Toowoomba DPS
Obituary Surname Index A to Z
Daisy May Ball
OBITUARY The Gatton, Lockyer and Brisbane Valley STAR, May 2, 2001 Page
9
ONE of Lowood's best known and most respected residents, Daisy May Ball,
passed away recently at the age of 78 years and 10 months.
A daughter of Alfred and Ida Vollbrecht, she was born at Lowood on May
19,1922.
After attending the Lowood State School, she was employed at Lindemann's
Grocery Store which was positioned next door to the CBA Bank, the workplace
of her future husband, Alexander (Hedley) Ball, to whom she was married by
Pastor L. Dohler in the Lowood Lutheran Church on June 15, 1940.
The couple lived in Lowood for the whole of their lives, except for a brief
period of two years when they resided at Beenleigh.
During her life, the late Daisy Ball was, at all times, actively engaged in
voluntary work, with many organisations in the town of her birth. She held
the position of president of the Lowood branch of the Queensland Country
Women's Association on three occasions, from 1967-1972, 1987-1989, and from
1991-1992. She was also secretary of the same organisation on two occasions
from 1959-1964 and from 1985-86, and was appointed to the position of
treasurer for three terms: 1952-1954, 1976-1984 and again during the year of
1990.
She was also involved with the Lowood RSL Club and, for 26 years, worked on
a voluntary basis for the Blue Nurses.
A competent cook, she won many prizes in this direction, and enjoyed cooking
for her neighbours and friends.
Her husband having predeceased her on June 4, 1979, she is survived by her
two daughters, Dianne and Wendy, son-in-law John, five grandchildren - Lisa,
Matthew, Troy, Jamie and Ellen-May, great-grandson Jonathon, one brother
Donald, and two sisters Lorna and Thelma.
Her well-attended funeral service was conducted by Pastor Andrew Schulz at
Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowood
- CONTRIBUTED
Farewell to Jackie Boyd
OBITUARY The Gatton, Lockyer and Brisbane Valley STAR, Feb 28, 2001.
Page 12.
ANYONE who lived in or around Gatton from the mid 1930s will have known John Joseph "Jackie" Boyd in person or have heard a good word for him. He was a personality who made friends easily, and his ready smile ensured that he kept them. Such were the sentiments of those who took the opportunity to speak at his farewell in Toowoomba on Friday. As one lady put it 'we need happy people to make life worth while," and another from Yukana Retirement Village where Jackie had spent the past four years said he was called "happy Jackie" by all. Among the messages was one from Sir Reginald Schwartz, ex soldier and member of parliament. Jackie came to Gatton from Nudgee Orphanage and worked on several farms. After the disastrous fire which razed one side of Railway Street on April 5,1933, Jackie spent some time helping to clear away the damaged roofing iron and charred remains while employed at the Royal Hotel. He had gained employment with the Department of Public Works when war broke out in September 1939 and he was an early volunteer for active service, enlisting on July 5, 1940. A year later he landed in Singapore with the other Gatton members of the 2/26 Battalion. They were Tom Dwyer, Eric Nitz, Les Petersen and John Reuter. John is the sole survivor of that contingent and the only Gatton?born member of that Battalion, still resident here. Kevin McCosker, representing the Toowoomba RSL spoke of the tragic loss of life at the hands of the Japanese where 7866 out of the 15,000 who made up the 8th Division perished, a survival rate of only 47 per cent. One of the prisoner?of?war group spoke feelingly of the support "Darkie" Boyd had given them by his cheerful optimism even under the fearful conditions of their capture. Jackie had spent a large part of his imprisonment in Japan, working on the wharves and in coal mines. Upon repatriation he was honourably discharged on February 17, 1946, and was employed with the Southern Electric Authority. Jackie is remembered affectionately as a champion doubles seller for the Gatton Football Club when it was revitalised in 1947. At the 50th anniversary of that event Jackie proudly showed the canvas bag he used. He was made a life member of the club, and after moving in retirement to Toowoomba he retained his membership of the Gatton RSL as well as joining the Toowoomba branch. Jackie was very fortunate to have been "adopted" by Mr. and Mrs. John F. Yates and their six children when he came to Gatton. There was always a home for him there and I believe that his love for dancing started and was encouraged by his "sisters" Marj, Dorothy and Jessie. He was always ready to prepare the dance floor in the old School of Arts and keep it in good order during the evening. Jackie Boyd will be remembered for his service to his country and his support of worthwhile recreational activities in Gatton. He was in 88th year. Contributed by Coll Hickey, 45 Gouldson Drive, Toowoomba
