LOCAL service groups and individuals have paid tribute to David Harden Wherrett following his passing last week.<\/p>\n
Mr Wherrett was a valued community member who touched the hearts of many people since moving to Heathcote almost 10 years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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\u00a0evening of Wednesday 11 October,\u201d said Miles Humphrey, vice-president, Heathcote RSL Sub-Branch.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe offer our deepest condolences to Jenny, and David’s extended family and friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince arriving in Heathcote, Dave has been a good friend to me, my family, and the wider community. He will be greatly missed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was liked by everybody; everybody loved him. He was a quiet bloke who was very active in many community groups. Very welcoming, always around.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe made a point of making himself known and was happy to talk to people, and be involved in all our events.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 \u201cSkeeter\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ron Meager from the Heathcote Men\u2019s Shed said \u201cDavid Wherrett was a long serving member and his company will be greatly missed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Wherrett moved to Heathcote from Queensland with his partner Jenny Allan.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid and I came to Victoria to visit my mother who was unwell,\u201d said Ms Allan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stopped in Heathcote for a coffee and browsed in the real estate agent\u2019s window. We fell in love with a miner\u2019s cottage, went back to Queensland, sold up and moved here.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid loved being involved with the community. As well as the RSL, Freemasons and the Men\u2019s Shed, he was actively involved with Food Share.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe loved being president of the RSL although it hadn\u2019t originally been a goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere wasn\u2019t a mean bone in his body.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Gus Martonhelyi, current Master of Heathcote Lodge paid tribute to Mr Wherrett\u2019s longstanding commitment to Freemasonry.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur brother David was initiated into Freemasonry in the Caboolture Lodge on 21 October 1993.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid 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\u2019s Shed.<\/p>\n
Mr Wherrett is survived by his partner, three sons and five grandchildren.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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. \u201cThe Committee and members of the Heathcote RSL Sub-Branch regret the passing of our esteemed president […]<\/p>\n