To the man who made our community... Sound the last siren

“THE bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.” – Thucydides.

To fit 91-years into one page is not enough, but as a town said goodbye on Friday to the one and only John McKenzie Fleming, at Wonthaggi Town Hall, we look back on a life that, as Brad Lester stated, was as much a part of the fabric of Wonthaggi as black coal.

As the Honourable Alan Brown AM explained ‘John’s contribution to Wonthaggi and district spanned six decades and for a significant portion of that time he was centrally involved in the decisions which transformed Wonthaggi into what it is today.’

John was born on July 29, 1930, in the Melbourne suburb of Essendon to mother Ethel May and father George, a successful businessman.

Growing up John studied at Deepdene State School and Geelong College where he excelled in his studies and sports.

John’s love of cars saw him a founding member of the Austin 7 Car Club in Melbourne and leaving Blue Star Line to work in his dad’s service stations, before purchasing his first dealership in Northcote.
“John’s wife Di was the love of his life,” Alan said.

“In 1954 at a parade in Melbourne for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II John met Diana Beryl Le Poer Cone.

“For John it was love at first sight and following a courtship of two years, Di and John were married on January 27, 1956…

“Two years later their first child Fiona was born in Box Hill followed by Deb two years later.

“John’s life centred around two things, his family and his community.

“John was scrupulously honest and honourable in all his dealings be they business, community or personal.”

In 1961 John purchased the Holden dealership in Wonthaggi and later that year became a charter member for the Lions Club of Wonthaggi.

A town in its infancy with gravel roads and no power supply at Cape Paterson, John was a visionary who drove the community into the future.

“John was elected to Council in 1968 and served until 1979; and joined others with a passion and determination to make change for the better,” Alan added.
John was elected Mayor in 1977.

“This was in an era when hours as a Councillor were long and unpaid.

“Because most Councillors worked, the meetings were held in the evening commencing at 7.00pm.

“I recall one meeting which went through until 3.20am the following morning.

“The provision of new services bought to Wonthaggi in this era centrally involved John, including sewerage being reticulated throughout the town.

“He was involved in bringing the West Gippsland Regional Library Service to Wonthaggi and in bringing an indoor heated swimming pool to the town.

“In this era, the Council also facilitated the establishment of the Senior Citizens Clubrooms in Murray Street, the establishment of the Moonya School for disabled, the establishment of low rental homes for the aged and rebuilt the Miners Union Picture Theatre.”

Over the years, John also owned the local Taxi Service, Wonthaggi Colour and Gas and the Wonthaggi Tattslotto Agency.

“In line with his racing interests he served on the board of CAMS… (and) was a founding Member of the Phillip Island Automobile Racing Club.

“Often when major racing events were run on Phillip Island, the Holden Dealer Team used John’s Wonthaggi garage to carry out tuning and repairs…”

In 2019, John Fleming was awarded a Medal of The Order of Australia in the General Division for his tireless service to the community.

But that award was yet the cherry on the cake, a life filled with more giving than receiving.

John’s integrity and life saw him a member and Chairman of the Wonthaggi Water Board and former Government Nominee, a Justice of the Peace for 45 years including Chairman of the Bench, a Bail Justice, a member of the Wonthaggi Chamber of Commerce, a committee member of the Wonthaggi Business Association, member of the Bass Valley Football Association Independent Tribunal, a mentor L2P driver, member of the Red Cross and monthly blood bank, and affectionately known as Brother John in Papua New Guinea.

“At Police request, he carried out safety and security assessments of elderly citizens homes and some aspects of this work remain on the Victoria Police database to this day.”

Alongside his wife Di, John received the Melvin Jones Award, the highest International Lions Club Award for dedicated humanitarian service from Lions Club International, the Wonthaggi Rotary Club Citizen of the Year Award in 2020, International Association of Lions and Australian Centenary Medal.

A life member of CFA, volunteer number 1324063, John served Glen Alvie Rural Fire Brigade and Wonthaggi Urban Fire Brigade (WFB) for over 60 years where he received multiple medals including a National Medal, Outstanding Service Medal and 55-year Medal.

“I joined in 1961,” John had said to the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria on receiving his OAM.

“I was the Holden dealer in Wonthaggi at the time. I used to see the old Austin pumper going down the main street with one person driving it going to a fire.

“He was the captain and also our grocer, his grocery shop was about 100 yards from the fire station.

“I asked him how come he was driving by himself, where’s the rest of your crew? He said they get along in due course, so I said do you need some help? He said sure do, so I joined and that was it.”
In discussion with local journalist Brad Lester at the time he added, the CFA was worth joining because “it was developed by the community for self-protection.”

John held the rank of Active Firefighter from 1962 through to 1987 when he became secretary and treasurer at WFB, he also served on the Wonthaggi Fire Brigade Group, now Bass Coast Group, as Group Communications Officer.

“John used some of his time in this role working with Mike Russell-Clarke in developing CFAs radio communications network,” Bass Coast Group Officer, Damien O’Connor said.

“A bigger challenge than developing the network was introducing it to the locals and training them on how to use it appropriately.”
From local fires to the days after Ash Wednesday, John took it in his stride to do his bit to help.

John was also an integral member of the State Coal Mine where he volunteered both on a Tuesday evening as part of the volunteer maintenance crew and as a long serving tour guide, amongst other hats.

Braxton recalls John, in his 80s at the time, spent roughly six months dismantling and de-nailing an old pier (for use on group support underground).

Marg remembers John cleaning pallet after pallet of 100s of bricks that were used for the tunnel entrance façade and retaining wall on the Mullock heap.
In between his tours, John loved his six spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce from the café.

And when his legs would no longer permit him to tour underground, he took up the role of winch driver.

And as the last siren sounds… 

From Wonthaggi and beyond, Vale Mr John ‘Flemo’ Fleming.

Firefighters Prayer 
‘When I am called to duty, God wherever flames may rage, give me strength to save a life, whatever be its age.
‘Help me to embrace a little child before it’s too late, or save an older person from the horror of that fate.
‘Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout, and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.
‘I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me, to guard my neighbour and protect his property.
And if according to your will I have to lose my life, bless with your protecting hand my loving family from strife.