Matthews Maurice Irene. Matthews Maurice Irene. Matthews Maurice Irene. Matthews Maurice Irene.
The following is an extract from the Eulogy delivered by Maurice’s daughter, Noelene Matthews, at the service held on Friday 15 April 2016 at St Andrews Anglican Church, Katanning
Maurice Herbert MATTHEWS
6th May, 1931 – 8th April, 2016
Maurice was born at ‘Strathfield Katanning to Ruth and Herbert Matthews. He attended ‘Warnaminnup’ school where he boarded as a five year old with the Golding family and, when attending ‘Coracken’, he boarded with Keleys. He attended Katanning school aged ten when his maternal grandmother and Aunty Edna moved to Katanning and looked after him and his siblings, Russel and Gwen. He finished his schooling at ‘Langwell’.
“Shiloh” homestead on Beeck’s “Langwell” Farm in Broomehill.
School for Maurice was, on the whole, not a joy and he left as soon as possible. He always wanted to be a farmer and on leaving school worked on farms including Beecks’ ‘Langwell’, Anderson’s ‘Condeena’ and ‘Quartermaine’s ‘Glendower’. He worked in the Kendenup apple packing shed and spent time as a shearer and ran a Hannaford grader – gaining experience and knowledge about farming.
From 1952 to 1959 he had the Badgebup School Bus run, staying the night with the Nagel family at the end of the run. Colin Beeck and Jim Robinson were two locals who were on Maurice’s bus. During school hours his other job was at Filmer’s International Dealership where he assembled and serviced farm machines. Irene Baldock worked in the office. Love blossomed, and they were together for 56 years. They shared the same values and both had a strong work ethic and there was always plenty of good humour between them.
By the time they married on the 16 January 1960, Maurice had leased ‘The Angles’ farm near Nyabing. Rochelle was born in 1961, the first of his two girls. They moved to ‘Coomelberrup’ farm and planted their first crop in 1962, having leased it prior to purchasing the farm. It had been a long journey, but he had achieved his dream of having his own land. Noelene was born in 1963.
On the farm he ran his own show and, except for shearing, rarely employed outside labour. He replaced fences, put in new dams, planted trees and salt bush and had an extensive piggery. Rochelle and Noelene had pet lambs, pet pigs and dogs but desperately wanted a horse. Maurice’s response to their pleas was “We gave up horses for horse power” and they got a Suzuki 75.
While on the farm it was his job and hobbies all rolled into one and he was happy with that. Although he didn’t have a great deal of time for anything else, he helped with school sports days, was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Badgebup and the family attended church regularly either in Katanning, Dumbleyung and, once a month, at Datatine. Maurice and Irene would clean the hall and Irene played for the service. A shared sit down lunch followed and conversation lasting well into the afternoon was enjoyed by the whole family.
Woodanilling family dances were also held each month and as well as being on the committee for many years, Maurice mastered the moves and enjoyed many a Quick step, Maxina and Foxtrot with Irene. His granddaughters, Sally, Tracy and Pip all remember the cornflakes on the floor and, with their feet on the top of pops, they too learnt the steps. These same granddaughters also loved raiding Pop’s supply of Minties which were always stashed in his ute.
In 1996 ‘Coomelberrup’ was sold to the Combes family and Maurice and Irene moved into their home at 48 Braeside Road, Katanning. Maurice kept very busy helping out on Rochelle and Jeff (Patterson’s) farm ‘Pingarning Hills’.
Over time he joined a number of clubs including being a member of the Katanning Agricultural Society which awarded him Life Membership in 2009 after many years of service. The Croquet Club appreciated his work on the clubhouse and reticulation. Maurice was also president of the Katanning and Districts Veteran Car Club for a term and enjoyed displaying his restored cars, a 1965 Valiant, 1970 Holden Premier and a 1950’s Morris Oxford.
The Valiant was used at his granddaughter’s weddings, Sally in 2009 and Tracy in 2012, and is in the plans for Pip’s next year. He put in many hours on the restoration of the Katanning Club and worked on the Dongolocking School restoration at the Historical Society. Maurice was a member of Kornaminup Court Committee where he was a Mr Fixit. In 2015 he was awarded a ‘Premier’s Australian Day Active Citizenship Award’ by the Katanning Shire.
Some people would probably say he was a man of few words while others would disagree. It was all about the situation, setting and topic. One of the many things admired about Maurice was his ability to live in, and enjoy the moment. Making a living was important, as was getting a job done, but he always found pleasure in the process. Everything took the time it took, and he was happy with that.
He was a Husband, Dad, Pop, Great Pop, Cousin, Uncle, Friend and a gentleman – Maurice Style.
At his funeral
Pall Bearers for Maurice were his son in law, Jeff Patterson; granddaughter’s husbands, Warrick McMahon, Daniel Spencer and Luke Murray; cousin and friend Lawrance Severin and neighbour Philip Mutter. His great grandchildren Jacob, Todd and Brett McMahon and Marli Spencer were present at the service conducted by Rev. Lindy Rookyard.
A tale told of Maurice and Irene
Arriving home late after a dance, with the takings in a Quality Street chocolate tin and knowing that they were off to church in the morning, Maurice hid the money on the top shelf in the oven.
Arriving home after Church, Irene pre-heated the oven and the takings, a mix of notes and coins. The end result was a large blob of melted plastic that had stuck to the coins. After a bit of backwards and forwards about who should take it into the bank – the man who hid it or the woman who cooked it, Maurice took it in and presented it to the bank teller. The upshot was, that the takings were sent to the reserve bank for analysis and he was pretty sure that he got back a little more money than had been in the tin.
“The Last Farewell”
selected by his family
Dear friends, I go, but do not weep, I’ve lived my life, so full, so deep
Throughout my life, I gave my best, I earned my keep, I’ve earned my rest.
I never tried to be great or grand, I tried to be a helping hand.
If I helped in a team, If I helped on my own
I was more than repaid by good friends I have known
And if I went the extra mile, I did it with pleasure, It was all worthwhile.
If I brightened your path then let it be a small contribution from my loved ones and me
But mostly I cherished the family I knew, In a bond never ending, so precious, so true
With such beautiful memories that forever will be
The way that I hope you’ll remember me
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