Life member honour

By Jonathon Howard

THE EXTRAORDINARY family story of Tweed Heads resident Ian Stuart has surfaced this week.

Mr Stuart was presented with a life membership of the Coolangatta/Tweed Probus Club by president Gay Harding recently, which highlights the dedication Mr Stuart has demonstrated to his community and family.

Throughout his life, apart from marriage and the responsibility to provide for his family, Mr Stuart has pursued opportunities that contributed to society.

He was a soccer coach and referee when his children were growing up, he was a member of the Institution of Engineers, a member of The Institution of Radio & Electronics Engineers Australia and president of a political party branch for ten years.

In retirement he has spent 20 years as a volunteer assisting state police as a VIP.

Mr Stuart has also held various positions supporting National Seniors and The Probus Club of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads.

“To him, being a member of an organisation means making a contribution to enhance the development and the smooth running of that organisation,” Gay said.

“In reality, Ian says he should never have been born.

“His grandmother, as a three-year-old child with her parents, was a prisoner of the Banpour Rajah for months during the 1856 Indian mutiny and was so ill-treated and starved that she was reduced to skin and bone, unable to support herself sitting up, let alone standing.

“Why she, a three-year-old, did not die is a miracle. Had she died, Ian would not be here.

“In December 1889 his grandfather boarded a coastal steamer at Grafton with the intention of meeting his fiancée, Ian’s grandmother, in Sydney.

“The coastal steamer was wrecked on the bar of the Clarence River where the river discharges into the sea.

“Official records show there were no survivors. Had he not survived Ian would not be here (and so much for official records).

“Ian’s father fought in Gallipoli and Pozieres, where he experienced a day of continuous shelling. On August 16, 1916, he was hit in the chest by a piece of shrapnel.

“When the bombardment stopped, his body was recovered and placed in a morgue.

“The following day it was realised that he was not dead and after six major operations he spent the rest of his life with only part of his right-hand side rib cage, and no right lung.

“Had he not survived Ian would not be here.”

With this knowledge, Mr Stuart has always felt he must be here for some extra reason, apart from raising a family.

“We are honoured to have him as a member of our club and of our management committee,” Gay said.