A life of service honoured by friends and family

LOCAL service groups and individuals have paid tribute to David Harden Wherrett following his passing last week.

Mr Wherrett was a valued community member who touched the hearts of many people since moving to Heathcote almost 10 years ago.

“The Committee and members of the Heathcote RSL Sub-Branch regret the passing of our esteemed president and Vietnam War veteran, David Wherrett, who passed away in the evening of Wednesday 11 October,” said Miles Humphrey, vice-president, Heathcote RSL Sub-Branch.

“We offer our deepest condolences to Jenny, and David’s extended family and friends.

“Since arriving in Heathcote, Dave has been a good friend to me, my family, and the wider community. He will be greatly missed.

“He was liked by everybody; everybody loved him. He was a quiet bloke who was very active in many community groups. Very welcoming, always around.

“He made a point of making himself known and was happy to talk to people, and be involved in all our events.”

Mr Wherrett served in the Australian Defence Forces for 20 years and was a signaller in the Vietnam War where he was affectionately known as “Skeeter”.

Ron Meager from the Heathcote Men’s Shed said “David Wherrett was a long serving member and his company will be greatly missed.”

Mr Wherrett moved to Heathcote from Queensland with his partner Jenny Allan.

“David and I came to Victoria to visit my mother who was unwell,” said Ms Allan.

“We stopped in Heathcote for a coffee and browsed in the real estate agent’s window. We fell in love with a miner’s cottage, went back to Queensland, sold up and moved here.

“David loved being involved with the community. As well as the RSL, Freemasons and the Men’s Shed, he was actively involved with Food Share.

“He loved being president of the RSL although it hadn’t originally been a goal.

“There wasn’t a mean bone in his body.”

Mr Wherrett was a member of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Bendigo Sub-branch, and regularly attending meetings and made welfare visits to checking on others.

Gus Martonhelyi, current Master of Heathcote Lodge paid tribute to Mr Wherrett’s longstanding commitment to Freemasonry.

“Our brother David was initiated into Freemasonry in the Caboolture Lodge on 21 October 1993.

“He served as Master there in 2000-2001. He joined Heathcote Lodge on 30 November 2014. From 2016 until his passing, he served as our treasurer.

“David was a proud, keen Freemason, actively contributing to the life of the lodge, in any way he could, as he did in the RSL and the Men’s Shed.

Mr Wherrett is survived by his partner, three sons and five grandchildren.

He will be privately cremated, and a memorial service will be held at Heathcote RSL at a later date with details to be announced on the RSL Facebook page.