Dear Members and supporters of Tasmanian Ratepayers Association,Max Plummer passed away on Monday day at Launceston General Hospital where he has been for the past 7 weeks.
I last spoke with him when I visited on Saturday, and he told me he was resigned to his imminent situation having been diagnosed with pneumonia on top of several other ailments that were not responding to treatment.
The Ratepayers Association will miss his dedication and support in upholding the motto “Working for justice and a fair go ....” for residents and ratepayers.
From humble family beginnings at Invermay, as a young man Max and his twin brother Malcome excelled at sport, particularly rowing. In a different era, and if funding for elite sport had existed, Max could have made it to the Melbourne Olympics as a rower.
He still excelled at a State level, and then dedicated himself to training rowers, serving Launceston schools and all without payment for decade upon decade.
His work as a carpenter for prominent Launceston building firms, produced a long list of buildings and projects of which he was very proud.
It was these projects in post-war Launceston, that also caused him to suffer the effects of asbestosis, an ailment that contributed to his final health condition.
Max died on the very day that the Tasmanian Government allowed for compensation claims to be lodged for the new asbestos-related disease at work scheme.
Max will be remembered as a friend, a skilful builder, and a hardworking volunteer.
Please watch for the family notices in The Examiner Newspaper.
Regards,
Lionel Morrell
President
Tasmanian Ratepayers Association Inc.
I last spoke with him when I visited on Saturday, and he told me he was resigned to his imminent situation having been diagnosed with pneumonia on top of several other ailments that were not responding to treatment.
The Ratepayers Association will miss his dedication and support in upholding the motto “Working for justice and a fair go ....” for residents and ratepayers.
From humble family beginnings at Invermay, as a young man Max and his twin brother Malcome excelled at sport, particularly rowing. In a different era, and if funding for elite sport had existed, Max could have made it to the Melbourne Olympics as a rower.
He still excelled at a State level, and then dedicated himself to training rowers, serving Launceston schools and all without payment for decade upon decade.
His work as a carpenter for prominent Launceston building firms, produced a long list of buildings and projects of which he was very proud.
It was these projects in post-war Launceston, that also caused him to suffer the effects of asbestosis, an ailment that contributed to his final health condition.
Max died on the very day that the Tasmanian Government allowed for compensation claims to be lodged for the new asbestos-related disease at work scheme.
Max will be remembered as a friend, a skilful builder, and a hardworking volunteer.
Please watch for the family notices in The Examiner Newspaper.
Regards,
Lionel Morrell
President
Tasmanian Ratepayers Association Inc.
4 comments:
Deepest sympathy to Max's family. Max was a fine man and one who always did lots for his community. He was always giivng of his time and efforts to help others and I remember many phone calls over various issues Max was concerned about. I remember that several years ago he was nominated as the first life member of the Ratepayers Associations when I was President due to his outstanding work in signing up members and all of the time and effort he gave.Sadly missed.
I remember my old mate Max, when he worked for our old firm Hinman Wright and Manser, Len Smith was manager, and earlier for Harold Martin, one of Launceston's gentlemen builders. After WW2 building materials were scarce, particularly roofing iron, and builders had to wait their turn for materials to undertake projects.
Max worked on building some of those Commission houses off Hoblers Bridge Road at Newstead, just down from the Newstead Hotel. Shortage of roofing iron meant corrugated cement sheet roofing from the Railton Works near Devonport was used. Some of these roofs are still existing. The sheets were incredibly heavy, and it was a long day hauling them by hand up ladders onto the roofs. But the real issue turned out to be the asbestos content, and Max innocently worked with a lot of that material.
Vale Max.
Max Plummer coached rowing for many years in Launceston and always in a voluntary capacity. His rowers to achieve excellence in their chosen sport and he was always encouraging.
His own achievements with Malcom in the Kings Cup series during the early 1950's showed he had the personal ability and drive to know what training and competing was all about. He knew the pain and the exhileration. When Max said row, he was virtually in the scull pulling alongside his crew.
He fought for improving the health of the river, he took issues to parliamentians, he spoke at meetings. Sadly missed but always remembered and appreciated.
Our Dear Max.
You looked after the finances of our Ratepaers Association with such care and honesty. Every last penny is accounted for, and it was such a pleasure to hear your monthly report and know all was in safe hands.
Pity there weren't people like you looking after the budgets and spending of local councils.
Then we may have a bit more restraint and concern to contain costs and reduce our Rates!
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