Port Macquarie’s first ever fire fighting captain passed away recently, but not without leaving a blazing trail of achievements and inspirational hallmarks in his wake.
Well known resident Keith Hardaker died on March 10, with a service held in his honour last Friday, March 18 at St Andrews Presbyterian Church.
But his fighting spirit and dedication to the community will always live on, said close friend and co-fire fighter Albert McWhirter.
Keith, born May 7, 1923, has always been a fighter, overcoming adversity with health issues, but more importantly, always going that extra mile when it came to helping people, serving the community and saving lives, Albert, who is 77, said.
In 1957, Keith was made the region’s first captain of Port Macquarie’s NSW Fire Brigade branch, an honour and status he stood alongside until 1965.
Keith’s pal, Albert, served with him “from day one” and said he “ran and managed the facility with excellence and efficiency from 1957 to 1965”.
“He stayed on as a fireman till 1968 and took Port Macquarie Brigade to dominance in all aspects,” Albert said.
“Keith was stern but sincere and a great friend and mentor. He was a fighter, from the heart, and didn’t back back. He was, and always will be, a valued member of the community.”
Keith, a father to three boys and two girls, was always known for his “no fuss” ways to overcome adversity and put others first.
“Dad was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and told, with care, he may live until 21 years,” his son Geoff said.
“He died aged 87.”
Before World War II Geoff said Keith worked as a butcher’s apprentice.
“War broke out and dad’s elder brother Noel joined up and was sent overseas shortly thereafter.
“Dad could not wait to join up so added a year to his age so that he could also go. But as he had joined the Light Horse Brigade, which was becoming motorised. He was never able to leave our shores, but travelled this country over.
“He spent some time in Coffs Harbour during 1942 in camp.
“Later again in camp at Wauchope he met Mum [the late Betty Wallace] and after a whirlwind courtship and marriage, they moved to Bathurst. As the war was coming to an end and after two cold winters in Bathurst, they drifted back to Wauchope and eventually made their home in Port Macquarie where they spent the rest of their lives.
“Dad originally worked at Parkers Hardware in Wauchope, catching the bus up every day and then went back to the old trade of butchering in Port Macquarie for many years,” Geoff said.
“He then took a grease monkey’s job at the Central Garage where the Boardman Building stands today.”
He was also a successful car salesman, Geoff said, but went back to his roots as a butcher until his forced retirement at age 55, as a result of heart problems.
As well as Keith’s commitment to the NSW Fire Brigade, he was involved in Lifeline, Sunday School, church and pastoral care, Rotary, Probus, Meals on Wheels and “too many committees to remember”.
“I seriously don’t know how he did it,” Geoff said.
“He and mum travelled around the country in a caravan and did a lot of short trips that always brought them to one of us for a few days on the way home.
“It is probably a familiar story for most at their age, as illness and old age slowed them down.
“The love remained between them right up to the end.”
Albert said Keith will be remembered for his contribution to the Brigade but also his selfless involvement in the community as a whole.
