Wallace Robert Werrett
Born: 9 October 1920
Died: 1 February 2014
DANDENONG Citizen of the Year and Medal of the Order of Australia recipient Wallace Werrett, was farewelled at Springvale Botanical Cemetery on 7 February.
Daughter Marilyn Cookes said he passed away peacefully, at age 93.
“Our father led a good life and a long life,” she said.
Wal was born at the Maternity Hospital in Thomas Street, Dandenong, in 1920, the second son to Richard Frederick Werrett and Evelyn Violet Allan.
He attended Keysborough Primary School, often riding there on his mother’s pony, Dolly – sister Jean perched in the saddle and Wal “clinging on for all life on the rump”.
He enlisted in the Citizen’s Military Forces in 1938, was called up for full-time service in 1940 and transferred to the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in 1941.
He was discharged in July 1946 following operational service in Bougainville in 1944 and New Britain in 1945.
In addition to his World War II service medals, he was mentioned in dispatches for distinguished service in the south west Pacific area.
“He loved his years in service, reaching captain by the age of 22,” Marilyn said.
She said the best outcome of her dad’s war days was meeting her mum, Joyce Taylor, who was in the Australian Women’s Army Service.
They had three children and had been married 42 years when Joyce lost her cancer battle.
They wed in 1947 in Brisbane.
“Settling back in Dandenong, for over seven years dad and mum both worked tirelessly to operate and run various delicatessens and cake shops before dad was approached by Angus Facey to join Frank Facey Real Estate Agency,” Marilyn said.
Wal was a manager there for 20 years, retiring in 1977.
“The usual car ride around the streets and district involved dad driving at snail’s pace with head turned left and right, constantly relaying what’s for sale, what’s been sold, how much it’s worth, how much was paid, who bought it… ” Marilyn said.
“All us kids in the back would have our eyes planted firmly on the road ahead, wondering if he’d clip the parked car… ”
She recalled one day when he ran a red light and drove on, a police van with its siren blasting in pursuit.
“When dad pulled slowly into our drive the policeman slowed down, wound down his window and said ‘hi Wal!’,” she said.
Marilyn said her dad enjoyed public life and was well recognised in the streets of Dandenong and outer-Gippsland districts.
“He worked selflessly in helping others, especially those in need – the young migrants to the area, the ex-service men and women through Legacy,” she said.
Wal was Dandenong’s Citizen of the Year in 1982 and received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1985.
He was the Dandenong Liberal Party president for 12 years and stood for Parliament, he was a justice of the peace and Dandenong Chamber of Commerce president, and received the Paul Harris Fellowship from the Rotary Club of Dandenong in 1994.
Kay Poole was Wal’s constant companion during the last 20 years of his life.
“Our family all love and think the world of Kay and are indebted to her,” Marilyn said.
Wal’s friend of 39 years John Laughton spoke at the funeral on behalf of the Victorian RSL state president Major-General David McLachlan and the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL’s members.
Wal was an RSL member for 67 years and served on various councils and committees.
“Wally was awarded Life Membership in 1964 – the league’s highest honour – the Meritorious Service Medal in 1984 and Life Membership with Gold Badge in 1993,” Mr Laughton said.
“Wally was also a Life Member of the Dandenong RSL Club and a Life Member of the No. 3 District Board.
“He was a wonderful Australian and a staunch RSL and community man.”
