Laurie Quinn—100
Jack of All Trades
Late of Fernmount in the house he built himself in 1993 when he retired to work as a local jack of all trades for the next 25+ years. Born in Boort, Victoria, raised and worked around Barellan, New South Wales, RAAF service in the jungles of New Guinea, construction around Sydney, then a farmer in young for 30 years. Storyteller, masterbuilder, aircraft instruct instrument maker and watch fixer (WWII), inventor, water diviner, wool classer, bush mechanic and a good welder too. Always of curious mind exploring meridians, chakra unblocking, pyramid power, time travel and anything else mysterious and interesting about life, and the meaning of it. He was in his element in the Bellinger River Valley but will now be likely to explore other galaxies and dimensions with his ever present cardigan and a couple of clean hankies!
Two of Laurie’s grandchildren had recorded the following adapted poem for the ceremony. Unfortunately, due to technical problems this was not played on the day.
Adapted Poem by Mary Frye
Do not stand
By my grave, and weep.
I am not there,
I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on the emerald plains,
I am the gentle, autumn rains.
As you awake to the morning’s hush,
I am the soft feathered wing rush
Of the eagle in circled flight,
I am the day surrendering to soft night.
Do not stand
By my grave, and cry –
I am not there –
Look beyond the starry sky.
The Words of Remembrance
Laurie loved to tell stories…some of which were furphies and he loved to tell ‘dad’ jokes; he had a few naughty limericks as well. He was well-liked in all the places he enjoyed visiting; he could be very friendly and outgoing and would have a yarn with anybody, anytime. He could be stubborn but was even tempered most of the time and only used swear words on important occasions.
His very hard life as a child and then going off for four years in the war at just 18 meant that he was not good at relationships for many years. However, he mellowed with age and wisdom gained and realised that it is OK to give and get hugs. He always did his best and he had many good friends that would turn up every 2-3 days and he was on the phone or the internet to them all the time.
Laurie was determined, he worked long and hard throughout his life after leaving school at 13. Being a bush farmer and raised during the Great Depression, he had to, and could turn his hand to anything. You’ll smile when you recall him sitting atop his ride on lawn mower… or coming to grief on it more than once down the hill! It’s amazing that he was still out on it just a few months ago.
Laurie will be remembered for his many pills, potions, lotions and gadgets that piqued his curiosity about life and health. And you will smile when you think of how many of them ended up dusty and unopened in the back of the cupboard.
As much as he didn’t want this day to come, it is here, and you come together to honour his life as he heads off to other places!
May he rest in peace, and who knows; he might be right and come back here again!
Would you please be upstanding as I invite Tim Egan to come forward to play the Last Post as the final tribute to a strong man who willingly gave up four years of his youth to serve in the RAAF to help protect us all but hated war.
You can watch the livestream here.
