Terry, as he was known, a pioneer of theatrical arts in the region, passed away due to complications during illness last Tuesday, January 18, but not before discovering he would be put in the spotlight yet again for his lifelong dedication to our very own Players Theatre.
Terry was officially awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for “service to the arts in the Port Macquarie region”, an honour privvy to only two other people in the region in 2011: Charles Edward Lloyd-Jones of Port for his commitment to the Salvation Army and support services to the community; and William Henry Boyd of Herons Creek for his assistances as a traditional woodcraftsman and to conservation.
The Governor-General, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC, Chancellor of the Order of Australia, approved awards in the Australia Day 2011 Honours List of 441 recipients who, including Terry, Charles and William, received awards in the general division of the Order of Australia, in recognition of their diverse contributions and service to fellow citizens in Australia and internationally.
Although Terry was not able to enjoy the recognition of his OAM title before January 26, he was fortunate to know he had been given such an honour before his passing last week at age 74.
The beloved husband of Jenny, father of four, stepfather of three and grandfather of 11, was a much-revered and respected figure in the Port Macquarie community, and beyond, who will be dearly missed.
“Despite his cultural pursuits and engineering achievements, he had an adventurous spirit and was a caring father. Most Sundays were spent on family picnics exploring the bush and roaming the back roads from Dunbogan to Tele Point,” his wife, Jenny, said.
Terry, who was born in Arbroath, Scotland and migrated to Australia in 1958, was also a well-known and respected Civil and Structural Engineer who was involved in the building of many local bridges and other infrastructure since he moved to Port in the early ’60s.
“He took everything in his stride; he was honest and forthright; pragmatic and determined — and had so much energy,” Jenny said.
Terry’s sheer determination to see a purpose built theatre come to fruition, after a nine-year struggle with funding, approvals and political loopholes that began in 1975, finally paid off.
Stage fright was something Terry certainly did not have and he refused to let red tape get in the way of seeing the Players Theatre come to life.
On May 4, 1984 the doors were opened to theatre lovers across the region.
Terry was key to the construction of the theatre, utilising his skills as a civil engineer, to see the bricks and mortar take the shape of the long lasting cultural icon of significance we see standing today.
Only last year the Theatre celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Terry’s wife Jenny remembers back to the early days.
“Twenty-five years ago we opened with Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance,” she said.
“It was a truly extravagant production … we had nowhere near the facilities and equipment we have today but the community embraced us and we played to packed houses.”
Even a devastating fire at the Theatre in 1993 could not dampen the spirits of those committed to its cause and since, Jenny said. With the help of people like Terry, the Theatre has bounced back, bigger, better and full of more sparkle than ever before.
“If he wasn’t at a show he was in rehearsal, building a set, directing; always involved, all through the years,” she said.
“Theatre was his passion, his love; it meant so much to him.”
It was his devotion to the Players Theatre that has seen him awarded with his OAM, a very proud moment indeed for both Terry and his family, Jenny said.
“It is a real honour and a deserving one,” she said.
Terry was also a founding member of the Toastmasters Club in Port Macquarie.
Jenny and her family would like to thank everyone for their kind words and condolences at this poignant time when they share the mixed emotions of the grief at his passing with their pride in the public recognition of his achievements, not only from Terry receiving his OAM but his enriched life and the significant role he played in the community.
Story: Kate Yates
