“Pat & June Lawson – 65 Years of Marriage” Yesterday marked a significant life milestone for long standing Allora residents Pat & June Lawson, it was their anniversary having shared 65 years of marriage. The devoted couple, who have lived in their quaint three bedroom Queenslander at the northern end of Allora’s peaceful Arnold Street for their entire married life, wouldn’t change a thing. Saturday, 5th of March 1949 is a day remembered by the nation’s sporting fraternity as the day Sir Donald Bradman played his final first class cricket innings, but for Pat & June Lawson it means so much more. It was that special Autumn day when they exchanged vows before Reverend Alfred Haddon in Allora’s St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Warwick Street, now known as Allora’s Uniting Church. The newly married couple, along with family and guests, enjoyed their wedding breakfast in the old Allora Shire Hall, which is now one of the museums maintained by the Allora & District Historical Society, the organisation Pat & June have contributed to over many years. The couple met through work, June Dougall a pretty smiling face behind the counter at Cunnington’s Cafe, then in the Allora Motor’s complex at the corner of Herbert & Drayton Streets. Pat was on staff with the Main Roads Department, carting rock to a crusher at Dinny Hills, just north of Allora in a Chevrolet Maple Leaf truck. Pat was a frequent visitor to the cafe for lunch, and from there a romance blossomed that endured more than 65 years. Both were born in the Central Downs region, Pat in Clifton’s Aldershot Hospital on March 18th, 1926, the third of Jack & Annie Lawson’s five children. June, the eldest of Harry & Addie Dougall’s two daughters, was born on January 13th, 1926, in Allora at a hospital located at the time at 37 Forde Street, and later attended St. Patrick’s School at Allora. June’s father came from the Spring Creek area, and served in the 5th Light Horse Regiment in the first World War, and also saw service in World War II. The Dougall family home was a war service residence that later became the Lawson family home, June having resided in the house now for the past 84 years. Pat’s mother was a member of the Rickert family from Elphinstone near Allora, however his father Jack came from Portavogie, a village and fishing port in County Dow, Northern Ireland. “Dad was just a lad when travelling to Australia to stay with an Uncle at Clifton” said Pat, “he later fought for his adopted country in World War I in an artillery regiment”. The Lawson family resided in numerous locations as Pat was growing up, along with his parents, two brothers & two sisters, they lived at Talgai, Bellevue near Nobby, Bowenville, Apunyel, Colamba, Anduramba near Crows Nest and Toowoomba. Pat was quite a well travelled scholar as a result, attending schools in all the centres accept Anduramba. As a fourteen year old, Pat commenced work at the Toowoomba Foundry, “during the war years we made brass ‘caps’ for Ack Ack guns.” He left the foundry some years later to join the family firewood business, before commencing a 36 year career with the State Wheat Board. “I started as a wheeler wheeling grain bags, then progressed to a bag stacker, before becoming a classifier & relieving supervisor” recalled Pat, “then retirement in December 1987.” June was a conscientious home administrator and community volunteer, who departed the workforce after marrying Pat. She was also a devoted mother to son Wayne Lawson, born June 16th, 1951. Wayne, who now resides near Marburg, was an academic of note at the Allora State School, the school Dux in the secondary departments first three years of existence, 1964, 1965 & 1966. Allora has been most fortunate to have had Pat & June Lawson as members of its community, the Lawson’s providing tremendous community support for “the Best Little Town on the Downs”. June contributed a marathon 47 years service to the Allora & District Hospital Auxiliary, Pat serving for many years as the Auxiliary’s treasurer. They have also served the Allora Red Cross branch, June for 48 years & Pat for 24 years, June was also active with the Allora RSL Ladies Auxiliary, a Life Member of the organisation. The community minded couple have also been long serving members of ‘The Friends of the Homestead Committee’, the Allora & District Historical Society where Pat served as Treasurer for 24 years, the Allora Neighbourhood Watch committee and the former St. David’s Tennis Club. Pat & June were loyal servants to the St. David’s Tennis Club for many years, Pat filling the role of St. David’s Tennis Club Court Captain for over thirty years. The popular Tennis Club closed its membership books in 1999 ending an era in Allora sporting history. June’s father formed the Digger’s Tennis Club on his return from WW I, the forerunner to the St. David’s Tennis Club, June herself organising St. David’s women’s fixtures for more than 25 years. While enjoying their 65 years of marriage, Pat & June have seen Allora transform into a more modern community, “but it still looks much the same”. “We have a lot of new faces about now days, but we have been so fortunate to have had fine neighbours and such good friends” said June. After a very worrying six week stint in Toowoomba’s St. Vincent’s Hospital from July last year, Pat is still making a steady recovery to good health. The episode, while a great concern for family, friends and community, emphasised the love the couple have shared for well over half a century, June visiting Pat on all but one day of his hospitalisation. “I am so grateful to those that provided me with transport to Toowoomba during Pat’s illness, wonderful generosity, and the Blue Nurses and others who have provided support since.” After a lunch at the Warwick RSL Memorial Club on Tuesday to celebrate their anniversary, our happy couple, Mr & Mrs Lawson, spent their 23,682nd day together yesterday reflecting on their rich and rewarding memories recalled over a cuppa and chat.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 09:54:53 +0000
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