Community tributes flow for John Lindsay

IF EVER there was an Order of Australia Medal that was richly deserved, it was the one awarded to Wonthaggi’s John Lindsay in January 2020.

Life member with Rose Lodge and Wonthaggi Rovers, a member of the Wonthaggi Miners’ Dispensary since 1945 and Citizen of the Year in 2009, his involvements were virtually endless.

So, when the former building studies teacher at the Wonthaggi Technical School, for several decades, died on February 11, it was up to one of his students, former Bass Coast Mayor Cr Brett Tessari, to propose a vote of community thanks at the recent council meeting.

“I would like to take this opportunity to honour the passing of John Lindsay OAM. ‘Mr Lindsay’, as he was known, passed away last week, he is survived by his wife Rayma, married for 68 years. Mr Lindsay was a woodwork teacher at the old tech school, and I have fond memories of him never giving up on my woodworking ability even though I couldn’t hammer a nail.

“Mr Lindsay was a fantastic member of the community. He was on a lot of committees and boards, including but not naming all, Freemasons (70 years), the Miners Dispensary, the Wonthaggi Rovers Football Club and Rose Lodge, with life membership to the Wonthaggi Rovers, now Wonthaggi Power and also Rose Lodge. He was named the Rotary Citizen of the Year in 2009.

“He is survived by his beautiful family and their extended families, and the community is a little bit sadder and a little bit poorer today for losing Mr Lindsay. But we are certainly a lot better off for having him for so long in our community. Rest in peace, Mr Lindsay.”

It was a source of considerable pride to John Lindsay that in his term of office on the board of Rose Lodge, it grew from a 30-bed facility to 98.

There were many similar achievements to which he contributed on behalf of the community.

The funeral service for Mr Lindsay was held at Handley and Anderson Chapel, Wonthaggi on Wednesday, February 16. At the conclusion of the service, the funeral procession passed Rose Lodge and on to the Wonthaggi Cemetery.