I am honoured to write on behalf of the Rotary Club of Deniliquin, Gordon's adopted home town. Gordon moved to Deniliquin some 20 years ago to take up employment as accountant with Murray Irrigation, the largest rural water authority in NSW. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him in our small country town, immersing himself fully in volunteer work for the community. I was lucky to know Gordon well through the Rotary Club of Deniliquin, of which I am President; our Lawn Tennis Club where we played competition tennis every summer; and involvement with the famous Deniliquin Ute Muster.
Gordon joined the Rotary Club of Deniliquin in 1992 and held several Board positions during his 18 years, including Treasurer on three occasions, as well as Director for Vocation, Community Service, and International. Gordon was a willing participant in all Rotary functions, and worked very hard at our many working bees over the years, enjoying the friendship and community service afforded by Rotary. We will miss Gordon very much.
Deniliquin is very sports orientated, so Gordon was quickly captured by the Lawn Tennis Club. Records show Gordon was a member of 3 winning teams and was generally captain of his team and No. 1 seeded man, he remained a successful player until the end of last season. Gordon joined the Club Committee in 1995 and has been Treasurer ever since, as recently as earlier this month being re-elected to that position.
The strong financial position our Lawn Tennis Club enjoys is mostly the result of Gordon's excellent stewardship over 15 years. Gordon was a man of numbers, however he was also a frustrated house painter. He expressed the view that if he had not been an Accountant he would have chosen to be a house painter.
The Club gave him the opportunity when he volunteered to paint the Club's residence and Clubhouse a few years ago. He undertook this large task vigorously by himself and had the job completed quicker than any tradesman.
At the Club's AGM in 2007 it was unanimously moved that Gordon be granted Life Membership and Gordon became one of the few Life Members of the Deniliquin Lawn Tennis Club.
On any given day in Deniliquin you could encounter Gordon in the main street deep in thought, but always with a smile on his face going about his official volunteer business, guiding non profit organisations through the financial minefield that is today's corporate world. He was often seen walking from his home to the main street to keep fit.
By far the most unselfish devotion of Gordon's time has been to the Deniliquin Ute Muster. Gordon served on this committee as Treasurer for 6 years and was currently a Board Member and Financial Director. This role involved on average three days a week in the office developing annual budgets, monitoring actual financial performance against budget, preparing annual returns for the auditor, and ensuring all government reporting requirements were completed in a timely manner. As well Gordon worked tirelessly over the actual Muster in October, from 6am till 2am each day - all voluntary!!
Gordon was also Treasurer on the Deniliquin Four Post Youth Camp committee of management, a community funded camp for city visitors to experience country living on the banks of our Edward River.
Gordon was a quiet and gentle contributor, well liked by all, who gave much and asked nothing in return.
I offer Deniliquin's deepest sympathy to Gordon's family and long time friends.
May you rest in peace Gordon - you certainly deserve to.
Tim Nolan
25 June 2010
