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Author Topic: VALE: MERVYN LAWRENCE WEBSTER  (Read 1835 times)
the grey
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« on: November 19, 2006, 09:31:04 AM »


It is with a heavy heart that I said goodbye to my father Mervyn Lawrence Webster on Friday, 17th November at 4.00 p.m. in the Redcliffe Penninula Hospital as he lost his fight with cancer.

After a busy life of rearing my children I was able to invite my dad to join me at the Australian Bush Poetry Championships in Winton back in 1997.  I suggested that he learn a few poems and join in the competition.  He then developed a love for bush verse and we shared going to many competitions in the following years.

Dad often joined Chris on bush poetry tours and was a part of our show whether touring to Camooweal, at Tamworth or our winter months at Charleville.  Dad was a member of the North Pine Bush Poets and often joined in their concerts.

He would entertain folk on the Redcliffe Penninsula or surrounding suburbs and often performed at nursing homes or bowls clubs.

Thank you for a lifetime of memories dad, you will be sorely missed.

Anyone wishing to know details of his funeral can contact me on 0427 591868.


Mervyn Webster Jnr.
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Bernard de Silva
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« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2006, 09:41:56 AM »

My condolences Merv,
                               there is little else anyone can say...to lose a great Mate is so much harder when it's your Dad...
                                                           Bernie.
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therese
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« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2006, 01:23:37 PM »

(((merv)))

sorry to hear of your loss
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Ric Raftis
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« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2006, 12:47:20 AM »

Very sorry to hear of your loss Merv.
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Regards,


Ric

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heyu
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« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2006, 06:23:58 AM »

My condolences Merv, sounds like your Dad was a very special fella as mine was to me.  Hope it helps a little to know that we share your grief.

chin up

heyu
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the mad mare
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« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2006, 08:31:59 AM »

Hey Merv,

Condolences from me also, although - when I first read "Vale - Merv Webster", my stomach did a somersault because I thought it must have been you!  What a shock!  I'm glad it wasn't.  

Kym.
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« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2006, 03:07:02 AM »

Thank you all for your kind thoughts, they are appreciated.

To those who phoned ... thank you ... and the information for dad's service is as follows.

Caboolture & District Lawn Cemetery
1 Tallowood Drive
Deception Bay

The Service is at 3.pm. on Friday the 24th November.




A LIFETIME FULL OF MEMORIES

My heart is rather heavy as I pen these words today;
I said goodbye to my dear dad;  my mate … as some might say.
Those last few hours I shared with him rekindled in my mind
a warm parade of memories.  They weren’t too hard to find.

The mellow little whistle that would echo down our street,
announcing it was Pay Day and dad had a little treat.  
To just of lad of tender years it meant the world you see;
dad sharing snack block chocolate with my mum and Sal and me.

In fifty-six I do recall when dad was asked to run
a stretch with the Olympic flame and shared in all the fun.
He loved to do gymnastics and played hockey for a spell
and Refereed in Rugby League;  I Ball-boyed too as well.

Dad joined us playing Rounders with the neigbour’s kids in Ayr
and loved his backyard cricket, though his stumpings were not fair.
“Your out!” he’d cry “I’ve stumped you!” but later on I found
he never had the ball in hand;  he’d dropped it on the ground.

All children get their hand–me-downs and I would get one too;
old ‘Raddish’, dad’s free wheeler, but refurbished and bright blue.
It served me well that bike of mine for many years to come
and sure appreciated that beaut gift from dad and mum.

Then came those awkward teenage years where kids start reaching out
and seeking independence, that brings parents grief no doubt.
The long hair and the earring had my poor dad asking me
if I’d changed my manly habits and I now sat down to pee.

But when at times I found I’d lost my way down some rough road,
dad showed his understanding and he helped me share my load.
And even through my married years if things got rather grim
I always knew that dad was there, that I could turn to him.

In years of late we found the time to share a common path
our love of sharing rhyming verse and making people laugh.
Dad often joined both Chris and I, performing in our show
at Tamworth or at Camooweal, wherever we might go.

So thank you for a lifetime full of memories dear dad,  
I‘ll treasure them forever; all those good times that we had.
So rest until the trumpet calls and then we‘ll share once more
the life that God intended, the one he has in store.

Copyright:  Merv Webster
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Irene
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« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2006, 03:31:00 AM »

Merv

What a beautiful poem, and the love for your father shows through so clearly. HE sounds like a very special sort of person.
My sympathy to yourself and Chris, and all of your fathers family.

How wonderful to have been able to share your love for bush poetry with your father as an adult, and to have all those memories of performing and travelling together.

Catchya
Irene
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manfredvijars
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« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2006, 12:01:48 PM »

Dear Merv,

On behalf of the Committee and Membership of The North Pine Bush Poet's Group, our condolences and heartfelt sympathies are extended to you and your family at this time.

John Best
President NPBP
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Work hard, play fair and look after your mate and we'll "Waltz with Matilda" some more.
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« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2006, 03:50:20 PM »

To all the Pine Rivers poets I would like to thank you for your kind wishes.  Dad loved his bush verse and always enjoyed the get togethers and the concerts he shared in.  Sadly he would have loved to have done more but my mother's health prevented him and his loyalty to her was precious to him.

Thank you once again.

Merv Webster Jnr.
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