Town mourns Ted

By MARA PATTISON-SOWDEN
WARBURTON’s main street came to a standstill last Friday as Ted Chisholm was farewelled, meandering alongside the river with an entourage to his final resting place at the Upper Yarra Cemetery.
A new sign carved out over the weekend and now hanging below the entrance to town says it all, It reads simply: “Ted’s Town”.
In his 94th year, Ted closed his eyes for the last time on Friday 6 July.
At least 400 people came from far and wide, packing the Warburton Seventh-day Adventist Church on Friday 13 July, to farewell a man known for his strong family life, quick wit, sharp memory, tough work ethic and passionate contribution to the community he has always called home.
Celebrant Gavan Grosser said Ted had played a strong role in shaping much of the Warburton community, leaving a lasting legacy in many people’s lives.
“He had the eyes to see what needed to be done, his style was to roll up his sleeves and get the job done,” he said.
“There are many monuments around town to his energy, drive and workmanship.
“He was an ideas man and a bit of a stirrer…a legend in his lifetime.”
“He has now joined that august group of pioneers who carved out this town in first place.”
Ted’s son Danny Chisholm gave a eulogy, touching on the 70 years of Ted’s life before he became committed to the river.
“If Dad was here today, he’d start by saying I wish you hadn’t have gone to so much trouble, but really he’d be thinking ‘this is bloody great’,” he said.
“It’s easy to see how Dad changed the landscape of Warburton, just go sit on a seat on the riverbank.”
Ted’s close friend Dick Leith joked about how he was the first to have his picture in the paper, which Ted wasn’t happy about, but in the following years Ted would be recognised with photos of his work.
“Ted would call up and say, ‘ha, I’ve topped you mate’,” Mr Leith said.
Friends shared their stories of Ted. Eddie Woods spoke about his knack with young people, his prize car that “he’d drive as if he’d stolen it” and the front lawn which was never higher than an inch.
Lance Peel spoke of Ted’s antics while working together as tree clearers, and sung “Old Chiz” a song he had written about Ted, which he’d previously played to Ted, to receive the feedback “Mind that ‘old’ business”.
Bob Phillips spoke on behalf of the River Gang, of Ted’s hard work and leadership, and the remarkable work the gang had achieved together.
Former political representative for the Upper Yarra, Tammy Lobato said it was a real honour to pay tribute to “a man who shared my passion for strong communities”.
Ms Lobato called it fortuitous that she had stayed in Warburton the night Ted passed away, and came upon family and friends standing outside the house the following morning.
“My sadness was mixed with guilt but turned into comfort at the fact I was there at his home with his family to receive the news,” she said.
She said Ted had become a friend after he began lobbying her for everything for Warburton.
Ms Lobato said Ted’s driving need to improve the town got him into trouble from time to time, and on some occasions she had been called in to help.
“Ted had decided he was going to build a new walking track around Chisholm Park to a magnificent lookout … and it was a terrific path,” she said.
However, she was forced to become mediator between a very angry DSE and Ted and the River Gang.
“Afterwards he promised he wouldn’t do it again …unless he told me first,” she said.
Warburton RSL also paid tribute to the service Ted provided in World War II as a mechanic.
He left the church to the tune of Peter Allen’s ‘I still call Australia (Warburton) home’, and was laid to rest in the family plot at Wesburn’s cemetery.
A small Stihl chainsaw was left at Ted’s graveside, although some thought a ride-on mower would be more appropriate.
An obituary on Ted’s life will feature in a coming edition of the Mail.