Early last week I picked the Daily up for my usual breakfast time browse.

As usual I ended up at the Funeral Notices. On that day there was a notice for Allan Marr which saddened me but also dredged up some fantastic memories of the community I grew up in.

To a casual observer the notice would probably just mean another loved family member who had enjoyed a pretty good innings had sadly passed on.

A lot of long-time residents of this region would have much more from those few words.

As a kid growing up in Nambour there were two footy teams, Souths and All Whites.

When you became old enough to leave school and get a job and if you wanted football (rugby league was the only form) you had the choice of two clubs – Souths and All Whites.

If you wanted to play for Souths you would go to the Royal George Hotel and see publican Harry Balkin who might buy you a beer, if you were old enough and send you to see George Rutledge who would probably give you a job if he thought you had any ability.

If you wanted to play for All Whites you would head to the Club Hotel and see Bob Grundy who also might buy you a beer and send you to see surveyor Fred Murray or Marr’s Transport’s Allan Marr who if you had any ability might also give you a job.

Now these pubs are still across the road from each other but sadly Allan Marr has become the last of those wonderful pillars of the community to pass on.

Allan Marr’s funeral notice didn’t tell anyone who didn’t know that he epitomised what it once meant to be an Australian.

He was a big man, tough but fair.

He worked hard, loved the outdoors and was always ready to help in the community, whether it be football or just someone doing it tough.

I thought it ironic that the big fellow passed away in this year that marks the Centenary of Rugby League because he and his mates did so much for rugby league when it truly needed a shot in the arm.

Of course Marr’s transport through his family still strongly support local footy.
I was an ordinary rugby league player but I loved it and I still do.

But sadly when I was a young fellow I didn’t have the knowledge that I had now, that I was pedestrian.

I actually thought I could play.

I remember when I left school I toyed with the idea of playing with All Whites and was told to go and see Allan about a job.

Now he had probably seen me play and thought I don’t need another one of him but he saw me anyway.

While I was waiting to see him a guy came in on one of the trucks and had a go at the big bloke about something not being right. He was quite aggressive.

Now Allan let him have it with both barrels, giving it to the bloke for blaming everyone else for something he couldn’t do.

The bloke left with his tail between his legs very clear about his shortcomings.

Then “Mr. Marr” as I addressed him, turned around with a twinkle in his eye and asked me what he could do for me.

It was about then I started doubting my ability, with good reason and it was a lesson well learnt about putting up or shutting up and even though it took a number of years to actually sink in it is something I have never forgotten.

I was unable to attend the celebration of this great Sunshine Coasters life last week as I was out of town so I thought it appropriate to share my memories when I saw that funeral notice.

It is also ironic that this year is an amalgamation year in the council and our new mayor, Bob Abbott, has plans to build one strong community.

It is clear to me that communities need strong pillars to prop them up in business, charities and sport and unique people like Marr-Murray-Rutledge-Balkin-Grundy and many others like them made their neck of the woods a great place to work and play.

As an old Nambour boy, thank you.