure and Yvonne around 2004 in her early 40's from pneumonia. Their Parents were Ray and Joyce Davies (dec) and their brothers are Steven and Wayne.
Robert Dickson of Bacchus Marsh, brother of Stephen died after being hit in the head with a can of beer at a brawl at a VFL football match, details not known. Tim Burn of Melton died after his car hit a tree in the avenue of honour, details not known.
Robert Goodwin of Bacchus Marsh took his own life on the 1/1/2001
Brett Andrew Johnson born 1966 from Bacchus Marsh committed suicide in Melbourne on December 29th, 2005 aged 39.
Michael David Hocking died of cancer around the 5th June, 2008 aged 47. I did not know Michael and the news of his death is courtesy of Sue Burville.
Marcel Smits, brother of Mick died in the black Saturday bushfires on 7th February, 2009.
Bill Creaney, brother of Peter Creaney died of Cancer in the late 1990's top bloke and well known and loved around the Marsh. Ronnie Dignam also died of Cancer in the 1990's
Robert (Toppa) Thompson died in 2009 in Ballarat of a heart attack, he had a history of heart problems, he was a good mate and a popular kid with the ladies at Bacchus Marsh High
Craig Anthony Skinner from Bacchus Marsh was found dead in his home in Melton on December 1st, 2009. He took his own life. Craig attended Bacchus Marsh High School and played for Darley in the 1970's, he was an excellent player and a mate of mine, we played in the same team. He will be well remembered by all in Bacchus Marsh and sadly missed. He had a brother Neville (an ex copper) and one nick-named Ted as well as some sisters.
John Condon, formerly of Gisborne Road and a Darley Footballer in the late 70's early 80's sadly took his own life in late 2009, he was aged about 46.
Peter James Ratcliffe a local policeman in Bacchus Marsh for many years died in the Bacchus Marsh Hospital aged 62 on the 18th of January, 2009. Peter was an honest copper and contributed a great deal to the community of Bacchus Marsh and was very well liked by all. Peter's son Nathan is also a policeman and regularly features on the police TV show "Highway Patrol". Peter Ratcliffe would best be remembered for rolling his police car while in a police chase with Barney Reale. Barney later served jail time for his efforts.
Mick Denning a mate of Beau Gage died of cancer on 15th July, 2009
Joan Sylvia (Nee Stewart) died on Cancer of the Pancreas in Bacchus Marsh hospital in early 2009. Her parents were Dick and Norma Stewart and her siblings were Kaye (authors mother), Colin, Sandra (Dec), Noel, Ian, Jimmy, Bruce, Malcolm and Betty (Vicki) Stewart originally of Dugdale Street, Bacchus Marsh. Joan was my Aunty.
Sandra Shirley Milligan (Nee Stewart) died of natural causes on the Gold Coast on 21/12/2012 aged 67. She was the mother of Debbie, Cheryl, & identical twins Tina & Samantha. Alwyn Milligan was her former husband. Sandra was my mother's sister & the authors Aunty. Her parents were Dick and Norma Stewart and her siblings were Kaye (authors mother), Colin, Joan (Dec), Noel, Ian, Jimmy, Bruce, Malcolm and Betty (Vicki) Stewart orignally of Dugdale Street, Bacchus Marsh.
Jeanette Francis Collins of Bacchus Marsh died suddenly on 28/4/07 while shopping, from a brain aneurysm, she was an old girlfriend of mine, used to go out with Johnny (Knuckles) Castles who was a full-back for Darley Football Club during the 1970's.
Alan Sinclair died of cancer a few years ago. Details not known.
Jeannie Lorraine (LLoyd) Meech died of Lung Cancer around 25th September 2010, details not known. Her brother Peter Meech died of a drug overdose in Western Australia, details not known. Fiona Musgrave who moved to Queensland when she was 13 was murdered.
Mark Hicks
Mark Hicks brother of Brenda Lee Hicks died of a brain aneurysm in 2007, he is much loved by Brenda and family, he was married to Debbie White.
Jane Kerr passed away around 2005 from breast cancer.
Geoffrey Michael Barling passed away in Townsville around 1st June, 2006, details not known
Ronnie Callaghan who was coming back from a gig late one night was tragically killed in a car accident around 15th September 2001. Apparently a talented musician and vocalist.
Glenn Beckman pictured above
Glenn Beckman- From Alma Maloney Beckman on Facebook- "Our son and brother Glenn Beckman passed away 6/09/1991 from Darley".
Mick Williams was found dead in the shower from a heart attack in 2010. He was a popular cricketer and also footballer, a mate of Billy Stones, well liked in the Marsh.
Bruce Runnells a popular teacher at Bacchus Marsh High has died of cancer, in June 2010.
Gordon McKechnie (above) died of a heart attack around 2010, his sister is Debbie Meech.
Eddie Kula died of cancer in the first week of March 2012, he was 56 as did Bob Carr, a fervent Darley supporter.
Elaine Wooller (nee Harmon, pictured above), Died on the 26th of May, 2012 aged 73, after a stroke in hospital surrounded by her family she passed away peacefully in her sleep.
(All information courtesy of Alyce Wooller) Most would remember Elaine and Bill who owned the Milk Bar and Fish and Chip shop on Albert Street, Darley. Bill was well known at the Bacchus Marsh Golf Club for his love of golf followed by a good laugh and a cold beer. Elaine was well known for her endless dedication to the Bacchus Marsh Bowling Club, constantly playing bowls tournaments and catering her incredible baked sweets and sponge cakes. They are both loved and dearly missed by their ever growing family.
Simon Jones- from Melton died on or around 29th August, 2012 from a brain tumour. He was a few years older than me, around 55. Simon was a motorbike racer in his younger years and competed both at Bathurst in the early 1980's and also in the Australian Superbike chamionships and many other races. This writer went to Bathurst bike races and Phillip Island bike races with Simon and other friends from Bacchus Marsh. Simon used to own a motorbike shop in Melton but ended up owning a restaurant. Simon first got sick when he went ot the doctors with a headache, he then got a brain scan and they told him he had a brain tumour and had six weeks to live, he lived for over a year although he stayed at home with his family being too proud to let anyone see him in a terrible condition. Simon was married to Sharon Hill who went to Bacchus Marsh High. I believe Simon had kids. Simon was well known and loved by many people in both Bacchus Marsh and Melton and will be sadly missed. Rest in Peace mate, you were one of the quietest and gentlest people I have ever met.
Carol Matthews in her young days
Carol Matthews died peacefully of lung cancer ten months after being diagnosed in the Western General Hospital on 8th October 2012. Carols dad was Kieth (Dec) and her mother is Belle, she had 2 brothers Ron and Ricky and 4 sisters Kaye, Pat, Dianne and Wendy. Carol was married to Bruce Stewart and was my Aunty by marriage. Carol left two kids Robbie and Mandy. She was a good person who was never judgemental and when told she was dying commented that "she had had a good life. As my Aunty, she had helped me many times over the years when I was in a tight spot, she will be sadly missed. Carol was well liked and well known in Bacchus Marsh.
Stephen Maddison has passed away details not known information from Philip Clinkaberry
Sarah Cafferkey
Sarah Cafferkey was the attractive 22 year old daughter of Noelle Dickson whom I went to school with in Bacchus Marsh in the late 1970's. An out-of sessions court hearing at the St Kilda Rd Police Crime Complex on 20/11/12 heard Steven James Hunter had fatally stabbed Sarah Cafferkey with repeated blows at his Bacchus Marsh address in Simpson Street on November 10, 2012. Though I had never met her, Sarah was a popular girl in the Marsh and will be sadly missed by her family and friends. This was a shocking crime and no words can describe how badly I feel about what happened to Sarah, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to Noelle and family. May Sarah rest in peace.
Stephen (killer) Kilpatrick around High School Age
Stephen (Killer) Kilpatrick died on 30th January, 2013 from a sudden heart attack. Stephen was battling lung and bone cancer and was a member of the West Australian Police Force. He was a converted muslim and left a wife and three young kids. Stephen also had three adult children, Laura 29 and Alesha 27 and grandfather to Jordan, Alexis and Darcy. He was in my class at school and was known for being very quiet and gentle, he was mates with David Callander and Darren Trask amongst many others. I was in contact with him on facebook up to 3 months before he died (as were a lot of people from Bacchus Marsh High School) and was meaning to catch up with him. I will never forget you killer. RIP mate, you were taken too young like many others.
Dennis Curran (above) brother of Bunsen passed away on 3rd March 2013
Vicki Crampin passed away on Wednesday, 1st May, 2013, after a two-car, head-on collision on the Geelong-Balliang Road. Her son, Dylan was critically injured (at this time still in hospital fighting).
Vicki Crampin shortly before she died
Vicki was a friend of mine. As a teenager I live in Darley and had a German Shepherd named lady, Vicki had a Cocker Spaniel named Terry. We would muck around and talk over the park for hours and became good mates. In 2010 I saw Vicki at Stoney's pub, she was sitting with Jenny Connell, I went over a bought them a drink and told Vicky how special those times with her at Darley Park were, she mistook me for my brother, Martin I had been away so long. She was very much love and will be well missed in Bacchus Marsh. She loved writing poetry, so Vicki, this is for you old mate:
As the years pass by and we drift away,
Your mind wanders back to a younger day,
As kids we played with our dogs in the park,
and we didn't get home until well after dark,
Thirty years went past, my, doesn't time fly,
now God has called her and my heart wonders why?
Robin Jones of Ballan passed away on 13th January 2013 from Oesophageal cancer, he was married to Flip Bourkes sister, Maren.
Gary Thibou died of a suspected heart attack while working overseas in the Congo on April 29th, 2013. He was in my class at school and was a great mate. He had two sisters, Pam his twin and an older sister Sue, his mum and dad were school teachers. Gary played back pocket for the Marsh and I forward pocket for Darley, he often played on me but was hopeless at footy but a big trier. He left a wife and children in Brighton.
Trevor Libbis (above) died in hospital of liver cancer on August 31, 2013. He used to go out with Yvonne Davies, his brother was Laurie (deceased, details not known but still to come), he was mates with Dennis Curran and Geoff Granger and many others, he was well known in the Marsh.
Laurie Libbis
Peter Masterson pictured above- pic courtesy of Bec Masterson, Peter's daughter
Peter (Skinny) Masterson died on 3rd September, 2013 from cancer aged 54. I played footy at Darley with his brother Jimmy.
Peter Uren above- picture courtesy of his sister Maree De Marco
Peter Vernon (Egg) Uren aged 53 took his own life on 9/9/2013. Peter suffered from schizophrenia. Peter was a close mate of Marcus Arnold and was devastated when he was killed aged 19. Peter was in the Navy for a while, he was a great mate of my brother Ashley and I and we had some fantastic wild times together in Melbourne while on the turps, although I have not seen him since the funeral of Marcus Arnold. He was living in NSW in Mayfield and is survived by 2 children Ian and Kayla. RIP mate I will never forget you.
Kevin Unthank (pictured above) died on 27th November 2013 aged 74. Len Smith writes- (Facebook) "Kevin was the original drain man could do anything and at anytime. Kevin learned his trade working for Billy King back in the connecting sewerage system to Bacchus Marsh. Kevin’s mother and father owned the Royal Hotel many years ago, known as the swinging arms because of the many fights people would get into going to the pub. Kevin was very handy with his fists when called upon, but he would never going looking for a fight, and he could finish one if trouble came his way". I (author Trevor Dunen) knew Kevin well and drank with him often at the Royal Hotel. He was a well loved, and well respected member of the Bacchus Marsh community and was also known for his excellent work ethic. He was an all-round good bloke.
Robert (Oggie) Grieves passed away on December 6th, 2013 after a long battle. He was friends with all including Malcolm Trask, Bruce Stewart, Kaye Dunen and Yack Johnson to name just a few. I knew him well, he was a good bloke and was quite a character and was well known to all in Bacchus Marsh, especially the pubs!
Beverley Van Leeuwin (nee Sylvia) passed away sometime in 2014 from cancer. Details are not known. Bev was a good friend of mine & was a great person with a loving nature & a good sense of humor. She was related to me by marriage. Her brother Graham Sylvia married my Aunty Joan Stewart. Bev was married to Len Van Leeuwin. Bev grew up on Lyle Street, Bacchus Marsh with her parents & siblings. She had three brothers, Graham, Wayne & Michael, & two sisters, Maureen & Lorraine. Her father was Gordon Sylvia who died on the 7th May, 2006. I cannot remember her mother's name.
Kevin Unthank (pictured above) died on 27th November 2013 aged 74. Len Smith writes- (Facebook) "Kevin was the original drain man could do anything and at anytime. Kevin learned his trade working for Billy King back in the connecting sewerage system to Bacchus Marsh. Kevin’s mother and father owned the Royal Hotel many years ago, known as the swinging arms because of the many fights people would get into going to the pub. Kevin was very handy with his fists when called upon, but he would never going looking for a fight, and he could finish one if trouble came his way". I (author Trevor Dunen) knew Kevin well and drank with him often at the Royal Hotel. He was a well loved, and well respected member of the Bacchus Marsh community and was also known for his excellent work ethic. He was an all-round good bloke.
Robert (Oggie) Grieves passed away on December 6th, 2013 after a long battle. He was friends with all including Malcolm Trask, Bruce Stewart, Kaye Dunen and Yack Johnson to name just a few. I knew him well, he was a good bloke and was quite a character and was well known to all in Bacchus Marsh, especially the pubs!
Beverley Van Leeuwin (nee Sylvia) passed away sometime in 2014 from cancer. Details are not known. Bev was a good friend of mine & was a great person with a loving nature & a good sense of humor. She was related to me by marriage. Her brother Graham Sylvia married my Aunty Joan Stewart. Bev was married to Len Van Leeuwin. Bev grew up on Lyle Street, Bacchus Marsh with her parents & siblings. She had three brothers, Graham, Wayne & Michael, & two sisters, Maureen & Lorraine. Her father was Gordon Sylvia who died on the 7th May, 2006. I cannot remember her mother's name.
Bronwyn Reed passed away at home on Monday 13th of January 2014. Bronwyn was the sister of Lynne Hicks. She went to Bacchus Marsh High School. She is at rest along with her son and brother Ken Reed.
David Hjorth fell and broke his neck in an accident and passed away around July 6th, 2014. Deepest sympathy to his family. I did not know him.
Joan Chapman also passed away around July/August 2014. details not known.
Sheila Trask passed away from heart problems on 5/8/2014. I was good mates with her ex husband Phil and had many good times at Stoney's hotel and others, with her in the Jackie Push and the Kick Start days. (Oh those were the days). She will be sorely missed and was well known and liked in Bacchus Marsh.
Maxwell Bruce Gillespie died on 7th September, 2014 aged 79, at Bacchus Marsh Hospital. Father of Graham (Porky), Irwin, Bruce, Mark, Maxine, Colin, Dianne, Annie & Faye.
Wayne Dwyer who lived at the Northcote Chidren's home and went to Bacchus Marsh High School died of cancer in November, 2014 in Tasmania. He has a sister Linda and brothers Mark and Steven. He was around 55 years old.
Anthony Giani died in the Alfred Hospital after an eight month struggle on 20th November 2015. He had had a major stroke a few years before and was severely disabled. I went to school with Anthony and his brother John, and played footy with John, from memory Anthony played for Darley too, but he had a previous head injury and had to be careful. Several years ago, when I was in Victoria, when the Australian Grand Prix was on in Melbourn,e I bumped into Anthony at the train station, he was going to the Grand Prix, I was just going home to Essendon, he was in a wheelchair and could barely talk, he had had a severe stroke and was with a carer. He and I kept in touch on Facebook from then on, he was very supportive of my writing in my blogs and my performing on Youtube, a good bloke who went too soon. Although he retained his sense of humor, he was a larrikin and it saddens me that he suffered for so long.
Irene Stewart lost her life while diving in the Tweed River in New South Wales on April 14th, 2015. She was a keen and experienced diver. She lived in Kingston, Queensland and was married and had kids. She had a bubbly and loving personality and I loved her dearly. Irene Stewart was my first cousin, her Mum and Dad are Colin and Dianne Stewart.
Colin Stewart is my mother's brother. I saw Irene a few years before her passing at the the Stewart Family Golf Day. Irene went to Bacchus Marsh High School but left Bacchus Marsh with her family to go to live at Albury/Wodonga I think, on the Murray River very early on. She was well loved by everybody she came in contact with and is very sadly missed by her entire family.
Another family member that died this year was Brenda Stewart, nee McAlister. She was killed in a tragic car accident around around the start of August in 2016. Brenda had three children and was married to my uncle, Bruce Stewart but was divorced from Bruce when she died. Cindy Stewart aged 26 is Brenda's eldest daughter and my first cousin as well as another daughter, Paige aged 19 and Ryan aged 22. Brenda was very well liked by many in the town and dearly loved and is sorely missed by her three kids. I knew her pretty well and she had a heart of gold and a lot of love for her family. I loved Brenda like I love all of my family
Tracey Hodgson (Murphy) passed away on the evening of Tuesday, 26th of July 2016. Tracey had battled cancer for 2 and half years and the news of her death was passed on to me by my second cousin, and good friend Jan Hooper. Jan had spent a lot of time with Tracey supporting her during her illness. Tracey lived in Williamstown and was married with two kids, a girl and a boy. She was involved in the horse racing industry.
Tracey was in my class at Bacchus Marsh High School. I remember her like it was yesterday. Tracey had a very strong personality and was always highly opinionated, (but then again so am I). She would be there to help people when the chips were down and that is what matters.
I remember this girl who was new to the school who came from Belgium, she was in our class and she had made a mistake and got pregnant and did not know what to do. Despite hardly knowing her, Tracey took this girl under her wing and helped her to contact the right people and deal with her unwanted pregnancy. I still remember Tracey and I and a few others sitting at a table, talking to this pregnant, crying girl in the High School library.
I also remember watching Tracey play netball over at Maddingley Park with Jan Hooper and she was pretty talented in that area as a sportswoman.
Tracey and I were friends, but we often argued, but in the end, after having serious discussions, we always remained friends. I was lucky enough to stay in contact with her on Facebook and we caught up about three years ago and talked about old times. I watched her life unfold on Facebook and it saddens me greatly that she went how she did. I will never forget her.
Dave Callander and Jan Hooper were her good friends amongst many others and I can honestly say she was well loved by all in Bacchus Marsh and had no enemies. She will be sorely missed.
Kathleen Mary Adair (nee Jones) passed away on 2nd January, 2016 aged 85 at Bacchus Marsh Hospital. Kath was the mother of my best mate Skeeter Adair & she was a dear person, well loved around the marh putting up with the antics of Skeeter & I endlessly with love & patience. She especially supported us players at the Darley Football Club coming to all the games, she also had a wicked sense of humour & was the mother of Christine, Brian & Graham. (Skeeter)
Debbie Dale- From Brooke Joselin on Facebook messages- "Touching article Trevor So many tragedies in such a small town. Sadly another name I would like to share with you is Debbie Dale (Daughter of Ann & Wayne Dale) Deb passed away Australia Day, 26th January, 2017 from cancer. Her father Wayne (Crazy) Dale and brother Darren (Deefa) Dale also deceased
All very well known Bacchus Marsh residents"
Mark (Boof) Stone died of a heart attack around August 31st, 2016. Mark was around 55 years of age at the time. Mark played for Darley Football Club and this is where his funeral was held. I had a lot of time for Mark, we played footy together as young blokes and he was a good mate with a great sense of humor. He was well liked by everybody, he left a wife & kids & will be sorely missed. He was married to Vicki Stone, Janice Dickson's daughter.
Lynne Marie Hicks died in Rockingham, Western Australia around the 6th of January, 2017, aged 56, of heart and lung complications. She died at home in the arms of her daughter, Michelle Abel. Lynne's lifelong friend since her days at Bacchus Marsh High School was Brenda Lee Hicks. Brenda was her sister-in-law, they were in contact daily & shared a loving bond. Brenda tells me that Lynne had a weird, whacky sense of humor & fought her illness right to the very end. Lynne's nick-name at school was "Frog" because she had a croaky voice when she was younger. May people from Bacchus Marsh High would remember her by that nick-name. A memorial service was held for Lynne at the Gisborne Football Club in Victoria. People that attended the service were asked to wear bright & spritely colors as requested by Lynne herself. Lynne and I talked a lot on Facebook in her last few years. I knew her at school but just to say gidday to. She was a wonderfully positive person and had many friends all over Australia. Her request for people to wear bright & spritely colors at her memorial was a direct reflection of her wonderful personality.
Robert Davies- Above 3rd from left, Bunsen Curran- far right
David Hjorth fell and broke his neck in an accident and passed away around July 6th, 2014. Deepest sympathy to his family. I did not know him.
Joan Chapman also passed away around July/August 2014. details not known.
Sheila Trask on the left at the 2012 Bacchus Marsh High School reunion.
Sheila Trask passed away from heart problems on 5/8/2014. I was good mates with her ex husband Phil and had many good times at Stoney's hotel and others, with her in the Jackie Push and the Kick Start days. (Oh those were the days). She will be sorely missed and was well known and liked in Bacchus Marsh.
Maxwell Bruce Gillespie died on 7th September, 2014 aged 79, at Bacchus Marsh Hospital. Father of Graham (Porky), Irwin, Bruce, Mark, Maxine, Colin, Dianne, Annie & Faye.
Wayne Dwyer in Tasmania around 2013
Anthony Giani in 2014
Irene Stewart pictured shortly before she died
Irene Stewart lost her life while diving in the Tweed River in New South Wales on April 14th, 2015. She was a keen and experienced diver. She lived in Kingston, Queensland and was married and had kids. She had a bubbly and loving personality and I loved her dearly. Irene Stewart was my first cousin, her Mum and Dad are Colin and Dianne Stewart.
Colin Stewart is my mother's brother. I saw Irene a few years before her passing at the the Stewart Family Golf Day. Irene went to Bacchus Marsh High School but left Bacchus Marsh with her family to go to live at Albury/Wodonga I think, on the Murray River very early on. She was well loved by everybody she came in contact with and is very sadly missed by her entire family.
My Aunty, Brenda Stewart as she was shortly before she was
tragically killed in a car accident
Tracey Hodgson (Murphy) in happier times
Tracey was in my class at Bacchus Marsh High School. I remember her like it was yesterday. Tracey had a very strong personality and was always highly opinionated, (but then again so am I). She would be there to help people when the chips were down and that is what matters.
I remember this girl who was new to the school who came from Belgium, she was in our class and she had made a mistake and got pregnant and did not know what to do. Despite hardly knowing her, Tracey took this girl under her wing and helped her to contact the right people and deal with her unwanted pregnancy. I still remember Tracey and I and a few others sitting at a table, talking to this pregnant, crying girl in the High School library.
I also remember watching Tracey play netball over at Maddingley Park with Jan Hooper and she was pretty talented in that area as a sportswoman.
Tracey and I were friends, but we often argued, but in the end, after having serious discussions, we always remained friends. I was lucky enough to stay in contact with her on Facebook and we caught up about three years ago and talked about old times. I watched her life unfold on Facebook and it saddens me greatly that she went how she did. I will never forget her.
Dave Callander and Jan Hooper were her good friends amongst many others and I can honestly say she was well loved by all in Bacchus Marsh and had no enemies. She will be sorely missed.
Mark (Boof) Stone pictured above with his wife Vicki & family during happy times, & above that, a photo showing that a Forward Pocket at Darley Park Football Ground has been named in his honour.
Debbie Dale- From Brooke Joselin on Facebook messages- "Touching article Trevor So many tragedies in such a small town. Sadly another name I would like to share with you is Debbie Dale (Daughter of Ann & Wayne Dale) Deb passed away Australia Day, 26th January, 2017 from cancer. Her father Wayne (Crazy) Dale and brother Darren (Deefa) Dale also deceased
All very well known Bacchus Marsh residents"Mark (Boof) Stone died of a heart attack around August 31st, 2016. Mark was around 55 years of age at the time. Mark played for Darley Football Club and this is where his funeral was held. I had a lot of time for Mark, we played footy together as young blokes and he was a good mate with a great sense of humor. He was well liked by everybody, he left a wife & kids & will be sorely missed. He was married to Vicki Stone, Janice Dickson's daughter.
Lynne Marie Hicks, (Frog), right, pictured on the steps of the Bacchus Marsh High School Hall with her lifelong friend, Brenda Lee Hicks
Lynne Marie Hicks in younger days
with her wonderful smile
Lynne Marie Hicks died in Rockingham, Western Australia around the 6th of January, 2017, aged 56, of heart and lung complications. She died at home in the arms of her daughter, Michelle Abel. Lynne's lifelong friend since her days at Bacchus Marsh High School was Brenda Lee Hicks. Brenda was her sister-in-law, they were in contact daily & shared a loving bond. Brenda tells me that Lynne had a weird, whacky sense of humor & fought her illness right to the very end. Lynne's nick-name at school was "Frog" because she had a croaky voice when she was younger. May people from Bacchus Marsh High would remember her by that nick-name. A memorial service was held for Lynne at the Gisborne Football Club in Victoria. People that attended the service were asked to wear bright & spritely colors as requested by Lynne herself. Lynne and I talked a lot on Facebook in her last few years. I knew her at school but just to say gidday to. She was a wonderfully positive person and had many friends all over Australia. Her request for people to wear bright & spritely colors at her memorial was a direct reflection of her wonderful personality.
Lindy Light
Lindy & her son Elliot
Lindy Light (married name McGrath), passed away in the Bacchus Marsh Hospital on May 21st, 2017 of a brain tumor. Lindy had had an operation for the cancer in Sydney & was told she would survive but the cancer returned. Lindy was married to Bacchus Marsh High School teacher, Murray McGrath, he was my economics teacher & I played footy against him as I played for Darley & Murray played for Bacchus Marsh. Lindy is survived by her mother Bernice, her father passed away about ten years ago. Lindy also has a son, Elliot & a daughter, Ashlea. Bernice, Lindy’s mother is well known for her appearance & little dance on the “Street Talk” segment of the Footy Show” with Sam Newman. Lindy also has four beautiful surviving sisters, Amanda, Julie, Robin & Jenny. Lindy’s brother Greg was a lifelong friend of mine & I played footy with him at Darley, he was the club president, Greg, unfortunately, died of bowel cancer. (see story above). Lindy Light used to come out to Darley Footy Oval every Saturday during the footy season with Jillian Brady & watch the footy, she & Jillian were my most ardent supporters & I truly loved spending time with her & I loved her as a friend. Lindy was one of the most beautiful people you could ever meet, both inside & out & I was devastated when she passed away. My deepest sympathy to Murray McGrath, Elliot & Ashlea, they were a great couple & they loved each other dearly. The Light Family are very well known in Bacchus Marsh for their kindness & their contribution to Bacchus Marsh society. You will not find a better family of people & my deepest sympathy goes out to Murray & all of Lindy’s family and friends, the whole world is a lesser place for Lindy’s passing. One day we will catch up in another place- RIP Lindy, a man could not have a better friend
f
Lindy & her sister Amanda shortly before she passed away
Lindy in happier times with her son Elliot & her husband Murray McGrath
Robert Davies- brother to Yvonne, Caroline, (both Dec.), Steven (Daff) & Wayne passed away sometime in 2017- details not known
Stephen Closter died around the 13/01/2018 from cancer. I had many great times with him camping along with Michael Sylvia, he was a very funny bloke with a good sense of humour and was well known & liked in the Marsh.
Donald George Younger died on 4th May, 2018 aged 69, at Bacchus Marsh Hospital.
Amos Trask died around 9th May, 2018 and would have been in his late 70's. Amos was a good friend of my parents Kaye & Laurie Dunen & a friend of mine. He was very supportive of my time when playing football for the Darley Football Club during the late 1970's. Amos was a wonderful, amiable, happy bloke, tall with red hair & aleays a smile & a great sense of humour, it was a pleasure to know him, deepest sympathy to all of the Trask Family from all of the Dunen Family, our friendships run deep.
Maurie Corbett when he was a young man at the front of
Mark Closter of Bacchus Marshdied suddenly on Tuesday, 21st January, 2019 in Bacchus Marsh. Mark worked for the Bacchus Marsh Water Board. I grew up with him & his brother as he lived on Dundas Street in Darley as a lad, he used to take me for rides in his buggy pulled by a horse. He was a top bloke & very well liked in Bacchus Marsh. One of his best mates was Daryl Jones, my old fourths footy coach. RIP Mark!
Peter Shea- From Carley Whitney on Facebook- "Hi Trevor was just reading your blog. Peter Shea my grandfather isn’t in there he passed away on the 3rd of Feb 2019 from cancer.
Alfie McHugh passed away at 11.45 pm on Wednesday March 5th, 2019, he had cancer and was in palliative care. I played footy with Alfie when we were kids, he played for Maddingley and was a very well liked bloke. Thankyou to Wayne Holmquest for the information.
Merrilyn Joy Curran of Bacchus Marsh (nee Butler) aged around 60, who was married to Steven (Bunsen) Curran, died of cancer around mid March 2019, exact date & details not known. Merrilyn & her family grew up in Bacchus Marsh, they lived in Lidgett Street as kids. Her sister is Debbie Stewart who is my Aunty by marriage.
Robyn Leanne Johnson (nee Stancliffe) Passed away peacefully on May 8, 2019 after a long battle with cancer. Aged 57 years. Dearly beloved wife of Ian for 33 wonderful years. Loving and devoted mum of Sarah and Tahni. (As per tribute in Herald Sun).
Gordon Closter passed away on the morning of 29th May, 2019 after a battle with illness. He leaves a wife, Lorraine, (He was married three times & had nine children with his first wife, Doreen Ashby, one child deceased at birth), six sons & two daughters. There was Sue & twins, Russell & Neil & I am not aware of the other names. RIP Gordy Closter, geez I will miss you and your laugh, you were a one in a million rough diamond and you gave so much to Bacchus Marsh. We used to pick your onions on a Saturday morning at 50 cents a crate and that night we'd spend it on beers & get blind drunk, so many great memories of you. I am so glad I caught up with you when last in the Marsh to have a chat. You gave o much to the Darley Football Club that you loved & you supported me in my footy days at Darley Football Club RIP old buddy. XXX Love Trevor Dunen- P.S Gordon Closter was the number one membership holder at Darley Football Club for well over twenty years.
Lewis Graham LeHuray (pictured above), of Darley passed away on the night of 11th June 2019 aged 80 at Bacchus Marsh Hospital. He was a well loved member of the Maddingley Football Club & I knew him well, he was a good bloke & I was lucky enough to talk to Lou at Maddingley Park when I was last in the Marsh. I played footy against his sons Steven & Graham when I played for Darley. He leaves four children, Simone, Steven, Graham & Ryan & a wife, Glenys. The LeHuray family are great people & I have fond memories of spending quality time with them in the local football community, Lou will be sadly missed by all in Bacchus Marsh who knew him.
Merrilyn Curran, far left, Heather Sylvia, 2nd from left
Other Bacchus Marsh people no longer with us courtesy of a request from Stephen Duncan are:- Jeff Collie, Stuart Bird, Troy Lorencini, Gary Dodd, Greg Barling and Nathan Harcom. If you can supply more information on these people please do so.
Kevin Condon- From Julie Mason on Facebook. "Trevor .You forgot Kevin Condon, brother of John. He hung himself at Marshals in Station Road. Back in the early nineties or maybe late 80's"
Stephen Closter pictured above, right with a good mate of his
Stephen Closter died around the 13/01/2018 from cancer. I had many great times with him camping along with Michael Sylvia, he was a very funny bloke with a good sense of humour and was well known & liked in the Marsh.
Donald George Younger died on 4th May, 2018 aged 69, at Bacchus Marsh Hospital.
Amos Trask died around 9th May, 2018 and would have been in his late 70's. Amos was a good friend of my parents Kaye & Laurie Dunen & a friend of mine. He was very supportive of my time when playing football for the Darley Football Club during the late 1970's. Amos was a wonderful, amiable, happy bloke, tall with red hair & aleays a smile & a great sense of humour, it was a pleasure to know him, deepest sympathy to all of the Trask Family from all of the Dunen Family, our friendships run deep.
Pictured Above- Maurie Corbett in his later years with his son,
Graeme Corbett, who is still alive
his home in Lidgett Street Bacchus Marsh around 1963
Maurice Corbett- 01/11/2018- Deepest sympathy to Graeme Corbett & family on the sad passing of his Dad Maurie, in
the aged care home at Darley Firebrick, a stellar bloke who was a great fan and
a tireless supporter of all of us blokes when we were young kids and playing
footy for Darley. Maurie was there week in and week out, doing time keeping,
giving advice & making the long drive to Ballarat and surrounds to get us
to the games, in all of this he found time to barrack for us too. The
friendship goes back a long way, as my late father Laurie & Maurie worked
together at Timbrock & were good mates. You'll never be forgotten Maurie
old mate, thanks for all of those great times at the footy- RIP. Love from
Trevor Dunen and family. XXX
A recent photo of Mark Closter
Mark Closter of Bacchus Marshdied suddenly on Tuesday, 21st January, 2019 in Bacchus Marsh. Mark worked for the Bacchus Marsh Water Board. I grew up with him & his brother as he lived on Dundas Street in Darley as a lad, he used to take me for rides in his buggy pulled by a horse. He was a top bloke & very well liked in Bacchus Marsh. One of his best mates was Daryl Jones, my old fourths footy coach. RIP Mark!
Peter Shea- From Carley Whitney on Facebook- "Hi Trevor was just reading your blog. Peter Shea my grandfather isn’t in there he passed away on the 3rd of Feb 2019 from cancer.
Alfie McHugh at an Eagles/Collingwood game in July, 2015.
Alfie McHugh passed away at 11.45 pm on Wednesday March 5th, 2019, he had cancer and was in palliative care. I played footy with Alfie when we were kids, he played for Maddingley and was a very well liked bloke. Thankyou to Wayne Holmquest for the information.
Merrilyn Joy Curran of Bacchus Marsh (nee Butler) aged around 60, who was married to Steven (Bunsen) Curran, died of cancer around mid March 2019, exact date & details not known. Merrilyn & her family grew up in Bacchus Marsh, they lived in Lidgett Street as kids. Her sister is Debbie Stewart who is my Aunty by marriage.
Robyn Leanne Johnson (nee Stancliffe) Passed away peacefully on May 8, 2019 after a long battle with cancer. Aged 57 years. Dearly beloved wife of Ian for 33 wonderful years. Loving and devoted mum of Sarah and Tahni. (As per tribute in Herald Sun).
Gordon Closter passed away on the morning of 29th May, 2019 after a battle with illness. He leaves a wife, Lorraine, (He was married three times & had nine children with his first wife, Doreen Ashby, one child deceased at birth), six sons & two daughters. There was Sue & twins, Russell & Neil & I am not aware of the other names. RIP Gordy Closter, geez I will miss you and your laugh, you were a one in a million rough diamond and you gave so much to Bacchus Marsh. We used to pick your onions on a Saturday morning at 50 cents a crate and that night we'd spend it on beers & get blind drunk, so many great memories of you. I am so glad I caught up with you when last in the Marsh to have a chat. You gave o much to the Darley Football Club that you loved & you supported me in my footy days at Darley Football Club RIP old buddy. XXX Love Trevor Dunen- P.S Gordon Closter was the number one membership holder at Darley Football Club for well over twenty years.
Heather Amelia Sylvia (nee Hine) was found passed away in her bed at her home in Parwan, near Bacchus Marsh on 15/6/2019 aged 63, I knew her very well when she was married to Wayne Sylvia, she was a great person & well liked in the Marsh. She later divorced & married again but I do not know the surname. She left a sister, Cheryl & four brothers, Bill, Roy, Philip & Ronald, (dec. see below).
Jill Chapman aged 71 of Bacchus Marsh died on 30th June, 2019 after a twelve year battle with brain cancer. Jill was the PE teacher at Bacchus Marsh High School for many years starting in the mid seventies as was her husband, Peter who is still alive. My mother used to chat to Jill regularly at the pokies in Bacchus Marsh & she was in good spirits in the months leading up to her death. Jill was a champion golfer at the Bacchus Marsh Golf Club & won the club championship a record 27 times from 1984 as well as seventeen Foursome Championships. RIP Jill, you were a great teacher & a pleasure to know.
Jill Chapman aged 71 of Bacchus Marsh died on 30th June, 2019 after a twelve year battle with brain cancer. Jill was the PE teacher at Bacchus Marsh High School for many years starting in the mid seventies as was her husband, Peter who is still alive. My mother used to chat to Jill regularly at the pokies in Bacchus Marsh & she was in good spirits in the months leading up to her death. Jill was a champion golfer at the Bacchus Marsh Golf Club & won the club championship a record 27 times from 1984 as well as seventeen Foursome Championships. RIP Jill, you were a great teacher & a pleasure to know.
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Archie (Archibald) Miller
died of natural causes in an aged care home in Bacchus Marsh around 8/07/2019. My mother talked to him there regularly as she used to go & visit him & he often told Mum that all the kids he coached in football were "real good kids". He loved us and was proud of us. Archie also told my mother, that he remembered me well when I played under him at Darley, even in his older age he had a sharp mind & a brilliant memory. Archie lived in
Madden Drive in the 1970’s with his wife who is still alive, Archie had nine children, some of them are Tony, Ron, Cheryl, Gerry, Michelle & Lex. I played footy with Lex, and one of the other sons was a football champion. Archie was my fourths & thirds footy coach out at the Darley
Footy club in the mid seventies. He was a brilliant coach & football
strategist & one of his gifts was to be able to look after players injuries
with various forms of rehab he had learned over the years. I was lucky enough
to catch up with Archie at the football in Ballarat in 2009 & I had a great
chat with him & thanked him for giving his time & knowledge to teach me
& my mates how to play footy. He was well loved by all of us young players
at Darley & well know in the community of Bacchus Marsh. RIP Archie, gone
to the big coaches box in the sky. RIP Coach!
My good mate Philip Trask whom I also played footy at Darley with says- "Archie was a great bloke, He gave me my only football trophy in 1970. Most determined. I still treasure it. Vale Archie. Sympathy to Mrs Miller who is a wonderful woman."
Graeme Douglas Clifford, born 27th March, 1940 passed away at the Ballarat Base Hospital 0n the 12th of August, 2019 after complications from operation for bowel cancer. I did not know him. Information courtesy of his son Geoffrey Clifford.
Tom Dellios of Bacchus Marsh died on 7th October, 2019- Tom was checking under his truck on the South Gippsland Highway at Bena around 10.30 am when it accidentally rolled on top of him taking his life. His brother Sam was also seriously injured in the accident. Tom leaves four daughters, Angelika, Courtney, Olivia & Michaela & he was no longer with his former wife Dora.
Judy Graham passed away around the 21st of October 2019- no further detail available- information courtesy of Helen Vesty
Des Trask- from Malcolm Trask on Facebook- "It is with great sadness I advise that my dad, Des Trask, passed away peacefully this afternoon (November 8th, 2019), aged 86. Dad had a long and happy life and had been in poor health over the past 6 months. He was a wonderful father and husband and he will be greatly missed by us all. RIP old mate. You were a great bloke and I am proud to be your son". Des was the father of Malcolm, Philip and Darren (Spaz). He was good mates with my father and was a top bloke.
Alby Trask passed away around 12th December, 2019. I did not know Alby personally but my good mate Phillip Trask informs me that he was the youngest of the men in the Trask family, he was Des, Amos and Monty's brother. More information as it comes to hand.
Agnes Trask- (nee Liddle) passed away on December 19th 2019. Agnes was a tireless worker at the Bacchus Marsh High School canteen when I was at high school. She was a wonderful vibrant person and a great character and will be sadly missed by all in Bacchus Marsh who knew her.
Ricky Michael
Arandt was born in Bacchus Marsh on 6/10/1994 and passed away on 21/08/2022. He
was the son of Kerry and Steve Arandt. He played baseball for the Lara Wildcats.
Shirley Veronica Stone died around 5/10/2022. She was the wife of Billy Stone, the former publican of Stoney's Hotel in Grant Street. She was the mother of Debbie Blight, Brett Stone and Tracy Dickson. She was also a grandmother.
Cheryl Shanahan (nee Thompson) passed away on 14th February, 2023 a larger than life Bacchus Marshian,, will be sadly missed. (courtesy of Debra Thompson on Facebook, picture from her also. I went to school with Sheryl and often walked her home, she was Robert Thompsons sister. RIP Sheryl.
Douglas Andrew Hine (Noddy) born 15th May, 1927 died 20th April, 2023. Father to Sharon and Carole, he lived up on Cemetery Hill.
Bev Corbett with her young newborn son, Graeme in August 1961
Arthur Koutsovasilis died on Tuesday 13th August, 2024 aged 87. Arthur was the owner of the local fish and chip shop in Bacchus Marsh on the corner of Grant & Main Streets for as long as I can remember, I knew him most of my life, we all did, he fed us all and made the best fish and chips in Australia. He was a real affable & garrulous character, he will be sorely missed. he had a large family but I am not sure of the details.
My good mate Philip Trask whom I also played footy at Darley with says- "Archie was a great bloke, He gave me my only football trophy in 1970. Most determined. I still treasure it. Vale Archie. Sympathy to Mrs Miller who is a wonderful woman."
Graeme Douglas Clifford, born 27th March, 1940 passed away at the Ballarat Base Hospital 0n the 12th of August, 2019 after complications from operation for bowel cancer. I did not know him. Information courtesy of his son Geoffrey Clifford.
Tom Dellios (above) aged around 56 in 2018, courtesy of Facebook
Tom Dellios of Bacchus Marsh died on 7th October, 2019- Tom was checking under his truck on the South Gippsland Highway at Bena around 10.30 am when it accidentally rolled on top of him taking his life. His brother Sam was also seriously injured in the accident. Tom leaves four daughters, Angelika, Courtney, Olivia & Michaela & he was no longer with his former wife Dora.
Judy Graham passed away around the 21st of October 2019- no further detail available- information courtesy of Helen Vesty
Des Trask- from Malcolm Trask on Facebook- "It is with great sadness I advise that my dad, Des Trask, passed away peacefully this afternoon (November 8th, 2019), aged 86. Dad had a long and happy life and had been in poor health over the past 6 months. He was a wonderful father and husband and he will be greatly missed by us all. RIP old mate. You were a great bloke and I am proud to be your son". Des was the father of Malcolm, Philip and Darren (Spaz). He was good mates with my father and was a top bloke.
Alby Trask passed away around 12th December, 2019. I did not know Alby personally but my good mate Phillip Trask informs me that he was the youngest of the men in the Trask family, he was Des, Amos and Monty's brother. More information as it comes to hand.
Agnes Trask pictured above on the left with her daughter Lisa. Picture courtesy of Lisa Trask Bonnici's Facebook
Grant Dickinson above, centre, courtesy of his Facebook page
Grant Dickinson: Posted by Jenni Murphy and Chelsea Dickinson & Tom on Facebook on 9th February, 2020.
"After the sudden and heartbreaking passing of Grant on Thursday February 6th, 2020, Jenni, Tom and Chelsea advise: A Celebration of Grant Dickinson’s life will be held on Friday 14th February 2020 at 11am, in the Little Village, at Bacchus Marsh Public Hall, 207 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh. A private cremation will follow. Please wear some colour."
Grant passed away from stomach cancer. I was lucky enough to have played football with Grant, as he played for Maddingley and I for Darley. I also attended high school with him. He was a talented footballer and had a great wry sense of humour. He was well loved at school and in the local football community but also by the general community of Bacchus Marsh. Farewell old mate, it was a pleasure to have known you. (from the author)
Micahel Ronald Allitt (pictured above) was found dead on a Gunbower property around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 25th February, 2020. He was from Leitchville. Mr Allitt, 49, was last seen about 4am on Saturday, February 22 at a Gunbower property on Gunbower-Pyramid Road. He was driving a ute when he lost control and drove into Mount Hope Creek. He was last seen swimming in an unknown direction. Police Search and Rescue, Airwing and SES volunteers were searching the area before the body was found. It is believed that Mr. Allitt was possibly suffering from delusions from low blood sugar, as he was a diabetic. He was the brother of Peter (Zopp) Allitt & Robyn Hobbs (Allitt) from Bacchus Marsh. I did not know him. Information & photograph courtesy of The Bendigo Advertiser & The Herald/Sun Melbourne.
Information courtesy of Pat Griffin on Facebook- Delwyn (Del) Leggatt passed away at Bacchus Marsh Hospital yesterday, 15 May. 2020. Del loved Bacchus Marsh, and was Shire President and Councillor for the Shire of Bacchus Marsh, Mayor and Councillor for the Shire of Moorabool, President of the Board of the Bacchus Marsh Hosptal, and gave so much to our Community. She was a remarkable woman, who never lost an argument, but was humble and sincere, and her efforts have made our world a better place. Sadly missed, but the memories will give us the strength to continue to serve.
From the author Trevor Dunen- I loved Del Leggatt, she was my boss when I worked at the plastic factory in Gisborne Road as a 14 year old kid. She took me under her wing and looked after me and I did say gidday to her in Bacchus Marsh when I was there in 2010 and said thanks to her for giving me a job and looking after me. She was a stellar woman and will be sadly missed. RIP old friend. Love Trev XXX
Dave Patrick Becker from Bacchus Marsh aged 89, passed away around the 20th of October
2020. Dave was born in 1932 His wife was Lorraine who is still alive, his
surviving offspring are Ross, Gary, Michelle Spurr, Karen, Andrew and David. He
suffered from Parkinson’s Disease. David Becker was my Dad’s best mate when he
died in 1968, they worked at Timbrock together. My Mum tells me that in 1975
Dave came out to our house in Darley with Ross and Gary and his tools and they
put up trellis for mum and did a heap of odd jobs around the house. He then
told Mum to give him a call anytime if she needed help. Dave told me stories
about my Dad several times over the years that I met him. He was a solid, loyal
bloke, Mum said he was the nicest man she has ever known. RIP Dave and thanks
for looking after my Dad and our family, you always had our back and we will
never forget that or you.
I have been informed of the death of Debbie Anne Riley-Dole (nee Riley) by her daughter Laura. Debbie passed away from pancreatic cancer on 13/9/2020. Debbie is also survived by her husband, Gary and son, Wayne Debbie was the brother of Len Riley (Dec) & her other living siblings are Wendy, Peter, Anthony, Joanne, Christopher and Melanie. Debbie's mother passed away in 2017 & she was devastated. I grew up with Debbie & her family and we kept in contact over the years. She was actually a huge supporter of this tribute page. She will be sadly missed by myself & her friends & family.
David Cook- died 4/01/2021. I am very sad to announce that my first cousin, David Cook passed away yesterday morning from the effects of a heart attack on 24/12/20. He was about 56 years old. David's mother, Vicky Shivashanka (Betty Stewart) is my mother's sister. I grew up with David as a young bloke and saw him sporadically over the years, I spoke to him the week before he died and told him I loved him, Mick, his brother was with him at the time for a rare visit. He leaves his older sister Vicki (Robertson) and younger brothers Michael and Phil Cook and his Dad, Cliff. There will only be a memorial and not a funeral as David wanted it that way. Rest in peace cousin, you will not be forgotten. I love you mate, until we meet again. Deepest sympathy to all of the Cook family, Dave's defacto wife, the extended Stewart family and all of Dave's friends. Love Trevor Dunen and family
Steve Gordon Arandt died of cancer on 17/01/1921, he was aged around sixty. I did not know him well but went to school with him and his sister-
John Brash Holmquest (senior) Passed away peacefully in the Bacchus Marsh Hospital of lung cancer on 27th of March, 2021. He was the father of John (junior) and Wayne. (Honk).
Sippie Van Kralingen (pictured above) died around 4th August, 2021.
Valda Thiele (pictured above) died on 30/09/2021- From Craig Thiele on Facebook- "It's with a broken heart I want to let people know that we lost our mum Valda Thiele today, mum passed away peacefully in her sleep with no fuss and no pain. Everyone who knew my mum knew what a wonderful loving person she was she was just an icon of the community. I am such a lucky man to have had such a wonderful mother you will never ever be forgotten always in our hearts Love you mum xxxxxx"
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Del Leggatt pictured above
Information courtesy of Pat Griffin on Facebook- Delwyn (Del) Leggatt passed away at Bacchus Marsh Hospital yesterday, 15 May. 2020. Del loved Bacchus Marsh, and was Shire President and Councillor for the Shire of Bacchus Marsh, Mayor and Councillor for the Shire of Moorabool, President of the Board of the Bacchus Marsh Hosptal, and gave so much to our Community. She was a remarkable woman, who never lost an argument, but was humble and sincere, and her efforts have made our world a better place. Sadly missed, but the memories will give us the strength to continue to serve.
From the author Trevor Dunen- I loved Del Leggatt, she was my boss when I worked at the plastic factory in Gisborne Road as a 14 year old kid. She took me under her wing and looked after me and I did say gidday to her in Bacchus Marsh when I was there in 2010 and said thanks to her for giving me a job and looking after me. She was a stellar woman and will be sadly missed. RIP old friend. Love Trev XXX
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Mr. Pat Adair, aged 101,
formerly of Raglan Street Bacchus Marsh died on 31st October 2020 in
his sleep at the Freemasons Nursing home in Bacchus Marsh. Pat’s wife was
Kathleen (nee Jones). Kathleen died at the Bacchus Marsh Hospital on 2nd
January, 2016 aged 85. Pat and Kath were the parents of Christine (Reid) Graeme
(Skeeter), and Brian and son in law, Alan Reid and Daughter in law Sonia Adair.
My best mate was Skeeter
Adair, so I spent most of my teen years at the Adair residence in Raglan
Street, Darley getting up to no good with Skeeter with Pat constantly keeping
an eye on us to make sure we didn’t get up to no good, which was always on the
cards with us two. It was a full-time job.
Pat was a keen footballer
and played in the 1949 Darley Grand Final. The premiership flag was found at
the home of Pat Adair, in the wardrobe in the bedroom. Pat said that it was
Kath that took it. All of this information came out when Darley was looking for
it’s oldest surviving player to celebrate its 100 year anniversary, this person
happened to be Pat Adair and this story made the nightly news on Channel Nine.
Pat was also the oldest
member of the Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade and probably the oldest member of any
Fire Brigade in the world. The Adair family is related to the Jone’s, the
Sullivan’s, the Densley’s and the Spurrs and money others.
Pat Adair and his wife Kath were icons in the town of Bacchus Marsh, contributing greatly to the community through Pat’s support of local Darley Football Club and the local fire Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade with the full support of Kath.
Darren Lock (above)- passed away- 28/12/2020-To all of our family and friends, we are heartbroken but relieved to advise that after a decade of battling crohns and finally cancer our Son, Brother, Father, Uncle Best Mate, Scoundrel, Trouble-maker and general all round Shit Stirrer - Darren passed away peacefully at 10:30pm last night, 28th January. He didn't make his 55th Birthday on February 16th, but we can assure everyone he left nothing at all in the tank. He passed peacefully with his children
Darryl,
Ricky and Renée (In Spirit) Our Mum Denise, Sister Cindy, myself and his close family friends Mark and Jo. We made sure he was surrounded with love and laughter on his final journey and now he's free. Rest in Peace Daz, you were not only my baby brother but my first best mate for life. You were one of the humblest, toughest, stubborn and as loyal a brother I could ever wish for and as tough as an old Iron Bark. We are all gonna miss you Fazzle. You were one in a million and Im proud to have had you as my brother in arms. You fought the good fight Daz. Love ya mate and God Bless you Dazzy. Posted by Barrie Lock on Facebook 29/12/2020 at 4.45 p.m.********************
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From The Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade on Facebook- The Brigade was saddened to learn of the passing of former Brigade Captain Steve Arandt on Sunday.
Steve was a member of the Brigade for over 20 years, and served as Captain, Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and 3rd Lieutenant.
Steve’s legacy in the Brigade continues with wife Kerry and son Ricky current members of the Brigade. Steve’s Father Pat Arandt also served as Captain, Lieutenant and Foreman of the Brigade in the 1970’s.
More recently Steve has been a member of Parwan Fire Brigade, and a Deputy Group Officer with Pentland Fire Brigades Group.
On behalf of the Officers and Members of Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade we would like to thank Steve for his service to Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade, the Bacchus Marsh community and the wider CFA community.
We pass on our condolences to Kerry, Luke, Travis, Ricky, Michelle and Families.
Rest in Peace Steve.
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Darren Trask (left) with his brother Malcolm
Darren (Spaz) Wayne Trask- 24/03/2021 Facebook post- Malcolm Trask on 25th March, 2001- It's with a heavy heart we advise that our much loved brother, father, grandfather and uncle Darren passed away yesterday afternoon. Darren had been battling major health issues for a long time and in the end it all became too much for him.
He will be being laid to rest in his birthplace, Bacchus Marsh, near his mum and dad. A service will be held in Bacchus Marsh and we will advise when further details are known.
We will miss his wicked sense of humour and straight up demeanour. I will be remembering him as the big strong young man he was in his younger years. Condolences to Debbie and his 4 kids and grandkids.
Cheers little bro. Safe journey.
From the author Trevor Dunen- Spaz was the same age as me- 59, I was close mates with him at high school. Most lunch times we hung around together with Peter Creaney, and at that time he would have his girlfriend, Julie Maim with him. We loved Spaz's wry sense of humour & we would chat for hours about all sorts of things, he was popular at school and in the town. I also played footy with Spaz out at Darley, he was a ruckman like me and we swapped in that position. I didn't see much of him over the years after we left school, but I kept in touch with him on Facebook. He was a top bloke, he had the famous Trask sense of humour, he loved a beer and he was a better than average footballer, although he hated training. RIP old mate, see you at the big footy ground in the sky.
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Andrew Ginnane passed away on 6/6/2021. He was born on 12th November 1957. I had met Andrew several times through the Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade but I didn't know him very well, although he was a good bloke and was well liked and known in The Marsh
Chip Dale passed away in the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital at 2 am on 25/6/2021 after an eight month battle with Leukemia. He has a daughter, Julie Dale.
Dianne Stewart (nee Jacobs, pictured above) passed away in the Mildura Base Hospital on the morning of 27/6/2021 after a long battle with cancer. She was born on 1/3/1943 and was aged 78. Her husband is Colin Stewart and her daughter was Irene (dec.) and her sons are Colin Gregory and Scott. Dianne was my aunty by marriage as her husband Colin is my mother's brother. She was funny, with a great sense of humor, loving and vibrant and she will be sorely missed by me and her family. She is remembered by my mother, Kaye Dunen at school as being a great netballer and a very kind and caring person.
Lorraine Hickman. 15/07/2021. Just passing on the news for the ones who new my lovely mother, Lorraine Hickman, who lived in Bacchus Marsh for over 35 years, she passed away peacefully this morning in Cowes. News courtesy of Peter Hickman
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This message & the photo from Leanne Barefoot (Oliver).
Just letting people know that Laurie Oliver, also know as Ollie, passed away at his home in Ballarat on the 19-7-2021. He was a father of two girls, & a grandfather of six. Laurie had a love for the Holden EH. He had quite a few of them, as many as that of his friends that knew him & hung out with him, he is sadly missed by all.
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Dale Reginald Closter died around the 17th of November 2021 of cancer. Dale has three brothers, Kerry, Wayne & Dean. He has a sister Jill. I grew up around the Closter household in Darley as Dean was a good mate & I know the whole family including Dale. He was a quiet bloke, but well loved in the Marsh. His brother Wayne is a well known ex Geelong AFL player. I played footy at Darley with Dean.
Judith above with husband David
Judith Anne McKane (nee Trask) born 22/01/1962 died suddenly on December 23rd, 2021. Her parents were John & Alice Trask. She leaves a husband David and a son, Jake McKane & sisters Robin & Kathryn, Vicki Tudball was a very close friend and her first cousin. Judith was in my class at school and was a vibrant, funny and friendly girl well liked by all at high school and in the Marsh. She will be sadly missed.
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From
Jim Bourke on Facebook on 11/07/2022- “It is with great sadness that I report
the death of my brother John Bourke following bad health issues in recent
years. We were born and bred in the Marsh and John lived there all his life. There
may be some of his old friends we have lost contact with who would like to pay
their respects. Funeral arrangements are still in progress. So long for now
John, from Jim and the extended family”.
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John Caldwell,
brother of Karen Kick (Caldwell) passed away 14/15th August 2022.
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Ronald Hine passed away on 3/8/2022 on his back porch of his home at 10 Bond Street Bacchus Marsh from a heart attack & an attempt was made to resuscitate him by a woman living with him named Sue, he was aged around 70 years, very sad news. His living siblings are Bill, Cheryl, Philip & Roy. His sister Heather is deceased, (see above). He was a good mate of mine & I knew him most of my life. He came to my 21st Birthday at the public hall. I went shooting with him in 2010, the last time I saw him personally but I had talked to him on the phone since. he certainly was a character and a funny bloke, I will miss him. RIP old mate.
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Michael Jetson died around September 16th 2022. He was the same age as me, 60. I was in contact with Michael in these last few years by phone and on Facebook. His phone was recently cut off, so I checked his Facebook to see he had died. He was in my class at school, he went to Northcote Home or another home, I think. He was frail and sick at school where he was bullied and in his later life, he was going blind and had kidney problems and diabetes. He lived in a flat in Manly with his two cats and was on sickness benefits, he was single but left a son that he was not in contact with. He was well knwn around Manly as he used to walk around with a cat on his shoulder. The poor bugger didn’t make it. He had read this blog and told me he was shocked at how many friends had died. He made the front page of the Daily Telegraph when he died, the headline was "Manly Cat Man, Michael Jetson has died". The locals were searching for homes for his cats. RIP old mate..
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Brian (Bronc) James Sullivan born 26/6/1959 in Daylesford died on 29/09/2022. He died from liver cancer which had been diagnosed about 12 months previously. Brian lived in Geelong with his wife and nine year old son. Brian lived in Lidgett Street during his childhood growing up in Bacchus Marsh. His parents were Harry & Wendy Sullivan & he leaves siblings Geoff, Judith, Wes and Janine. I was good mates with Bronc and attended Bathurst Bike races with him and others in 1983-1985 and the Phillip Island Grand Prix in 1989/90.he was a top bloke & was lucky to survive an accident that killed his girlfriend Mandy Mullins in 1980, as well as two close mates, (see details above.) He was a panel beater at Bob Brown's auto shop in the main street.
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Eddie Toteri', formerly of Bacchus Marsh, died peacefully in his sleep in Italy with his daughter Oriana present on the morning of 6/01/2023. Eddie was the father of my good mates Angelo and Oriana (Toteri' Cooke). We spent a lot of time partying with Eddie, drinking his famous home made Grappa. He owned a slate mine in Rowsley but moved to his home country of Italy after Angelo died, Oriana moved there to be with him. My family and I will miss him, especially my brother Ashley whom Eddie had a soft spot for.
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Bacchus Marsh people that died around 2022/23, details to come- Ronnie Matthews and his Mother Isobel Matthews, Pam Lamb (nee Stewart) and Gordon Thacker.
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Irwin Gillespie died on 18th February, 2023.
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Beverly Margaret Corbett- born 23rd December 1940, died 25th May 2023. From Graeme Corbett on Facebook- "For those of you who knew mum she passed away in comfort and dignity at Dove facility in Caloundra this morning. I wish to thank all the brilliant people who work at Dove who made mums last days as enjoyable for her as possible. I was very lucky to get to spend four days and nights in the facility with her which was more than I could have hoped for".
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Arthur Koutsovasilis died on Tuesday 13th August, 2024 aged 87. Arthur was the owner of the local fish and chip shop in Bacchus Marsh on the corner of Grant & Main Streets for as long as I can remember, I knew him most of my life, we all did, he fed us all and made the best fish and chips in Australia. He was a real affable & garrulous character, he will be sorely missed. he had a large family but I am not sure of the details.
This message & the photo from Leanne Barefoot (Oliver).
Just letting people know that Laurie Oliver, also know as Ollie, passed away at his home in Ballarat on the 19-7-2021. He was a father of two girls, & a grandfather of six. Laurie had a love for the Holden EH. He had quite a few of them, as many as that of his friends that knew him & hung out with him, he is sadly missed by all.
Above- Saint Bernard's Primary School June, 1967- Grade 2 and 3. Here's a list, top row from
left Len Smith, Dean Carr, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Theo Nabbin, Dale Mamot,
Jimmy Scott, Perry Trask, Leon Smits, Alfie McHugh, (Dec) Ross Becker, 2nd row Malcolm
Trask, Peter Trask, Brian Cook, Robert Smith, Noel Wills, Paul McGrath,
Leigh Daly, Steven Rowan, Gary Becker, John Holmquest, Danny Ashby, Miss
Bennett, 3rd row Cathy Daly, Patricia Huggins, Kerry Hjorth, Roslyn Kula,
Doreen Burville, Leslie Bailey, Bernie Williams, Mary Gage, Dianne Connell,
Eileen Wadeson, Maree May, Bernadette Moore. 4th row Michelle Wooller, Colleen
Davis, the Wilkie twins, Anne McMahon,? Rogers, Kim Delahey, Patricia Shea,
Catherine Glennane, bottom row. Michael Stone, Peter Masterson, Chris Webster,
Mark Tolhurst, Barney Reale, Ronnie Sheilds. Photo Courtesty of Malcolm Trask on Facebook.
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Stephen Duncan writes to me and says "I am a cousin of Jodie Harris, my mum is joy's sister Jennifer Barber, who sadly lost her life to cancer 26 years ago, if you could publish this that would make me very happy, to think that her son loves her and misses her still 26 years on!!
Other Bacchus Marsh people no longer with us courtesy of a request from Stephen Duncan are:- Jeff Collie, Stuart Bird, Troy Lorencini, Gary Dodd, Greg Barling and Nathan Harcom. If you can supply more information on these people please do so.
Kevin Condon- From Julie Mason on Facebook. "Trevor .You forgot Kevin Condon, brother of John. He hung himself at Marshals in Station Road. Back in the early nineties or maybe late 80's"
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The following names were provided by Leanne Borthwick, formerly of Bacchus Marsh. I have tried to look up dates of death & publish them where I can- All of these people were born in 1956 or 1957.Robert Clifford
Maree Burnett died in 1977
Gary Curtis died in the late 1970's
Kay Fish died around 13th January, 2001
Glenda Moffat
David Anthony Vallance died around 24th October, 2003 aged only 46 years of a brain tumor
Ross Hope died in the early 1980s
Bruce Taylor died around 7th August 2004
Stephen Craig Maddison died of cancer aged 53 in Bacchus Marsh in palliative care around 19th January, 2010
Philip Lennox died in 2016
Maree McMahon died of cancer
Debbie Meech (nee Riley) died in 2021 of cancer
Susan Steel died in 2022
John Cotterel died in 2022
Faye Fowler (nee Houlihan) died in 2022
Ted Robinson died on the 2nd of December, 2022 from a heart attack
Danny Shea died on September, 2023 from a heart attack
Linda Hanke
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This post was written in the memory of all of these people from Bacchus Marsh. Most of them were my friends and if they weren't I am still sad at their passing. If you have the correct dates of death or any further information please feel free to post it. Further updates of other people, that I remember from my past and are no longer with us will be posted as I do more research. There is no intention in the information above intended to upset anybody and if this has done so I apologise, regards Trevor Dunen 0424 534 390
Thanks go to Beau and Lesa Gage and Craig Thiele for further information provided, much appreciated. Thanks to Tim Curran for information on his dad Bunsen, thanks to Debbie Dole. Thanks to Lynette Wells, John Ginnane, Katie Becker, Robyn Johnson (nee Stancliffe), Malcolm Trask, and Wendy Curran, Vicky Marrett.
REWARD:
The Minister for Police and Corrective Services has approved a reward of $250,000 be offered for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the suspected murder of Steven Wayne MILLIGAN at Oxenford on or about 20 April 2000.
INDEMNITY FROM PROSECUTION:In addition, an appropriate indemnity from prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the crime, who first gives such information.
The allocation of the $250,000 reward will be at the sole discretion of the Commissioner of the Police Service.
CIRCUMSTANCES:
On Tuesday the 18th April 2000 Steven Wayne MILLIGAN, 20 years, of 5 Cash Place, Oxenford went missing from that address. His badly decomposed body was located in bushland near his residence on the 12th May 2000. Mr MILLIGAN's clothing was located some distance away from where his remains were found and police consider that his death is suspicious. Investigations have failed to establish any motive for his death.
Steven was my second cousin, he was the son of Debbie Milligan and Michael Angus from Bacchus Marsh. Steven grew up in Bacchus Marsh and his grandmother, Sandra Milligan (nee Stewart) is my mother, Kaye Dunen's sister. If you have any information on Stevens murder you know what to do.
Thanks go to Beau and Lesa Gage and Craig Thiele for further information provided, much appreciated. Thanks to Tim Curran for information on his dad Bunsen, thanks to Debbie Dole. Thanks to Lynette Wells, John Ginnane, Katie Becker, Robyn Johnson (nee Stancliffe), Malcolm Trask, and Wendy Curran, Vicky Marrett.
Steven Wayne Milligan
formerly of Bacchus Marsh died in extremely suspicious circumstances
REWARD:
The Minister for Police and Corrective Services has approved a reward of $250,000 be offered for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the suspected murder of Steven Wayne MILLIGAN at Oxenford on or about 20 April 2000.
INDEMNITY FROM PROSECUTION:In addition, an appropriate indemnity from prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the crime, who first gives such information.
The allocation of the $250,000 reward will be at the sole discretion of the Commissioner of the Police Service.
CIRCUMSTANCES:
On Tuesday the 18th April 2000 Steven Wayne MILLIGAN, 20 years, of 5 Cash Place, Oxenford went missing from that address. His badly decomposed body was located in bushland near his residence on the 12th May 2000. Mr MILLIGAN's clothing was located some distance away from where his remains were found and police consider that his death is suspicious. Investigations have failed to establish any motive for his death.
Steven was my second cousin, he was the son of Debbie Milligan and Michael Angus from Bacchus Marsh. Steven grew up in Bacchus Marsh and his grandmother, Sandra Milligan (nee Stewart) is my mother, Kaye Dunen's sister. If you have any information on Stevens murder you know what to do.
Mark Lester was driving the car, not Razza.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Kershaw lost her life, not Lisa.
Dane was with Robyn Vanstan not Rays sister.
Mark Thomas I believe hung himself in his parents shed, no shotgun!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHello Trevor thankyou so much for your tribute to all our friends who have passed since attending school at Bacchus Marsh in the 1970's.
ReplyDeleteMy brother Len Riley was tragically killed in 1971 in a car accident .
He was travelling home from NSW after visiting his mate Gordon Mckechnies sister Sheree when the car they were travelling in crashed and Len died from a broken neck Gordon was injured and spent time in hospital , it was the worst time of our families life and we still grieve to this day , a great loss of a beautiful young man my big brother Len. Debbie (RILEY) Dole
Further to My brother Len Riley , he was the son of Jack and Claire Riley of Melton and his younger brothers and sisters are Deborah (me) wendy, Peter, Anthony, Joanne, Belinda, Chris and Melanie .
ReplyDeleteLen had just left school had started his first job a week prior to his death with Mel Ainsley of Bacchus Marsh carting and stooking hay ,a job he was very proud of .
Hopefull one day people can add photos of all these dear, lost, loved ones to your page- it ais a wonderful thing you have done Trevor , you are a special soul indeed.
Thankyou Debbie, I would encourage people to send me photos of the above people if you have them to trevordunen@hotmail.com. These are the sort of letters that encourage me to keep updating this page as I believe it is vitally important to the grieving process that we never forget these people.
ReplyDeleteThankyou Trevor this is so special to all the families involved I hope they send pics so as we can also see and remember these lost friends all gone to soon
ReplyDelete---- Debbie Dole
Maybe a photo collage of everyone lost would be nice to see on here .
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletethanks Maree for the information, Nodge was a legend may he rest in peace
ReplyDeleteto the person who gave me information about Mark Thomas, please note that Mark is/was my brother-in-law and also my second cousin. I have rechecked on how he died, he shot himself in the chest with a shotgun and that is confirmed by his direct and immediate family
ReplyDeleteTrevor,
ReplyDeleteyou are doing an incredible tribute to your friends and the other young people of Bacchus Marsh and Melton who have past on.
Thanks for being brave enough to be able to do something like this, it must have been tough, my thoughts are with you as you continue with this journey
Regards
Deborah Pearce
thanks Deb, sometimes when I read this I shed a tear and it has been very hard to write, bringing back all those sad, sad memories
ReplyDeleteAnd once again today on what would have been my brother Lens 57th birthday I read your page Trevor and reflect on our past and the ones we have sadly lost and I shed a tear of sorrow for all of them--- May they rest peacefully where no shadows fall :(
ReplyDeleteDebbie Dole is my mum, sadly she is no longer with us. She died from pancreatic cancer on the 13/09/20
DeleteMarion Ellis my best mate through school and when we were'nt at school we where as thick as theives passed away about 33 years ago, she was found murdered in Flemingtin Flats.Killer has never been brought to justice.Marion left a beautiful 2 year old daughter.Her mum and dad and brother will never get over it.l cant say to much but she had a terrible life with the father of her baby.
ReplyDeleteJane Kerr died of breast cancer, she was a great freind and and she hung around with us girls in melton.I am not sure of when she passed.
Both these beautiful women are greatly missed.
Debra.
Just posted this BULLSHIT site on Facebook, good luck, I know a few people that will find this incredibly offensive. Get a life you assholes, and respect those that lost these people, have you ONCE asked if it was OK, or have you gathered correct information before you posted this rotten, and often incorrect information??....Scumbag.
ReplyDeleteI don't have to ask permission to breathe or to write, I have said at the start that some information is incorrect, you cannot slander the dead, correct me if you will but while your there can I ask where you got all the hate from! All phtos published are in the public domain so I don't need permission for that either. Dude take a chill pill!
DeleteI'm all for what your doing Trevor..and who is this wanker that posted that reply?..why don't you put your name to it?? Scardy cat! ..these tributes to friends and families is lovely..there is no sign of maliciousness there.. so why comment with such anger and downright rudeness whoever you are. As far a I can see Trevor is showing love and compassion and caring enough to want to keep these memories alive..if you disagree or even if Trev might have got some info wrong it wouldn't have been intentional...the blog he created is not to offend or hurt any body; but if for some reason it has you..then there is a more tactful and polite way of getting your point across. My brother Mark Hicks is included in Greg's blog and I love to pop in every now and again..just to see his name and pic and know that he's not forgotten..keep up the good work Trevor and to the person with the disgusting reply..shut your mouth
Deleteno he hasnt asked for permission to write this crap that he knows nothing about or to put up pics. he doesnt care who he hurts as long as he gets some sort of attention about it weather its good or bad.. he is a sick f**k who doesnt care about these families who do not want him to print things about there loved ones
ReplyDeleteGet a mental assessment, that may help, I don't need permission to write what I have nor do I need permission to publish the photos, they are all public domain but thankyou for your intelligent input, you might like to take spelling lessons! P.S. I have the guts to put my name to what I write.
DeleteWilliam Burroughs once said, "All great artists are at war with society".
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DeleteTrevor i don't think that was called for, i know i just posted this but i just came across it . I am stephen's cousin eddie lethborg. What people do in there own house is there business. You don't need to say things like that for everyone to read. i think you retract that statement.
Deletethanks Brenda Lee Sharpe for your support. X Trev
ReplyDeleteI think this is a wonderful idea Trevor. I did wonder whether you needed permission to publish some details but I am sure you would have done your homework beforehand.
ReplyDeleteTo the troll, I am wondering what relationship you had to anyone mentioned in Trevor's post, as you seem to be very aggressive about it.
Debbie johns is my aunty, all I ever knew of her is what tragically happened to her.....
ReplyDeleteAll of Bernice's children ended up in homes.
Their father was dying of emphasima after working in coal mines as a 9 year old boy and he knew that she couldn't take care of them.
I did not know how they were treated or all the stories behind what happened.....
but Bernice couldn't handle money and spent it on things she never needs. She's a selfish woman.....and I suffer at her hand as she has mentally scarred members of my family.....
I wish I knew Debbie.....if anybody has any pictures of her please let them be posted to this blog.....
there is a picture of Debbie John's on the internet, if you search murder, debbie johns on google you will find it, I was unable to copy it as it was in the wrong format
ReplyDeleteHello Trevor, I think i have met you before but along time ago!! My name is Stephen Duncan, son of john Duncan, this site is great but brings back alot of memories of people that have past, some friends, some cousins,and some aqantances?? I Am a cousin of Jodie Harris my,mum is joy's sister Jennifer Barber, who sadly lost her life to cancer 26 years ago, if you could publish this that would make me very happy, to think that her son loves her and misses her still 26 years on!! And there are a few other people i know that you could mention, they are Jeff collie, Stuart bird, Troy lorencine, Gary Dod, Nathan harcom, to name a few if you could give me a little feeback that would be great
ReplyDeletemate your information has been listed in my blog and the message to your mum, take care
DeleteHi Stephan, I was your mum's best friend at school and I always remember our time together. We lost touch when we married and I was devastated to hear that died of cancer. Do you have a pic of her? For some reason I have no school pics. You might know my son Clint Van Hooff. My name is Maree.
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ReplyDeleteer... thankyou for your input I know a little bit more about Yvonne and Caroline than you would. Caroloine died because she used too much heroin and drank too much alcohol in her young years Yvonne was an alcoholic too why sugar coat it? I knew them most of their lives and spent time on the street with them. I doubt you saw much of either of them they would have been well dead by the time you were maybe ten years old. Daff and Wayne and the whole family were all major parts of my life. I suggest you have some respect and maybe get some psychological help or try taking your medication you idiot!
DeleteThank you! The Davies family were/are my cousins. I was with Yvonne when she died. People are effected by their environment and Yvonne especially would given anyone her last dime.
DeleteRobert Goodwin 1/1/2001 died from suicide.....born and lived in Bacchus Marsh
ReplyDeleteJust came across this , thank you for remembering my sister (Joanne Kershaw)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure mate, I went to school with her and socialised with her and considered her a friend, she was a wonderful person mate and the loss of her at such a young age is both very sad and a huge tragedy
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ReplyDeleteHi my dad, Tom Dellios has four daughters. Angelika wasn’t his wife, she is my dads oldest daughter
ReplyDeleteThanks
Michaela
Fixed Michaela, my apologies, warm regards Trev
DeleteMy pleasure son, he was a great mate of mine and I spent many a great time with him camping, he was a funny bloke. RIP.
ReplyDeleteI want this you have any news about Karen Lennox. We were at high school together. I heard from a family member that she had died of breast cancer.
ReplyDeleteThis was listed in the national death notices on the net and it was the only Karen Lennos to have died. Not sure if it's her. LENNOX Karen Anne see GILBERT, Karen Anne Adelaide Advertiser 20FEB2018
DeleteThank you Trevor for your timely reply concerning Karen Lennox. It seems like the woman that you pointed me to in South Australia which died. Originally came from Bacchus Marsh. She was mentioned in a St Bernard's church memorial Bacchus Marsh 2018.
DeleteThanks for your help.
My pleasure mate, happy to help.
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ReplyDeleteHi Trevor,
ReplyDeleteI don't know what possessed me to look up Wayne Salt Bacchus Marsh, but I was shocked to see him here. I was a very inexperienced teacher when I was at Bacchus Marsh HS. I only lasted a year and a term and I clearly failed to teach him when he was in Year 8 (1976). He was very friendly with the girls. Not so much, as I remember, with the boys. I think he was very smart and fairly bored at school. I also taught fifth formers and many names here (Kim Chivers, Joanna Kershaw) ring huge bells. I think I can send you a class photo of my fifth form. Im 70. It's so sad to read about students who have already died. It would be nice if you also found news of people who are still alive, as well. Thanks Ron Hoenig
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ReplyDeleteAlfie HcHugh was in my 5th form. So sorry to read about him. He was a real character with a big mullet haircut and very cheeky, but I seem to remember he wrote nice poetry. One day I pointed out to him and his mate how close they were siting to each other - but assured him there was nothing wrong with that. (I think his mate was Wayne Matheson?). There were a lot more girls than boys in that class. I also remember Tom Dellios. Im pretty sure I taught Tracey Hodgson and Jan Hooper and Craig Skinner. So sad to read this list of younger people dying
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Ron, they are greatly appreciated, as far as writing about the living, I have been a journalist for many years and writing about the living was my job, the dead have no voice so I write about them t0o. Take care, warm regards Trev
DeleteI'm Darrens Trasks oldest child and I'm very proud that my dad was loved by so many. He was one of a kind and will be terribly missed.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Thanks for that Melissa, yes your Dad was a top bloke and very well liked, you have every right to be proud and I am proud to have been lucky enough to know him and grow up with him, he was a very funny man and good fun.
DeleteJust letting people know that Laurie Oliver ,also know as Ollie passed away at his home in ballarat on the 19-7-2021.father of two girls,grandfather of 6.
ReplyDeleteLaurie had a love for the Holden EH.he had quite a few of them.,as many of his friends that knew him.,and hanged out with.he is sadly missed by all.