Lloyd St Clair Piddington was born on October 26, 1922. He passed away on Saturday (October 27), aged 90.
He is survived by his widow, June and five children, Allan, Janet, Graham, Margaret and Ron.
After his father Harley William “Bill” Piddington’s passing in 1954, Lloyd took over the running of the family funeral business with his late brother Max. After Max retired in 1973, Lloyd continued with his sons until he suffered numerous strokes in 1996. He was the third generation to run the family funeral business, which has operated continuously since 1899.
A Celebration of Lloyd’s life as a dedicated family man and his service to his community will be held this Friday, commencing at 11am in St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, to be followed by cremation at his Family’s Funeral Home and Crematorium.
As a former Mayor of Armidale City Council, Lloyd Piddington was responsible for the casting vote that made the cathedral city’s water supply what it is today. Ald Lloyd Piddington was Mayor of Armidale from 1963 to 1968. He was an elected Alderman of Armidale City Council from 1957 to 1971 and was a member of the Executive of the Local Government Association from 1968 to 1971.
In May 1965, came a change of State Government and the appointment of the Member for Armidale, Davis Hughes, as the Minister for Public Works. Almost overnight all the obstacles were swept away in respect to the construction of the Malpas Dam scheme. Malpas Dam (near Guyra) was opened in November 1968, with credit given to Davis Hughes and the Mayor (Alderman Lloyd Piddington). A 22-mile pipeline was laid to connect the dam to the filtration plant in Armidale. Additional filtration and reticulation works were also constructed. Total cost of the works was estimated in 1968 at $3.9 million, of which the Armidale ratepayers would have to pay half. By 1971, Armidale had its new water supply, and through the droughts of decades since, residents have not faced water restrictions.
Civic involvement and leadership was in Lloyd’s blood. He was the grandson of the late George William Piddington who retired from council a few years before World War II.
Born in Armidale, he attended Armidale High School. Following the outbreak of war, he was mobilised into the 12th Australian Light Horse, transferred into the 12th Motor Regiment and later served with the 3rd Armoured Division. He served in the Australian Army for three years and was discharged in 1944 on occupational grounds. He joined the Armidale Chamber of Commerce in 1945. He was the foundation secretary in 1949 of the organisation which eventually became the Ex-Services Club. In 1943, he joined the Masonic Lodge Armidale and the Grand Lodge rank was conferred on him in 1975. He was a life member of the Armidale and New England Caged Bird Club; was president of the Armidale High School Parents and Citizens’ Association; President of the Road Safety Council and member of the Armidale Apex and the Lions Clubs. He was a passionate sportsman in his younger day, playing Rugby League at local level for the “Galloping Greens”. Since 1940, he had been a very active member of the Australian Funeral Directors’ Association, being elected State President and holding many positions.
Lloyd Piddington was extremely engaged with and supportive of many local organisations and groups. He and his widow, June, were presented with Life Membership of the Armidale City Band in August, 2009. Records show that the Piddington family has been associated with the ACB since February 12, 1926. On the ACB committee in 1938, Lloyd’s father, Harley, played a leading role in keeping the Band going through WWII. Lloyd and his brother, Max, were in the Band at this time, though they had not yet reached their teenage years. In 1960, Lloyd was appointed as one of the Trustees of the ACB. Lloyd’s election as Patron on August 20, 1968 saw him replace the then local MP, the Hon Davis Hughes.
Lloyd Piddington was honoured with the Australian Government’s Centenary Medal and was presented with the title of Emeritus Mayor and ‘Freeman of the City of Armidale’ by Armidale Dumaresq Council.
His passion for his family and community will long be remembered.
