By MARG STORK
IN the course of a lifetime, Max Oldmeadow achieved a great many things.
He was a war veteran, politician, school teacher and was named Greater Dandenong Living Treasure and received a Medal of the Order of Australia.
But it is his humble heart and thoughtful, caring manner that he will be most remembered for.
Mr Oldmeadow, who died last month at the Hansworth Road Nursing Home in Noble Park, was a Dandenong boy to the core. He was born in the family home in Robinson Street, the son of Henry and Blanche Oldmeadow, and attended primary school in Dandenong West, later Dandenong High School and Wesley College.
His father ran a hay and grain store diagonally behind the Dandenong post office.
At the age of 18 he enlisted in the air force and was initially engaged in ground operations.
Later, he was a translator of Japanese. Back on solid ground, he turned to politics and was the member for Holt from 1972-75 and a Dandenong councillor from 1970-73.
He met his future wife, Pam Saunders, at the Dandenong Methodist Church (now Trinity Uniting) in Scott Street after the war. They were married on December 11, 1948.
The couple had three children: Ian , Graeme and Russell. Mr Oldmeadow also derived great pleasure from his eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.
A thanksgiving service was held at Trinity Uniting Church on March 27.
For all the latest breaking news, stay with this website. Also, follow the Weekly at facebook.com/dandenongjournal or on Twitter @DandyJournal.
