Warburton resident and local icon Ted Chisholm celebrated his
By Monique Ebrington
THE Warburton Recreation Reserve, nestled along the Yarra River, was the ideal place to celebrate community man and Warburton icon Ted Chisholm’s 90th birthday.
Ted has been a leading part of the Yarra River Crew who, for the past 18 years, have been responsible for walking tracks, bridges, ramps, seating and other improvements along the river.
The Warburton Bowls clubroom was just big enough to fit in the friends and family it takes a lifetime to acquire.
Ted was born in Warburton on 15 April and makes no apologies for being “a bit Warburton-minded”.
He started work at 14 at the local garage, served in the AIF during World War II and with his wife Peggy raised their family of four.
Ted joined the Warburton Advancement League more than 35 years ago and has been and still is a valuable community worker. His involvement in community projects however goes back even further.
Building the Cerini Centre alongside Father Cerini helping get a swimming pool for the town and his ongoing passion for the River Crew are just some of his contributions to the town.
Ted was the architect of the river project, a WAL initiative, and is still the driving force behind maintaining the tracks on a weekly basis.
While turning 90 is a great milestone, Ted is no stranger to accomplishment.
In 2007 Ted was presented by former Yarra Ranges mayor Tim Heenan with the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Shire of Yarra Ranges Australia Day Awards.
Cr Heenan described Ted as a “living treasure” saying he was held in high regard by the advancement league, the people in his river crew and the wider Warburton community.
Ted is not only a pride of his community, but also of his family. Grandson Charlie Chisholm could not speak more highly of him.
“He truly is an inspiration to all of us and his passion for everything he does really is infectious, he demands the best from himself and even a troublesome knee shows no signs of slowing him down,” Charlie said.
Charlie said that Ted’s high standards made him a family role model and that he was proud of Ted the father, grandfather and Warburton man who will always be a ‘doer’.
“I am sure there are a few chapters to add yet, and it will be interesting to know what project he’ll be working on at the time of his 100th birthday,” he said.
A portrait of Ted by local artist Sue Slusarek will be hung for the first two weeks of May in the Warburton Bendigo Bank and then at the Three Sugars Cafe for the remainder of May.
