By Kath Gannaway
Ian Hugh Cameron
Born: 6 December, 1926; Died: 2 November, 2008
THE year Ian Hugh Cameron was born, 1926, his father Alan started negotiations for a land swap with the Wilson family in Woori Yallock.
Two years later, with the talking all done, the Camerons owned 100 acres of prolific stumps and blackberries at Woori Yallock while the Wilson family took on 640 acres in the Mallee.
For Ian, who died aged 81 on 2 November, it was the beginning of a relationship with the Woori Yallock district on which he thrived.
With the love of his life, Janet by his side, he worked the land, raised a family and contributed to life in the district through his involvement in many local organisations.
Ian and his sister Elva, two years younger, went to Woori Yallock State School. Like many young people of his day, Ian’s formal education ended early. Having obtained his Merit Certificate, Ian left school to help on the family’s dairy farm.
During the war the farm also produced vegetables under contract to the army. Ian was a storyteller and much of his family history and his life-time memories have been recorded.
The many friends and family who gathered at Lilydale Memorial Park to farewell Ian heard it was hard work, ploughing behind horses, picking peas, which he hated, and dreaming all the while of one day owning a tractor. He fulfilled that dream by ten times over; he was a collector of tractors!
“After the war, we were all able to work towards our ambitions, and we put in a bit of our spare time cultivating, cutting firewood and spraying blackberries. Later on we baled hay,” Ian had said.
Ian endeared in many different ways – stubborn, determined, resourceful, physically strong and always ready with his dry wit, he could fix anything he put his mind to and kept up with current affairs. He never shied away from hard work, a good discussion or argument, or the opportunity to tell a story.
One of many stories told at his service was of a trip to Croydon market where, after selling off some cows, he returned home with a piano. He bought it for the kids, of course, but in the end all the tinkling was done by Ian himself, who taught himself to play – by ear. Over the years, Ian served the local community, holding executive positions with the Woori Yallock Progress Association, Hall and Grounds Committee, Donna Buang Lodge, Upper Yarra Rotary Club and Woori Yallock School Centenary Committee. He was a member of the Woori Yallock Fire Brigade and co-founder, president and treasurer of the Lilydale Technical School.
Ian and his cousin Ivan Ferguson were more like brothers than cousins as they grew up together in Woori Yallock and remained close, sharing many interests and endeavours throughout their lives. Ivan paid a personal tribute and honoured Ian with the Masonic Service and Benediction. CFA captain Rick Shaw also spoke highly of Ian and his contribution to the brigade.
Celebrant Janis Tait spoke of Ian’s role as a loving husband and soul-mate to Janet and as a supportive and loving father and grandfather whose life-skills and values were enduring gifts to his family.
In recognition of the Scottish heritage of which he was so proud, the service concluded with the playing of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.
Ian Hugh Cameron was buried at Lilydale Memorial Park on Friday, 7 November 2008.
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