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Local legend George Anderson passes

By Jonathon Howard MURWILLUMBAH LEGEND, World War II veteran and master woodworker George Anderson has passed away at age 97.

Mr Anderson leaves a lasting legacy having been a friendly face in Murwillumbah for more than 60 years.

Long-time friend and colleague Bob Stainlay helped The Weekly piece together some of Mr Anderson’s extraordinary life achievements, including his war service and daredevil attitude.

Mr Stainlay spoke highly of Mr Anderson, describing him as the “gentleman’s gentleman” who will be sorely missed.

“Everything he did, he took great pride in doing,” he said.

“Of particular note was George’s time as a crewman on Lancaster bombers in World War II.

“This was an exciting and dangerous time for George, particularly during Operation Manna, which was a special food drop mission over war-torn Europe, mostly over Holland.”

After the war ended and life returned to some normality, Mr Anderson decided to make the shift to Australia.

“George and his wife Betty came from England in 1959 with their two children,” Mr Stainlay said.

“The family quickly settled in Murwillumbah and worked for Frank Cook & Co selling electricals, including servicing some of the first televisions in the Tweed.”

Mr Anderson moved on from electrical sales and eventually settled at the Tweed Daily News, where he worked as a photographer and advertising sales representative.

“Another area people may not know is that George volunteered as the operator of the Daily News’ credit union within the newspaper industry for many years,” Mr Stainlay said.

“He was a very active member of the Lions Club, Legacy, RSL and Woodcrafters.

“He was extremely adept at making wooden items for people, including anything for raffles and gifts for young people.

“He will be sorely missed in the community and leaves an indelible mark.”

Not content with sitting still, Mr Anderson undertook many high-flying adventures, such as backpacking in Turkey and skydiving in his 90s three times in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Bob Treadwell, another friend of Mr Anderson, spoke highly of his character and sense of community.

“He was a quintessential English gentleman and an outstanding Tweed Valley community worker,” he said.

“We will miss him as a good, loyal friend.”

The Weekly editor Jonathon Howard said he felt fortunate to have spent time learning about Mr Anderson’s life and was saddened by his passing.

“I would always stop to say hello to George and his trusty dog Boondie,” he said.

“I was able to meet Betty before her passing and I will always remember George’s advice and the stories he shared with me.”

Mr Anderson was the 2015 Tweed Shire Senior Citizen of the Year for his services to the community and as a life member of the British Royal Air Force. Recounting to the Daily News, Mr Anderson said during his service in WWII as a radio operator in a Lancaster Bomber, the plane lost three of its four engines.

“I was so ready to jump,” he recalled, prior to his skydive in 2015.

But a second engine started back up, negating the need to bail out.

“I’ve always been looking forward to it but never thought I’d do it,” Mr Anderson said of jumping from a perfectly good plane.

Mr Anderson was a long-time member of the Tweed Valley Woodcrafters Association, of which he attended weekly up until the week of his passing.

A special tribute memorial service will take place at Murwillumbah All Saints Anglican Church on Wednesday, December 21, at 2pm.

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