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SKEWES, David Leslie OAM (1929-2017)

SKEWES, David Leslie OAM (1929-2017)


David Skewes was described as 'a man of boundless energy and compassion for other people. He achieved many wonderful things in his life alongside teams of others with a smile on his face and a wit that he never lost, He was always humble, viewing community work not as a choice but asa duty.'

Born in Yarrawong on 10 October 1929, he first attended school in Yarrawong before enrolment as a boarder at Geelong College from 10 February 1944 to December 1946. At College, he was a member of the 1st Football XVIII for three years from 1944 to 1946. In 1946, he was Morrison House Vice-Captain and was awarded the Alexander Coto and John Coto Prize. He also rowed in the 3rd Rowing VIII of 1946.

After College he took up a cadetship with Kraft Foods in Melboune. After his marriage to a Yarrawonga girl he returned with her to Yarrawonga to live and David worked in the family owned grocery business. His involvement in community services dates from that time.
These notably included:
- Inaugral membership of Yarrawonga Old People's Welfare including 52 years of service from 1956 until its dissolution in 2008. For 32 years he was Chairman.
- Chairman of Warrina Hostel for the Aged for 16 years.
- Manager of the Meals on Wheels service for 42 years,
- Director of Alexandra Park Club Ltd for 39 years.
- Member of the Victorian Probation Officers Association for 46 years and Life Membership award on 22 October 1988.

Other groups that benefitted from his association were Jaycees, Scouts, Wilby and Yarrawonga Football Clubs, and Lawn Bowls. His contribution was such that the walking and cycling tracks at Gorman Park, Yarrawonga was named in his co-honour in 2014.

In the Australia Day Honours of January 2009 he received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for 'service to the community of Yarrawonga through roles with a range of recreational, aged-care and social welfare organisations.'

David Leslie Skewes died at Yarrawonga Hospital on 9 July 2017, aged 87 years


Sources: Herald Sun (Melb) 11 July 2017; 'David Skewes OAM farwelled' by Robert Muir - Riverine Herald. OGC 1943
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